Ryanair leave passengers in the lurch again
 

A friend was traveling on the Ryanair FR 8352 last Friday (10th March) from Almeria to Stansted. The flight was due to depart at 2140 and they checked in at 1915 and noticed that the flight was delayed. They were informed that the flight would be departing at 2315 and went through to the departure lounge. 30 minutes later they were told that the flight had now been cancelled but were given no reason. They were told that they might be able to get on the Ryanair flights next day from either Granad or Murcia hardly worth driving miles for a possiblity.

Does anyone know exactly why the flight was cancelled, also exactly what compensation they are due bearing in mind that they had already checked in before the flight was cancelled.

My feeling is that this is a poor way to run an airline.

"My feeling is that this is a poor way to run an airline"

sky9 - wake up! You get what you pay for!

Why do passengers expect the same from FR than from, say BA? For the few pounds they pay, they simply cannot expect more! And this is by no means meant against FR, but against all complaining pax.

MONCTON FIR.
 

I GUESS YOU GET WHAT U PAY FOR? THIS SHOULD NOT COME AS ANY SURPRISE TO ANYONE WHO KNOWS RYR. HOPE THE PASSENGERS DONT TRY AND CLAIM EXPENCES, BOY WILL THEY BE OUT OF LUCK:eek:

I could give you an exact figure..........:{ :{ :{

I get a bit fed up of hearing this.

Presumably your friends were happy enough with the price they paid for their tickets and the fact that the route is available in the first place. But when things go wrong, they want compensation.......

What they will get is either a) an alternative Ryanair flight whenever this may be available, or b) a full refund. That's it, end of story. Ryanair will either get you to your destination themselves, or give you your money back.

The Ryanair business model should be well understood by now. If you don't like it, don't fly with them.

Voeni wrote

"wake up! You get what you pay for!

Why do passengers expect the same from FR than from, say BA? For the few pounds they pay, they simply cannot expect more! And this is by no means meant against FR, but against all complaining pax."

Come off it Voeni... Cheap airlines take people cash with a promise of service. If they fail to deliver it, then it's no ones fault but their own (the airline that is). They put together business plans and costings to undercut each other. If they over reach themselves... too bad, they should face the consequences as in any other business.

There seems to be too much of a "well you get what you pay for" acceptance creeping into their business models.

Should the "you get what you pay for" philosophy extend to flight safety too?

When a company's whole business plan is "we fly you on the cheap" then we, as paying customers have every right to expect them to fullfill that promise and not blindly accept their spin that "well you get what you pay for".

Just my thoughts!!!

Like every other airline departing an EU airport, they are bound by European law, specifically Regulation 261/2004, on passenger protection. They are ignoring the law as a matter of policy, but that doe3sn't make them any less liable. Complain to the relevant authority.

The customer helps decides the policy using our hard earned currency; If people like the policy (aka cost model) then they use the Airline; otherwise they don't and then either the policy changes or the Airline goes under.

If you don't like the policy then don't use the Airline.

(My view; I'd rather go with BA or other flag carries for the superior customer service and peace of mind)

That argument would seem to give the airline carte blanche to ignore any regulation it cares to.

Surely, a letter to the relevant Ryanair office asking for compensation (if eligible) and if nothing is forthcoming, a visit to the local Small Claims Court. Obviously, this assumes that their is legislation that covers this kind of eventuality.

Maybe this is a little bit oversimplified but:

Regulations exist to protect everyone's Safety.
Policies exist to differentiate Airlines and attract the customer's cash.

Regulations are changed by the appropriate safety bodes.
Policies are changed by the customer electing to use the Airline.

You probably don't want to hear this but
 

An EU Regulation is Law, pure and simple.
It may not be good law (and this particular one stinks) but it is Law.

The (responsible) airlines who argue reasonably against some of its worst aspects, and would like to see them changed to everyone's benefit, aren't helped by one airline which systematically ignores every aspect, thereby reinforcing the perception 'that's why we need strong regulation'.

This sort of discussion always seems to go the same way doesn't it?

I only want to say that I am tired of the pro-RYR lot always saying that you get what you pay for. It implies that all 125 or 185 or whatever people on board all paid 9.99 return for their trip so stuff them. Tough *%&$.

Firstly, if I could buy a cake in a shop for 3 euro, but elect to go to another shop and get the same cake for 50 cent, should I accept that it might be mouldy? Of course not. Why is this any different? It is completely unacceptable to condone screwing your passengers because you think they didn't pay enough to deserve fair treatment. (By the way, I am talking about fair treatmnet not legal treatment)

Secondly, it is almost never the case that all passengers paid "next to nothing" for their fare. Anyone who through circumstances irrelevant to this discussion had to book their flight late probably paid through the nose for their ticket. Where's their justice? How come they get thrown in the same bucket as the people who should "expect what they paid for"?

Just checked the RYR website for DUB-LGW in two days time. 199 euro one way. What treatment should I take to be acceptable for that price?

What a ridiculous argument :*
CP

Some of the replies would appear to suggest that nobody should travel with Ryanair and as pointed out, the basis of "you didn't pay much" is specious.

On the basis of their terms and conditions, Ryanair might take you if they feel like it but there again they might change their minds. I am surprised that anyone can actually condone allowing people to check in i.e. accepting them for the flight then informing them that the flight is cancelled.

Does anyone have the real reason why the flight was canceled other than it was delayed and therefore easier to cancel than to operate.

The price is inmaterial, but you must have paid something (valuable consideration). RYR then have a legal obligation to take from A to B. If they can't, they must inform you of your rights and then make further arrangements as appropriate. The EU rule is very easy to understand and can be read and/or downloaded from:

http://europa.eu.int/eur-lex/pri/en/...en00010007.pdf

However, it is also reasonable to wonder people pay as much as they do for "cheap" flights when often the "old" boys like BA and AF etc. operate similar routes (to the proper airports, not the renamed RYR jobs) often for lower prices, treat you as a customer and sort out the problems when they happen. Obviously, not all of the customers are pleased all of the time, but they have paid for they service and they will get it. And here is an example: A flight has to start from Metz/Nancy instead of Luxembourg due to the diversion of the inbound aircraft. Those passengers who could be re-routed from Luxembourg were, those who couldn't went to Metz. The airline provided the connection. Beer (etc.) and pretzels for all (part of the standard service). Those who were rescheduled for later flights went, and those who couldn't were provided with Hotels, meal vouchers and re-booked flights. The price of the ticket was not relevant - these people paid for a service and got one (eventually)!

I'm sorry, but that's a pretty poor analogy. A better one might be to say that you could get the same cake for 50 cents in another shop, but that it wouldn't come with a paper plate, a fork and a napkin. You know very well you're going to have to eat it with your hands, so you can hardly complain when you get icing on your fingers!

That's fine Andy, so long as the cake arrives in the first place and is serviceable (in this case edible).

Paper plates, no frills, fine... that's what I expect for 50p but I wouldn't expect to be told on arrival in the bakery... "yes, we received your order and took your money, but there's no cake available and what do you expect? You only paid 50p... durrr!"

No brainer really.

We don't expect frills but there IS an obligation on any supplier to deliver the goods as promised or come up with a vaild excuse why that's not the case and make necessary recompense.

They would say "Sorry we have no cake, here is your 50p back" and you would go elsewhere for a cake. Just like Ryanair if the flight was not available.

Ha - Ha - Ha ! I'm splitting my sides laughing at how naiive you are! This is RYANAIR we're talking about - R-Y-A-N-A-I-R This outfit is beyond any Law yet devised - so the small matter of EU compensation won't faze them one iota!

Until the EU and the CAA enforce their Laws, Michael O'leary will continue to treat his "customers" as M-U-G-S!!! (.....But then, if you pay 99p for your ticket, do you really expect customer service - that is a "Frill"???)

Or more likely, Ryanairs response would be.......................................................... ...................................




(sound of Ryanair staff's feet leaving check in desk)