Ryanair (Ryanair)

Member Name: SugarSpun

Product:	Ryanair
Date:	16/09/09 (23 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Cheap.

Disadvantages: You get what you pay for.

For some reason everyone seems to hate Ryanair. I just don't get it - you get what you pay for, and nothing more. Like lots of other things.

Ryanair planes are refurbished from other airlines so there are no little baskets in front of your seat (cuts down cleaning time) and you're not getting anything for free - drinks are expensive and food's fairly basic and exhorbitantly priced. The plus side is that few flights are long enough that you're likely to starve.

Their safety record is great, and the one occasion when my flight was cancelled (fog, three days before Christmas) they put me on the next flight to the closest open airport (Leeds rather than Liverpool) and then when Leeds closed too on the first Liverpool flight in the morning.

So, onto the complaints people make:

They use airports miles from where you're going. True, but this keeps costs down. It's a good idea to research before you book or risk ending up at "Frankfurt" Hahn or "Paris" Beauvais.

They charge for bags. Yes. So do all airlines, except you don't benefit if you go with only hand luggage. With only 15kg of baggage allowance, Ryanair's not an airline to emigrate with. But if you can fit your stuff into your 10kg of hand luggage you're onto a winner. (Check their ever-changing bag dimension requirements and don't try to bring a giant bag on board. They're onto you).

They charge for check-in. They do. And this is infuriating. I agree.

They charge to book. Yes, but if you buy a prepaid Electron card you dodge the charges. If you're a frequent flyer, you might consider opening a Co-Op Cashminder account - you get an Electron card with that.

"Priority" boarding. Why bother? In many airports it just means you're first onto the bus to the plane, which of course means you're last off.

Ryanair's great if you're travelling light and don't mind not necessarily sitting next to your family or friends. If you want to bring a bag, you pay more. Simple.

Summary: No frills, no fuss, no problem.