I'm going to visit my girlfriend in Manchester in two weeks, we booked a day trip to Dublin with Ryanair. Cost 1p for the flight, 10 pounds each with taxes. We could have gotten away with only 20 pounds total but instead because I am not an European Area passport holder, I have to check in at the airport and as a result so does she. An extra 8 pounds. Plus credit card fee, in the end it came to 31 pounds for the both of us. Certainly not expensive. ($30 for me, though it could have been $22) to fly 50 minutes. Both airports are extremely convenient as well. We'll be sure to arrive in time and are not bringing much luggage, just a backpack with a change of clothes and toiletries. I'll reserve final judgments until the flight.

My father just recently sold 150 shares of Ryanair taking a $1000 loss, with these sentiments it makes me think that was the right move, but I still think for cases like mine, they seem to be a good option. So long as you are smart about avoiding the charges.