Great value - even if it is cattle class! (Ryanair)

Member Name: flodombey

Product:	Ryanair
Date:	04/02/09 (84 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Low price, tend to be on time

Disadvantages: Lack of space, added costs for luggage etc, braving the stampede

Being a frequent traveller I have used Ryanair a number of times over the past five years or so, always on European city breaks, to Rome, Florence, Almeria, Vilnius and Riga amongst others. You have to take it for what it is, an absoltely bargain basement, no frills service for a wonderfully low price.

Dont get me wrong, there are things about Ryanair which I find very annoying, these are mainly:

1) The absolute stampede to get on board when the gate opens due to the policy of not assigning seats, normally polite and intelligent human beings turn into rude, ignorant imbeciles in the race to get the 'best' seats.

2) The way absolutely everything which you consider included with many other airlines, you have to pay for, such as checking in and putting luggage in the hold, I read this week they are going to start charging £30 per item of duty free if it wont fit in your hand luggage - they really are masters at making a quick buck (but then thats how they can charge so little for the seats).

3) The seats dont recline and there is very little legroom, this doesnt bother me too much but my husband is 6' tall and it makes it very cramped, hence the expression 'cattle class' in relation to this airline.

But - on the other hand, the flights are nearly always on time, the prices absolutely cant be beaten and if you travel midweek you can get low fares which actually include the taxes. Even without special deals the prices can be surprisingly low, we flew to Rome in October 2007 for 1p each way, even with taxes it only cost £30 for two people, return! Thats less than it costs me to travel from Birmingham to London on a train sometimes!

As long as you are organised, check in online before you get to the airport and pack light (ie just take a bag which can go on with you as hand luggage - perfectly doable on a long weekend city break) then this airline represents fantastic value for money and makes experiencing new places more achievable.

Also - just grab sandwiches and a drink before you get on the plane and you wont be forking out for their less than average for the money fare onboard.

As most of their flights are short haul you can put up with the niggles I have mentioned above and just be thankful you have likely paid a minimal amount for the seat!

Summary: Dont expect top notch service and you wont be disappointed