Stick to the rules and you'll be just fine (Ryanair)

Member Name: shopaholicleo

Product:	Ryanair
Date:	27/09/08 (114 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: cheap flights, easy online check in

Disadvantages: penalised for forgetfulness

Now, after reading many bad reviews and hearing about all of their hidden charges, you may be wondering why I decided to fly with Ryanair. Well for a start, I knew they didn't charge ridiculous prices to go to somewhere as near as Frankfurt, since other airlines seemed to think over £100 was appropriate, (and I guess I'm now used to budget prices). There was also an offer on, with flights for £1 each way with no other taxes or charges. I quickly checked for suitable times and dates and found that if I checked in online, only brought hand luggage and didn't board the aircraft first, then I could get to Germany for £2 return (not forgetting the £4 each way card processing fee at the checkout- annoying but still cheap enough). If I put a foot wrong, such as bringing too much luggage or forgettting my printed baording pass, then there would be charges to pay.

I arrived at the airport roughly one and a half hours before my flight was due to leave, since I didn't need to check in. It was unusual to go straight to passport control, but it was nice to be free to look in shops once that was over instead of still waiting in the check-in queue. Once I'd made my way to the gate, there was a bit of waiting around as they seemed to start checking boarding passes around 15 minutes before the flight, delaying our arrival. This was relatively straightfoward but there wasn't a whole lot of customer interaction as you'd get on other airlines.

Once inside the plane, you are greeted with a sea of blue and yellow seating to remind you of the airline's budget nature and there are even adverts on the overhead lockers. Seating is on a first come first served basis, so it can take a while for every to be seated, though I was able to choose a decent seat near the window. After going through the necessary safety precautions and once airborne, the flight attendants starting hawking their food, drinks and even scratchcards, which didn't seem all that popular. I'm sure they'll have to start adding other charges elsewhere, like the card fee. The flight was short and pleasant enough, since I had a magazine, but I think it would be more difficult on a longer flight and I'd probably succumb to purchasing their food and drink onboard.

Ryanair is seriously budget, but if you are willing to take the bare minimum and travel to out of town airports, there can be a massive saving. It is also really easy to check in online, as you could technically arrive just before your gate closes. I wouldn't want to use them for longer breaks, because I prefer a little bit more comfort and would want to take more luggage with me. I also don't like how you are penalised if you perhaps decide to take more baggage at the last moment (£24 charge at the aiport) or forget to check in online. Maybe £2 flights is not really what this company needs to entice people, but a more rounded fare such as £40, which incudeds everything that was once thought of as a necessity.

Will probably update later, still in Germany!

Summary: a good no-frills airline