Ryanair

Introduction

RyanAir

© paolino79

Ryanair is an Irish-based, no-frills budget airline, chiefly operating from its main hubs of Dublin Airport and London Stansted Airport. It features low flight prices and often has other promotional offers. However, it is also notorious for, among many things, poor customer service, expensive additional charges, and the use of airports far from advertised destinations. Ryanair also has a culture of avoiding compensation payment - usually citing terms and conditions that catch the passengers unaware - as well as making the process of compensation claims as difficult and expensive as possible.

Ryanair operates flights to/from Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, England, Estonia, France, Germany, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Netherlands, Northern Ireland, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Scotland, Slovakia, Spain (including the Canary Islands), Sweden and Wales in Europe, and Morocco in North Africa.

For a complete route map, check this Ryanair's route page.

Offer Variations

Prices and charges quoted by Ryanair are always on an one-way, per person basis.

• "Free" flights - one-way ticket priced at a nominal value of €0.01/£0.01 (similarly in local equivalent for other currencies).
• Free online check-in - exemption of the online check-in rate of €5.00/£5.00.
• Free taxes - exemption of airport taxes and related airport charges of varied values.
• Limited specific price offer - lower specific price for selected route, e.g. 1 million seats at €3 one-way.
• Discounts - a percentage of discounts from the normal fare, e.g. 30% off.

Booking with Ryanair

Ryanair works out as good, and usually the cheapest, travelling option for travellers who:

• have flexible travelling time, such as travelling during mid-week, in the early morning or very late in the evening.
• are travelling light, preferably without any check-in baggage/luggage.
• aim to travel from point to point only, as Ryanair does not provide connection services and they will not take responsibility for any missed connections.
• are aware of all terms and conditions laid out by Ryanair.
• complete all bookings online and not via call centre (subject to opening hours) or using the agents at the airport.
• are over 16 years of age when travelling unaccompanied - anyone under this age will be refused.
• have no expectations but to think of it simply as a convenient and reasonably-priced mode of transport.

Getting the Best Price

• Sign up to its newsletter to receive announcements of any special offers.
• Book flights in advance, and know that prices for flights within 2 weeks of travelling time are usually pricier.
• Take carry-on baggage only, avoiding the check-in baggage charges as well as minimising the risk of lost baggage and avoid further delays upon arrival.
• Don't buy the priority boarding privilege - there will be seats for everyone.
• Pay for tickets using Mastercard Prepaid Debit Card and avoid payment of administration fees.
• Remember to check-in online and print the boarding pass, up to 4 hours prior to scheduled flight departure.

Online Check-in and Boarding Pass

• All passengers must check-in online ahead of planned travel.
• Passengers may check-in online from 15 days up to 4 hours prior to scheduled flight departure time.
• Name and flight changes cannot be made once a passenger has checked-in online.
• Boarding passes must be printed and carried by passengers.
• Issuance of boarding passes at the airport will incur a charge of €40/£40 per person per one-way flight.
• All non-EU/EEA nationals must obtain a stamp on their online boarding pass at the Ryanair Visa/Document Check Desk before going through airport security.

Baggage Allowance

These are the main points in relation to baggage allowance.

Cabin Baggage

• Strictly 1 piece per passenger (excluding infants).
• Maximum weight per bag is 10kg.
• Maximum dimensions 55cm x 40cm x 20cm.
• All items including handbag, laptop, brief case, airport purchases etc must be carried in the 1 permitted piece.
• Additional or oversized cabin baggage will be refused or put in the hold (if service is available - fee of €35/£35 is applicable).
• Cabin baggage must not contain any prohibited items.

Checked Baggage

• A maximum of 2 bags allowed per passenger (excluding infants).
• Maximum weight per bag is 15kg. (Previous maximum weight allowance was 15kg per passenger, regardless of the number of bags paid for.)
• Maximum dimensions 81cm x 119cm x 119cm.
• Baggage charges are applicable (see Fees and Charges table below).
• Checked baggage can be reserved online (24 hours service) or via call centre (subject to opening hours) up to 4 hours prior to scheduled flight departure, or up to 40 minutes at the airport.
• No pooling or sharing of baggage allowance is permitted, even if passengers are travelling on the same reservation.
• Excess baggage will be charged at the rate of €20/£20 (or local currency equivalent) per kg.
• Checked (and/or excess) baggage must be paid for and deposited at a bag drop desk no later than 40 minutes before scheduled flight departure.

Special Items/Equipments

• Passengers with children are allowed one fully collapsible pushchair per child, to be carried free of charge.
• Additional infant equipment will be charged a fee (per item rate).
• Mobility equipment (e.g. crutches, wheel chair) is carried free of charge (no maximum weight applicable).
• Sports equipment and musical instruments may be carried in the hold, and be charged a fee (per item rate).
• Maximum weight allowed for infant equipment, sports equipment and musical instruments is 20kg per item. Excess weight over this allowance is charged excess baggage fee (per kg rate).
• Bicycle must be contained in a protective box or bag.
• Smaller musical items may be carried as cabin baggage. If exceeding allowed dimensions, an extra seat may be booked and paid for to carry an item. (Check Terms and Conditions, link provided below, for further details.)

Fees and Charges

The following are fees and charges imposed by Ryanair ^[1], in Euro (€) and Pound Sterling (£). Other currencies will be charged by Ryanair accordingly in local equivalent value. Passengers with children are allowed one pushchair per child, carried free of charge. (Note: accurate as of January 2011.)

Priority boarding, checked baggage, infant equipment, sports equipment and musical instrument can all be purchased online up to 4 hours prior to scheduled flight departure time, even if online check-in has already been carried out.

Terms and Conditions

For all additional details or clarifications, consult the terms and conditions set out by Ryanair.