Airlines investigated for splitting up passengers who refuse to pay extra

The Civil Aviation Authority is launching a review into airlines’ seating policies.

 

Airlines are being investigated by the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) over “random” seat allocation policies after a flurry of complaints from passengers who had been separated from their travel companions.

 

The CAA estimate that seat selection fees are earning airlines up to £390 million a year from UK fliers alone.

 

For passengers who refuse to pay extra, around one in five are being split up from their friends or family.

 

For Ryanair, that figure increases to more than one in three.

 

Andrew Haines, chief executive of the CAA, said: “Airline seating practices are clearly causing some confusion for consumers. Airlines are within their rights to charge for allocated seats, but if they do so it must be done in a fair, transparent way.”

 

“We will not hesitate to take any necessary enforcement action should it be required at the end of the review,” he added.