Ryanair customers who want more space on their flight might be interested in the airline’s comfort seats. While some passengers have no preference for where they sit, many customers know exactly what they want for a relaxing flight.

For some passengers, choosing an aisle seat or a window seat can make a big difference to their journey. For customers who enjoy stretching out for a few hours, it might also be worth paying to add an ‘extra comfort seat’ to their booking.

Ryanair’s website explains that customers can buy an extra seat next to their actual seat for added comfort. Sharing advice for passengers, the airline’s online help centre says customers simply need to specify that the extra seat is a comfort seat when booking.

The airline said: “Firstly, purchase two full-fare flight tickets. Book the first ticket in your name. Then for your second ticket, enter ‘EXTRA’ as the first name and ‘COMFORT SEAT’ as the last name. ‘EXTRA COMFORT SEAT’ will then be added to your reservation. When checking in online, the same travel document details will be added for you and your extra seat.”

Other passengers might prefer to book a seat in an emergency exit row. However, Ryanair says these are not suitable for passengers who have booked an extra comfort seat. Other safety restrictions also apply.

The rules are enforced in case of emergency. Ryanair’s website explains: “No, for safety reasons, you can only sit in an emergency exit seat if you are:

• 16 years or older;
• Willing and able to help in the event of an emergency;
• Travelling without an infant (this also applies to pax with seats leading to emergency exit rows);
• Do not require airport assistance of any kind;
• Do not require a seat belt extender;
• Have no extra comfort seat booked.

“Only non-disabled adults are permitted to sit at emergency seat rows as you may be called upon to assist crew members in the unlikely event of an emergency evacuation.” More information is available on the UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) website.

The CAA says: “Many airlines charge for seat selection. Carriers should aim to seat children under 12 in the same row, or no more than one row or aisle away, from their accompanying adult and make all reasonable efforts to seat a disabled person or person with reduced mobility with the person accompanying them. Most airlines have processes in place to ensure this happens, but we recommend you contact the airline to confirm their seating policies.

“Passengers travelling with small children should contact their airline to discuss to confirm that their preferred restraint device is acceptable and appropriate for the aircraft type. Some passengers are restricted from sitting in emergency exit rows.”