Ryanair is under investigation by Italian authorities for charging parents extra fees to sit next to their young children during flights. The probe centers on the airline's policy of allocating seats randomly unless customers pay an additional fee, effectively forcing families to pay for the guarantee of sitting together.
Consumer advocacy groups argue that the practice violates passenger rights and places an unfair burden on families. The investigation could lead to fines or mandatory policy changes if Ryanair is found to have breached regulations.
In response, Ryanair questions the investigation's validity, stating that families can check in together for free, while acknowledging that random seat allocation may still separate them unless payment is made.