Ryanair’s irresistibly low fares make jet-setting across Europe accessible to many, but the airline’s penchant for charging extra fees, particularly for seat selection, has become a familiar frustration for passengers, and in some cases can double the cost of your flight.
In this guide, we’ll look at the intricacies of Ryanair’s seating policies, uncovering tips, tricks, and hacks to help you secure your desired seat without breaking the bank.
Ryanair seat prices and selection cost?
While the best seats will be the ones which fits your travel needs the best, Ryanair clearly sees more value in seats at the front of plane. Or put correctly passengers do, and hence Ryanair charges them more to sit there.
Top 5 Ryanair seats
- Row 2 A/F – First premium row, best window views.
- Exit-row (rows 10–11) – Generous leg-room; bag in locker.
- Rows 6–7 C/D – Standard-Plus; quieter, front zone.
- Middle aisles 16/17 – Easy aisle access, avoid missing armrest on A/F.
- Rear windows 30/31 E/F – Privacy; de-plane last.
The first 3 rows (actually starting from row 2 to 5 as shown the chart above), are premium seats with fares ranging from £19 to £28. The next two rows despite being towards the front of the plane considered a standard plus, and cost £15.
Seats with extra leg room cost £21, but bear in mind that typically you cannot put your bag below in the seat in front of these. You’ll have to use an overhead locker, which means getting up and down each time you want to access something.
Basic standard seating starts at £11 rising to £14 and £15 the further forward you go.
Seats to avoid on Ryanair flights
On Ryanair’s Boeing 737-800 aircraft there are a number of seats are best avoided.
- Seat 11A is missing a window
- Seats 12A and 12F are also either missing a window or the window is misaligned
- Seats 16A, 16F and 17A, 17A are missing a window-side armrest due to the emergency exit
If flying other carriers or on different planes you can get up to date crowd-sourced seating information from Seatguru.
How much do Rynair seats costs?
| Seat type | Price (one-way) | Pitch | Width | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Premium (rows 2–5) | £12 – £36.5 | 81–86 cm | 43 cm | Extra leg-room; bag in locker |
| Standard-Plus (rows 16–17) | £8 – £24 | 76 cm | 43 cm | Seats by emergency exits |
| Standard (rows 8–31) | £4.5–£20 | 76 cm | 43 cm | Cheapest; middle seats often last filled |
How much legroom is there on Ryanair?
Ryanair seats are 43cm (17″) wide, and have a pitch of 76cm (30″). Premium seats i.e. those with extra legroom have a pitch of 81-86cm (32-34″).
The pitch is the distance between the back of your seat and the seat in front.
As you can see from the image above, the standard seats don’t leave much leg room, especially if you have a bag underneath the seat in front. At 178cm (5,10″), and I find it a little cramped, but bearable for a couple of hours.
How can I make sure I get the best seat on Ryanair flights?
Put simply, checking as late as possible, and be sure to board last. While these won’t guarantee you the best seats on the plane, they’ll massively boost your chances of getting a window or an aisle seat.
How to get a window or aisle seat
Unless you’ve paid for an upgraded fare, checkin for Ryanair flights opens 24 hours before departure and closes 2 hours before you’re due to take off. If you haven’t paid to select a seat, Ryaniar’s random seat allocation will typically fill the most undesirable seats first, then market an upgrade to you.
If you prefer a window or an aisle seat, then checking in as late as possible is your best bet at securing one. Typically I’ll checkin as late as 30 mins before the online checkin closes, and in my last 10 Ryanair flights, only once have I been placed in a middle seat (more on that later).
Others too have confirmed this works, but it’s not without risk. Checking in just two and half hours before departure will typically mean you’re already on your way to the airport, and could encounter spotty reception. Additionally, there’s a risk you run into problems with the Ryanair app, or that while you’re busy hopping on and off trains, you simply forget.
Any of these scenarios will be costly as Ryanair charges up to £55 for checking in at their desk in the airport.
How to get a seat at the back of the plane
Ryanair’s random seat allocator typically starts filling up plane from the rear to the middle, then from the front to the middle. Those who prefer not to be in the middle of the plane should avoid checking in late.
Across all my flights, checking in late has usually meant a seat the middle 5-7 rows of the plane. While this should be a more comfortable experience in terms of movement of the plane, it also means a little more noise from the engines, and of course it’s slower to disembark.
If you want a seat closer to the rear, or the front of the plane then checking in early is the way to go.
How to get a seat at the front of the plane
Seats near the front of plane are typically sold at a premium, but if you prefer not to pay extra there is a trick you try.
Once at your gate for the flight, try to gauge how busy the flight is. Ryanair uses the Boeing 737-800 aircraft which typically holds 180 passengers. If you see there’s only around 100 passengers waiting at your gate, there’s a good chance of their being empty seats at the front of the plane.
In this situation, regardless of whether your boarding pass says to board at the rear, board at the front of plane, and board last or as a close to last if possible. This will let you assess the seating options available, and nab a top seat.
If the seats at the front of plane are all taken, perhaps due to people paying to choose their seat, then you can just carry on to your allocated seat, or choose and alternative seat.
Board last, board slowly
Once a the gate for your flight you often get a line of people queuing up ready to board. There’s no reason to do this unless you are desperate to store your carry-on in a locker directly above you.
I often just sit and wait. Firstly it lets me gauge how busy the flight is, secondly assuming the flight isn’t at full capacity, it boarding last and through the front of the plane, allows me to assess my seating options.
If I see a row of empty seats, or a more desirable seat than my allocated one, I’ll take it. Otherwise I’ll just head to my allocated seat as usual.
What about luggage?
Unless you’ve paid for an extra bag, or bought an upgraded fare, you’re typically limited to a single carry-on bag of 40 x 20 x 25 cm, which is supposed to be stored under the seat in front of you. The actual size of the space under the seat is larger than this limit, so if your bag is a little oversize, you will lightly get away it as long as it’s compressible.
If the flight isn’t busy, you’ll typically find space in the overhead lockers though. None of the extra leg-room seats allow baggage to be stored in front of you. It will be put in an overhead locker, which may or may not be close to you, so bear that in mind when booking.
We’ve got a complete guide to budget airline baggage allowances, including Ryanair, so be sure to take a look at that before flying.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do Ryanair seats cost?
Standard seats: £4.50-£20 one‑way
Standard‑Plus: £8-£24 one‑way
Extra‑legroom: up to £36.5 one‑way
Front rows: £7.5–£22 one‑way
What are the seat pitch and width on Ryanair?
All seats are 43 cm (17″) wide. Standard pitch is 76 cm (30″); premium/extra‑legroom seats have 81–86 cm (32–34″) pitch.
How does Ryanair’s random seat allocation actually work?
Ryanair fills unreserved seats in this order:
1. Rear → middle rows
2. Front → middle rows
Checking in late (close to 2 hrs before) lands you in middle rows; very early (24 hrs before) pushes you to the back.
Can I change my seat after I’ve checked in?
Yes, via “Manage Booking” you can pay the seat‑selection fee (£11–28 depending on row) up until 2 hrs before departure, subject to availability.
What happens if I miss online check‑in?
You must check in at the airport desk and Ryanair charges up to £55 for a desk check‑in. Always set a reminder for 2 hrs before departure!
Are exit‑row seats free?
No—exit‑row seats (rows 10–11) are classed as “extra leg‑room” and cost around £21 one‑way. Passengers must meet safety requirements to be eligible.
Which Ryanair seats have misaligned or missing windows?
Avoid seats 11A, 12A, 12F (misaligned/missing windows) and 16A, 16F, 17A, 17F (missing window‑side armrest due to exit‑row structure).
How can I make sure my family sits together without paying for seats?
Ryanair won’t auto‑cluster groups on free seats. Your options are:
• Pay for contiguous seats upfront, or
• Check in together very late (<30 mins before) and hope for adjacent free spots—risky if busy.
Do Ryanair seats recline or have power outlets?
All 737‑800 seats are fixed‑back (non‑reclining) and have no in‑seat power outlets. Bring a portable charger if needed.
When does Ryanair’s web check‑in open and close?
Opens exactly 24 hours before scheduled departure and closes 2 hours before take‑off. No exceptions.
Can I reserve an extra seat for medical or comfort reasons?
You can apply via Ryanair Special Assistance at least 48 hrs before departure. Approval isn’t guaranteed but may grant you a free extra seat.
How wide are Ryanair seats compared to other budget airlines?
Ryanair: 43 cm width, 76 cm pitch
EasyJet: 44 cm width, 76 cm pitch
Wizz Air: 43 cm width, 71–73 cm pitch
Premium seats (rows 2–5) offer extra pitch (81–86 cm), priority window/aisle and early exit, but no under‑seat bag space—overhead locker only. Priced £19–28 one‑way.
How do I pick my seat when booking?
During booking, select “Reserve My Seat” or add “Priority & 2 Cabin Bags.” Seat prices display on the seat map. You can also change via Manage Booking up to 2 hrs pre‑flight.
Want to find the cheapest flights to your destination? Don’t assume it’s Ryanair. Check out the latest prices on an aggregator like Skyscanner, before booking directly with the airline itself. Also see our guide to getting the cheapest flights.