RyanAir Priority Boarding

greekboy

On a recent flight from Ibiza, I had paid for priority boarding so that my wife and I could get our 3 young children on board, without having to stand in the heat, sitting together in some good seats. We were at the gate first in line, were allowed on the bus first but instead of being taken to the plane first, they let all the non-priority passenger on the bus. By the time we got our children off the bus, we were last in the queue to board the plane. I complained to the steward who found us seats together. Now RyanAir are refusing to refund the £16 it cost us stating it's are fault for being late at the gate, even though we were the first to go through the gate.

This sort of thing ever happen to anyone else who's paid for priority boarding?

I dont want RyanAir to get away with not refunding this £16 but as its such a small amount, I'm not sure how I can go about getting it back without wasting too much time or money. Any advice?

malkie76

Read the small print - their priority board is purely priority through the boarding gate, not the plane itself. You received your priority 'boarding' and hence don't have grounds for a refund.

Priority boarding works well at the hubs where you board via airbridge, but at the outstations where you are bussed it's essentially pointless. You are better placed to be about 30th in line so you are last on the bus, hence first off when you reach the plane.

edit

actually, I'm wrong - I was thinking of Easyjets T&C. From the RyanAir website it states:- http://www.ryanair.com/en/questions/what-is-ryanairs-boarding-procedure

Priority boarding passengers will be boarded onto the aircraft first.

Seems pretty clear to me

greyteam1959

I fly with Ryanair quite a bit & I see this happening all the time.
It does not happen when you board in the UK airport its usually in the foreign airport.
They just dont seem to bother at all........
I think you were quite right to complain to the cabin crew & you did get your seats together.
I think you will be extremely lucky to get a refund out of Ryanair........in fact I am sure you will not.
But its always worth a try !!!!!!
I would never ever pay for priority boarding its an absolute waste of money & as your experience does not guarantee you get on the plane first.

jamiec_3

Sorry to hear man. The only way to fly Ryanair is to be prepared to be herded like cattle. If you want any sort of comfort like getting on the plane first then I would suggest you consider other airlines.

greekboy

I've never paid for it before and just thought it would make life a little easier with the children.

What's annoyed me is that RyanAir are simply accusing me of not getting to the gate in time, even though by letter of complaint explained what happened. Basically they're calling me a liar and telling me to forget about any refund.

richardw

Ibiza is a bus to the plane airport, generally, no air bridges. There's no point queuing at this airport.

Bob_the_Saver

I always aim to be first in the 'Other queue' and 90%+ of the time I get my emergency exit row seat, (a lot of the people who book priority boarding are not allowed in these seats, children etc :j ) but with the bus transfers you just have to be quick on your feet which is not easy with small children, I'm afraid that the terms and conditions do cover them on this.

BillTrac

Only used Ryanair once, a few years ago...shudder

We were bussed out to the plane on our return. Even though we checked in early and formed the usual early check in queue, they just opened the gates. Wherupon it was utter madness. Slow stroll out to the bus, so last one on by the door. Door opened by the plane...guess who was first off? The first person with a whole plane to choose from...:T

MrSmartprice

Bob_the_Saver wrote: »

I always aim to be first in the 'Other queue' and 90%+ of the time I get my emergency exit row seat, (a lot of the people who book priority boarding are not allowed in these seats, children etc :j ) but with the bus transfers you just have to be quick on your feet which is not easy with small children, I'm afraid that the terms and conditions do cover them on this.

I do the same as you. We have never paid for priority boarding and also get exit row seats. It also pays to board the rear of the aircraft too, as the priority lot will be blocking the front steps faffing around with luggage, kids etc, in the first couple of rows. Enter at the back and head for the stewardess who will be stood in an exit row.

Priority boarders do seem to be people with kids who can't have the legroom seats which, as you say, works out fine.

Not many of the airports I've been to on Ryanair use buses, but where they do I've seen them take priority boarders in one bus and the rest in another. I think it was Biarritz where the huge bus pulled off with three priority boarders on it!

kingston_toon

I'm with them! Never paid for priority boarding, but I'll be the one running past you and your kids as you amble across the tarmac to secure either row 1 or the emergency exit rows over the wings. Although experience has shown that even when boarding last, there will usually be at least one exit row seat left, and chances are if it's a middle one, the people in window and aisle will be a couple hoping to keep the row to themselves. So one moves (always funny) and you get the window or aisle

pompeyrich

kingston_toon wrote: »

Although experience has shown that even when boarding last, there will usually be at least one exit row seat left, and chances are if it's a middle one, the people in window and aisle will be a couple hoping to keep the row to themselves. So one moves (always funny) and you get the window or aisle

Always makes me smile when they try that, or sit in the aisle seat pretending to be asleep, hoping to get all 3 seats to themselves.