Ryanair dark UX patterns summer 2026 refresher • Hacker News Board

Re: Ryanair dark UX patterns summer 2026 refresher

#111

Post by marysol5 » Fri, Jun 12, 2026, 2:26 PM UTC

rsynnott wrote: post #84

sceptic123 wrote: post #56

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Or to look at it another way, they're perfectly happy to let you stand in a queue, outside, on the runway, in the cold/heat, waiting for them to unload/load the plane that has just landed and is often already late.

My personal favourite is Ryanair in Brussels airport. Ryanair generally use airstairs, and, as you say, often queueing outside. Brussels airport doesn't allow the use of airstairs. So Ryanair found a solution to be appropriately annoying; you get on the plane via a jet bridge... from an isolated building which has to be reached by bus, and which has no inside waiting space so you still have the opportunity to queue i…

Last time I flew from Brussels was in COVID, and with Ryanair. Was sat in the bar monitoring the app because it was still "No gate" 20 minutes before departure.

Decided to head down and work out why, only to get shouted at by a very angry staff member as they wanted to depart early....

Re: Ryanair dark UX patterns summer 2026 refresher

#112

Post by marysol5 » Fri, Jun 12, 2026, 2:28 PM UTC

jen729w wrote: post #59

I just ordered a pizza from Uber Eats here in Taiwan and was offered the option to "Try Uber One". Clicking "Try now" in fact just signs you up for Uber One. So I suppose you are, technically, trying it. For money. Dirty. I'm Australian and I'm sure that wouldn't be legal.

Uber Taxis has started pushing "Uber Comfort" to the top of the list too, you get a discounted rate that's lower then the standard one. But you have to wait longer, and I assume it signs you up to another premium product.

I had "Uber One" for a month then cancelled just before renewal around Christmas. :D

Re: Ryanair dark UX patterns summer 2026 refresher

#113

Post by Toutouxc » Fri, Jun 12, 2026, 2:30 PM UTC

I consider myself kind of sensitive to being forced to do stuff, but Ryanair just doesn't seem that bad. Of course, you get a million offers for things you probably don't need, but I genuinely don't feel like they're trying to scam me. It's like ad-supported Spotify or something. Annoying, but not actively trying to vacuum up my credit card.

Re: Ryanair dark UX patterns summer 2026 refresher

#114

Post by wat10000 » Fri, Jun 12, 2026, 2:30 PM UTC

throwawaysleep wrote: post #38

thimabi wrote: post #29

That “Don’t Insure Me” option hidden in the middle of a country list is pure evil. I’m used to seeing dark patterns everywhere but that’s a first for me. From where I stand, it’s not fair to charge the hell out of people who fall for these tricks while giving steep discounts to the ones who don’t. Maybe there’s a “fool me once” aspect to Ryanair’s shenanigans, so at least their impact might be limited somehow.

Eh, we might be all better off if a lack of curiosity was more regularly financially excruciating.

Yes, let's pit ordinary people against gigantic companies with teams of highly paid experts who spend all day figuring out how to deceive them.

Re: Ryanair dark UX patterns summer 2026 refresher

#115

Post by marysol5 » Fri, Jun 12, 2026, 2:30 PM UTC

Shish2k wrote: post #31

sverhagen wrote: post #6

Oh, don't get me started on Ryanair, but alas. You go through what seems the entire check-in process, you get what seems like a summary at the end, with a link to a UK government site where you need to go next to get a travel authorization, I spend an hour doing that, finally finish that, I show up to the airport the next morning to be told I'm not checked in, having to pay a hefty fee to do a late check-in for each…

Followed the app's instructions to go to gate 15, sat there waiting for the gate to open, until eventually getting a notification that I'd missed the flight from gate 30. Went to the help desk, was told that since I was the only person who made that mistake it was clearly my fault rather than the app (which was still displaying the wrong gate, even while I was at the help desk). Got booked on a $400 replacement fligh…

Where are Ryanair flying that you paid in dollars?

Re: Ryanair dark UX patterns summer 2026 refresher

#116

Post by shark1 » Fri, Jun 12, 2026, 2:30 PM UTC

They managed to create a business model relying in some sort of "slot machine" where customers buy the ticket to discover later they are "stupid" not noticing some rule hidden in the meticulously engineered dark patterns and, to board now and do not miss the planned trip, they will have to pay an expensive fee.

It is still impressive for me they managing to be this good in being nefarious at same time they have to worry about executing the service in such a complex industry.

The cherry on top is their social media, successfully bringing humour to alleviate and to make all of this acceptable, as it was just part of a bigger joke.

Re: Ryanair dark UX patterns summer 2026 refresher

#117

Post by marysol5 » Fri, Jun 12, 2026, 2:32 PM UTC

brnt wrote: post #71

sverhagen wrote: post #18

Earlier quoted context omitted.

People often say they'd gladly pay a bit more, but I don't think that's how they act. In the case of Ryanair, I think not using them often means that a casual weekend away could become a much bigger dent in my family's monthly budget.

I've bought Ryanair tickets twice, but never flown with them. I used _them_ as insurance for possible issues on my preferred connection or for having a minimum viable travel path while I have time to look for a better flight. Because they're the only option for certain airports I expect to actually fly with them at some point. May that day never come though ;)

RyanAir is fine, and has one of the best safety records in the industry.

I never quite understand the hate they get, they compartmentalise the various costs into options.

I've had <2hr flights before that have had a meal service I didn't need/want, but it's baked into the price and unchangeable...

Re: Ryanair dark UX patterns summer 2026 refresher

#118

Post by marysol5 » Fri, Jun 12, 2026, 2:34 PM UTC

flexagoon wrote: post #46

Is seat selection really a dark pattern? Exit row seats are the most worthwhile add-on to buy when flying IMO, sometimes having even more leg room than business class seats for a fraction of the cost.

Frustratingly my GF's first ever flight was in COVID, and she wanted to ensure we sat together, so I paid for seat selection, and for an exit row.

We were one of the 10 people on the flight...including some of our friends who didn't select seats, but sat on the same row.....

Re: Ryanair dark UX patterns summer 2026 refresher

#119

Post by marysol5 » Fri, Jun 12, 2026, 2:36 PM UTC

jwpapi wrote: post #44

I wonder if this makes the world a fairer place actually. Because it allows people that are attentive and have time to dig through this to save money. The lowest price would be higher without these patterns. It’s a polarizing idea, but frankly it’s what the world moves too and seem to work on the market. Some people are lazy or don’t have time and pay more money and some people have less time and dig through dark pat…

Seriously, other carriers just bundle in products/features into the cost of the ticket that you may not want or need. Like a meal service (I had that on a 90 minute flight where they woke me up for it)....I'd have paid extra to be able to avoid it.

Of course these other carriers bundle it in at a premium too.

I never understand the hate RyanAir gets, for splitting off services like this as a paid option.

Re: Ryanair dark UX patterns summer 2026 refresher

#120

Post by marysol5 » Fri, Jun 12, 2026, 2:36 PM UTC

NicuCalcea wrote: post #65

jwpapi wrote: post #44

I wonder if this makes the world a fairer place actually. Because it allows people that are attentive and have time to dig through this to save money. The lowest price would be higher without these patterns. It’s a polarizing idea, but frankly it’s what the world moves too and seem to work on the market. Some people are lazy or don’t have time and pay more money and some people have less time and dig through dark pat…

Some people are also old, or not very technically literate, or have poor vision, or aren't experienced flyers. I can navigate around the dark patterns despite being very lazy, but my dad who only uses a computer occasionally would really struggle with them. That is not a fairer world to me.

If you can't navigate around "Would you like to choose this extra option", with a massive "no" button. You shouldn't be allowed outside.