Some (more) questions about flying with Ryanair and 2 dcs

[itchyandscratchy]

2 dcs aged 7 and 3; shorthaul flight (Italy)

Going for 2 weeks.
If we are really careful about what we take, do you think we could get away with just one bag to check in (large hold-all) plus 4 pieces of hand luggage - or are we mad to even consider it?

and should we opt for Priority boarding at £6 each (thought it might make life a bit easier)

and do we need to take booster seats with us or should we assume if we hire a car at any point they will have child seats/boosters? We'll be using a local company for car hire recommended by the family that run the place we're staying in.

We used priority boarding in the summer but didn't bother out of season.

Re the luggage, it just depends how much you can fit in. They are very strict about weight so do weigh it at home first. I would take 2 cases to be on the safe side (IME)

thanks. am torn about the bags - maybe I should just book them to be on the safe side; the flights are sooo dirt cheap it ought to be worth it I guess!

Am wondering how dh and I will cope lugging the dcs' cabin bags, plus our own plus two cases?!

Yep its horrific! We got trunky's for our two (6 and nearly 2 at the time) and they were just about able to wheel them themselves which helped.

Next time we go to my mums (in France) we will have a baby too

Trunkys are a good idea...
Think we will have to bite bullet and go for 2 big bags

Re: Priority boarding - before you buy this check whether you will be boarding through the gate straight in to the plane, or by coach, if by coach then all it does is let you get on to the coach first, then everybody gets on behind you, pushes you to the back and you are last off the coach and on to the plane.

Regarding the weight allowance, two bags (this from somebody who has underbooked the luggage and then spent the nigth before hopping on and off the bathroom scales trying to balance the bags out as the allowance is per bag with no pooling!).

I would put two bags through and save yourselves the hassle of dragging the weight around the airport. There is no way the youngest will be able to or want to carry much.

If you are flying from Gatwick then I wouldnt bother with priority as they call them to board and 2 mins later call everyone else so as long as you get to the boarding area good and early and are near the front you will all get on toghether, Stansted are sticklers for queueing but being at top of non-priority q will get you seats together, outside London, I dont know.

What we do is DH books flight solo and so can print boarding pass and priority board. He could prob do same with older dc. Then book yourself and baggage and baby seperately and check in at desk. Then DH and DC go on first and get seats and you two follow on and dont have to worry about not sitting together or at least across the aisle from each other.

we flown ryan air to italy and found that they board familes with at least 1 under 5 first so can be seated near each other.Then they board familes with children then the rest is sheer bloody luck

We've just managed a week in Majorca with one checked bag and 4 hand luggages, and came back with unworn clothes so it should be manageable! Priority Boarding worked well for us from Stansted, we did it for peace of mind (children are 4 and 3). Ryanair don't give families priority unless you have booked PB - Easyjet do, but not Ryanair.

We always hire car seats, never had a problems. Far easier than lugging them.