Summary Ryanair loses appeal in Italy regarding extra fees for passengers choosing seats next to accompanying minors or travelers with a disability. Italy's top court sides with the country's Civil Aviation Authority in banning Ryanair's extra fee practice in such cases. The US has also put forward legislation preventing airlines from charging extra for families with young children to sit together.
European low-cost carrier Ryanair has lost its appeal against a ban in Italy on charging travelers to sit next to accompanying children under 12 or people with disabilities. The dispute between the airline and Italian authorities regarding the issue has been ongoing for a few years, with the dismissal now coming from Italy's top administrative court. Ryanair loses appeal The Council of State, Italy's top administrative court, has sided with the country’s Civil Aviation Authority (ENAC) to dismiss Ryanair’s appeal against a ban on its policy of charging passengers extra for sitting next to accompanying children below 12 or people with disabilities.
The carrier charges extra for passengers who wish to choose where they sit, which can be anywhere from €22-30 ($24.58-$33.52).
However, according to the Council of State, "the need for proximity of the seats between minor and accompanying person is clearly connected with the safety obligation." It said that this responsibility lies with the airline, which cannot charge extra for it. The airline, however, told Reuters that it "does n.