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-   -   The Ryanair experience.... (https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/ryanair/1553508-ryanair-experience.html)

Aviatrix Feb 21, 2014 11:12 am


Originally Posted by ajs123 (Post 22390451)
I was wondering whether the EC261/2004 should not be limited to tickets above, say, 100 euros (including taxes and fees). While it's terrible for the affected pacs to be stranded like this at STN, opting to fly (ultra)-LCC should come with the understanding being treating like cattle… In any case, I am more than happy that the last flight I took with FR is almost a decade ago and never again.

This would probably encourage airlines to price their tickets at £99.99...

But I don't actually think this would work. Imagine the scenario we saw here... a planeload of angry passengers, all tired, hungry and thirsty... even if the FAs were somehow able to determine who paid how much for their ticket, can you really see a situation where they would hand out water to some of the passengers but not to the rest?

And in any case... airlines can easily factor the cost of 261/2004 into the price of their tickets, and it probably won't come to more than a few pennies per passenger.

Scots_Al Feb 21, 2014 12:36 pm

I don't fly FR as a first choice - but it is an airline I will consider and do fly from time to time. When they fly to where I want to go, it is frankly difficult to justify paying 4-5 times the price to fly BA AND have the hassle of a longer journey with connection at LHR.

I wouldn't say it's a pleasant experience, but if you are properly prepared for their business model, and are big enough and ugly enough to look after yourself in the case of IRROPS, then it's fine.

I've never personally had a problem whilst travelling with FR. I have seen others encounter problems - but these have largely been, as noted by others, people who have not read the rules on the size / weight / number of bags, need for self-printed boarding passes, etc.

ulxima Feb 21, 2014 2:49 pm


Originally Posted by Showbizguru (Post 22386415)
And there's the rub.
All these so called horror stories about Ryanair basically stem from the fact that some numpties are still unable to access their website,follow the clearly stated T & C's,print off a boarding card,pack hand luggage within the clearly defined limits and present themselves at the check-in desk.

ALL?
Even this one?
I mean, are you saying that because they have been unable to access Ryanair website, because they did not follow the clearly stated T&Cs, because they did not print off their boarding card, because they did not pack the hand luggage within the clearly defined limits and because they did not present themselves at the check-in desk, they ALL (in this case yes) boarded a plane left stranded on the tarmac at STN on purpose?
WOW! Impressive.

Ulxima

teflon Feb 21, 2014 3:48 pm

Ryanair have released a statement about this flight:

http://www.ryanair.com/en/news/ryana...-february-2014

Due to strong winds across the South of England (14 Feb) over 20 airlines were forced to divert into Stansted from Heathrow and Gatwick airports which significantly disrupted handling and fuelling operations at Stansted. This Ryanair flight from London Stansted to Porto was delayed by the weather disruption and a subsequent fuelling delay at the airport.

After approximately two hours waiting for fuellers, the Captain requested the handling company (Swissport) to allow the passengers into the terminal which was locked. The Captain switched on the aircraft’s air conditioning while waiting for Swissport staff to arrive and the cabin crew provided water to passengers. When Swissport failed to arrive the Captain requested the police to let the passengers into the locked terminal. The police subsequently arrived and allowed the passengers into the terminal. Passengers were then provided with refreshment vouchers on Ryanair’s instructions.

The aircraft departed the following morning at 7.50am. Ryanair sincerely apologises to all passengers on this flight who were affected by this delay.

Ryanair wishes to correct several false claims in relation to this incident;

The claim that passengers had to call the police is untrue – the Captain called the police.
The claim that the air conditioning was not switched on is false – the Captain switched on the air conditioning.
The claim that passengers were held by Ryanair against their will is false – the Captain made every effort, first with the handling agent (Swissport) and then with the police, to arrange for passengers to be allowed into the terminal which was locked.
The claim that passengers were not provided with refreshment vouchers or water is untrue – Ryanair crew provided water to passengers on board and refreshment vouchers were issued to passengers following disembarkation.
there's also a similar statement from Swissport on the above page.

I wonder - would there have been anywhere open in the terminal for them to spend those vouchers (not until around 0500, I'd imagine).

Seat64A Feb 22, 2014 1:11 am


Originally Posted by teflon (Post 22393161)
Ryanair have released a statement about this flight:

http://www.ryanair.com/en/news/ryana...-february-2014
there's also a similar statement from Swissport on the above page.

I wonder - would there have been anywhere open in the terminal for them to spend those vouchers (not until around 0500, I'd imagine).

There is a small supermarket which is open 24 hours. Not sure if it would have accepted Ryanair vouchers, tho'.

Alsacienne Feb 22, 2014 1:57 am

IIRC the supermarket is landside.

Seat64A Feb 22, 2014 3:22 am


Originally Posted by Alsacienne (Post 22395191)
IIRC the supermarket is landside.

Correct. The passengers would have have been escorted landside. Airside closes after the last arrivals, around 2-ish from memory.

Sixth Freedom Feb 22, 2014 4:26 am

Passengers subject to this kind of treatment should express their displeasure in the strongest possible terms by writing to [email protected].

paulwuk Feb 22, 2014 4:54 am

I've boarded Ba planes where refueling was still happening, but to board a plane before the fuel truck even arrives?

I wined how much if the decision was based on
1) not wanted to pay for 150 hotel rooms
2) not wanting to have the plane out of position the next morning

Up In The Air Feb 22, 2014 8:58 am

Shouldn't this string be moved to the 'Budget European Airlines' forum http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/budge...-airlines-727/ and join all the other 'I hate Ryanair' strings?

(And yes, I do hate Ryanair; and no I would never use them unless they were the only option!)

zerolife Feb 22, 2014 10:28 am


Originally Posted by teflon (Post 22393161)
Ryanair have released a statement about this flight:

http://www.ryanair.com/en/news/ryana...-february-2014
there's also a similar statement from Swissport on the above page.

I wonder - would there have been anywhere open in the terminal for them to spend those vouchers (not until around 0500, I'd imagine).

Not to mention that Ryan Air's statement conflicts with the video, is Ryan Air trying to say that they don't have any operations and ground handling staff at their hub and is completely dependent on a third party to unlock the door to their own gates?

ne52 Feb 22, 2014 10:29 am


Originally Posted by lwildernorva (Post 22384269)
In the US, Southwest had this reputation as well for many years (and, in fact, still is no favorite of the bloggers).

SWA made very significant efforts to improve the reputation by improving actual operations. Ryan Air CEO seems to relish the role of unapologetic villain every time a microphone is put in front of him.

Aviatrix Feb 22, 2014 10:35 am


Originally Posted by zerolife (Post 22396811)
is Ryan Air trying to say that they don't have any operations and ground handling staff at their hub and is completely dependent on a third party to unlock the door to their own gates?

Correct, they don't. But that's fairly much the norm. Legacy carriers usually have their own staff at their main hubs, but I don't know of any LCCs that that do their own handling - and neither do I know of any airlines that have their own staff at STN. KLMuk used to, but that's a long time ago.

Aviatrix Feb 22, 2014 11:03 am


Originally Posted by Aviatrix (Post 22396846)
I don't know of any LCCs that that do their own handling

I was wrong... Easyjet do, or did, in some places.

zerolife Feb 22, 2014 11:25 am


Originally Posted by Aviatrix (Post 22396846)
Correct, they don't. But that's fairly much the norm. Legacy carriers usually have their own staff at their main hubs, but I don't know of any LCCs that that do their own handling - and neither do I know of any airlines that have their own staff at STN. KLMuk used to, but that's a long time ago.

Thanks for the clarification. I'm still surprised they don't have any supervisory / management staff at the airport that could be called upon when major issues arise such as this.

Also I'm questioning why this Ryan Air plane appears to be the only plane Swissport wasn't capable of handling. They claim they have over 30 diverted planes, but why prioritize those diverted plane over a scheduled plane. I assume they are under contractual obligation to handle the scheduled plane unlike the diverted planes.


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