Looking ahead.. Ryanair next summer

sillygoose

I have never had much hankering to fly Ryanair but I am seeing some pretty good fares next summer for places I want to go.

But their recent screw ups make me nervous, what if it goes wrong next summer and they end up with not enough pilots for the flights they sold and start cancelling? - your left with accommodation going to waste and no way to get there!

Now I know this could be the case with any airline, one year Monarch cancelled a route several months after I thought I was safely booked to travel on it.

But obviously Ryanair have a pretty ropey track record now, but it would be suicidal for them to mess up a summer season as well.

For me its weighing up the perceived 'risk' versus paying about 20% more for a more regular service like Thomas Cook.

I am not so worried about financial loss, that's would be protected by the credit card, more the risk of being let down and sat at home watching the rain run down the window!

Anyone have any thoughts?

bagand96

Book a hotel that is cancelable? That at least mitigates the financial risk.

leylandsunaddict

There wouldn't be a financial loss on your flight because you'd be refunded and get compensation if applicable. If you're looking for your insurance to cover unused accommodation I hope your policy includes consequential loss cover.

sillygoose

I guess really its not money so much as disappointment. My work has a lot of limitations on taking leave and requires advance planning, I have school kids so that defines the timing too.

If say in July they started cancelling flights again the chances of finding alternatives in August would be slim or very pricey. With no chance to change dates basically I would be stuffed.

Not so much loss of money as, is it worth paying extra for another airline that doesn't upset it pilots or will they sort it all out.

littlereddevil

Well I know which I would choose!

richardw

The pilot problem is here to stay and there'll always be a higher cancellation risk with Ryanair, in your circumstances it may not be money saving to risk it.

bagand96

Michael has sent a letter to all of his pilots now, telling them how great they are, how much better Ryanair want to be, and reminding them of the Monarch collapse and Norwegian’s financial situation.

So I’m sure that’ll fix it and stop them leaving.

budgetflyer

richardw wrote: »

The pilot problem is here to stay and there'll always be a higher cancellation risk with Ryanair, in your circumstances it may not be money saving to risk it.

I disagree. Ryanair will do what it takes to make sure this is a short term problem.
BTW BA have just cancelled 3 summer routes.

IAmWales

richardw wrote: »

The pilot problem is here to stay and there'll always be a higher cancellation risk with Ryanair, in your circumstances it may not be money saving to risk it.

Evidence?

silly, Ryanair are still a massive airline. Given the resources available to them I have no doubt they'll have this debacle sorted by next summer.

richardw

IAmWales wrote: »

Evidence?

silly, Ryanair are still a massive airline. Given the resources available to them I have no doubt they'll have this debacle sorted by next summer.

It's quite sensible that if pilots don't want to work for an airline 1 minute more than they have to, to get the required hours before they move on, then they'll always be a high risk of cancellations.

Pilots don't grow on trees. This is debacle is going to continue.

richardw

budgetflyer wrote: »

.... Ryanair will do what it takes to make sure this is a short term problem....

What's that then?

budgetflyer wrote: »

....BA have just cancelled 3 summer routes.

They were LHR slot sitters, nowt to do with pilot resources.