Should You Let Kids Sit Alone on Ryanair When You Don’t Pay for Seats?

Should You Let Kids Sit Alone on Ryanair When You Don’t Pay for Seats?

Flying with kids can be stressful enough. You have to think about packing their things, keeping them entertained, making sure they are comfortable, and dealing with any fears they might have about flying. And on budget airlines like Ryanair, there is another thing to think about. Seating.

Image: A photo of an airport featuring a crowd of people lined up to board a Ryanair aeroplane during the day.

What Happens If You Don’t Pay for Seats on Ryanair?

You don't have to pay for seat selection when using Ryanair, which can be both a good and a bad thing. It means you don't get to pay extra, but at the same time, the airline chooses where you sit, which might not be the most ideal for you.

If you are a parent wondering if the child will be seated next to you, well, the truth is, you can’t always count on it. If you don’t pay for seats, you could end up in different rows, which might be okay if your child is older and used to flying. But if your child is young, shy, or nervous about being alone, it can be quite a concern.

Their policy says that children under 12 must be seated with at least one adult in the booking. If you are flying with more than one child, the airline might split you up so one child is with you and the other (s) in another row.

Why You Shouldn't Let Your Kids Sit Alone

Before you let your child sit rows from you, here are a couple of things to think about:

Turbulence or sudden bumps

If the seatbelt sign comes on and the plane shakes, a child sitting alone might panic. Even if they are calm, they might have questions or need help fastening their belt.

Talking to strangers

Most people on flights are friendly, but not everyone is patient with children. Some strangers might not want to help your child or might even make them uncomfortable.

Eating and drinking

If your child struggles to open food packaging or needs help with their drink, it is much harder for them when you are not nearby.

Needing the toilet

Younger children might need you to walk them to the toilet, but if they are seated far from you, they may be too shy to get up and come find you.

Emergencies

In rare cases like medical problems, you want to be right there to help.

Image: A photo of an aeroplane cabin fully packed, with most passengers seated, others walking up and down the aisle, and others putting their luggage away in the overhead compartments.

So, Should You Pay for Seats or Take the Risk?

If your child is young (under 12), nervous, or hasn’t flown before, it is strongly recommended to pay for your seats. The cost of selecting seats on Ryanair is usually not huge compared to the peace of mind you will have knowing your kids are right next to you.

If your child is older (over 12), used to flying, and confident, you might be fine letting them sit separately.

It all comes down to comfort, safety, and peace of mind. If you don’t want to pay for every single seat, you can travel with another adult so your child is not sitting alone with strangers, or try your luck by checking in faster, as soon as the online check-in window opens.

You can also politely ask other passengers if they are willing to swap seats so you can sit with your child. Many people will understand.