LET'S FLY TO SOME RANDOM COUNTRY... I booked a trip to Tampere, Finland a few weeks ago. The only direct flight to Tampere was through Ryanair, who just happened to have an Internet deal going on - one way for just £10.
...FOR A PRICE Unfortunately the price didn't include the various charges: these include the usual airport tax, etc., but also credit/debit card charges and checked baggage. Yes, there's a small charge for paying by credit or debit card, which is about £1.50 for a return flight. For those unlucky enough to have a Visa Electron or Solo card, you're lucky enough to escape those charges. A single item of checked baggage (i.e. bags that aren't carried with you on the plane) is £7 for a return flight.
The total cost of the flight (as taken from the itinerary):
********19.98 GBP Adult ********35.95 GBP Taxes,Fees & Charges *********7.36 GBP Aviation / WCHR Levy *********0.00 GBP Car Rental *********0.00 GBP Insurance ********63.29 GBP Total Paid
Unknowledgable about baggage, because this was my first solo trip abroad, I paid for two checked bags instead of just one (I had two bags, one to take on the plane, and I thought it was classed as checked baggage). No clarification, no refund.
THE FLYING EXPERIENCE The flights, both to and from Stansted, were late by about 20 minutes. No explanation, just a bunch of blue and yellow flight attendants standing around.
Ryanair is a budget airline - remember that. The first thing I saw inside the plane were the rows of seats, which were arranged just like a bus - three seats on either side, with a narrow aisle between them! They looked and felt like bus seats too. I spent the entire flight fighting for leg room, of which there was hardly any - I'm 6'1 with legs slightly longer than my body. The good news is, provided you get on quickly enough, you have your pick of seats! Seats aren't allocated when you book the flight, it's a free-for-all (apart from the frontmost six rows). For the first time ever I got a window seat - at the cost of not being able to get my bag from the overhead cabinet on the flight back.
The flight lasted three hours and wasn't the most comfortable I've had - we've established that. There was something that particularly got on my nerves.
ONBOARD PRICES After flying with Ryanair, I'm convinced that the recent airport security measures were for no purpose, other than to boost airport and airline sales. Airports are notorious for charging what they like, but for truly rip-off prices I hadn't been prepared for Ryanair. Let me clarify:
- a can of Lipton Iced Tea (with aspartame :( ) on a Ryanair flight costs £1.40. - a bottle of water costs about the same. - a sandwich costs almost £4. - a mini Mars bar (two MINI Mars bars in one pack) would set you back £1.05.
You'd find cheaper prices at a... an airport!
That's right - you had better sneak something on board, if you don't want to be further out of pocket. You won't be able to survive a three hour flight without something to drink, believe me I've tried. And in case you managed to, Ryanair had another trick up their sleeve: a PRIZE DRAW. A free return flight was up for grabs - all you had to do was buy something. Two entries for buying a vodka drink or Red Bull. Only one prize.
OTHER NOTES Trying to leave the hope in hell prize draw and the extortionate prices to one side, I felt patronised by the staff and announcements. Maybe it's because I heard that George Carlin sketch? One quote that sticks in my mind: "to all those who didn't win: better luck next time". To which I had two words, and I don't mean "oh darn!"
A good thing about the flight was the boarding and leaving of the plane - apart from the slowness of the other people, it was very quick! I was out of the plane in under 10 minutes after the plane stopped. This was, unfortunately, against waiting twenty minutes (at Stansted) for my one piece of checked luggage.
I've just seen the Safety dropdown box - this reminds me of the condition on the window I sat next to. My elbow pushed the plastic window pane in slightly, and I was afraid it would break! I was assured, however, that it was completely safe. Still scared the hell out of me.
THE VERDICT I am aware that Ryanair is a budget airline, and I would use Ryanair again for a budget solution for that or a similar trip. The leg room issue, the hidden charges, the onboard prices and the patronising from staff would prevent it from being my first choice.
For £70 return to Finland, you can't go far wrong.
More details
Class flown most frequently
Economy
How often do you travel with this airline
First time
Where did you book
Directly with this airline
Safety
Satisfactory
How well does it cater for disabled people
It is not one of their priorities
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