Ryanair travel advise please

appleblossom

We are flying out next week to Calella and I am starting to panic as never booked online before so just really need a bit of reassurance!

I have today added an extra suitcase for my daughter (prev we had only booked one for me and one for hubby but on reflection think its cheaper then risking going over the weight limit)

I also founf out today about the free for all boarding so have just ordered priority boarding for both journeys,

I can check in online for both journeys tomorrow.

Have bought some little luggage scales to take as thought that might help for return journey too,

Is there anything else I need to be doing? Not planning on eating on the plane as we fly mid-afternoon so can have lunch at the airport and dinner in calella.

I think I'm more anxious as it's the first time we have taken the kids abroad so it's not just me and hubby to think about this time.

Any advice greatfully received. x

kerry13238

appleblossom wrote: »

We are flying out next week to Calella and I am starting to panic as never booked online before so just really need a bit of reassurance!

I have today added an extra suitcase for my daughter (prev we had only booked one for me and one for hubby but on reflection think its cheaper then risking going over the weight limit)

I also founf out today about the free for all boarding so have just ordered priority boarding for both journeys,

I can check in online for both journeys tomorrow.

Have bought some little luggage scales to take as thought that might help for return journey too,

Is there anything else I need to be doing? Not planning on eating on the plane as we fly mid-afternoon so can have lunch at the airport and dinner in calella.

I think I'm more anxious as it's the first time we have taken the kids abroad so it's not just me and hubby to think about this time.


Any advice greatfully received. x

main thing is the hand luggage if you buy any duty free that has to fit in your bag. you can also only check in 15 days before so make sure when you check in its 15 days before your return flight cause you will need to print your boarding cards for the return journey too.

what is the free for all boarding?

appleblossom

Thanks for your reply - I'm checking in tomorrow so that I can do the return flight at the same time.

Sorry, my way of saying no seating allocation, a few reviews have said it can be a bit hit and miss if you get to sit with your fellow passengers without priority boarding and as its the first time as a family, I really dont want to be seperated plus the kids are far too young (4 and 7) to be sat without us by them.

kerry13238

my kids are 11 and 9 so i wouldnt want to be seperated either how much was the pre booked seats.i wonder if ryan air would move people if kids will end up being sat alone? its hardly wise to have the kids sat seperatly lol

appleblossom

It was £24 for both journeys, from what I can gather, they have 2 queues at the boarding gate one for those who pay the extra and one for those that don't - if you pay you get to board first and hopefully get a chance of being altogether, if you don't pay it really is hit and miss - one forum I read was that it took them nearly 3/4 of the way down the plane before anyone would change seats so their child could sit with them - ryanair don't seem to ask passengers to change for the sake of children.

Pollycat

appleblossom
re the priority boarding - it only really works if you walk to the plane rather than being put on a bus.
If they have to bus you to the plane, you'll find that you'll get on the bus first, then the people who haven't paid for priority boarding will get on the same bus - and probably get off before you.

Here's a tip:
head for the rear stairs and board from the back.
Most people go for the front stairs so you can choose your seats whilst they are scrumming for seats.
It does mean that you'll probably be one of the last to get off though.

Don't worry about it too much, I've flown Ryanair a few times, have never paid for priority boarding (although I think it used to be free if you did on-line checkin at one time) and have always had no problems finding a seat with my OH.

Make sure that your hold luggage is not overweight and that your cabin baggage is within Ryanair's dimensions and within the 10kg limit.
If it's larger than Ryanair say is acceptable, you may not get stopped but it's a possibility.

Enjoy your holiday.

keletubbie

I think that the priority boarding is a con, along with most of Ryanair's additional add ons.

Just make sure that you're there in plenty of time and don't hesitate to push ahead to get on the plane. I have travelled with 6 people and with just one friend and we've always managed to sit together.

When my daughter turns 2 next year, I intend to start city hopping with her.... I have no desire to pay 16 times more for her ticket just to take her buggy to the gate with me!

lorweld

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ralabaf

I find that Ryan Air flights usually fill up from the exits so if you walk further into the centre of the plane there's usually empty rows. MAKE SURE you don't sit in the rows with emergency exits if you have kids. They will ask you to move.

If you're happy to stand and queue near the boarding gate you should be ok without priority boarding. To my mind, the main avantage of priority boarding is being near an exit which means you don't have to queue ages at British Immigration Control on your return. Still, if you have hold luggage, you might end up waiting for that anyway.

There was a mother and child that got on my flight late on Wednesday and ended up being separated during take-off, but as I was travelling alone I hapily moved so they could be together.

Pollycat

ralabaf wrote: »

If you're happy to stand and queue near the boarding gate you should be ok without priority boarding. To my mind, the main avantage of priority boarding is being near an exit which means you don't have to queue ages at British Immigration Control on your return. Still, if you have hold luggage, you might end up waiting for that anyway.

ralabaf
unfortunately, the OP has already paid for Priority Boarding.

appleblossom wrote: »

I also founf out today about the free for all boarding so have just ordered priority boarding for both journeys,