RYANAIR HAS ANNOUNCED plans to begin trials for reserved seating on selected flights from next month, allowing passengers the chance to choose their seat on-board in advance of taking off.

The new system will offer passengers the choice either to take whatever seats are unavailable, or instead to pay €10 for the privilege of sitting in either of the front two rows of the plane.

Ryanair said those rows would be particularly attractive to passengers, as they would allow for a “prompt exit on arrival” – though the offer would not apply to the two back rows, which are also useful for passengers looking to make a quick exit through the plane’s rear doors.

The offer would also extend to the two central rows, 16 and 17, which are seated over the wings – beside the emergency exits – and therefore offer more leg room.

The €10 fee will include priority boarding for those passengers, allowing them to bypass the regular check-in queue. The priority boarding option will remain available for other passengers, at €4 each way.

The trial will begin on flights from Dublin to Malaga and London Gatwick from May 16 next month. A Ryanair spokesman said the service would be rolled out selectively to other routes.

Would you pay €10 to sit in the front two rows of a Ryanair flight?