Ryanair flight with a 4 month old. Any experiences?

[Asturimama]

I am about to book a short flight (1h 30min) for next January with my DS will be 4 months old, but my parents are telling me not to book with Ryanair as it will be a nightmare, and I have also heard pretty negative comments from other people too about how they charge you for everything, don't let people with children board first, etc.

Any advice? Flights with other companies are around 100 Euros more expensive, would it be worth paying the difference?

I'd pay the extra not to fly Ryanair, sorry!

I used to fly Ryanair with my baby - no problems at all (take your own food/drink) - no, you are not allowed to board first but as most people don't actually want to sit next to a baby it doesn't really matter - try and avoid taking too much hand luggage - you can't guarantee that anyone will help you.

Am assuming you meant 100 euro total though.

And if that's for a 'proper airline' then it'll be even more worth it.

4 months old is about the best age to fly with them :)

Get a sling you like and make sure you have a bag that's easy to shove under the seat in front of you with all the bits you'll need for the hour before the flight until you get you luggage the other end

You will only have one seat anyway, so it doesn't matter where you sit

I've always found people friendly and helpful

Remember to feed your little one as soon as possible after take off to help with ear pressure, same with the decent.

Problem I had was not with the boarding first (don't really mind) but with the queuing. The choice was stand for an hour with a baby or board last. So if you're travelling with a DP there is no chance of sitting together and so no help during the flight.

Plus, once you start adding on extras like luggage it's not always that much cheaper. Unless you can get a 1p flight and pay taxes only!

Sorry to be so downbeat I've flown a lot of shorthaul in Europe though, and Ryanair was grim every time with a baby.

Easyjet lovely though!

Thanks a lot for you replies.
Unfortunately it will just be the baby and myself and therefore I was thinking of making the most of the hand luggage so that I don't have to carry check in luggage as well (although someone will take me and pick me up from the airport, so maybe it would be best the other way? i.e. normal check in luggage and very small hand luggage).
I can take a sling but in principle I will also have to take the pushchair with the car seat (instead of the normal seat) so that I can get my DS into my parent's car at the other end...
I know I am probably making a big deal of nothing, but I am dreading this flight already...

Just found out I will not need to take the car seat as there will be one waiting for me at the other end.
Good point about the adverts NotJustClassics, I hadn't thought about that...
Unfortunatly only Ryanair fly to that airport (1.5 hs from my parents).
The alternative is to fly to Madrid (4.5 hour from my parents) which is also more expensive.

i've flown with them twice now...though with older children. they were on time or early on each flight. Make sure you read the instructions properly as they will be strictly adhered to by Ryanair. Maybe I've just been lucky....but so far i've found them fine....they do what they say on the packet.

if there's only 1 of you needing a seat you can get on at the end. On one of our trips a family of 4 with young children got on last and then wondered why they couldn't find seats together....think a bit of common sense is required.

Ryanair is fine provided you follow their instructions to the letter. Pay for priority boarding it's only £5 per person each way. Most other airlines are the same these days anyway in terms of noise and charging for everything, granted Ryanair are particularly bad ( the ever so delightful sexist calendar on the front of their website is a good example) but if its the quickest and cheapest way for you to get where you need to go then don't be put off.

D'oh you don't need priority boarding as there is only one seat required, silly me.

They are meant to be dreadful if flights are cancelled or delayed, but as you will be staying with relatives then should not be a problem for you.

I used to fly Ryanair regularly with my ds when we had family living in France.

I don't see the attraction in priority boarding with a baby - surely you want to have at little time as possible confined to your seat? I personally always preferred to be mooching about the waiting area until the last possible moment. Your baby will be sitting on your lap anyway so being seated together shouldn't be an issue.

One thing to note is that the staff seemed quite unhelpful; if you are taking a buggy right to the plane (for example) they are unlikely to help you at all. Ie, you'll have to fold it yourself on the tarmac, baby under one arm. Maybe that's just my experience, don't want to tar all Ryanair staff with the same brush. But be prepare for minimal customer service.

Thanks a lot everyone, flights are booked now but I will make sure I read all the instructions re. baggage, baby, etc. Might even give them a call to ask exactly what is allowed, etc.

Wish me luck!

Oh I wouldn't ring them, 10p a minute and a lloooooonnnnngggg holding time. The website should have absolutely everything you need, one thing I will say about them is that everything is very categorically spelt out.

They were fine, read and re-read the website info, email for clarification and be relaxed...sorted.

thanks again. Will read the website and print out the regulations till I can repeat them myself like a parrot!

They have been fine when I have travelled with them to be honest. The supplements etc are a nightmare but once you have got over the booking stress they are ok. Staff were all very helpful with kids and helped us with seating together etc.