London to Frankfurt - 19 Pounds (Ryanair)
Mar 18, 2001 | 12:54 am
#1
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Join Date: May 1998
Location: Melbourne Australia
Posts: 1,394
London to Frankfurt - 19 Pounds (Ryanair)
I stumbled across this bargain on the front page at
http://www.travelocity.co.uk
check the price of tickets from London to Frankfurt. 19 Pounds sounds like a good fare. Does Ryanair have a frequent flyer program?
cheers Peter
Mar 18, 2001 | 4:39 am
#3
Join Date: Feb 2001
Location: London, Los Angeles, Dublin
Posts: 115
They are Europes largest low cost airline - the equivalent of Southwest in the US. They seem to be very profitable also - very popular on the stock exchange.
Low frills service- no seat allocation, no free drinks, no FF programme. That said there in-flight service is not really very different from BA, Aer Lingus on European routes in coach, IMHO.
When I last used a FF award to fly within Europe the taxes were 30 and I then found out buying a regular ticket with Ryanair would have cost less. Never use FF awards within Europe.
They have great punctuality records - they close and walk away from check in at the half hour mark (EI has started copying this) and I for one am happy with this.
The fare you quoted actually seems high - you should be able to beat it on their own web site.
And finally they use what were once called secondary airports - Frankfurt will be Frankfurt Han not Frankfurt International.
Thankfully,they don't use London Heathrow (possibly London's worst airport) - they use Stansted which is worth the journey just to enjoy the award winnning airport building.
Low frills service- no seat allocation, no free drinks, no FF programme. That said there in-flight service is not really very different from BA, Aer Lingus on European routes in coach, IMHO.
When I last used a FF award to fly within Europe the taxes were 30 and I then found out buying a regular ticket with Ryanair would have cost less. Never use FF awards within Europe.
They have great punctuality records - they close and walk away from check in at the half hour mark (EI has started copying this) and I for one am happy with this.
The fare you quoted actually seems high - you should be able to beat it on their own web site.
And finally they use what were once called secondary airports - Frankfurt will be Frankfurt Han not Frankfurt International.
Thankfully,they don't use London Heathrow (possibly London's worst airport) - they use Stansted which is worth the journey just to enjoy the award winnning airport building.
Mar 18, 2001 | 4:54 am
#4
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I remember paying nutto taxes and extras in and out of England last year. Does anyone know what these add on top of the 19 quid? Bet German and UK levies are many times the airfare!
------------------
~ Glen ~
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~ Glen ~
Mar 18, 2001 | 5:40 am
#5
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I don't think Southwest would be too happy with the Ryanair comparison!
There have been a number of stories in the UK press about how Ryanair treat delayed passengers (badly), wheelchair passengers (they charge for wheelchair use), optimistic descriptions of the airports they use (Hamburg instead of Lubeck, Brussels instead of Charleroi, Paris instead of Beauvais etc etc), virtual impossibility of getting the promotional fares you want at the times you want to travel (you normally have to avoid Mondays, Fridays and Sundays and then play around with an unhelpful website to get anywhere near the headline fares they quote).
Ozstamps: Taxes and passenger service charges are a whole different topic. At present they are relatively easy to understand, if unpopular. But they are just about to be changed to something a lot more complicated.
UK Airline passenger duty (Ignoring domestic UK flights for simplicity) - N.B. This is not an airport tax! - the money goes to the UK Treasury - airport charges are extra.
Now
Flights to EU airports: 10
Flights to non-EU airports: 20
Note that Zurich is 20 (non-EU) but Geneva and Basel are 10 (airports are on French territory). Logical? No.
from April
flights to EU airports: 5 economy and single class cabins; 10 premium
flights to non-EU airports: 20 economy and single class cabins; 40 premium, i.e. premium economy, business and first
To this must be added UK passenger service charges (different for each airport, but say around 6-7 - these used to be included in the fare, but are now added and shown separately on the ticket) as well as any arrival charges at the destination airport plus any tax and charges on the return journey.
Sorry to go on. It used to be simpler.
Some airlines do not charge p.s.c.'s. At present, a BA 'free' flight to Zurich costs around 34 in tax and charges. An AA 'free' flight on BA costs 20, i.e. they don't charge the p.s.c.'s - at least they didn't the last time I did it. I suppose this will stay the same in April, though Geneva and Basel will be 5 less than now. This will mean the APD on a flight to Zurich will be 400% of the cost to Geneva or Basel! Logic? None.
If Concorde re-emerges, the APD will be 20 (single cabin) while Virgin's Premium Economy and BA's World Traveller Plus will incur APD of 40.
Logical? No. It's just a money-spinner for the UK Government.
There have been a number of stories in the UK press about how Ryanair treat delayed passengers (badly), wheelchair passengers (they charge for wheelchair use), optimistic descriptions of the airports they use (Hamburg instead of Lubeck, Brussels instead of Charleroi, Paris instead of Beauvais etc etc), virtual impossibility of getting the promotional fares you want at the times you want to travel (you normally have to avoid Mondays, Fridays and Sundays and then play around with an unhelpful website to get anywhere near the headline fares they quote).
Ozstamps: Taxes and passenger service charges are a whole different topic. At present they are relatively easy to understand, if unpopular. But they are just about to be changed to something a lot more complicated.
UK Airline passenger duty (Ignoring domestic UK flights for simplicity) - N.B. This is not an airport tax! - the money goes to the UK Treasury - airport charges are extra.
Now
Flights to EU airports: 10
Flights to non-EU airports: 20
Note that Zurich is 20 (non-EU) but Geneva and Basel are 10 (airports are on French territory). Logical? No.
from April
flights to EU airports: 5 economy and single class cabins; 10 premium
flights to non-EU airports: 20 economy and single class cabins; 40 premium, i.e. premium economy, business and first
To this must be added UK passenger service charges (different for each airport, but say around 6-7 - these used to be included in the fare, but are now added and shown separately on the ticket) as well as any arrival charges at the destination airport plus any tax and charges on the return journey.
Sorry to go on. It used to be simpler.
Some airlines do not charge p.s.c.'s. At present, a BA 'free' flight to Zurich costs around 34 in tax and charges. An AA 'free' flight on BA costs 20, i.e. they don't charge the p.s.c.'s - at least they didn't the last time I did it. I suppose this will stay the same in April, though Geneva and Basel will be 5 less than now. This will mean the APD on a flight to Zurich will be 400% of the cost to Geneva or Basel! Logic? None.
If Concorde re-emerges, the APD will be 20 (single cabin) while Virgin's Premium Economy and BA's World Traveller Plus will incur APD of 40.
Logical? No. It's just a money-spinner for the UK Government.
Mar 18, 2001 | 7:18 am
#6
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Posts: n/a
Roger is correct, the website is very unhelpful and it does not tell you up to what dates the fare sale is for. Moreover, you have no indication where and when you can snag those fares.
However, I can tell you that they do exist as I and my wifel flew from STN (a very new airport along the lines of US architecture) to PSA for approx $60 R/T each over Thanksgiving. Boarding was great as many people did their "lemming" best by taking the first seats on the plane, leaving the emergency exit rows empty for us to get seats there. It is very egalitarian in this respect, and boarding is rather quick. However, this type of boarding is the type that only a New Yorker, like myself, might like!
Deplaning and getting your bags at PSA, was rather quick as there was not much traffic at the airport! PSA was great for Firenze, as there are direct trains from PSA to Firenze.
We were warned that you pay for every thing on the plane, so we brought our own water and food.
RyanAir are not alone in not advising you of the taxes, just look at the air fares across the pond, which give you a jolt of approx $90 when taxes are added!
However, some low cost airlines, Buzz, etc. now quote you fares with taxes included.
So, all in all, it is a good adjunct to cut costs, but with all the low cost carriers, you must do your homework. RyanAir flys to some out of the way destinations that you may actually want, and they are very good on their coverage to France and Italy, but look at the others for where and what you want to go/do in Europe!
One last thing, all the upstart suffer from the problem of finding the cheapest fares, but at least EasyJet gives you prices for the days before and after your travel date for you to compare, and their prices appear to be the same one way as for R/T (I think Buzz is the same, as well.)
However, I can tell you that they do exist as I and my wifel flew from STN (a very new airport along the lines of US architecture) to PSA for approx $60 R/T each over Thanksgiving. Boarding was great as many people did their "lemming" best by taking the first seats on the plane, leaving the emergency exit rows empty for us to get seats there. It is very egalitarian in this respect, and boarding is rather quick. However, this type of boarding is the type that only a New Yorker, like myself, might like!
Deplaning and getting your bags at PSA, was rather quick as there was not much traffic at the airport! PSA was great for Firenze, as there are direct trains from PSA to Firenze.
We were warned that you pay for every thing on the plane, so we brought our own water and food.
RyanAir are not alone in not advising you of the taxes, just look at the air fares across the pond, which give you a jolt of approx $90 when taxes are added!
However, some low cost airlines, Buzz, etc. now quote you fares with taxes included.
So, all in all, it is a good adjunct to cut costs, but with all the low cost carriers, you must do your homework. RyanAir flys to some out of the way destinations that you may actually want, and they are very good on their coverage to France and Italy, but look at the others for where and what you want to go/do in Europe!
One last thing, all the upstart suffer from the problem of finding the cheapest fares, but at least EasyJet gives you prices for the days before and after your travel date for you to compare, and their prices appear to be the same one way as for R/T (I think Buzz is the same, as well.)
Mar 18, 2001 | 11:56 am
#7
Join Date: Feb 2001
Location: London, Los Angeles, Dublin
Posts: 115
Thought this would be worth putting to the test on Ryanair's website.
Leaving this Tuesday coming back on Thursday Ryanair have a fare of 33 return plus taxes of 23.50 giving 54.60. This is obviously more expensive than the cheapest flight that was advertised . And there was no choice of return flight.
I then used the same dates for BA (I presume Lufthansa would be about the same). BA are quoting 490 plus 29.80 taxes - 519.80 in total. Not sure but I think this might work out at almost ten times more expensive.
I have flown from London to Sydney for a lot less than this.
The difference is STAGGERING - no amount of wheelchair use could justify this.
Glad I sold my BA shares.
Facts - always louder than words
Leaving this Tuesday coming back on Thursday Ryanair have a fare of 33 return plus taxes of 23.50 giving 54.60. This is obviously more expensive than the cheapest flight that was advertised . And there was no choice of return flight.
I then used the same dates for BA (I presume Lufthansa would be about the same). BA are quoting 490 plus 29.80 taxes - 519.80 in total. Not sure but I think this might work out at almost ten times more expensive.
I have flown from London to Sydney for a lot less than this.
The difference is STAGGERING - no amount of wheelchair use could justify this.
Glad I sold my BA shares.
Facts - always louder than words
Mar 18, 2001 | 1:16 pm
#8
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Decentlegroomplease: You've identified why some low cost airlines (easyJet, buzz and Ryanair) score over the major airlines and Go. BA and other majors as well as Go normally insist on a Saturday night stay for their cheap flights, otherwise you're assumed to be a business person on business expenses and have to pay business-type fares.
My wife and I are travelling to Zurich in a couple of weeks, out one day back the next, for 57.50 each (including 20 Government tax) using easyJet. BA's fare from LHR for the same dates is 487.60 each! Eight times as much!
For my money, easyJet and buzz are ahead of the others, partly because they have no Saturday night restriction and partly because their websites are user-friendly.
For reasons outlined above, Ryanair are difficult to use, while Go wouldn't enter the frame for me unless a weekend away is included or they are the only operator on a particular route.
My wife and I are travelling to Zurich in a couple of weeks, out one day back the next, for 57.50 each (including 20 Government tax) using easyJet. BA's fare from LHR for the same dates is 487.60 each! Eight times as much!
For my money, easyJet and buzz are ahead of the others, partly because they have no Saturday night restriction and partly because their websites are user-friendly.
For reasons outlined above, Ryanair are difficult to use, while Go wouldn't enter the frame for me unless a weekend away is included or they are the only operator on a particular route.
Mar 18, 2001 | 1:43 pm
#9
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For my Zurich trip, BA do have a (slightly) cheaper fare from LGW of 408.80 using their CityFlyer Express subsidiary.
decentlegroomplease: You said 'I have flown from London to Sydney for a lot less than this' i.e. a lot less than 519.80 including taxes.
How much is 'a lot less than 519.80'? When was it? Who did you fly with? Don't be modest - share the news.
After all, 'Facts - always louder than words' (whatever that means).
[Edited for punctuation.]
[This message has been edited by Roger (edited 03-18-2001).]
decentlegroomplease: You said 'I have flown from London to Sydney for a lot less than this' i.e. a lot less than 519.80 including taxes.
How much is 'a lot less than 519.80'? When was it? Who did you fly with? Don't be modest - share the news.
After all, 'Facts - always louder than words' (whatever that means).
[Edited for punctuation.]
[This message has been edited by Roger (edited 03-18-2001).]
Mar 18, 2001 | 1:45 pm
#10
Guest
Posts: n/a
Roger --
I wonder what Go's stance will be if, and when, they are bought by KLM, the parent of Buzz? Will they be merged into Buzz, left to fly along side them? Has any of this interested the British authorities, as the merged or jointly owned entities would have a very large percentage of the traffic into/out of STN?
[This message has been edited by DOC 2 BE (edited 03-18-2001).]
I wonder what Go's stance will be if, and when, they are bought by KLM, the parent of Buzz? Will they be merged into Buzz, left to fly along side them? Has any of this interested the British authorities, as the merged or jointly owned entities would have a very large percentage of the traffic into/out of STN?
[This message has been edited by DOC 2 BE (edited 03-18-2001).]
Mar 18, 2001 | 3:46 pm
#11
Join Date: Feb 2001
Location: London, Los Angeles, Dublin
Posts: 115
Glad to share the information.
Alitalia from LHR to SYD via Milan and Singapore July 1999 for 350 return. Flight was full of UK travellers on these tickets.
And at the moment BA is selling tickets from LHR to Melbourne Australia for about 469 including taxes. Stopovers allowed (Singapore I think ) valid to the end of June.
Both Mayasian and Gulf have similar offers - not to hard to get to Australia from London for about 450 return just avoid mid July to mid August and Early to mid December.
Hope this helps.
[This message has been edited by Decentlegroom please (edited 03-18-2001).]
Alitalia from LHR to SYD via Milan and Singapore July 1999 for 350 return. Flight was full of UK travellers on these tickets.
And at the moment BA is selling tickets from LHR to Melbourne Australia for about 469 including taxes. Stopovers allowed (Singapore I think ) valid to the end of June.
Both Mayasian and Gulf have similar offers - not to hard to get to Australia from London for about 450 return just avoid mid July to mid August and Early to mid December.
Hope this helps.
[This message has been edited by Decentlegroom please (edited 03-18-2001).]
Mar 18, 2001 | 4:12 pm
#12
Join Date: Jan 2001
Location: FRA
Posts: 127
How about a direct comparison of fares for the bank holiday from Frankfurt to London and return (Ryanair / Lufthansa):
Fr 25.5.01 - Mo 28.5.01
LH FRA - STN: DM 214,66
Ryanair HHN - STN: DM 90,90
Parking at Hahn airport is for free!
Fr 25.5.01 - Mo 28.5.01
LH FRA - STN: DM 214,66
Ryanair HHN - STN: DM 90,90
Parking at Hahn airport is for free!
Mar 19, 2001 | 6:06 am
#13
Join Date: Feb 2001
Location: London, Los Angeles, Dublin
Posts: 115
Doc 2 BE
KLM is not going to buy GO . BA wanted 300 million , the price fell to 100 million and still KLM thought it was too much. GO has yet to make a profit and has had difficulty sustaining low fares over the winter - they are now marketing themselves on destination and value not price.
A merger wouldn't have issues - these are much smaller airline than EASYJET and Ryanair. They get a lot of attention because of their parent companies but they are both unknown quantites GO may turn out to be BA's Continental Lite.
Regarding Ryanair's controversial website - they paid something like 10,000 ($15000) for it and sometimes it shows but it has saved them millions.
KLM is not going to buy GO . BA wanted 300 million , the price fell to 100 million and still KLM thought it was too much. GO has yet to make a profit and has had difficulty sustaining low fares over the winter - they are now marketing themselves on destination and value not price.
A merger wouldn't have issues - these are much smaller airline than EASYJET and Ryanair. They get a lot of attention because of their parent companies but they are both unknown quantites GO may turn out to be BA's Continental Lite.
Regarding Ryanair's controversial website - they paid something like 10,000 ($15000) for it and sometimes it shows but it has saved them millions.
Mar 19, 2001 | 1:26 pm
#15
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decentlegroompleases's 1999 fare of 350 (including taxes?/plus taxes?) for LHR-SYD is remarkable - pity it's not around today.
Those familiar with the UK-Oz market know that the best deals are typically between mid-April and mid/end June. Most expensive are in December up to 24.12, with the European summer being in between.
I just can't find decentlegroomplease's BA fare of 469 including taxes for LHR-MEL and have to assume that it's not available in the UK.
The best I can find on that route are as follows: (note that prices quoted in the UK normally include taxes and charges, though Ryanair seem to be exempt from this)
516 with Korean Air (to 6/15; book by 3/31)
538 with Lauda Air (to 6/23)
584 with Malaysian (to 6/30; book by 3/31)
625 with Singapore (to 6/30; book by 3/31)
There are sometimes dramatic seat sales where you have to book within a couple of days to get bargains.
Those familiar with the UK-Oz market know that the best deals are typically between mid-April and mid/end June. Most expensive are in December up to 24.12, with the European summer being in between.
I just can't find decentlegroomplease's BA fare of 469 including taxes for LHR-MEL and have to assume that it's not available in the UK.
The best I can find on that route are as follows: (note that prices quoted in the UK normally include taxes and charges, though Ryanair seem to be exempt from this)
516 with Korean Air (to 6/15; book by 3/31)
538 with Lauda Air (to 6/23)
584 with Malaysian (to 6/30; book by 3/31)
625 with Singapore (to 6/30; book by 3/31)
There are sometimes dramatic seat sales where you have to book within a couple of days to get bargains.