The RyanAir Experience – Part II

So what is it like flying RyanAir? For one, it’s a familiar pre-boarding experience that you’ll recall from the Southwest Airlines of old – seating is on a first come first serve basis. We got to the gate 45 minutes before our flight and there was already a huge queue.  Past the gate is one of the most ridiculous things I’ve seen as anxious passengers make a mad dash on the tarmac for the airplane to secure their seat.

On board is a totally different experience as well. We already know they’re the “Low Fare Airline.” But how cheap are they? An inside look aboard their planes reveals the cheapen passenger experience.

The first thing you notice is their use of overhead bins as ad space…

I can understand ads in the subway or on a city bus but I find it a bit intrusive. It would be different if the service was free or near free  (although it is for some).  But if you’re going to put advertising on a plane why not put them on the seatbacks? Not to give them anymore ideas…

After you find an available seat you’ll notice the safety information of the aircraft is directly in front of your face stuck on the seat in front of you. (talk about a quick reference guide!) No doubt this to save on the costs of materials and secondly due to the fact that there is no seat pocket to hold it! The good news is there’s no seat pocket to leave any of your belongings behind!

With no personal entertainment system or video monitors the cabin crew performs the safety demonstrations in the aisles, old school.  Perhaps this is part of the inflight entertainment? I’m fine with this on flights under three hours as I usually have plenty of my own devices to entertain me.

Once in the air at the cruising altitude, you have another odd experience. The natural tendency as a frequent flyer is to press the seat back button on the armrest, kick back and relax.  Unfortunately, there is no button.  The seats don’t recline.  Cheaper seats and lower maintenance costs I guess.

Hungry? It will cost you.

Laminated menus are passed out prior to the in cabin service to those interested. You’d think they would want to spare the costs of menus.  But maybe they can justify it since they are sales materials for generating revenue. Coffee? Water? Snacks? It will all cost you. Its no wonder the food and beverage carts make a record number of passes during the flight. With the menu at least you know the costs.  Flight attendants also pass by selling promo items. It’s almost like being on the subway or having a street vendor walk up to your car at a stop light.

Probably the most incredible thing I found that shows the cheapness of this airline is funny but at the same time a bit alarming.  Apparently, the entire flight crew including pilots have to purchase their own food and beverages!  I don’t know about you, but at the very least I want my pilot fed.  The last thing I want is my pilot bonking while flying the plane I’m on.  At least provide him/her with some free coffee!

This and the notion that flight crews are paid low wages is a cause for concern for travelers already a bit wary about air travel.  Perhaps it’s safe to say no decent veteran pilots or flight attendants work for RyanAir as a preference.  This explains the rudeness, bitterness, and lack of customer care that seems to plagued the staff.  While I’m happy to save a buck, I’m wondering if it’s really worth the risk of my safety (and life).

Sales is the name of the game on this airline. Nothing is for free. There is a cost for almost everything. They’re actually considering charging passengers to use the toilets!  If this pay-to-pee idea isn’t far fetched what else might they charge us?  After our fiasco at the check-in counter, we were a bit suspicious and curious.  Of course, in these economic times its good to be prudent and conscious of your costs and spending. And not to be too careful, we wanted to make sure we uncovered any further hidden costs…

The end of our flight experience to Rome couldn’t have been scripted any better.  Our touchdown was one of the roughest and most horrific I have ever experience on a commercial airline in a non-third world country in the most perfect conditions.  Maybe I’m not qualified to pass such harsh judgment on the landing but my mate sitting next to me happened to be a pilot and confirmed the obvious: It was ugly.

In summary, as a budget traveler, RyanAir can be a cheap way to fly provided you understand where they can ding you and you stay within their limits. Backpackers might find themselves challenged to stay under size and weight limits. As a business traveler, I would think twice about whether its worth the added stress, mayhem, and inconvenience to the work day.  In the end, it’s like taking pubic transportation, perhaps worse.  The most classless and uncool airline I’ve ever flown.

If you plan to fly RyanAir here are a few tips:

1. Determine you baggage needs BEFORE you book. If you have to check in bags it could cost you more than a flight on a preferred airline
2. Don’t forget your boarding pass if you print it out ahead of time.  They will charge you an additional 30 euros at the check in counter.
3. Don’t check in any bags if you can help it.  But keep in mind your carry-on baggage can only be 10kgs.  As long as it looks light, you should be ok.  They don’t seem to check at security or at the gate (where they may have contract workers instead of RyanAir employees)
4. While seating is on a first come first serve basis, unless you must have a window seat or if it’s super important for everyone in your party to sit together, there’s no urgent need to queue up pre-flight.  We were nearly the last in the queue on both flights and we had no problem finding aisle seats and seats next to each other. And we walked to the plane.
5. BYOB/F – Bring your own beverages and food.
6. Know that the check in agents (soon to be replaced by automated machines) work partially on commission.  So temper your customer service expectations accordingly.
7. Carry spare change. ‘Cause you never know…

Related Post: The RyanAir Experience – Part I