My first Ryanair flight experiance..

stokegal

After all the horror stories I had heard of hidden charges, being made to re-pack your bag at the gate and staff generally doing anything in order for you to be charged extra I have to say I was very nervous about my first flight with Ryanair, and the result was....

Brilliant :D:D

I had 2 emails reminding me to print off my boarding passes, when I did print off my passes the boxes were pre-ticked for outbound and return flights (I was so worried that I was going to do something wrong and not print off my return ticket)

I paid the extra to check a bag in as I was worried about my bag being refused at the gate, I even weighed my bag 3 times - once on the luggage scales I bought, once on the normal scales and once on my wii fit and then I winced when I saw that the airport my bag was over the 15kg allowance (both ways too!) - but nothing was said and no charge was made, I really shouldn't have been worried though, I would have managed fine with a bag onboard.

The plane was clean, with no pockets on the seat in front it didn't mean that I had that awful feeling of putting my hand into get the safety card and feeling all the crumbs or chewing gum from previous passengers (yuk!!)

The crew were fine, I never felt like I was overly being sold anything, I simply ignored their sales pitch on hertz and overhead posters and politely declinded their offer of a raffle ticket.

The flight on the way there was on time, landed early and my luggage was at the airport before I was
On the way back my flight was delayed by about 20 minutes - the staff couldn't not have been more apologetic and I heard nobody complain.

My only cringe worthy moment was the fanfare at the end of the flight out which they played as they had landed early... but if that's the only complaint I had I'm happy enough

So overall :D:D £54 return from Liverpool to Dublin for 2 adults - no complaints from me

So I guess this post will probably be torn apart by the people who have had bad experiances with Ryanair but I have to say I am one very satisified customer

spiro

You have now joined the ranks of those who are perfectly happy to travel with Ryanair and who follow the rules so didn't incur any unexpected 'extras'. Congratulations and may it be the 1st of many. :beer:

jamesbrownontheroad

stokegal wrote: »

So I guess this post will probably be torn apart by the people who have had bad experiances with Ryanair but I have to say I am one very satisified customer

Thanks for sharing your experiences. They tally precisely with my experiences flying weekly with FR over to Ireland and back. In thirty plus flights, never been late, never been cancelled and rarely arrived anything less than ten minutes early. The scheduling is a lot more mature than some airlines - I'll admit the fanfare is annoying but at least FR know to schedule in reasonable cushions to almost all flights.

Nobjocki

jamesbrownontheroad wrote: »

Thanks for sharing your experiences. They tally precisely with my experiences flying weekly with FR over to Ireland and back. In thirty plus flights, never been late, never been cancelled and rarely arrived anything less than ten minutes early. The scheduling is a lot more mature than some airlines - I'll admit the fanfare is annoying but at least FR know to schedule in reasonable cushions to almost all flights.

Ditto my last 10 Ryanair flights.
And without Michael O'Leary I think we'd all still be queuing up to check-in even with hand baggage only.

choc_mouse

I've flown many Ryanair flights and not had any serious issues as I know the rules. The one flight I did have delayed I don't mind as I got an insurance payout which paid for my flight 5 times over

apt

Nobjocki wrote: »

Ditto my last 10 Ryanair flights.
And without Michael O'Leary I think we'd all still be queuing up to check-in even with hand baggage only.

Plenty of airlines introduced online check-in before Ryanair. What Ryanair has pioneered is heavy charges for not checking-in online, and now, for the majority of flights, an unavoidable online check-in fee. I'm not sure I should be particularly grateful to O'Leary for this. I have had two bad experiences with Ryanair about about ten which have been fine. I am willing to use Ryanair, but would prefer a less brash/trashy airline if there is an alternative.

BusPass_2

I don't want this to read like a Michael O'Leary love in but my wife and I have flown in the last year to Malaga, Paris, Marseilles and Weeze (or Dusseldorf) as Ryanair would have it, and back, all for less than £70 in total. Marseilles last July at £16 all in was a particular bargain.

I admit I am price driven but every flight was on time (yes, we did get the trumpet message too without fail), and staff have been great. No hassles with check in, luggage, boarding, disembarking. Almost like getting on and off a bus, except with a little more formality. Ryanair do what they do very well, but it may not be to every traveller's taste.

Incidentally we are going to Malaga next month (booked last July) for £28 all in. I checked the prices for the same flights this morning. If I was booking today it would cost £445.38p before any add ons!

I know the pro and anti Ryanair camps are entrenched in their views but I thought it worth while sharing my experience.

bagand96

The flight on the way there was on time, landed early and my luggage was at the airport before I was

Did they send your luggage in a different, and slightly faster plane?!

stokegal

- I couldn't spell carousel (still haven't got it right - I think!!) so I just put the airport instead.

I've officially got the bug now, I'm back on line looking for a cheap flight for somewhere to go in March. I fell in love with Dublin at the weekend - just a shame that my bank balance didn't

busiscoming2

It is always nice to hear a positive comment. Too many people like to complain. I have never had a bad Ryanair experience. Although landing at Dublin always seems a little hairy - don't know why!

choc_mouse

busiscoming2 wrote: »

Although landing at Dublin always seems a little hairy - don't know why!

Budget airlines recruit less experienced pilots I presume! I flew on an airline I can't even remember the name of to Marrakech and I'm pretty sure we landed sideways!! OK maybe that's slightly exaggerated there :rotfl: