The Ryanair Experience
My first experience with Ryanair was this weekend during my Easter adventure to Bremen. I’ve of course flown other European ‘low cost carriers’, such as SkyEurope or Easyjet. But Ryanair seem to be making Edinburgh a focus city, with a host of new Edinburgh routes being rolled out, so I figured I better give them a go so I could decide for myself.
The Ryanair Controversy
Ryanair has always been a controversial airline, from their ‘risque’ advertising to a number of highly publicized incidents. I mean, it’s one of the few airlines that has its own I Hate Ryanair website. However, the Irish brains behind Ryanair are no dummies; they know that Controversy = Free Publicity = Good for Business. Visibility is good in the travel business – there is plenty of choice for most anything, so if you’re the name consumers think of, then you’re ahead of the rest.
Ryanair’s model is similar to that of other low cost carries – they fly point to point into and out of airports that have lower operating costs, but are often further away from main city hubs. Bremen, for example, is a hub airport that replaces service to Hamburg. You can still get to Hamburg fairly easily with a tram/train connection; I think you just need to evaluate the itinerary and see what makes sense for you – it might just be that, like in my case, Ryanair is much more convenient.
But the company takes things to the extreme in a drive for lower cost. For reducing weight on-board, for example:
- tray tables in the seat back were removed
- copies of the airline magazine are limited to just a few kept on board and distributed to those who want them
- landing cards are not carried on board
However, the drive for costs has not ended. CEO Michael O’Leary has commented that coin slots might be coming to the on-board toilets soon.
Yes, and about those Fees
The pricing analysts and marketing folk at Ryanair have gone hog wild (to borrow a under-used expression) with the fees. On my trip, the quoted fare on the various fare systems was £140. Not as cheap as their 1 pence deals, but still I was booking last minute. But the following fees were added on top of that (rounded to the nearest pound):
- £44 for taxes
- £10 to check-in, £5 each direction
- £20 to check one bag, £10 each direction
- £6 for priority boarding,£3 each direction
- £10 for handling fee
Final Total: £230
That’s a far cry from my original quoted price. But those fees don’t show up in airline pricing systems, so Ryanair comes out on top for prices. (Although they aren’t listed in major sites like Travelocity or Expedia – because they don’t want to pay for the privilege. And they don’t have to.)
I didn’t mind having to pay for priority boarding. It was cheaper than other low cost carriers where you have to pay for a confirmed seat, such as the exit row. And I noticed only about 5-10 people paid for this service on any of the flights I observed, including my own, so it’s a pretty good option if you’re tall like me and want a choice of seat. And sure, I could have skipped the checked bag. But it was worth the cost for me.
BOTTOM LINE: I completely disagree, though, with having to pay for a service that is required. You shouldn’t have to pay for check-in – I mean, you HAVE to check in, right? This should be included in the fare. And the charge for credit card payments is outrageous. As Karen Bryant mentions over at Europe A La Carte, you have to get a Visa Electron card to avoid these Ryanair handling fees. How annoying.
So, Should You Fly Ryanair?
I’ve rambled on enough, but I think you have understood my point. Are they controversial? Yes. Are they cut throat in terms of costs? Oh indeed yes. Are they the best choice if you want low cost travel? Not always.
Do your homework. See who flies where and check, if you’re saving a lot by flying to an out-of-the-way airport, that you will not lose those savings with travel time and transfer connections.
And don’t forget to go to the toilet before you get onboard. 
Have you flown Ryanair or other low cost carrier? Please do weigh in below in the comments – but keep it clean, folks!
Image Courtesy of monstermunch99
Andy Hayes is the managing editor of Sharing Travel Experiences. Featured in Newsweek, the Wall Street Journal, National Geographic Traveler, and other major publications, he travels for up to seven weeks at a time and spends the other seven right here with you. Follow him on Twitter, @andrewghayes.
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April 17th, 2009 at 12:06 pm
I had a flight from Frankfurt-Hahn to Barcelona-Reus, but it was late and with their hatred of late flights, Ryanair canceled the flight but didn’t tell those of us waiting in the departure lounge. The ticket-checker just packed up and walked away. A few people followed and asked then word of mouth spread to the rest of us.
I had to take a later flight to Valencia then a train to my final destination and the only “apology” I got was a very complicated letter about submitting my train ticket for compensation in Ryanair vouchers.
As if!
I have no intention of ever flying them again!
Alex Fayle | Someday Syndrome’s last blog post..7 Ways to Make Regret-Free Decisions and Overcome Insecurity
April 17th, 2009 at 1:31 pm
I’m afraid I’ll never fly Ryanair again. Not because of all the silly charges and borderline-legal advertising tricks, but I flew with them once and I found it a simply unpleasant experience. The plane was not clean, the staff (on that particular flight) were very sullen and unhelpful, and there was no space for my knees (and I’m not even a tall person).
I usually enjoy flying but it was horrendous. I find EasyJet to be a bit better, I haven’t tried any other ‘budget’ airlines.
Rachel Cotterill’s last blog post..Friday Shoot-Out: English Breakfast
April 17th, 2009 at 3:18 pm
Do you have to pay the check-in fee if you check-in online?
I’ve flown RyanAir a couple times and have no complaints, though I prefer GermanWings and EasyJet when it comes to low-cost carriers.
Dave2’s last blog post..Taxed
April 17th, 2009 at 4:55 pm
@Alex – That’s terrible! Sheesh. I know these poor airline employees are paid peanuts and take loads of abuse (a bit like travel writers, now that I think about it). But honestly! They at least could have put up a big sign and then ran.
@ Rachel – Nice to see you, as always. Yes, I didn’t realise it was possible to squeeze seats in that close together.
@ Dave2 – That’s the whole borderline-legal (to borrow Rachel’s word) thing about the check-in – you pay no matter what. It’s like £10 to check in online, £16 to check at the airport.
April 18th, 2009 at 11:51 pm
I’ve been flying Ryanair numerous times without any problems at all. Often to really cheap fares.
Excellent airplanes, even more fresh than some other wellknown charter airlines I’ve been flying with, since they have a new fleet of airplanes.
The staff has been as helpful as on any other airline.
Enough space for my long legs – which has not been the case with several other airplanes. I love their fresh leather seats too.
When it comes to payment, I never look at the first price-tag, not when it comes to other sites either, I look at the price in the end of the booking. When you’re used to book tickets, you know approx. where it’s going to end with
It’s not like they’re hiding something for me, all information is there on their site to read about before making a decision if I want to use their service or not.
They have been in time every time so far. I have nothing to complain about.
Why should I complain on someone that is giving me so much for so little money…?
(…and I always visit the ladies room before entering an airplane and tries to avoid it during the flight if possible, so no problem for me with the toilet fee
April 19th, 2009 at 8:31 am
Nice to see you, Mrs. Lifecruiser
Glad to hear not everyone is unhappy with Ryanair. Although I suspect we could find compliments and complaints about any airline, low cost or otherwise.
June 7th, 2009 at 11:12 am
[...] extreme for me!
). If you’re about to fly a low cost carrier with ridiculous luggage fees (Ryanair, anyone?) I suggest checking this post [...]
July 6th, 2009 at 4:21 pm
Hi there
look around to research for RyanAir and found ur blog.
I dont know if i had a mistake, but ill be travelling to europe on october and have book quite a lot of RyanAir flights (6 i think) to travel across europe within 2 weeks.
Being a Malaysian which frequently fly Air Asia, i dont really know an LCC can be this bad (RyanAir), bcos from my experience with AirAsia, ive nvr experienced horrible situation, the most is stranded for 4 hours, and thats bcos very heavy rain which i also dont want to fly if given the choice.
Spoiled by AirAsia (I once flew 2 hour flight just to have nice lunch and return), and trapped by RyanAir zero fair, ive booked to travel almost every 2 days within europe. Now i really think i need to bail on my plan and start over, which mean ill burn all the money on RyanAir. Nvr thought a service company can be this bad, even with all the publicity.
Well.. this is my first time to Europe to begin with.
July 6th, 2009 at 8:59 pm
@EN_A Keep in mind you can have a difficult time on Ryanair or even other carriers. So I’d stick with your flights and hope for the best. Enjoy your trip
July 7th, 2009 at 4:42 pm
yeah u probably right
thanks!
November 8th, 2009 at 6:04 pm
[...] extreme for me! ). If you’re about to fly a low cost carrier with ridiculous luggage fees (Ryanair, anyone?) I suggest checking this post [...]