Ryanair ... enough said!

[venator]

Just booked some friends on return flights to Ireland - my first experience with them and their webs#ite!

If the Monty Python team laboured at it, they couldn't produce anything so utterly byzantine!

Does anyone have a good word for them?

[askyourgran]

Not heard a good thing about them yet. I dont think I would fly Ryanair toilets out on the wing I think.

[losgigs]

Used them quite a few times, mainly as they are cheap, though not necessarily cheerful! However, are always on time. Even got one of their 'cash passport' cards to avoid their credit card fees - no problem!

[237SJ]

Like a lot of these outfits, they`re OK until something goes wrong. Most major airlines have reciprocal agreements with other major airlines in that if they cancel their flight, they will put passengers on another airline`s flight. Airlines like Easyjet and Ryanair don`t do that because they don`t want to lose the revenue from the ticket. Hence, you sit around waiting (sometimes for days) until they can fit you on another of their own planes. I think if wasn`t for the aviation authorities though, Mr O Leary would seriously cut corners safetywise and that`s not good.

[Duncer]

I have flown all over the world with my previous employers, and fly around Europe quite a lot for football matches, and there is no other airline anywhere near as bad as Die-in-air. Even Sleazyjet knock them into a cocked hat.

I had flights to an event in Dublin that was called off due to a terrorist threat that was certified by the Garda. but Ryanair wouldn't refund me as it wasn't "exceptional circumstances". I fought them and got the taxes back, but the admin fee was £22, for my £27 tax.

I hope Mr O'Leary's next bowel movement is a porcupine.

[Ann]

//Does anyone have a good word for them?//
No not for Mr Leery O'Leary (just can't abide the man) BUT I will say this, there is a lot more leg room on his planes than other holiday flights like Thomson.............. and good for a laugh is the triumphant fanfare on landing, a sound of trumpets if you land early with the voiceover "Yet another early arrival for Ryanair!" Its so naff, people boo or cheer and is good for a laugh - Mr O'Leary, please take note - NOBODY takes it seriously!!!!

[jno]

I've flown with them a few times, for about £10 each way, and had no problems apart from arriving late. But all airlines arrive late, so no point in moaning about that.

[Ann]

Jno - when we came back from Portugal last week we were 35 mins EARLY! and 5 mins early going out ........... so fanfares both ways:))

[jno]

they do work harder than most other airlines at being on time, Ann - quicker turnround means more flights. That's why they discourage you from checking in luggage, so they won't have to spend time unloading it all.

I've never had the fanfare, though

[Ann]

My friends who regularly travel with RA say its a fairly new thing.

[237SJ]

It`s an early landing for Ryanair because they put their staff under so much pressure to turn around the aircraft so quickly. They aim to do it in 30 mins or less (or should I say Mr O`Leary plans to do it under 30 mins). The less time you spend on the ground, the less money you spend. It costs a fortune to a) land and b) stay on the ground. Stansted is expensive ( Heathrow costs a fortune). I have a friend who was a training pilot at Ryanair - he did it as a stepping stone onto better things (he hot-footed it off to the UAE) and he was very conscientious as most of their operational staff are.

[venator]

The website put me off the idea of flying Ryanair.

I always prefer the ferries to Ireland as a civilised way to travel anyway.

Thanks for Fascinating Aida - I've been a fan since their early days on the Edinburgh Fringe!

[FredPuli43]

Ofsted has just ruled that Ryanair are not to charge for debit card payments and are to make other charges plain at the start of booking and not suddenly add them at the end (BBC 'Breakfast' this morning)