Easyjet First Time Traveller
 

Hi

We as a family are trying to get to Munich from London on the cheapest air fare possible (appears to be on Easy Jet).

As we have never flown Easy Jet, and their fares are pretty good for a family of 5 (return trip), would anyone have any suggestions or tips with regards to flying Easy Jet?

Have heard some positive things about the airline but read quite a bit of negative things about the airline as well (passengers getting bumped off flights, etc).

Are delay's a norm during summer? And are they dependable?

Flying BA or Lufthansa will cost a significant amount more obviously but probably safer.

Does it matter which airport we fly out of as well? City airport vs Luton vs Standsted?

The other question was it was suggested to me by family that we consider flying out of Southampton or a smaller airport to get to Munich. Has anyone done this before and was it a straight forward thing or difficult?

Thanks

If you have flown on an LCC in Asia, you'll know what to expect.
Check in and print your boarding pass at home. IIRC they don't allow airport check-in, except in a few types of circumstances.
EZY allows only one carry-on, not 1+1.
Airport choice - it really depends where you're going in LON and what's cheaper.

Thank you for the heads-up. Yes, I have flown with Air Asia in Asia.

So, no machines at the airport to print boarding passes then? So, turn up with printed boarding pass from home and go to the counter to drop off a check in bag (paid for)?

Yes, looking at various rates now in comparison to BA out of heathrow and Lufthansa.

Air Berlin is very very expensive. Never flown them but...their airfares are very high.

Which London airport? London has six. Cost and convenience of the airport transfer can vary greatly (especially on very early or very late flights) and where (in London) you need to get to matters - so do factor this in.
If you're unsure, tell us where in London you'll be based and we can advise.

Easyjet are perfectly fine, by the way. And don't assume BA are better.

Was looking at gatwick. The Luton, and Standsted departure times didn't work for us.

Understood. Am looking at airfares now and hoping to find a good fare to get us all across to Germany. And back :P

easyJet are perfectly fine and as rcspeirs says, barely any different onboard to most other European airlines these days including BA.

You should download their app and use that for your boarding passes. Very simple. No need to print.

Cabin bag policy is one bag only unless you are easyJet Plus, Flexi fare, or pay for upfront or extra legroom seating, in which case you can bring an additional under-seat bag.

If flying from LGW, don't use the Gatwick Express as it's way overpriced. If Victoria is convenient for you just take a Southern train, which takes basically the same time as Gatwick Express but is cheaper, or take a Thameslink train from Kings Cross St Pancras, Farringdon, City Thameslink or Blackfriars if any of those are convenient for you.

Look for an early morning flight as any delays tend to build up during the day. All travellers are allowed a "duty free" bag as well as their cabin bag so make use of that if you need to.
Always print out boarding passes as a back up to mobile ones.

Most of the posts above give the relevant information so all I will add is that I have flown easyJet many times and they have been fine in all aspects but are a typical LCC. BA or LH are not going to be much different in service and certainly no safer, EZY are probably more punctual though and probably cheaper.

Gatwick is a better airport than either Luton or Stansted for passenger experience and EZY exclusively use Gatwick North terminal.

Good luck.

Just to address the issue of passengers being bumped off flights - this is far, far less likely to happen on easyJet as (like other LCCs) they do not routinely overbook flights - essentially if you've got a ticket, you've got a seat.

Be very careful you read all the conditions attached to the reservation.
The most significant.
Reserving seats costs money and must be done prior to check-in. If you want your party to sit together, you will probably want to do this.
Checking bags costs money and costs significantly more if you pay at the airport. Book your checked bags in advance.
You must check-in before going to the airport. You can do so from 30 days before the flights, so no need to wait until 24 hours like most airlines.
Make sure your single piece of carry-on meets their size requirements. If it's as much as a millimetre over the limit be prepared for it to be taken from you and significant fees to be taken.
An LCC makes its money from selling extras, particularly from people who haven't read the rules properly.
You will have to uncheck the "travel insurance" they try and impose on you multiple times during the booking process.
Finally, booking car-rental can be (but isn't always) a good deal through Easyjet.

Or consider EasyBus, which if booked sufficiently early, can be as cheap as £2 per person each way between Gatwick and London. It should go without saying - allow PLENTY of time for your transfers - choose a bus that will get you back to the airport earlier than you really need to be there.

http://www.easybus.com/images/London...te_May2016.jpg

But when easyjet bumps - boy, do they bump!!!!

No need, if you check in early they will sit you together as long as there are seats together left, unlike some other low cost airlines they do not separate people on purpose.

You can check in at the airport, there is no extra charge for this. They do ask everyone to check in online however if you do not do it, they will do it and give you boarding passes free of charge. Having said that, their app is very good, gives you up to date info about your flight etc... so much better option than checking in at the airport.


No, you won't! Travel insurance is not added automatically, it is offered but you have to select it.

easyJet are fine, although their on time performance/reliability is suffering slighlty this summer.