Ryanair is a horrible airline. If you add up random costs you are confronted with during the whole process of flying with them they aren't even that much cheaper. With which I mean expensive meals/drinks, costs for suitcases, costs for checking in at the airport when you didn't have access to internet, etc. Leg space and general facilities are crappy and their handling of cancelled flights, etc is very poor. Whenever possible I don't fly with them en instead choose a more 'expensive' option.
How to avoid getting stuck with the middle seat on a Ryanair flight
31–40 of 160 posts
Re: How to avoid getting stuck with the middle seat on a Ryanair flight
#32Step 1: Don't fly on Ryanair. Just don't.
I fly to Europe regularly with Ryanair, it's been amazing in the amount of places I've been able to go with very little money. Most Europe flights are 1-3 hours. Just get pissed enough at the Stanstead Wetherspoons that you don't give a fuck! Another tip: If they put a yellow tag on your bag to make you check it in the hold, either quickly rip it off between the gate and the plane, or hold your bag so they don't see…
I didn't realise that Ryanair fly outside of Europe but I can see now that they do have a few locations such as Morocco and Israel.
But do you actually mean Ryanair or do you mean Air Europa, whom Ryanair seems to be a reseller for (transatlantic flights)?
Re: How to avoid getting stuck with the middle seat on a Ryanair flight
#33Re: How to avoid getting stuck with the middle seat on a Ryanair flight
#34Earlier 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.
No but it's a possible source of additional revenue.
Re: How to avoid getting stuck with the middle seat on a Ryanair flight
#35Earlier quoted context omitted.
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.
Try to fly with American or United.
Re: How to avoid getting stuck with the middle seat on a Ryanair flight
#36I 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.
My issue with it is that it makes it difficult to compare the cost of a flight with a competitor. If i compare a BA flight with a United flight, I know that I'm going to get _roughly_ the same service. With a Ryanair vs BA comparison, I'm not actually sure what the difference is going to be, or how much it will cost me to make them equal.
Re: How to avoid getting stuck with the middle seat on a Ryanair flight
#37Step 1: Don't fly on Ryanair. Just don't.
Compared to the other budget providers (Easyjet, Flybe [who frankly, aren't even budget prices]), they're miles ahead. The Easyjet routes I used to fly regularly were late every single time, and a member of airport staff told me ~50% of Easyjet flights were delayed in that particular airport. While Ryanair is certainly super basic, and they take every opportunity to sell you tat, they've been far more consistent and far cheaper than the alternatives in my experience
Re: How to avoid getting stuck with the middle seat on a Ryanair flight
#38Afaik Wizz does the same randomization logic, it's a new "feature" though :(
Re: How to avoid getting stuck with the middle seat on a Ryanair flight
#39Step 1: Don't fly on Ryanair. Just don't.
For some routes in Europe they are hard to avoid and, to be fair, some other budget airlines are not so much better that it's worth the effort.
There are some routes where they're the sole carrier and guess what you'll pay regular more expensive prices yet still receive the same "budget" treatment.
Re: How to avoid getting stuck with the middle seat on a Ryanair flight
#40Earlier quoted context omitted.
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.
I've flown with them nearly fortnightly for the past two years and never had an issue with them. I guess I don't often have much cause to interact with the staff.