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Ryanair dark UX patterns summer 2026 refresher

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Re: Ryanair dark UX patterns summer 2026 refresher

#181

Post by ponector »

rsynnott wrote: post #90
rithdmc wrote: post #82

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I don't think it's a weird case to compare two budget airlines to demonstrate why I think one is better than the other.

Well, the thing is they historically weren't a budget airline. They've taken on some budget airline attributes, but mostly not the dark patterns. Yet. They'll get there.

Ryanair is the biggest airline in Europe. Everyone competes with them. I found if you are traveling with family, need a checked bag and seats - Ryanair has no price advantage over other players.

Re: Ryanair dark UX patterns summer 2026 refresher

#182

Post by dingaling »

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.

I have no sympathy, and even less respect, for people who choose to fly with Ryanair and then complain about these patterns.

After 32 years of Ryanair in its current incarnation nobody can claim naivety. Dance with the devil and he pipes the tune.

Re: Ryanair dark UX patterns summer 2026 refresher

#183

Post by [deleted] »

dbspin wrote: post #57
gib444 wrote: post #19

I am shocked that Ryanair stoop to such levels, because the Irish always come across as actually morally superior to many other people, and I thought that would extend to just implementing good and honest business practices at the expense of profit. I am also similarly shocked about past GDP shenanigans, aiding in tax evasion by large multinationals, and the Irish privacy regulator being so weak on GDPR violations. I…

Irish person here... Ireland is a real country, with a wide diversity of human temperaments. Culture doesn't override greed, nor does it impart 'morality'. Moreover, Ireland is perhaps the most Americanised EU nation. Decades of neoliberal government, endemic corporate corruption and poor regulation of anything that threatens the corporate tax avoidance status quo.

[deleted]

Re: Ryanair dark UX patterns summer 2026 refresher

#184

Post by [deleted] »

dbspin wrote: post #57
gib444 wrote: post #19

I am shocked that Ryanair stoop to such levels, because the Irish always come across as actually morally superior to many other people, and I thought that would extend to just implementing good and honest business practices at the expense of profit. I am also similarly shocked about past GDP shenanigans, aiding in tax evasion by large multinationals, and the Irish privacy regulator being so weak on GDPR violations. I…

Irish person here... Ireland is a real country, with a wide diversity of human temperaments. Culture doesn't override greed, nor does it impart 'morality'. Moreover, Ireland is perhaps the most Americanised EU nation. Decades of neoliberal government, endemic corporate corruption and poor regulation of anything that threatens the corporate tax avoidance status quo.

[deleted]

Re: Ryanair dark UX patterns summer 2026 refresher

#186

Post by Hikikomori »

som wrote: post #88
wongarsu wrote: post #47

Earlier quoted context omitted.

To be fair, that is described as an 8 year old example. Their current UX is much more clear. Their current pattern is more about playing into the fear of what happens without insurance, without selecting your seat, when you don't pay for early check in and forget to do it online on the day before the flight, or what happens if you show up with more or larger luggage than what you booked. Fears they themselves create…

It's funny, I booked a flight with Ryanair only about an hour ago - out of pure desperation - first time in 15 years. I remember them being crafty, but I have to admit I was surprised by the level of tactics ... that is to say, what they are still allowed to get away with given European / UK consumer law. Not to mention that a 20kg bag and hand luggage cost me significantly more than the fare itself. They even had up…

Booked one a few months ago. Triple read everything before clicking anything and managed to get through it without adding anything extra, only needed carry-on that was included. Hard to tell if some things are required or not, usually well hidden free option somewhere. Then if you try to check in to early you must pay, but if you do it just 24h before it's free.

Last time I had close call with a slightly oversized backpack (but not overly full so could easily fit) and they pointed out that some straps we're sticking out through the openings in their thing which I had to push back in...

Re: Ryanair dark UX patterns summer 2026 refresher

#187

Post by wolvoleo »

som wrote: post #88
wongarsu wrote: post #47

Earlier quoted context omitted.

To be fair, that is described as an 8 year old example. Their current UX is much more clear. Their current pattern is more about playing into the fear of what happens without insurance, without selecting your seat, when you don't pay for early check in and forget to do it online on the day before the flight, or what happens if you show up with more or larger luggage than what you booked. Fears they themselves create…

It's funny, I booked a flight with Ryanair only about an hour ago - out of pure desperation - first time in 15 years. I remember them being crafty, but I have to admit I was surprised by the level of tactics ... that is to say, what they are still allowed to get away with given European / UK consumer law. Not to mention that a 20kg bag and hand luggage cost me significantly more than the fare itself. They even had up…

> In Australia most of this kind of borderline deceptive selling has been stepped on, to the point that you hardly see it any more.

Yeah most of the EU steps on this but Ireland is deep in the pockets of big tech. Their privacy regulator is really weak for example, on purpose. That's why all the big techs have their HQs there.

I guess this attitude extends to Ryanair too. We have this thing in the EU where companies need to be legislated in only one member state but some like Ireland abuse this privilege for national gain. It's not just Ireland though. Holland facilitates EU tax dodging with them, Malta sells EU passports to rich foreigners etc.

Spain does sometimes still manage to put the thumbscrews on them though. Like banning charging for hand luggage.

Re: Ryanair dark UX patterns summer 2026 refresher

#188

Post by burlistic »

Love the blog post and was curious to see what the Ryan air flow and ux patterns looked like these days.

I've found that not selecting a seat often works out best for me and my family. Regardless of when I check in. The algorithms for seat selection seem to always auto allocate you and your party together.

If you have young kids they are obligated for them to be seated with their parents. Same for people with disabilities I would guess - although I'm not sure if this would be flagged online. This could be sorted at the check-in counter.

If your kids are older they are probably quite happy not sitting next to you anyway!

For years I've not selected seating and it's worked out well. On our last trip with BA we actually ended up with premium seats with extra leg room.

Nine times out of ten we've been all together. Plus if you really want to sit together. People are often happy to swap like for like seats.

P.S I tried to post this on the blog comments but kept getting blocked by capture. Saying I need to solve correctly. I tried about five times. Looks to be an issue

Re: Ryanair dark UX patterns summer 2026 refresher

#189

Post by burlistic »

markvdb wrote: post #136

About ten years ago, Ryanaiar suffered a booking system malfunction. My ticket was wrongly booked to "John Smith" and apparently sent to an email address "joxxxxxxxx@xxxxxxxxxx" due to a flaw in their booking system. I noticed when trying to check in online far in advance. After many hours spent fruitlessly fighting the Ryanair customer disservice desk, I decided to enlist the help of my local ECC [0]. I paid Ryanair…

Email addressing being recycled is a valid problem and challenge. Many sites use an email address as the main unique ID for customers, yet this email address and the account can expire if not used for a prolonged period, hence being recycled and then re-registered by someone else.

It doesn't sound like this caused your issue. But it is a genuine challenge for large companies like Ryanair and for users who might have registered using an old email they no longer own.

MFA and getting a reset confirmation via your mobile as an example can help people from resetting the password and logging in to see personal information which isn't theirs.

Companies need a way of recycling this accounts and letting people re-register, ideally not having to call a support line.

Re: Ryanair dark UX patterns summer 2026 refresher

#190

Post by wolvoleo »

rsynnott wrote: post #72
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.

> That “Don’t Insure Me” option hidden in the middle of a country list is pure evil. I think they may actually have gotten in trouble for that one; they've stopped doing it (as noted in the article it was from eight years ago).

They still did it pretty recently
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