Ryanair-Questions, comments, bouquets & brickbats (Merged)
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From Ryanair "travel questions" :
We reserve the right to cancel your reservation without refund and to deny you boarding if you arrive at the boarding gate with more than one item of cabin baggage or if that item exceeds the maximum dimensions.
We reserve the right to cancel your reservation without refund and to deny you boarding if you arrive at the boarding gate with more than one item of cabin baggage or if that item exceeds the maximum dimensions.
This is a bouquet.
I've just flown with Ryanair for only the second time - EMA to Beauvais and return.
An almost new aircraft, on time, both ways.
Since I booked prior to 20th May no on line check in costs.
As a former professional cheapskate I have a Visa Electron for low cost airlines.
Total return cost debited from my account for self and Mrs NRU was £4-00
I've just flown with Ryanair for only the second time - EMA to Beauvais and return.
An almost new aircraft, on time, both ways.
Since I booked prior to 20th May no on line check in costs.
As a former professional cheapskate I have a Visa Electron for low cost airlines.
Total return cost debited from my account for self and Mrs NRU was £4-00
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I've read numerous comments about Ryanair's "unsustainable business model" in this thread, and how they are about to go bust.
Quoting from Michael Winner's paragraph in today's paper:
British Airways loss over 12 months: sterling 401,000,000
Virgin Airlines estimated profit same period: sterling 68,400,000
Ryanair's estimated profit same period: sterling 260,000,000
Unsustainable business model, anyone ?
Quoting from Michael Winner's paragraph in today's paper:
British Airways loss over 12 months: sterling 401,000,000
Virgin Airlines estimated profit same period: sterling 68,400,000
Ryanair's estimated profit same period: sterling 260,000,000
Unsustainable business model, anyone ?
Join Date: Dec 2005
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Cancelling a Ryanair flight
Hi, hope this thread is appopriate to this forum. I'm new here - a mate who flies airbuses suggested I have a look here.
A friend is in a bit of a flap having just spoken to Ryanair's "cancellation line" in order to cancel some flights (Birmingham, UK to Girona, Spain; end of July). she tried to cancel online, clicked through the links, then found herself redirected to the "cancellation line". The person she spoke to was extremely rude, bordering on abusive, and informed my friend that she should simply not turn up for the outbound flight then phone to cancel afterwards. When my friend questioned such an absurd situation (politely), the call centre person shouted at her and then hung up while my friend was speaking.
Surely this can't be right? Anyone know the correct procedure for cancelling Ryanair flights? Looking around on other forums there are various issues with recouping fees when cancelling/changing flights, which seem very complicated. Seems Ryanair staff are trained to be obstinate about paying anything back.
My friend is reluctant to phone back and wants to be sure of the correct procedure here and what she should expect to get back. Anyone know?
Cheers! Bloody Ryanair..
A friend is in a bit of a flap having just spoken to Ryanair's "cancellation line" in order to cancel some flights (Birmingham, UK to Girona, Spain; end of July). she tried to cancel online, clicked through the links, then found herself redirected to the "cancellation line". The person she spoke to was extremely rude, bordering on abusive, and informed my friend that she should simply not turn up for the outbound flight then phone to cancel afterwards. When my friend questioned such an absurd situation (politely), the call centre person shouted at her and then hung up while my friend was speaking.
Surely this can't be right? Anyone know the correct procedure for cancelling Ryanair flights? Looking around on other forums there are various issues with recouping fees when cancelling/changing flights, which seem very complicated. Seems Ryanair staff are trained to be obstinate about paying anything back.
My friend is reluctant to phone back and wants to be sure of the correct procedure here and what she should expect to get back. Anyone know?
Cheers! Bloody Ryanair..
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You're having a laugh, right?
Unless you get off on futility, humiliation and pain, why even try cancelling a Ryanair flight? What's your friend expecting, a partial refund or something?
This is part of the implicit deal with Ryanair: if all goes well, OK, but if anything goes wrong (either a cancellation or delay on their side, or a change of plans on your side), you're screwed. Forget it - the money is down the drain. O'Leary ain't giving it back to your friend. Was the cancellation line a premium-rate number? Wouldn't surprise me.
Unless you get off on futility, humiliation and pain, why even try cancelling a Ryanair flight? What's your friend expecting, a partial refund or something?
This is part of the implicit deal with Ryanair: if all goes well, OK, but if anything goes wrong (either a cancellation or delay on their side, or a change of plans on your side), you're screwed. Forget it - the money is down the drain. O'Leary ain't giving it back to your friend. Was the cancellation line a premium-rate number? Wouldn't surprise me.
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Yeah - it was a premuim rate number. 10p per minute..
Oh dear. Seems my question might be a bit naive. I wondered if Ryanair have some kind of official cancellation policy that can be used somehow to at least get airport taxes back. Further research on other forums suggests this is difficult. I'm going to be flying out on the same flight and don't want to hear her name being repeated over the tannoy - just adds insult to injury. Should have known better than to book with Ryanair.. had enough conversations with my pilot friend about a certain Leary O'Michael.
Balls. Cheers for the response anyway.
Oh dear. Seems my question might be a bit naive. I wondered if Ryanair have some kind of official cancellation policy that can be used somehow to at least get airport taxes back. Further research on other forums suggests this is difficult. I'm going to be flying out on the same flight and don't want to hear her name being repeated over the tannoy - just adds insult to injury. Should have known better than to book with Ryanair.. had enough conversations with my pilot friend about a certain Leary O'Michael.
Balls. Cheers for the response anyway.
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From what I read, they are obliged to give back the taxes, but they make sure the administration fee for that is higher then the taxes...
In short: Don't bother to (try to) cancel a flight with ryanair, you gain nothing.
In short: Don't bother to (try to) cancel a flight with ryanair, you gain nothing.
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Yup, I've come to that conclusion now. Complete waste of time, money and effort trying to recoup even the taxes. Most you stand to gain is about £4; but probably minus charges to a further phone line that is £1/minute.
All well.. thanks for the responses.
All well.. thanks for the responses.
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Oh dear. Seems my question might be a bit naive. I wondered if Ryanair have some kind of official cancellation policy that can be used somehow to at least get airport taxes back. Further research on other forums suggests this is difficult. I'm going to be flying out on the same flight and don't want to hear her name being repeated over the tannoy - just adds insult to injury. Should have known better than to book with Ryanair.. had enough conversations with my pilot friend about a certain Leary O'Michael.
They are not interesting in pax cancelling flights. A fair amount of their "load factor" is not actual bums on seats, but unoccupied seats of those who book and do not show up. If those no-shows would have cancelled, they would not have been in the system any longer that produces those oh so healthy load factors....
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You also don't need to worry about them calling over the PA for your friend! If she doesn't check in, then she's not on the flight manifest and even if she did check-in I somehow doubt they would make the call to the departure gate.
Paxing All Over The World
Sorry to hear about this greenbastard but the various FAQs in PPrune will help. RyanAir do actually have an official cancellation policy and it's "You're having a laugh?"
The fares are (usually) so cheap that they are entirely disposable. But, on the positive side, it's one of the ways in which the airline stays profitable so that they can continue to offer cheap fares ...
The fares are (usually) so cheap that they are entirely disposable. But, on the positive side, it's one of the ways in which the airline stays profitable so that they can continue to offer cheap fares ...
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Once in a lifetime experience
Have just returned from a great holiday in Xabia, Spain, terrific weather, villa, food, nice upgrade for the car etc etc...
The only fly in the ointment (big stinking Bluebottle) was the atrocious standards and criminal thieving that was undertaken by Ryan Air. I have never had the chance to fly with Ryan Air before and would not usually do so, but hey they flew at the right times for our holiday, and anyway just how bad can they be??
Well having tried to contact them on a Sunday (prior to the Mondday flight) some 8-10 times, it seems that their customer 'care' team seems to not do so on Sundays. Shame as I may have been able to realise one of their scams before turning up to the check in.
Each passenger is allowed 15 kg of checked in Baggage. Not quite enough with a 3 yr old so we paid for an extra bag. We were surprised at the 15kg per bag rule as it seemed ridiculous to only be able to half fill each suitcase? But hey we had paid £30 for an extra bag so we would be ok surely?
Nope, we were amazed when the polite Service Air person on the desk said that we were 13kg over. But we have paid for an extra bag said we. Nope that is just an extra bag, not weight. Why the hell would you pay for another bag just to accomodate the same weight? Are you using daysacks? Are you transporting Cotton Wool? We ended up arguing, not with our check in lady, she was ok, but with the obnoxious bitch next to her. She was plainly dim, rude and was in serious need of some customer service training. She was also very rude to the people that she was serving, they had also been scammed by the same trick and they were 9kg over, even though they had paid for extra baggage.
Anyway, we went off and paid our excess baggage charge and I was then lighter to the tune of £195.00. Hmm should have gone with BA. Anyway that is how our holiday started, not good.
Then we board the airplane and realise that RyanAir are to cheap to use the boarding tunnel ro supply proper steps, instead they use the in built rickety steps that are pretty steep, no probs, it's a cheap airline.
Bit sad that they feel the need to put childish logo's on the side of their planes, 'bye bye Latehansa'. Oh dear.
But why no air conditioning onboard? We sat there for 25 mins in something like 30 degrees just because they would not turn on the cooling air.
Then you look around the cabin, blimey it's a tube train with wings, where are the hangling straps for standing passengers?
Adverts on the luggage bins, non reclining seats with no pockets in front of you? They really are taking cheap and cheerfull to the limits.
Unfortunately what with the excessive heat and stresses, my 3yr old daughter was sick (surprising as she has never been sick on other flights or even in the car). Well she said that she felt poorly and hey presto, pikey moneysaving means that we do not have any sick bags in front of us. To late, my wife now has a lap full of sick. It takes at least a minute for the flight attendant to rush up front and get us a sick bag, by this time the contents of my little girls stomach is giving it's verdict on Ryan Air's service.
On the plus side, the flight staff did a very good job, they were friendly and helpful. It did seem that they were embarrased by the crap service that their company provided and tried to make up for this by being very professional themselves.
On they way back many travellers were stung by the return online check in scam. And there was a lot of anger amongst the herd by the time we were on board fortunately we had already pinged this issue and had printed out our return passes before leaving.
However the return flight did stand out as it's the first time that I have see a passenger walking down the aisle collecting signatures from other pasengers to complain to the company about it's shoddy service. By the look of it the female canvasser had most of the people on board's signature.
I would say that a fair few of the people who endured the two flights that I did were seriously peed off with Ryan Air and would never use them again. Quite a few people who I have spoken during the holiday and since we have returned have said that they would never use 'S**t with Wings' again, some of my friends have expressed surprise that I did in the first place and said that if they had known that they would have advised me to cancel.
Ryan Air really is a once in a lifetime experience, you never use it again.
I look forward to reading of either new improved standards for the company or of it going into recievership. The thieving CEO really needs removing, although I have little doubt that he would then return as an MP in Westminster.
The only fly in the ointment (big stinking Bluebottle) was the atrocious standards and criminal thieving that was undertaken by Ryan Air. I have never had the chance to fly with Ryan Air before and would not usually do so, but hey they flew at the right times for our holiday, and anyway just how bad can they be??
Well having tried to contact them on a Sunday (prior to the Mondday flight) some 8-10 times, it seems that their customer 'care' team seems to not do so on Sundays. Shame as I may have been able to realise one of their scams before turning up to the check in.
Each passenger is allowed 15 kg of checked in Baggage. Not quite enough with a 3 yr old so we paid for an extra bag. We were surprised at the 15kg per bag rule as it seemed ridiculous to only be able to half fill each suitcase? But hey we had paid £30 for an extra bag so we would be ok surely?
Nope, we were amazed when the polite Service Air person on the desk said that we were 13kg over. But we have paid for an extra bag said we. Nope that is just an extra bag, not weight. Why the hell would you pay for another bag just to accomodate the same weight? Are you using daysacks? Are you transporting Cotton Wool? We ended up arguing, not with our check in lady, she was ok, but with the obnoxious bitch next to her. She was plainly dim, rude and was in serious need of some customer service training. She was also very rude to the people that she was serving, they had also been scammed by the same trick and they were 9kg over, even though they had paid for extra baggage.
Anyway, we went off and paid our excess baggage charge and I was then lighter to the tune of £195.00. Hmm should have gone with BA. Anyway that is how our holiday started, not good.
Then we board the airplane and realise that RyanAir are to cheap to use the boarding tunnel ro supply proper steps, instead they use the in built rickety steps that are pretty steep, no probs, it's a cheap airline.
Bit sad that they feel the need to put childish logo's on the side of their planes, 'bye bye Latehansa'. Oh dear.
But why no air conditioning onboard? We sat there for 25 mins in something like 30 degrees just because they would not turn on the cooling air.
Then you look around the cabin, blimey it's a tube train with wings, where are the hangling straps for standing passengers?
Adverts on the luggage bins, non reclining seats with no pockets in front of you? They really are taking cheap and cheerfull to the limits.
Unfortunately what with the excessive heat and stresses, my 3yr old daughter was sick (surprising as she has never been sick on other flights or even in the car). Well she said that she felt poorly and hey presto, pikey moneysaving means that we do not have any sick bags in front of us. To late, my wife now has a lap full of sick. It takes at least a minute for the flight attendant to rush up front and get us a sick bag, by this time the contents of my little girls stomach is giving it's verdict on Ryan Air's service.
On the plus side, the flight staff did a very good job, they were friendly and helpful. It did seem that they were embarrased by the crap service that their company provided and tried to make up for this by being very professional themselves.
On they way back many travellers were stung by the return online check in scam. And there was a lot of anger amongst the herd by the time we were on board fortunately we had already pinged this issue and had printed out our return passes before leaving.
However the return flight did stand out as it's the first time that I have see a passenger walking down the aisle collecting signatures from other pasengers to complain to the company about it's shoddy service. By the look of it the female canvasser had most of the people on board's signature.
I would say that a fair few of the people who endured the two flights that I did were seriously peed off with Ryan Air and would never use them again. Quite a few people who I have spoken during the holiday and since we have returned have said that they would never use 'S**t with Wings' again, some of my friends have expressed surprise that I did in the first place and said that if they had known that they would have advised me to cancel.
Ryan Air really is a once in a lifetime experience, you never use it again.
I look forward to reading of either new improved standards for the company or of it going into recievership. The thieving CEO really needs removing, although I have little doubt that he would then return as an MP in Westminster.
Paxing All Over The World
This is going to sound harsh but is not personal: I am sorry that you were not able to read all of their Terms & Conditions before travelling. Had you have done so, you would have understood their way of working and would not have paid the punitive charges. It is true that FR's Ts&Cs are different to other airlines but that is how they run their business (and do so very successfully).
Since you state that you will not be using them again, you may not want to read all the helpful information here:
http://www.pprune.org/passengers-slf...ts-merged.html
By the way, 'friends would have advised me to cancel', you would then have found that you cannot cancel a Ryan Air flight!
Since you state that you will not be using them again, you may not want to read all the helpful information here:
http://www.pprune.org/passengers-slf...ts-merged.html
By the way, 'friends would have advised me to cancel', you would then have found that you cannot cancel a Ryan Air flight!
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Don't knock it until you've tried it. I've only flown with Ryanair three times but have been either on time or early on every occasion and had an exit row seat every time. I've never found the staff to be anything less than courteous.
Unless you never read the papers, watch tv or read threads on here there is little excuse for not knowing about their 'scams'. Their booking system clearly states that you are paying for extra bags and not extra weight, it is well known that their seats don't recline and they don't use air bridges etc. They are a budget airline. As has been said in other threads, read the terms and conditions and it is all quite clear what you are getting.
Perhaps they are not the perfect airline but they got me to Majorca recently for €0.50 more than the bus to the airport cost me - €5 including tax! You don't go to McDonalds and expect service and food like you'd get at the Ritz so why do you expect first class service and standards from a budget airline?
Unless you never read the papers, watch tv or read threads on here there is little excuse for not knowing about their 'scams'. Their booking system clearly states that you are paying for extra bags and not extra weight, it is well known that their seats don't recline and they don't use air bridges etc. They are a budget airline. As has been said in other threads, read the terms and conditions and it is all quite clear what you are getting.
Perhaps they are not the perfect airline but they got me to Majorca recently for €0.50 more than the bus to the airport cost me - €5 including tax! You don't go to McDonalds and expect service and food like you'd get at the Ritz so why do you expect first class service and standards from a budget airline?
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I dont wish to be rude but what exactly did you expect, you get what it says on the tin, it is a low cost airline, you get a low costs ervice. If you want more you pay more thats the facts.
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FR does what it says on the tin, for everyone. It treats the average Joe like 
, and do you think MOL gives a flying ? Of course not, he is busy making a tidy fortune for shareholders (and doing a mostly fine job of it too).
I am a little bitter about FR due to their increasingly monopolistic position. 5 years ago I had choice when I wanted to go visit Ol'Blighty, now my only choice (other than FR) is to go to LGW, 200 miles out of my way.
You really can't expect to get much when you sign up to T&Cs that are at the bottom of gutter level. FR (and their agents) presumably employ (some of) the lowest of the low in terms of the intellect levels, borne out on many of the FR flights I have taken (upwards of 200). Sit back, relax and enjoy the experience! FR don't fly any sector lengths long enough to make it completely unbearable.
RIX
, and do you think MOL gives a flying ? Of course not, he is busy making a tidy fortune for shareholders (and doing a mostly fine job of it too).I am a little bitter about FR due to their increasingly monopolistic position. 5 years ago I had choice when I wanted to go visit Ol'Blighty, now my only choice (other than FR) is to go to LGW, 200 miles out of my way.
You really can't expect to get much when you sign up to T&Cs that are at the bottom of gutter level. FR (and their agents) presumably employ (some of) the lowest of the low in terms of the intellect levels, borne out on many of the FR flights I have taken (upwards of 200). Sit back, relax and enjoy the experience! FR don't fly any sector lengths long enough to make it completely unbearable.
RIX
They are cheap, their lack of service is widely reported - the head bloke seems to glory in it; if you don't like that - don't use them.
If more people didn't use 'em maybe they'd change their style.
If more people didn't use 'em maybe they'd change their style.
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From the FR website
If you had taken the time to read the terms and conditions associated with your ticket you would have been aware of the charges.
Each passenger is permitted to check in up to 3 bags with a maximum combined weight of 15kgs, subject to the payment of the applicable checked baggage fees.
Any passenger exceeding their 15kg personal checked baggage allowance will be charged for the excess at the applicable rate per kilo.
There is no checked/hand baggage allowance for infants. However, one fully collapsible pushchair per child may be carried free of charge. Additional infant equipment such as car/booster seats and travel cots may be carried in addition to the personal checked baggage allowance of 15kilos per person. Infant equipment (car/booster seats and travel cots) are charged at a separate fee per item/per one way flight