Great when they're cheap (easyJet)

Member Name: non_sense

Product:	easyJet
Date:	13/01/09 (267 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Low cost, no nonsense

Disadvantages: Suffer delays easily

Having just endured my 26th easyJet flight, I thought I'd write a few words on my experiences with them.

The Good
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I do complain sometimes when I'm flying easyJet, but secretly I kind of like them (not such a secret anymore!)

If you need to travel on short notice, or if you only need a one-way ticket somewhere, easyJet may well end up being the cheapest deal for you. I've been somewhere on a Thursday and needed a ticket somewhere for next day, easyJet have been able to offer a decent price. This isn't always the case however, sometimes their costs can be quite prohibitive at short notice, always check all the options before you book!

easyJet will also let you check in at home, not 24 hours before departure, but WEEKS before you go. This is kind of easy for them as they don't allocate seats like most other airlines, but even so, if you don't check bags and just want to go straight to the plane it's a great setup.

The non-allocated seating is a good point for some people, for others it isn't. If you're boarding towards the end, you can pick to sit next to someone who looks less likely to eat you, but if you board early there is a chance that someone might decide you look like the sort of person that can be used as a pillow for the duration of the flight. I don't mind their method of seating, but things can get a bit ugly when everyone is rushing onto the plane. If you're the last person on and you have the task to find the one remaining seat, that can be tricky.

I'll also say that the booking website isn't bad either, it's easy to navigate and not as likely as some others to trip you up into accidentally buying insurance. Be sure to check as you are going through the process for any extras getting applied though (like baggage).


The Bad
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This could possibly be a very long section, but I'll try and summarise.

Delays! Yes, easyJet do suffer delays quite easily. The fast turnaround times for their aircraft can mean that a 30 minute delay for a plane in the morning becomes a 1 hour delay for you when you're trying to get home in the evening. What easyJet lack is some honesty about this at the airport, you can be ready to board the plane and then realise that it's not even there and won't be for some time.

Surcharges. This doesn't effect me much, but if you want to check in bags, then you're going to pay. If you want a snack or a drink, you're going to pay. But you knew all this when you chose easyJet, so I have no complaints. You will pay a surcharge for using a debit/credit card when booking, it varies on which one you use. Electron is free. If you are booking many flights at once you will only pay 1 card fee, it's per transaction, not per flight.

My biggest gripe about the airline, apart from their punctuality sometimes is the cleanliness of the aircraft cabins. At the end of a busy day the seats can be a bit grubby, on a couple of occasions I've sat down and found that my knees are stuck in the chewing gum that a previous occupant attached to the seat in front.

If you are checking in at the airport there can be a long long queue at checkin, give yourself plenty of time if you want to make your flight.


I think when you fly a budget airline you have to be realistic with your expectations. The terminals at the airports are not going to be the shiniest, newest ones and you're not going to get a cup of tea unless you fork out some money. But some things about easyJet are very good despite the budget tag. The cabin crew are always friendly and I never feel that flying with them is any less safe than a full service carrier.

I'll just mention a few things about the boarding system with easyJet. Precisely how it works can vary by airport, some places you'll be herded into what seems to be a sheep pen before the plane has even arrived or you'll be left standing in an airbridge (not directly to the plane incidentally, you'll most likely exit via a door and walk that last bit!) This little trick means that as soon as the aircraft has arrived, been emptied of passengers and tidied up a little then you can get straight on and board. It can be a bit frustrating standing there if they do this a little too early.

easyJet operate boarding groups, this used to be A,B,C,D with your group allocated according to when you check in. These days it is SA, SB, A, B.

SA - Speedy boarding passengers. People who paid to board first or who have the special easyJet card with an annual fee. Really not worth the cost in my opinion, still lots of empty rows if you are in group A. Usually I notice only 2 or 3 people bother with this option.

SB - People with young children or who will need extra time to baord

A - Early check in customers and online checkin

B - Everyone else!

It used to be that online checkin got you into the last group, I'm glad they changed that!

If you're all waiting on a jetbridge or in a walkway after having your boarding pass checked, there really isn't much difference between SA and A. At some airports they'll let you get a headstart running to the plane if you're in the first groups, but don't rely on it! I'm happy not spending the extra and being in group A.

Well I hope that gives an idea of the easyJet experience. All in all I am happy to fly them when they offer me a real saving.

Summary: Don't be scared of easyJet!