Ryanair keeping APD for Teens

eurotraveler12

Ok I am not sure if this is a scam but here is what I have found, this is the advice from uk-gov website on APD for childern

Children

Children under 2 years old without a seat are exempt from Air Passenger Duty, it does not matter what class they travel in. However, if a seat is purchased for an infant, they will only by exempt from Air Passenger Duty if they’re in the lowest class of travel.

Children under 16 years old on the date of the flight, and in the lowest class of travel, are exempt. If children under 16 years old are travelling in any other class or in business jets, they are not exempt.

When I make a bookin however for my wife and I and our 2 of 12 year olds the price for each leg is the same for all of us, somehow I dont think Ryanair are paying the APD when they dont have to so are they not passing the reduced rate onto there customers? see atached clip from my booking.

Screenshot 2026-05-18 113615.jpg

la531983

But Ryanair only has one class of travel….

flaneurs_lobster

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82002974#Comment_82002974

….I wonder what descriptor might be appropriate?

la531983

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82002978#Comment_82002978

Ha. But surely thats the answer here isnt it?

Children under 16 years old on the date of the flight, and in the lowest class of travel, are exempt.

They only have one class. If they has two then yes, it would be exempt for the lowest.

flaneurs_lobster

The OP is making a fairly chunky assumption, that Ryanair do not pass all APD collected to HMRC.

…somehow I dont think Ryanair are paying the APD when they dont have to…

Does the OP have any basis for this accusation of tax evasion?

la531983

Wouldnt their tax affairs be none of our business? When I pay a tradesman or company I dont particular care if they pass the VAT on, thats not my problem

flaneurs_lobster

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82003000#Comment_82003000

But if you had evidence of their lawbreaking wouldn't you have a civic duty to grass them up report their wrongdoing to the authorities?

la531983

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82003010#Comment_82003010

Maybe. So be interested to see what evidence the OP has.

bagand96

Is the assertion here that because the flight prices are the same for each passenger, the airline are charing APD for each passenger, even though they don't need to pay it?

For a lot of Ryanair fares, especially the cheapest ones, Ryanair do not charge the passenger for APD:

Obviously it still needs paying by Ryanair, but they have not passed that on to the customer for some fares.

flaneurs_lobster

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82004203#Comment_82004203

Begs the question - why?

Grumpy_chap

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82004232#Comment_82004232

I would imagine it is to avoid claims for a refund of APD for customers who do not fly. Easier to build that into the price and then say "you do not pay" than have to deal with refund requests which probably cost more to administer than the actual refund.