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How to avoid getting stuck with the middle seat on a Ryanair flight

nathancunn.com

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Re: How to avoid getting stuck with the middle seat on a Ryanair flight

#21

Post by nathcun »

dmurray wrote: post #15

The article assumes that Ryanair always gives middle seats to the first passengers who check in and don't pay for middle seats. The eventual conclusion is that you should check in later to avoid getting the middle seat. I don't see why the R analysis and pretty visualizations are necessary for that. Sadly the article lacks evidence that this is the algorithm Ryanair uses. They could equally well hold back the middle…

You're right. I'm making an assumption of what Ryanair's system is based on the outrage people have at being deliberately assigned middle seats. Ryanair have admitted however that they prioritise window and aisle seats for paying passengers. My analysis took this to an extreme, which may not be the case.

And I agree, an R analysis is unnecessary but I've been telling people this conclusion for ages and they don't seem to get it!

Re: How to avoid getting stuck with the middle seat on a Ryanair flight

#22

Post by rusk »

mrarjen wrote: post #14
KozmoNau7 wrote: post #2

Step 1: Don't fly on Ryanair. Just don't.

Flights I had on Ryanair are merely 1 or max 2 hours long, (not taking the driving up and down the runways in account) and for this period of time some discomfort is perfectly fine.

the driving up and down the runways can be a significant factor. Ryanair think nothing of keeping their passengers on the tarmac for hours on end.

Re: How to avoid getting stuck with the middle seat on a Ryanair flight

#23

Post by mehrdadn »

dazc wrote: post #16
neonhomer wrote: post #4

I don't understand the issue with paying to choose your seat on the budget airlines. My wife and I recently flew Spirit to and Southwest from our destination in the US. Even after adding bags and seat (we even paid for their big front seats) it was still cheaper than Southwest.

From my experience, people in the UK see the charge for a designated seat as scam, they don't understand the budget flight business model. Ryanair (not a UK company btw) have been a pioneer in this area with aggressive discounting of basic level airfares but with lots of 'upgrade' options.

> they don't understand the budget flight business model.

Does letting you choose your seat increase their costs? If not, then I can see why people see it as a scam.

Re: How to avoid getting stuck with the middle seat on a Ryanair flight

#25

Post by rusk »

nathcun wrote: post #12
KozmoNau7 wrote: post #2

Step 1: Don't fly on Ryanair. Just don't.

If, like me, you fly regularly between the UK and Ireland they're by far the best value and the service is no different to any other carrier.

I would take issue with this. The service with Ryanair is awful. I have never experienced rudeness from cabin crew of other airlines like I have of Ryanair.

Re: How to avoid getting stuck with the middle seat on a Ryanair flight

#26

Post by babuskov »

tomrod wrote: post #7
neonhomer wrote: post #4

I don't understand the issue with paying to choose your seat on the budget airlines. My wife and I recently flew Spirit to and Southwest from our destination in the US. Even after adding bags and seat (we even paid for their big front seats) it was still cheaper than Southwest.

Economically, no issue. They are price discriminating to their hearts content and letting people get what they want. Psychologically, it feels like being taken advantage of. No brand loyalty or other customer value to be had. Expect people to abandon in droves when similarly priced travel comes along.

I'm actually very loyal to Ryanair because I know I can book late and still get any seat I want (because most people never book their seats).

The only issue I have with RA is that some airports they use are far outside the cities they "cover", so you sometimes need an hour or more (by a train or bus) to get into the actual city.

Re: How to avoid getting stuck with the middle seat on a Ryanair flight

#27

Post by nathcun »

mehrdadn wrote: post #23
dazc wrote: post #16

Earlier quoted context omitted.

From my experience, people in the UK see the charge for a designated seat as scam, they don't understand the budget flight business model. Ryanair (not a UK company btw) have been a pioneer in this area with aggressive discounting of basic level airfares but with lots of 'upgrade' options.

> they don't understand the budget flight business model. Does letting you choose your seat increase their costs? If not, then I can see why people see it as a scam.

they may be offsetting a cost elsewhere by doing this. If they wanted to make the same money but allow people to choose their seats they could raise ticket prices for everybody (which wouldn't be fair on those who really don't care about their seat allocation).

Re: How to avoid getting stuck with the middle seat on a Ryanair flight

#29

Post by rusk »

amorphid wrote: post #18
Aardwolf wrote: post #3

Isn't aisle seat at least as annoying as middle seat? People walking through the aisle bump into your shoulder all the time, and the stream of people walking through it almost never stops. It's not like you can use it as leg space. Middle is worst of both worlds, except at least you don't get a constant stream of moving people right next to you

As a large person, I can say the aisle is definitely where I want to be. There is a good chance I'll be able to raise the arm rest on the aisle side of my seat, which gives me more room to fidget. I can also more easily get up to stretch. For contrast, I once had to sit in the middle seat between two people larger than I was, and behind a person who reclined their seat. And when I'm sitting at the window, my head can…

and behind a person who reclined their seat.

Jam your knees in there. There are certain periods of long haul flights where you need to recline but the inconvenience to your fellow passenger should never be necessary on shorter ones.

Speaking as a tall guy as well, one of the things I do actually like about Ryanair is their seats don't recline.

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