Ryanair - what do I need to know??

[isitmidnightalready]

Helo

I have just booked some cheap flights on Ryanair - the initial sums increased as I went through the booking and I began to understand how they make their money. I am scared stiff of getting caught out later on - what do I need to know? Stuff like confirming flights / checking in / cabin baggage etc.. I am flying one way from Venice Marco Polo to Stansted with my dh & 3dd. Help me not to cock up and get stung for more money. ( I have seen the airport horror shows which seem to focus on discount airlines... eek!!)

I would say I am a ryanair virgin, but that might confuse...

Cheap and cheerful providing you read the small print. As for customer service, I came across this joke a while back which pretty much sums them up:

A guy is sitting in the bar in departures at a busy airport. A beautiful woman walks in and sits down at the table next to him. He decides because she's got a uniform on, she's probably an off-duty flight attendant.

So he decides to have a go at picking her up by identifying the airline she flies for, thereby impressing her greatly.

He leans across to her and says the Delta Airlines motto 'We love to fly and it shows'.

The woman looks at him blankly. He sits back and thinks up another line.

He leans forward again and delivers the Air France motto 'Winning the hearts of the world'.

Again she just stares at him with a slightly puzzled look on her face.

Undeterred, he tries again, this time saying the Malaysian Airlines motto 'Going beyond expectations'.

The woman looks at him sternly and says 'What the fuck do you want?'

'Ah!' he says, sitting back with a smile on his face. 'Ryanair'.

Have used Ryanair a few times for short haul flights and they have been perfectly fine. They are best if you can go without any hold luggage ideally, but even so it is fine. Theya re what they are - cheap, economy class travel. Treat them like going on a bus or train and you can't go far wrong ime.

You check in online or face a hefty bill at the airport, but you can check in for the return flight about 15 days or so in adavnce so can do a return flight before you leave.

Make sure your luggage is the right size and weight. If it is under then you have nothing to worry about.

Have never paid for priority boarding. We get there with plenty of time and wait in line. Have never been seperated yet even whem there has been up to 7 of us. Normally just the three of us anyway.

Never had any problems with getting on or off, never noticed any different to other planes procedures regarding the steps, etc.

I would say don't do it. But as you've already booked:

Arrive at least 2.5, three if possible, hours before departure in order to ensure you actually get on the flight (I was involved in mass flight chaos at stansted two years ago and we didn't get on. This is apparently not uncommon.

Check your baggage weight if you're checking in baggage. If you're overweight you will be sent to the back of the queue again to pay excess baggage at the excess baggage terminals and will have to start the queuing process all over again.

Remember that your baggage allowance is not transferable. So if the allowance is (iirc) 15 kg per person then you can't have 10 kg in one bag and 20 kg in another - the bags have to be opportioned according to the correct weight.

If you have a disability you must pre-declare it and will not be entitled to priority boarding - in fact two seats will be reserved for you and a companion at the front of the aircraft and you will be expected to board last. Failure to declare your disability will mean that they will refuse to allow you to travel.

I am a frequent Ryanair passenger, and have always found them to be ok.

As others have said, make sure your luggage complies with the weight/dimension regs, get there early, make sure boarding cards already printed (I always take a spare copy but I am a bit strange ), be nice and friendly to the check-in staff if you're doing a bag drop, get seated as quickly as possible.

If the flight is full they will often take smaller bags and coats out of the overhead lockers to be stowed under the seat in front of you to make room for larger bags.

Agree with boarding at the rear...in any case it is statistically safer to seat nearer the rear of the aircraft.

Oh, and try to ignore the annoying fanfare music they play when you land if you're on time

• hey I like the Fascinating Aida song - well worth a look! (But ignore all the other dodgy flight videos that pop up all around it.... )

I'm busy measuring suitcases right now. Thanks for all the tips. This is so helpful.

If you look at a flight a few times on their website it will go up dramatically in price. Clear your cookies and it goes back down again.

Do not assume that because you went online and paid for an extra bag that you therefore paid for extra weight

Cue me frantically stuffing my handluggage full of Ds (4 months) clothes trying not to cry

Check in online. Weigh and measure your carry on. Wear something comfy; if you can each lose two stone before you're flying this will definitely help you fit into your seats better. Make sure to bring your own food WeightWatchers energy bars. Be prepared to leave any manners you may have at the check-in desk: Ryanair is in fact a secret testing ground for Social Darwinism as a state form. They are currently considering whether to offer PTSD counselling to passengers after disembarking (at a cost, of course).