Ryanair: Is it really Europe's most punctual airline?

zagfles

zenmaster wrote: »

In my experience Ryanair are too efficient.

We once arrived at Madrid an hour early, which was good going. Unfortunately I'd booked a cab for transfer to the hotel. When I rang them with the good news they were unable to change the pickup so we spent an unproductive hour sat in arrivals.

On another occasion we were informed of a 4 hour delay at Edinburgh. The reason for the delay was fully explained and I was even given a special pass to allow me to flit back and forth through security to go for a smoke if I wished.

Edinburgh has a Wetherspoons airside (which should be compulsory IMHO) so we ordered a meal which arrived some 15-20 minutes later. I'd not taken one mouthful before we were called for boarding.

These were both on a 1p flight.

Sadly those halcyon day are gone, due mostly to idiots whining that they are entitled to Lobster Thermidore because their flight was held up due to volcanic ash, had to pay a subsidy because they tried to board with 30kg of hand luggage or were charged a fiver because they hadn't got the nous to pay with the right card.

The 1p flights were available with any debit card, it was after all that Ryanair started playing silly games with which card you had to use to avoid the fees.

Doshwaster

zenmaster wrote: »

Edinburgh has a Wetherspoons airside (which should be compulsory IMHO) so we ordered a meal which arrived some 15-20 minutes later. I'd not taken one mouthful before we were called for boarding.

In my experience Ryanair often announce "boarding" before the incoming plane has even landed.

moaninggit

Doshwaster wrote: »

In my experience Ryanair often announce "boarding" before the incoming plane has even landed.

Easy jet do that at the Isle of man airport "easy jet flight ezy1234 is now boarding " as you look out of the window to see a deserted airport.

callum9999

Doshwaster wrote: »

In my experience Ryanair often announce "boarding" before the incoming plane has even landed.

I think loads of airlines do that - it is pretty irritating! I'm always told at check-in that I must be at the boarding gate at least 40 minutes before take-off otherwise you may not be allowed to board. The only time I've ever seen boarding even begin before that time is on intercontinental flights.

Doshwaster

callum9999 wrote: »

I think loads of airlines do that - it is pretty irritating! I'm always told at check-in that I must be at the boarding gate at least 40 minutes before take-off otherwise you may not be allowed to board. The only time I've ever seen boarding even begin before that time is on intercontinental flights.

I think the main reason airlines do this is to get people to the gate, rather than lingering in the bars and shops, so that when they do start boarding they can do it quickly.

However, us experienced travellers know when to ignore the call and use it as an indication that there is time to have another beer

callum9999

Doshwaster wrote: »

I think the main reason airlines do this is to get people to the gate, rather than lingering in the bars and shops, so that when they do start boarding they can do it quickly.

However, us experienced travellers know when to ignore the call and use it as an indication that there is time to have another beer

True. Though I can rarely find anything in an airport to hold my interest regardless so tend to get to the gates at least an hour early anyway!

NFH

callum9999 wrote: »

True. Though I can rarely find anything in an airport to hold my interest regardless so tend to get to the gates at least an hour early anyway!

I get the impression that you're a frequent flyer. Don't you have lounge access?

Doshwaster

callum9999 wrote: »

True. Though I can rarely find anything in an airport to hold my interest regardless so tend to get to the gates at least an hour early anyway!

As long as the airport has a bar then I can always find something to hold my interest.

callum9999

NFH wrote: »

I get the impression that you're a frequent flyer. Don't you have lounge access?

I wouldn't go quite as far as saying I'm a frequent flier (though I fly far more than average I guess) but nope. I fly a lot, but I fly cheap.

The only lounge I've been in is at Toulouse, which was so dreadful it didn't even feel like being in a lounge!

NFH

I agree with Doshwaster. The best way to spend the waiting time airside is to have a drink, ideally in a lounge at no additional cost. The only exception is LCY where there's no lounge except when flying on BA to JFK.

Even when I had the misfortune of flying Ryanair from STN, there was an independent lounge at gate 49, i.e. only of use to those flying Ryanair. Many lounges don't provide proper food, but this one gave me enough decent sandwiches for a full meal on the flight. Despite catering only for Ryanair passengers, it was one of the best independent lounges I've visited for a long time.