Ryanair passengers will no longer have to pay to guarantee a seat next to their children, but the new policy announced Thursday means families choosing free allocation will only learn their seats after check-in. The change follows a Competition and Markets Authority investigation into whether the airline’s previous policy breached consumer law.

Previously, adults could reserve a seat for themselves and up to four accompanying children by paying one discounted reservation fee, typically £8 each way. Under the revised rules, families who decline to pay are assigned seats together without charge, but those seats are likely to be at the rear of the aircraft.

The airline’s chief executive, Michael O’Leary, said the company was reluctantly adjusting to what he described as the industry standard. He argued the old system gave families certainty at the time of booking and criticized regulators for focusing on Ryanair rather than other consumer issues.

The CMA said it would test the new arrangement thoroughly. A spokesperson stated that if the policy now complies with the law, it represents a win for families, but noted the investigation remains open. The regulator previously raised concerns that parents might have been charged for seating required by safety and disability obligations.

Consumer group Which? welcomed the change but cautioned that it would monitor whether parents are indeed seated next to their children without charge. Editor Rory Boland remarked that Ryanair appeared unhappy about being forced to act.

For families flying from Northern Ireland airports, the practical effect is that those willing to accept any assigned seat can still sit together for free, but they will not know their seat location until check-in. Passengers wanting to select specific seats, including those near the front, will continue to pay.

Ryanair said the policy shift would not affect its revenue and applies to all new bookings from June 25. The carrier stressed that children will always be seated beside an accompanying adult on the same booking at no additional cost.