Budget Travel - Ryanair - The Good and The Bad

No more non EU/EEA citizens Fees, but ....:

Ryanair To Go 100% Web Check-In From October
Ryanair, Europe’s largest low fares airline, today (10 March) announced it will move to 100% web check-in from 1st October 2009. This move will allow all passengers, including those travelling with checked baggage, to check-in online thereby avoiding time wasting queues and delays at airport check-in desks.

Ryanair’s web check-in service is open from 15 days to 4 hours before the scheduled departure time of each flight. Web check-in can be accessed via ryanair.com using booking confirmation numbers or flight details to retrieve each reservation.

Having printed their boarding cards at home passengers without check-in bags can continue to proceed directly through airport security while those with check-in bags can simply present at one of Ryanair’s “drop desks” before proceeding through airport security to the boarding gate. This will free passengers from wasting hours at airports prior to departure and will dramatically reduce travel times for all Ryanair passengers.

Ryanair will phase in the introduction of its 100% web check-in as follows:

· Phase 1: From 19th March 2009, Ryanair’s web check-in service will be extended to (a) non EU/EEA citizens, (b) passengers travelling with checked baggage and (c) reduced mobility customers.

Customers choosing web check-in and travelling with only carry-on bags will continue to enjoy this service free of charge. A web check-in fee of £5/€5 per person/per flight will apply to passengers travelling with checked baggage, while customers who wish to use airport check-in will be charged an airport check-in fee of £10/€10 per person/per flight at the time of booking.

· Phase 2: From 1st May 2009 all new bookings will be required to use web check-in, and the use of traditional airport check-in desks will be phased out over the summer months. The web check-in fee of £5/€5 per person, per flight will apply to all new bookings (except promotional fares) from 1st May 2009. In order to dissuade passengers from using airport check-in desks, the fee for airport check-in will double to £20/€20 per person/per flight at the time of booking.

· Phase 3: From 1st October 2009 airport check-in desks will no longer be available at any Ryanair airport. All passengers will be required to web check-in and those who have checked in bags will use the airport “bag drop” desks, if required. From this date, children under the age of 16 will no longer be able to travel unaccompanied and passports and national ID cards will be the only accepted forms of photo ID on Ryanair flights.

Of course some of these things we already knew about - like their intention to abolish check-in desks. How about passengers who don't have Internet access? And yes, they do exist. My mother has never used a computer in her life, and has no intention to do so. She has travelled on Ryanair (but won't be doing so in future, obviously).

Only passports and national ID cards accepted? I think this might cause a bit of a riot here in the UK where we don't have ID cards. Are people really going to get passports to travel on internal flights?

And of course if everbody will be paying a check-in fee then the check-in fee will no longer be an optional extra and they will have to include it in the basic fare. Have they not considered this?

I think Ryanair are starting to lose the plot...

Of course some of these things we already knew about - like their intention to abolish check-in desks. How about passengers who don't have Internet access? And yes, they do exist. My mother has never used a computer in her life, and has no intention to do so. She has travelled on Ryanair (but won't be doing so in future, obviously).

And of course if everbody will be paying a check-in fee then the check-in fee will no longer be an optional extra and they will have to include it in the basic fare. Have they not considered this?

I think Ryanair are starting to lose the plot...

How did your mother flew in the past? The on-line check-in hasn't been abolished. If she has flown in the past (you or someone knowledgable must have booked the flight for her) and can do the on-line check-in for her as well, and she is good to go. I have booked for my parents before and done the on-line check-ins for the boarding passes prior to them going to the airport. This has not changed and I'll do it for them in the future. It also saves time and waiting in an additional line for them; they can be an hour later at the airport with boarding passes in hand.

I am pretty sure that future sales for €0.01, €1.00, €5.00 and €10.00 will include, just as in the past, all fees and taxes, as well as the check-in fee. The current sales (or those of last week for that amount) included everything, which now also do not reflect any realistic taxes and fees or whatever is included in normal pricing.

So how does your Mom book her Ryan Air flight, via the call center were she is charged some crazy amount per minute to wait on hold?

You have 15 days before your flight to check in, worse case you can go to a cybercafe and check in. As an non eu citizen I am happy with this new move. It will allow me to check in online w/o a fee. As for the issue of the online check-in fee for non promo fares. I don't care that much because i would only fly RyanAir on a promo fare.

Of course some of these things we already knew about - like their intention to abolish check-in desks. How about passengers who don't have Internet access? And yes, they do exist. My mother has never used a computer in her life, and has no intention to do so. She has travelled on Ryanair (but won't be doing so in future, obviously).

Only passports and national ID cards accepted? I think this might cause a bit of a riot here in the UK where we don't have ID cards. Are people really going to get passports to travel on internal flights?

And of course if everbody will be paying a check-in fee then the check-in fee will no longer be an optional extra and they will have to include it in the basic fare. Have they not considered this?

I think Ryanair are starting to lose the plot...

The WSJ today had a story about how the major booking sites are trying to catch up with the unbundling game by including tools to subject all the unbundled fees to comparisons. Seems like carriers like RyanAir can only lose from something like that vs. where they are today.

And of course if everbody will be paying a check-in fee
But not for promotional fares

The Times Online today has a very good Q&A article on its front page about the new check in and baggage drop system. Worth a read to become informed. I don't feel encouraged to fly with them after this, but time will tell.

So how does your Mom book her Ryan Air flight, via the call center were she is charged some crazy amount per minute to wait on hold?

She hasn't flown Ryanair in about five years. On the last occasion I think I booked her flight and posted her the print-out (we live in different countries). Before then it used to be possible to book Ryanair flights via travel agents (that's how I booked my first few flights with them back in 2000!), and I believe she's also booked them at the Ryanair desk at her local airport which is only five minutes away - this may also no longer be possible.

You have 15 days before your flight to check in, worse case you can go to a cybercafe and check in.

And how do you do that if you don't know how to use a computer? Not knowing how to use a computer is quite common when you're of my mother's generation (late 70s); none of her large circle of friends do, and she is one of only a handful of people in that group that know how to send text messages from a mobile phone.

But not for promotional fares

But it still means that the non-promotional fares will have to be advertised with the check-in fee included, which will make them look a lot less competitive.

No more non EU/EEA citizens Fees, but ....:
Strange - in a letter to my MEP on 13 January, Ryanair wrote re the necessity to charge fees to non EU/EEA citizens for airport check-in

“...Due to immigration requirements it is necessary for all non-EU/EEA travel documents to be verified prior to check-in to ensure that passenger meet the immigration requirements for entry to the county of destination. In this regard on-line check-in is currently unavailable to non EU/EEA passengers...”

Obviously the world security situation has changed dramatically for the better in under two months!

Or maybe it was just another way of gouging passengers that has now been stopped...?

Strange - in a letter to my MEP on 13 January, Ryanair wrote re the necessity to charge fees to non EU/EEA citizens for airport check-in

“...Due to immigration requirements it is necessary for all non-EU/EEA travel documents to be verified prior to check-in to ensure that passenger meet the immigration requirements for entry to the county of destination. In this regard on-line check-in is currently unavailable to non EU/EEA passengers...”

Obviously the world security situation has changed dramatically for the better in under two months!

Or maybe it was just another way of gouging passengers that has now been stopped...?


Or ... they didn't wanted to upgrade their computer and that time and included it now.

And how do you do that if you don't know how to use a computer? Not knowing how to use a computer is quite common when you're of my mother's generation (late 70s); none of her large circle of friends do, and she is one of only a handful of people in that group that know how to send text messages from a mobile phone.

They stay at a hotel? Don't know of any decent hotel clerk that would not be able/willing to print a boarding pass after given the confirmation number. Ask myself already when I was too lazy to find an internet cafe and never had a problem; they always done it.

The Times Online today has a very good Q&A article on its front page about the new check in and baggage drop system. Worth a read to become informed. I don't feel encouraged to fly with them after this, but time will tell.
It doesn't cover the most important change - that you will have to use an ID card or passport to fly with Ryanair

And I can't see the point of having online checkin at all - or any checkin for that matter - as Ryanair don't overbook or preallocate seats, therefore once you've booked you have effectively checked-in. It won't help with headcount on the plane as people who do check-in have been known not to turn up for the flight

And of course if everbody will be paying a check-in fee then the check-in fee will no longer be an optional extra and they will have to include it in the basic fare. Have they not considered this?
They've now changed the press release - the check-in fee will be for people with checked luggage only. If you have hand luggage only then there's no check-in fee

It doesn't cover the most important change - that you will have to use an ID card or passport to fly with Ryanair


But I thought that this was always the case - and the id had to have a photo on it.

They stay at a hotel? Don't know of any decent hotel clerk that would not be able/willing to print a boarding pass after given the confirmation number. Ask myself already when I was too lazy to find an internet cafe and never had a problem; they always done it.

People normally start their outbound journey at home, not at a hotel. And many people who use Ryanair (or any other airline) do so to visit relatives or friends so again would not be staying at a hotel. And if they have no computer and zero computer literacy (like my mother - or my mother-in-law, for that matter) then checking in online WILL be a problem.

None of this will be an issue in 20 years' time... but while the generation born in the 1920s/30s is still alive and well enough to travel airlines should provide a method of checking in that does not involve the use of computers or the Internet.

And if they have no computer and zero computer literacy (like my mother - or my mother-in-law, for that matter) then checking in online WILL be a problem. Ryanair don't want such people to travel with them as they don't make as much money with them.

I have a question.

I am a noncitizen, Spanish resident. No-EU citizenship either. I booked a flight from Madrid to Brussels, and for whatever reason chose online checkin at the time of purchase. Assuming I am unable to check in online the day before my flight, I'll be able to check in at the airport, right? Also, can I take a garment bag like this for carry-on?

http://www.passengersonly.com/images/products/samsonite/aspire-lite/samsonite-aspire-lite-ultravalet-garment-bag-navy.jpg

I have a question.

I am a noncitizen, Spanish resident. No-EU citizenship either. I booked a flight from Madrid to Brussels, and for whatever reason chose online checkin at the time of purchase. Assuming I am unable to check in online the day before my flight, I'll be able to check in at the airport, right? Also, can I take a garment bag like this for carry-on?

http://www.passengersonly.com/images/products/samsonite/aspire-lite/samsonite-aspire-lite-ultravalet-garment-bag-navy.jpg

If you are travelling on or after 19 March you should be able to check in online. If you are travelling before then you can't because the old rules will still apply and under the old rules only EU nationals can check in online. If you can't check in online you have to pay a "desk usage fee" to check in at the desk, but you can claim that back by writing to Ryanair after the event.

As for the bag - what are its dimensions? If it's within allowed dimensions, and its weight is below 10 kg, you can carry it on. If not then you can't. If you do carry on bear in mind that it's "strictly one bag" with Ryanair, and that includes anything you buy airside. In other words, even if you buy a book or magazine to read on the flight it's got to go in that bag or in your pocket, no separate items allowed.

If you are travelling on or after 19 March you should be able to check in online. If you are travelling before then you can't because the old rules will still apply and under the old rules only EU nationals can check in online. If you can't check in online you have to pay a "desk usage fee" to check in at the desk, but you can claim that back by writing to Ryanair after the event.

As for the bag - what are its dimensions? If it's within allowed dimensions, and its weight is below 10 kg, you can carry it on. If not then you can't. If you do carry on bear in mind that it's "strictly one bag" with Ryanair, and that includes anything you buy airside. In other words, even if you buy a book or magazine to read on the flight it's got to go in that bag or in your pocket, no separate items allowed.

Thanks for the checkin information.

It's a standard sized garment bag, 22" x 19.5" for male suits... will I have trouble?

They've now changed the press release - the check-in fee will be for people with checked luggage only. If you have hand luggage only then there's no check-in fee

Where did you read this?

The Ryanair website still says it applies to all bookings (except promotions) from 1st May.

Thanks for the checkin information.

It's a standard sized garment bag, 22" x 19.5" for male suits... will I have trouble?

You should find the definitive answer at www.ryanair.com - somewhere on that web site there will be a "baggage" link which will take you to the relevant page.

My Grandma is in her 80s she uses a computer all the time. I frequently get emails with pictures she took with her digital camera.

on the other side of my family, my Grandpa used his computer until he lost his marbles.

Bottom line, i think there is a very small percentage of the population who has zero computer literacy and doesn't know someone who can print their boarding pass for them, such as a neighbor or family member.




None of this will be an issue in 20 years' time... but while the generation born in the 1920s/30s is still alive and well enough to travel airlines should provide a method of checking in that does not involve the use of computers or the Internet.

Thanks for the checkin information.

It's a standard sized garment bag, 22" x 19.5" for male suits... will I have trouble?
If you can squish it up you won't have trouble - Ryanair's limits are (roughly) 22x16x8"

http://www.ryanair.com/site/EN/faqs.php?sect=bag&quest=cabinbaggageallowance

Where did you read this?

The Ryanair website still says it applies to all bookings (except promotions) from 1st May.
You are right - must have been having a senior moment (which is worrying as I'm not a senior)

Not sure why you all bother with this Airline. Why do you have to check-in twice. (To be shure-To be shure.):D

But I thought that this was always the case - and the id had to have a photo on it.

Not strictly - yes, had to be photo ID but in the past you could travel between the UK and Ireland, as well as internally, on a UK driving licence - I assume an Irish one too. The driving licence is not an ID card so I guess will no longer be accepted.

As a frequent flying Brit living in Ireland I have a passport so won't be affected but there will be a lot of people who now have to shell out the best part of a ton to get a passport for internal flights...

Incidentally, I really, really hate flying with Ryanair (the gouging .......s) and as long as there is less than say €30 difference in price I will pay more and go with Aer Lingus.

Strange - in a letter to my MEP on 13 January, Ryanair wrote re the necessity to charge fees to non EU/EEA citizens for airport check-in

“...Due to immigration requirements it is necessary for all non-EU/EEA travel documents to be verified prior to check-in to ensure that passenger meet the immigration requirements for entry to the county of destination. In this regard on-line check-in is currently unavailable to non EU/EEA passengers...”

Obviously the world security situation has changed dramatically for the better in under two months!

Or maybe it was just another way of gouging passengers that has now been stopped...?


Except that they haven't been checking non-EU passport holders with hand baggage only at STN since the check-in kiosks were introduced in October 2008.

I went through Stansted on 01 January 2009 for a Ryanair flight with my partner who is not on an EU/EEA passport. They didn't even look twice at her passport (photo page only) at the gate which was the first and only time we came face to face with any FR ground staff.

As a frequent flying Brit living in Ireland I have a passport so won't be affected but there will be a lot of people who now have to shell out the best part of a ton to get a passport for internal flights...


"Best part of a ton"? How much does a UK passport cost? Arm and leg? Your first born son? Seriously, it can't be that expensive.

"Best part of a ton"? How much does a UK passport cost? Arm and leg? Your first born son? Seriously, it can't be that expensive.

How much does a passport cost?

The cost of a UK passport will vary depending on how you apply. For example:

* £72 for a basic postal application
* £97 for a fast-track, one-week service
* £46 for a child's passport

http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/TravelAndTransport/TravellingAbroad/PassportsAndVisas/DG_4019505

That's if don via the UKPA. If done via an embassy it will generally cost more

And don't forget that people applying for their first passport now need to have an "identity interview" which means time off work and a journey to an interview office. While most people probably live within an hour's journey of an interview office, some will have a journey of half a day.

Having to go through all this just to be allowed to travel on an internal flight is pretty ridiculous. Not an issue for those who already have a passport... but there will be people who will now have to apply for a passport just to fly internally.

Bottom line, i think there is a very small percentage of the population who has zero computer literacy and doesn't know someone who can print their boarding pass for them, such as a neighbor or family member.

That may be true.

There are many people taking trips on RyanAir who won't have access to a printer for the return leg or start leg of their journey however.

According to the BBC's ''Fasttrack'' program last night, Ryanair is now the world's largest international airline in terms of passengers carried.

According to that criterion, Ryanair has been the "largest" international carrier for some time (I remember Ryanair teasing BA about its "World's Favourite" slogan).

On the question of OLCI, I don't know why Ryanair can't follow easyJet and let passengers check in a couple of months in advance if they wish to.

On the question of OLCI, I don't know why Ryanair can't follow easyJet and let passengers check in a couple of months in advance if they wish to.

Ah... you might miss most of the good deals if you book months in advance. I am flying to Berlin in a month and booked in March for €0.01; prices changed since than anywhere from €58 to today €2.50.

Good point!

As a rule it's not worth booking when the new season's fares are loaded or you could pay silly prices. Same goes for travel within a week or so of booking.

I distinguish between trips I have to make and the rest. For the former, I'll book if the fares look reasonable. The other trips are opportunistic and depend on what I see on the website and whether I fancy a day trip to Dublin for four pounds!

Ryanair - The Good, The Bad :

and The Ugly ( Michael O'Leary?)

Ah... you might miss most of the good deals if you book months in advance. I am flying to Berlin in a month and booked in March for €0.01; prices changed since than anywhere from €58 to today €2.50.

But that should be the passengers choice. If I think that it's a good fare, I will book it, in the knowledge that it could go down. My choice.

My last easyJet flight was booked, paid for and checked-in within the space of 3 minutes, for a departure a month ahead. It was cool. In a geeky way.