Ryanair has abolished the fee for flights with children
Ryanair has changed the rules for flights with children aged 2 to 11 from June 25. Now the budget airline will provide a seat for free to an adult and a child flying together.
Ryanair said that the innovation is related to the requirement of the Competition and Markets Authority of the UK. However, an analysis of the airline’s booking system showed that the new rules apply to all Ryanair flights.
What has changed for families
Before the innovations, Ryanair charged an adult passenger flying with a child a mandatory fee for choosing a seat, while the child was provided with a seat for free.
Now the budget airline provides two options: free and paid.
In the free option, the system will automatically provide seats for an adult and a child during online check-in. Until the check-in is complete, you cannot select specific seats or rows, but the airline guarantees that you and the child will sit together.
The paid option for selecting seats for adults with children operates on a general basis. If you choose this option, you will have to pay for a specific seat for both yourself and the child, and not just for yourself as before. This fee on Ryanair flights ranges from 4.5 to 36.5 euros per passenger one way and depends on the selected row and route.
Ryanair has increased check-in closing time from 40 to 60 minutes before flight
- Ryanair will require passengers who are checking in baggage to arrive at the airport earlier, and check-in and baggage drop-off will close 60 minutes before the scheduled departure.
- This new deadline, increased from the previous 40 minutes, will come into effect from November 10, 2026 at all Ryanair airports.
- The airline states that this change is aimed at giving passengers more time to go through airport security checks and passport control, thereby reducing instances of missed flights.
- Ryanair will open check-in counters earlier to accommodate the new deadline, and the change will primarily affect the 20 percent of passengers who check in baggage.
- This step is partly a response to delays faced by some passengers at passport control due to the EU’s Entry-Exit System, and Ryanair is also installing self-service kiosks at over 95 percent of its airports by October.
To avoid unpleasant surprises, Ryanair recommends arriving at the airport in advance. The company advises arriving at least 60 minutes before departure, or else you risk a fine of up to 120 euros. For short-haul flights, for example, Dublin Airport recommends arriving 2 hours earlier, while for long-haul flights it is recommended to arrive at least 3 hours earlier.
Changes in rules in 2025
In 2025, Ryanair introduced important changes for its passengers: farewell to paper boarding passes, replaced by digital ones, as well as new rules regarding hand luggage, with a special focus on the size and arrival time at the airport. However, there may be obstacles in implementing the new rules, as the Competition and Markets Authority forced the company to reimburse travelers for misleading information about online check-in.
- From November 12, 2025, the airline has fully switched from paper to electronic boarding passes.
- The airline also, from 1.08.2025, increased the free hand luggage dimensions to 40x30x20 cm.
Useful articles and links:
- 10 low-cost airports in Europe – how to get there the cheapest
- How I travel with small carry-on luggage
- Wi-Fi on board the plane – how and where you can use the Internet during the flight
- The best cities for a stopover – what to do in 24 hours
Travel medical insurance for traveling abroad – online at HotlineFinance
Hotel and apartment bookings – Booking.com
