Ryanair

whitesatin

I have just come back from a week in La Rochelle, travelling there from Stansted by Ryanair. I was a bit apprehensive, normally flying BA Business Class where I can. Anyway, my flight with Ryanair was faultless and, because I had booked well in advance, very reasonable. I did not check in any luggage so no extra charges there. I paid for a seat with extra leg room and priority boarding. Not much extra for that actually. The plane was spacious, clean and generally great. The staff were organized and helpful.

You get to read about negative experiences of budget airlines so I just thought I would put in my tuppence worth and will certainly be looking to book with them again in the future

Retrogamer

The last flight i had with them was a horrible experience.

They had let too many people on with oversized bags so there was no more room for hand luggage above head.

So even though my hand luggage was within the allocated size i was asked to slide it under the seat in front of me. I done this but as so much of the bag was sticking out i had to put my feet on on it and endure the flight with my knees almost up against my face.

To make it worse (although not as strictly their fault) i was in the middle seat. The gentleman to my right was so overweight that his flab had folded over the arm rest and into my section so i had to endure the flight pressed up against their fat as well. I couldn't move to the other side so easily as there was a young girl, pressed against the window looking scared (probably because there's some random angry person beside them)

All in all a horrible experience. Used them a few times prior to that with no issues though

whitesatin

I suppose you can have good and bad experiences whoever you fly with but I will certainly try them again. The good thing about the priority boarding was that there was plenty of room in the overhead lockers at the stage I went on. As I was in the emergency exit seat, both my bags had to be placed up there. I had an approved sized cabin bag and a small Kippling cross body bag. I think everyone managed to get their luggage in and I saw the flight attendants fill gaps they could find rather than refuse them. Also, and this was great for me, the attendant lifted my bag up into the locker for me - only 8.5kg but help was appreciated.

tberry6686

Many airlines are now doing this where a person cannot fit in 1 seat without spilling over. Seems perfectly fair to me.

Johnnytwostep

tberry6686 wrote: »

Many airlines are now doing this where a person cannot fit in 1 seat without spilling over. Seems perfectly fair to me.

good for those airlines

whitesatin

On a recent BA flight, two men in front of me asked for seat belt extenders. They were handed out as if it is a normal thing these days. If I ever got so big that I couldn't do up the seatbelt, I would have to do something about it or not travel.

Just as an aside, when I got to my seat on the Ryanair flight, there was an electronic cigarette on the seat (at least I think that was what it was) which had been missed by the cleaners. I gave it to the cabin staff. Maybe the previous seat occupant was a nervous flyer and felt comforted by holding it as I doubt they would have been allowed to use it.

azzabazza

I regularly fly Ryanair, albeit on very short flights and I have never had a problem attributable to Ryanair. Diverted once when Dublin Airport had to close just as our flight approached - due to a light aircraft overshooting the runway. Ryanair got us back from Shannon to Dublin as quickly as they could.

MarkBargain

I think Ryanair are okay until something goes wrong. I don't fly much but have had some bad experiences with them:

On a snowy day the flight was delayed indefinitely, but information was poor and Ryanair staff in the terminal totally disappeared. About two hours later we decided to find our way back to the security section and ask to be let out of the airport. Just as well we did as the flight was later cancelled.

Another time our flight was delayed nearly seven hours. We claimed for compensation under EU law, but were repeatedly told they would not pay anything it was it due to a technical fault with one of their planes. That is despite us paying an "EU levy" on the flights to cover this.

I have also been charged Ryanair's own exchange rate without wanting it and bought travel insurance I didn't want, as I obviously wasn't ultra-careful enough with their booking system.

Personally, I would prefer to pay more to fly with a better airline. BA were very good earlier in the year, with a simple up front price covering the flights, 25KG baggage and a snack and glass of wine on board. They did the check in for us at the airport so no hassle with online check in (Ryanair now won't let you check in the return leg until 7 days before unless you pay to reserve a seat).

ThumbRemote

MarkBargain wrote: »

Another time our flight was delayed nearly seven hours. We claimed for compensation under EU law, but were repeatedly told they would not pay anything it was it due to a technical fault with one of their planes. That is despite us paying an "EU levy" on the flights to cover this.

Either take it to court yourself, or use a specialist solicitors. I used euclaim.co.uk myself on a claim against Monarch, and they got the EU compensation no trouble.

SuperHan

subboy2 wrote: »

And I think that smokers should too, for befouling the enclosed air space with their stinking faggy breath. The same goes for alcoholics.

Also, black people should be made to sit at the back of the airplane.

Just shut up, son.

Of course they should weigh people. They weigh my case, but I only get the same as someone who weighs twice as much as me. They take up 120kg and I take up 70kg. Why can't I pack another 50kg to make up the difference.

I'm a huge advocate for having a total weight allowance per seat - hand luggage checked luggage and person.

paddyrg

Ryanair are polarising - people who've never had a problem love them, people who've seen where all those cost saving corners were cut would rather walk. There is no lonelier feeling than being a valued Ryanair passenger when something goes wrong. You go from being a revenue source to being a cost, quite simply. The attitude goes straight to adversarial.

So, enjoy flying with them and stay lucky, don't see their other side and you'll be a happy flyer. Just pray you never get stitched up by them.