FILE- In this Wednesday, May 13, 2015 file photo passengers disembark a Ryanair plane, at the Marseille Provence airport, in Marignane, southern France. Ryanair said Monday, July 25, 2016 it will reduce winter services at its main London hub and focus on other European bases because of weakened British growth and consumer sentiment following Britainís vote to leave the EU. (AP Photo/Claude Paris, File)
Parents will have to pay (Picture: AP)

People travelling with children under 12 will have to pay to reserve seats on Ryanair.

Previously, everyone could choose for the company to allocate their seats, which could lead to families sitting apart from one another.

This led to cabin crew having to ask people to change seats if parents were not given a ticket near their kids.

Now they will be forced to pay £8 extra to reserve the seats and ensure the problem doesn’t arise.

The new policy will come into effect from September 1.

CWP4YB Graphic image of two children looking at a Ryanair aircraft at Dublin airport departure lounge Credit: Alamy
Kids get a free seat reservation (Picture: Alamy)

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A standard reserved seat costs £4 so for both parents to be sure of sitting with their child, they will need to pay £8.

Teenagers will not have to reserve a seat.

Ryanair’s chief marketing officer Kenny Jacobs said: ‘Ryanair is Europe’s number one airline for families and this summer all customers are enjoying fares that are 10% lower than last year.

‘That’s a four euro (£3.37) saving on every flight and these changes will allow parents to save another four euros for every one of their children travelling together.

‘It will also allow families to select their preferred seats at the time of booking, check-in for their flights up to 30 days prior to departure and fly safe in the knowledge that they are getting Europe’s lowest air fares, while ensuring that they always sit with their children.

‘This will also prevent other customers who have chosen to purchase a seat of their own from being displaced on board.’