Ryanair's race to the bottom
Discussion
Can Ryanair do no right? Squeezing the consumer for every last cent, to sacking a flight crew because someone took a photo of them sleeping on the floor....https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-46114097
I know I'm looking to avoid booking with them if I have to - do we think others will follow suit?
I know I'm looking to avoid booking with them if I have to - do we think others will follow suit?
Challo said:
Ryanair are pretty s
tty as an airline but you dont get much choice in terms of the low cost airlines.
Right now, you've got plenty of choice in low cost airlines. You don't have much choice in airlines that offer a decent service. How many airlines fly London to Madrid that offer me a meal, checked baggage and seat selection as standard? But I digress.tty as an airline but you dont get much choice in terms of the low cost airlines. I expect the number of low cost airlines to reduce to a few major players in the next few years as airlines based on credit obtained in better times go bust (al a Primera). Unfortunately in times like this, long standing airlines like Ryanair offer some kind of reassurance to the passenger that they're not going to go tits up before your flight.
I can't stand them. Had a really bad experience with them a few years ago, nearly missed a flight because of their complete ineptitude and stupid systems. Swore I wouldn't fly with them again.....
....have flown with them once since, but it was part of a group booking that I was not in charge of. :-(
....have flown with them once since, but it was part of a group booking that I was not in charge of. :-(
I sometimes wonder if they make their policy purely to wind people up? The worst thing being that it seems to be a growing trend with other businesses wanting to emulate the 'treat'em like st' approach to customer service.
I, for one would be happy to pay a few quid more for a ticket but have everything included and not have to wonder what hidden charge there is next...
t' approach to customer service.I, for one would be happy to pay a few quid more for a ticket but have everything included and not have to wonder what hidden charge there is next...
I like Ryan Air. They're cheap, efficient and I use them 2 or 3 times a year. I'm not interested in frills it's just public transport in the sky. I can do with eating for a 3 hour flight etc.
Their rules are pretty clear. Stick to them and it's all good. Try to get round them and you're likely to get royally shafted. I can deal with that.
Their rules are pretty clear. Stick to them and it's all good. Try to get round them and you're likely to get royally shafted. I can deal with that.
captain_cynic said:
Unfortunately in times like this, long standing airlines like Ryanair offer some kind of reassurance to the passenger that they're not going to go tits up before your flight.
The airline won't go tits up but the flight does - twice this year for me less than 24 hours before flying due to cabin staff striking - and then public refusal to pay compensation under EU regulation 261 or even reimburse for the cost of expensive last minute flights. So no, never again - I'm happy to pay more to avoid them in future as I've been bitten too many times.I am old enough to remember the time before budget airlines, flying was just not possible for people without money. When Ryan Air first started I remember the webpages with £1 flights on them, yes it cost more once you added stuff in but people were suddenly flying to Spain for £19 instead of £190. It was a game changer. I guess if you are willing to suffer the shocking customer service then you just take that on the chin for the money saving.
I have never flown Ryan Air, never will. My wife flew once, someone was quite ill on the plane and nearly fainting, the staff could not give her any water from the sales cabinet as it was against company policy and they could be sacked for it. It had to be purchased, so my wife bought some water to help bring the person around.
I have never flown Ryan Air, never will. My wife flew once, someone was quite ill on the plane and nearly fainting, the staff could not give her any water from the sales cabinet as it was against company policy and they could be sacked for it. It had to be purchased, so my wife bought some water to help bring the person around.
Yes we know MOL is a smug tt we all profess to hate..
But as long as you play by their rules and treat it like a megabus level of service and comfort, it's damn cheap and convenient.
You don't need to eat or piss on a four hour flight if you plan properly.
1) Don't taken any luggage or kids.
2) Triple check your booking and get rid of all the add on crap.
3) You don't need to sit together if adults. It's a bus treat it as such.
4) You don't need to get on first etc etc. It's not going without you.
5) Pick your flights using skyscanner or something that shows you price differences on different days and book accordingly.
6) Get on board and say to your companion see you in a few hours, sit at opposite ends of plane, get out book, put on bose headphones and relax.
I've just booked return flights to lanzarote for two adults in january with (one piece of 20kg hold baggage between us), £165 total..
That's pretty good IMHO.
Obviously as this is PH (the home of double standards) if it all goes pear shaped on the day i'll be back on here whining and demanding his head on a plate because I was an hour late getting my first cheap beer in some crap bar.
t we all profess to hate.. But as long as you play by their rules and treat it like a megabus level of service and comfort, it's damn cheap and convenient.
You don't need to eat or piss on a four hour flight if you plan properly.
1) Don't taken any luggage or kids.
2) Triple check your booking and get rid of all the add on crap.
3) You don't need to sit together if adults. It's a bus treat it as such.
4) You don't need to get on first etc etc. It's not going without you.
5) Pick your flights using skyscanner or something that shows you price differences on different days and book accordingly.
6) Get on board and say to your companion see you in a few hours, sit at opposite ends of plane, get out book, put on bose headphones and relax.
I've just booked return flights to lanzarote for two adults in january with (one piece of 20kg hold baggage between us), £165 total..
That's pretty good IMHO.
Obviously as this is PH (the home of double standards) if it all goes pear shaped on the day i'll be back on here whining and demanding his head on a plate because I was an hour late getting my first cheap beer in some crap bar.
Edited by peterperkins on Wednesday 7th November 11:21
coldel said:
I have never flown Ryan Air, never will. My wife flew once, someone was quite ill on the plane and nearly fainting, the staff could not give her any water from the sales cabinet as it was against company policy and they could be sacked for it. It had to be purchased, so my wife bought some water to help bring the person around.
I believe the bit about you not having flown Ryanair.coldel said:
I am old enough to remember the time before budget airlines, flying was just not possible for people without money. When Ryan Air first started I remember the webpages with £1 flights on them, yes it cost more once you added stuff in but people were suddenly flying to Spain for £19 instead of £190. It was a game changer. I guess if you are willing to suffer the shocking customer service then you just take that on the chin for the money saving.
I have never flown Ryan Air, never will. My wife flew once, someone was quite ill on the plane and nearly fainting, the staff could not give her any water from the sales cabinet as it was against company policy and they could be sacked for it. It had to be purchased, so my wife bought some water to help bring the person around.
I'm not that old, but I grew up in Oz so I remember how much flying was before deregulation. Before the government deregulated the Pacific sector (Australia to US) flying easily cost over A$2000 per person on sale. Now you can get flights for under a grand and is QANTAS ever bitter about losing their money spinner.I have never flown Ryan Air, never will. My wife flew once, someone was quite ill on the plane and nearly fainting, the staff could not give her any water from the sales cabinet as it was against company policy and they could be sacked for it. It had to be purchased, so my wife bought some water to help bring the person around.
I've never flown Ryanair, and hopefully never will but I've got no issue flying budget. Fortunately we've got plenty of choice, Easyjet, Jet2, Flybe to name a few.
Harry H said:
I like Ryan Air. They're cheap, efficient and I use them 2 or 3 times a year. I'm not interested in frills it's just public transport in the sky. I can do with eating for a 3 hour flight etc.
Their rules are pretty clear. Stick to them and it's all good. Try to get round them and you're likely to get royally shafted. I can deal with that.
I really don't think the food and drink prices are peoples main bug bear here. Their rules are pretty clear. Stick to them and it's all good. Try to get round them and you're likely to get royally shafted. I can deal with that.
coldel said:
I am old enough to remember the time before budget airlines, flying was just not possible for people without money. When Ryan Air first started I remember the webpages with £1 flights on them, yes it cost more once you added stuff in but people were suddenly flying to Spain for £19 instead of £190. It was a game changer. I guess if you are willing to suffer the shocking customer service then you just take that on the chin for the money saving.
I have never flown Ryan Air, never will. My wife flew once, someone was quite ill on the plane and nearly fainting, the staff could not give her any water from the sales cabinet as it was against company policy and they could be sacked for it. It had to be purchased, so my wife bought some water to help bring the person around.
Flying was much nicer and more civilised before the budget airlines, although they were useful for visiting my partner at the time (£90 return to Carcassonne!)I have never flown Ryan Air, never will. My wife flew once, someone was quite ill on the plane and nearly fainting, the staff could not give her any water from the sales cabinet as it was against company policy and they could be sacked for it. It had to be purchased, so my wife bought some water to help bring the person around.
GT03ROB said:
Ithink todays headline is pretty good.
Shut their systems down for 12 hours so you can't check in online. Then charge customers 55 quid to check in at the airport if they couldn't check in on line.
pure genius.
I wonder if there's an interesting story behind the scenes? It's unusual for a very large company who almost exclusively operates online to shut their website for 12 hours with such short notice.Shut their systems down for 12 hours so you can't check in online. Then charge customers 55 quid to check in at the airport if they couldn't check in on line.
pure genius.Flown Ryanair a couple of times.
Never again. I'd rather postpone my trip or pay more for another airline.
I was bombarded with announcements to buy a Lotto ticket/other tat, the seats are garish yellow and blue which is not easy on the eye or at all 'relaxing' and you are herded on and off. I get the having to pay for everything, but the overall experience is just unpleasant.
Never again. I'd rather postpone my trip or pay more for another airline.
I was bombarded with announcements to buy a Lotto ticket/other tat, the seats are garish yellow and blue which is not easy on the eye or at all 'relaxing' and you are herded on and off. I get the having to pay for everything, but the overall experience is just unpleasant.
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