Haven't quite made up my mind (easyJet)

Member Name: K.LEE07

Product:	easyJet
Date:	28/12/05 (201 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: cheap, and gets you from A to B with relatively few complications

Disadvantages: Not the nicest way to travel, and certainly couldn't be classed as luxurious, or even comfortable!

Being a poor student I have only ever really travelled on budget airlines, either Easy Jet or Ryan Air, because I am always having to watch what I spend, I therefore have rather a large amount of experience of travelling with such carriers.

Personally I can't help but feel that, given just how cheap some of the available flights are, you cannot book a budget flight expecting too much in the way of comfort during the flight. In fact, on many flight's I've taken with Easy Jet, whilst being cramped and uncomfortable and constantly interrupted and badgered by air hostesses and the tannoy system, I still can't help but feel that I've got what I paid for, the flight got me from A to B, and it is understandable that the airline needs to boost profits in other areas where possible.

However, that being said it is not the most comfortable form of travel by a long shot. The seats are cramped to say the least and I'm only 5ft4". My boyfriend is 6ft3" and at times flying with EasyJet can be described as nothing less than painful for him. The seats are not comfortable, and a lot of the time are not in great condition, on more than one occassion I have found chewing gum stuck under seats, on the arm rests and in the pockets of the seat in front. The air hostesses are generally pleasant enough, but are certainly not endearing or especially welcoming. If you are unlucky enough to get an aisle seat (yes unlucky) prepare to be frustrated by the potential to stretch your legs which never truly materialises as you get knocked and bumped by the hostess trolley constantly going up and down the plane trying to sell you things. And, whilst I cannot compare with a more expensive airline such as BA, it really does feel as if the tannoy system is fairly constantly in use, even during late night or early morning flights, which I feel to be more than a little rude when people are trying to sleep. Whilst I appreciate that they are looking to maximise sales of souveneir miniature airplanes whilst they have you trapped 10,000 ft in the air in a tin can, I can't help but feel that it's only polite to put this need on hold at 2am whilst people are trying to get some sleep, which lets face it is difficult enough in an airplane.

This does seem to be giving a rather negative view however, and this is not entirely accurate. Easyjet does have some redeeming features. It is cheap, and whilst this may seem like an obvious point to make, were it not for this simple fact I would not have been able to make half as many trips as I have done over the last few years. Flights are also easy to source and book over the internet. The website is simple and easy, and I do appreciate not having to remember to pack my ticket, what with being a naturally forgetful person. Check-in is also a simple process which always seems to happen relatively quickly, and I have experienced very few delays whilst travelling with them, and none that I have, have been very long at all. For this I have to admire them, as they are providing a service much cheaper than many other airlines, for example BA, but they are still managing to keep the important factors up to standard

Overall, I certainly would not recommend EasyJet to anyone who likes to travel in style or luxury, but it can be assumed that they would probably reach this conclusion by themselves anyway! If however you are travelling on a budget, as many people are, then EasyJet will, in my experience, get you from A to B with relatively few hassles along the way. Although if you are above 6ft3" you may want to consider an alternative. For short haul flights I find that EasyJet fulfills all my requirements, and I would certainly not be prepared to pay the difference for a BA flight simply for a complimentary meal in-flight, and for maybe an extra inch or so leg room. However, my longest flight with EasyJet was only 2 and a half hours and I have to say that was quite enough! Were I booking a longer flight, those extra few inches room and in-flight meal may well start to look more appealling, and in that instance I would recommend maybe paying a bit extra to get a bit more peace and quiet!

Summary: If you're on a budget it'll do the job, however comfort and style aren't a priority!!