Wings for the rest of us (Ryanair)

Member Name: Pass1

Product:	Ryanair
Date:	17/05/09 (18 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Can be the cheapest way of getting around

Disadvantages: Hidden charges that you don't realise until the very end

Having an Italian farther and an English mother meant that by my first birthday I could already be classified as a frequent flyer. Back in the old days the need to be pinged backwards and forwards was satisfied by the likes of Alitalia, BA, Monarch and many others. Nowadays things are different, newer generations have horizons that stretch further than the local beach and the boom of social networks has meant that our best friends don't necessarily live in the same time zone let alone the same country.

This is where companies like ryanair and easy jet have come in and taken the market by storm. Given that most destinations in Europe can be reached within the two hour mark they've come up with a very appealing no-frills package.

During the years, I've got my return flights from Stansted to Rome for anything between 50£ to 250£ depending on what time of the year and how close to my departure I booked them. This is not a last minute business by any means, the earlier the better and don't be fooled: you won't be able to snatch a bargain the night before your departure!

The comfort, as expected, is of the lowest: no pockets to insert the magazine and sweets you bought for an extortionate price at the duty free, those 3 precious centimeters you could recline the chair have gone and the smallest of sandwiches will set you back far more than it should.

But is it really all that bad? I mean the website looks like it was done by a bunch of cowboys in the 90s, it's full of distracting flashing pictures and adverts but somehow even after all the sneaky hidden charges I still find them honest somehow: everywhere you look it says "cheap this" and "cheap that"... last time I saw a similar website I had to shut it down before my mum got a glimpse.

At the end of the day I find myself keep coming back; a quick search on train prices shows that for a trip lasting about the same time I would have to dish out around 50£. My point is I never find myself complaining that the only comfort on the train is a reclining armrest on the isle seat, so why should I be expecting more when I'm in the air?

The days when flying was a statement of oneself are over, and you should expect what you pay for. So far most of my flights have been on time and my luggage always materialized at the other end. As far as I'm concerned as long as that keeps happening and they are still the cheapest I'll be coming back for more.

Summary: No thrills package for the easily pleased.