How Bad is flying with Ryanair? Experiences please
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How Bad is flying with Ryanair? Experiences pleaseIm thinking of booking flights with Ryanair.
My last two flights abroad have been with BMI and Easyjet (before these it was always non-budget airlines). The first of which was OK (but I believe we were somewhat lucky), the Easyjet experience was very good-didnt expect the high level of service we got from a supposed budget airline. With either of these our hand luggage dimensions/weights were not checked- though Easyjets allowance is more than generous.
I have always avoided Ryanair because of the few horror stories I have heard. But in this scenario, I have no choice- the flights I want are only available through them. The bonus is the quoted price for the flights is ridiculously low.
So what are your experiences with Ryanair? Good, Bad or OK?
Absolute Main Concern, is the hand luggage. Do they use dishonest tactics to make sure you pay their fees e.g. dimensions/weight wise? And other things I should be aware of (apart from 'admin fees')?Last edited by TruetoMyself; 11-04-2012 at 16:33. -
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Re: How Bad is flying with Ryanair? Experiences pleaseFlown ryanair twice, both flights were good!
We panicked about the whole baggage size thing, but where we boarded (Barcelona and Leeds) they had no problem unless they bag was like an obviously big suitcase! -
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Re: How Bad is flying with Ryanair? Experiences pleaseThey are the most likely by a long way to check your bag size if it is big, then you're subject to a £50 fine you can't avoid unless you can fit everything in your pockets. I wouldn't take the risk.
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Re: How Bad is flying with Ryanair? Experiences pleaseRyanair are great as long as you don't expect more than they say they will provide.
And it's mainly common sense. Ryanair will fly you from Airport A to Airport B. Don't expect that to be city centre to city centre.
If you don't turn up in time to check in or board, you won't fly. These times are published and you agree to them. If they miss their take off slot, they have to pay for another one, and that means we all have to pay more
If your bag is bigger or heavier than they say you are allowed, then they will make you pay. That's hardly a secret. The sizes and weights are published.
Ryanair's prices are low because they can save money by running their business this way. If I get a lower price because of that, I'm all for it.
So, summary.
Book with Ryanair. The website will try to get you to buy all sorts of paid extras like priority boarding, car hire, baggage allowance, luggage, insurance. Just tick no. You don't have to buy these.
Check how far away the airport actually is from where you want to be. Stockholm Skavsta is a long way from Stockholm centre.
Make sure that everything you put in is correct, including dates/times/names/passport because if it is wrong, they can (and often will) make you pay extra to change it. Although I've never had them scrutinise my passport to see the numbers and expiry dates match, I have known of cases where misspelt names have not been accepted.
Check in online and print your boarding pass on a good quality printer. Several copies if necessary. If one won't scan, you'll have to go to the desk and pay to have a boarding pass issued.
Check the size and weight of your bag is within guidelines before you travel.
Turn up on time, with extra to take into consideration any delays. Advance flights may be cheap, but ones booked on the day are in the order of hundreds of pounds and they won't rebook you on a later flight.
Don't expect a refund if you don't fly, unless you have proof of a good reason, which usually includes providing some sort of death certificate.Last edited by marcusfox; 28-03-2012 at 16:37. -
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Re: How Bad is flying with Ryanair? Experiences pleaseGreat advice. But did sort of know all this. As long as theres no immoral tactics to get the fees, Im happy(Original post by marcusfox)
Ryanair are great as long as you don't expect more than they say they will provide.
And it's mainly common sense. Ryanair will fly you from Airport A to Airport B. Don't expect that to be city centre to city centre.
If you don't turn up in time to check in or board, you won't fly. These times are published and you agree to them. If they miss their take off slot, they have to pay for another one, and that means we all have to pay more
If your bag is bigger or heavier than they say you are allowed, then they will make you pay. That's hardly a secret. The sizes and weights are published.
Ryanair's prices are low because they can save money by running their business this way. If I get a lower price because of that, I'm all for it.
So, summary.
Book with Ryanair. The website will try to get you to buy all sorts of paid extras like priority boarding, car hire, baggage allowance, luggage, insurance. Just tick no. You don't have to buy these.
Check how far away the airport actually is from where you want to be. Stockholm Skavsta is a long way from Stockholm centre.
Make sure that everything you put in is correct, including dates/times/names/passport because if it is wrong, they can (and often will) make you pay extra to change it. Although I've never had them scrutinise my passport to see the numbers and expiry dates match, I have known of cases where misspelt names have not been accepted.
Check in online and print your boarding pass on a good quality printer. Several copies if necessary. If one won't scan, you'll have to go to the desk and pay to have a boarding pass issued.
Check the size and weight of your bag is within guidelines before you travel.
Turn up on time, with extra to take into consideration any delays. Advance flights may be cheap, but ones booked on the day are in the order of hundreds of pounds and they won't rebook you on a later flight.
Don't expect a refund if you don't fly, unless you have proof of a good reason, which usually includes providing some sort of death certificate.
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Re: How Bad is flying with Ryanair? Experiences pleaseHah, if you want what appear to be 'immoral tactics' you should read this that allegedly happened a couple of months ago.(Original post by TruetoMyself)
Great advice. But did sort of know all this. As long as theres no immoral tactics to get the fees, Im happy
http://www.wizzairsucks.com/2012/02/...-a-love-story/ -
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Re: How Bad is flying with Ryanair? Experiences pleaseFlown with them a fair few times and never had any bad experiences. Yes, it's no frills, so don't go expecting anything fancy, but it's perfectly acceptable. Just don't be late and don't expect to get on with a bag that's obviously too big (although we have gotten on with bags that are too big, but they weren't hugely over the limit like some people try).
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Re: How Bad is flying with Ryanair? Experiences pleaseI flown with them like 8 times (plus return flights - 16) in the last 2 years and I never had a bad experience. The only thing that annoys me about this company (apart from the luggage restrictions) is that they dont shut the **** up at all during the flight.
Last edited by Colpejafort; 28-03-2012 at 19:51. -
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Re: How Bad is flying with Ryanair? Experiences pleaseAgree Easyjet rock....just shame no flights for my dates, otherwise I would have gladly paid their slightly higher rate(Original post by balletlover)
Flown with them a few times no problems. Although I do prefer flying on easyjet, less cramped and more comfortable I thought
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Re: How Bad is flying with Ryanair? Experiences pleaseHappy with that(Original post by gearoid94)
They're fine, I mean don't expect anything fancy, you get what you pay for but it does the job.
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Re: How Bad is flying with Ryanair? Experiences pleaseRyanAir are a nightmare, dreadful check-in staff, forced to pay extra to put luggage in hold as I was over the size limit due to my hoody that I could of worn on the flight but the check-in dip**** said that was not allowed and forced me to check it in... my laptop was damaged due to this and I have yet to receive any money for repairs that had to be done.
In-flight was crap, only one stewardess that was nice the others just threw what you ordered at you and looked displeased to be there and then upon landing I had to wait for an hour for my luggage because somehow they had redirected it
That was the first and last flight I had with them going to France, I only fly Air France (France), KLM (Netherlands), Lufthansa (Germany/Eastern Europe) and Swiss (Switzerland)... all of which I have credit cards (well it is actually two cards as AF and KLM share a credit card and the same applies to Lufthansa and Swiss
) for so I can get miles on purchases 
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Re: How Bad is flying with Ryanair? Experiences pleaseread the baggage allowance etc and check what your actually clicking on the website and you'll have no problems
Flown with them over 50 times in the past 15 years and never had a single problem....except possibly leg room but then I'm quite a bit taller than the average -,-
) for so I can get miles on purchases 
