Ryanair seat allocation algorithm
May 16, 2017 | 5:05 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2017
Programs: Hhonors Diamond, IHG Platinum, BA Silver
Posts: 260
Ryanair seat allocation algorithm
According to Lucian's useful website*, seats on Ryanair are/were allocated in this order, from A to F:
33, 20, 19, 22, 15, 24, 12, 26, 10, 28, 8, 30, 18, 21, 14, 23, 11, 25, 9, 27, 29, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1, 17, 16, 31, 32
This matched my experience and it was possible to predict which seat you would get by checking the seat plan before check-in to see which seats were still available to be purchased.
I now believe it to have changed so that seats B or E are allocated to solo passengers not paying for seat allocation.
Any thoughts?
*http://flights-blog.lowcostroutes.co...at-on-ryanair/
33, 20, 19, 22, 15, 24, 12, 26, 10, 28, 8, 30, 18, 21, 14, 23, 11, 25, 9, 27, 29, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1, 17, 16, 31, 32
This matched my experience and it was possible to predict which seat you would get by checking the seat plan before check-in to see which seats were still available to be purchased.
I now believe it to have changed so that seats B or E are allocated to solo passengers not paying for seat allocation.
Any thoughts?
*http://flights-blog.lowcostroutes.co...at-on-ryanair/
May 16, 2017 | 11:53 pm
#2
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2000
Location: London
Programs: Hilton, IHG - BA, GA, LH, QR, SV, TK
Posts: 18,285
May 17, 2017 | 1:47 am
#3
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Netherlands
Programs: KL Platinum; A3 Gold; LH Senator
Posts: 30,594
You can almost always buy a seat from 2.
If it is so important that you get a particular seat that you keep coming back constantly, waiting to check-in until you think you are next in line for that seat - why not just pay the 2 and save yourself the hassle????
If it is so important that you get a particular seat that you keep coming back constantly, waiting to check-in until you think you are next in line for that seat - why not just pay the 2 and save yourself the hassle????
May 17, 2017 | 2:56 am
#4
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2017
Programs: Hhonors Diamond, IHG Platinum, BA Silver
Posts: 260
May 17, 2017 | 2:58 am
#5
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2017
Programs: Hhonors Diamond, IHG Platinum, BA Silver
Posts: 260
Because I've been waiting for the 13 or 15 seats!
May 17, 2017 | 3:10 am
#6
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Netherlands
Programs: KL Platinum; A3 Gold; LH Senator
Posts: 30,594
Maybe I'm spoiled on my FR routes then!!! 13 is "Front Row Seat" level pricing for me! (Which I incidentally consider the worst seats in the house. I hate rows with no under-seat storage....particularly on FR where the lack of seat pockets really means you do need a bag to hold your sundries.
May 19, 2017 | 10:22 am
#8
Join Date: Feb 2014
Location: OTP
Programs: AF/KL platinum, Turkish gold, QR gold
Posts: 1,767
According to Lucian's useful website*, seats on Ryanair are/were allocated in this order, from A to F:
33, 20, 19, 22, 15, 24, 12, 26, 10, 28, 8, 30, 18, 21, 14, 23, 11, 25, 9, 27, 29, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1, 17, 16, 31, 32
This matched my experience and it was possible to predict which seat you would get by checking the seat plan before check-in to see which seats were still available to be purchased.
I now believe it to have changed so that seats B or E are allocated to solo passengers not paying for seat allocation.
Any thoughts?
*http://flights-blog.lowcostroutes.co...at-on-ryanair/
33, 20, 19, 22, 15, 24, 12, 26, 10, 28, 8, 30, 18, 21, 14, 23, 11, 25, 9, 27, 29, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1, 17, 16, 31, 32
This matched my experience and it was possible to predict which seat you would get by checking the seat plan before check-in to see which seats were still available to be purchased.
I now believe it to have changed so that seats B or E are allocated to solo passengers not paying for seat allocation.
Any thoughts?
*http://flights-blog.lowcostroutes.co...at-on-ryanair/
As a solo traveller, I always check in as late as possible (mere hours/minutes before departure) and always get a window or aisle seat in either the first few rows (most likely) or the last few rows, allowing quick and easy boarding.
It makes sense for Ryanair to keep the best seats to give away as late as possible. For example, why keep seat 15B until the end as no-one ever would pay last minute for this, while some might still do for 3C?
My experience is that they are screwing you over when you check in as solo traveller on the earliest of occasions, giving bad seats in the hope next time you will pay extra.
May 20, 2017 | 6:32 am
#9
Join Date: Sep 2015
Location: Peterborough, UK
Programs: BA Silver; IHG Spire; Avis P+; Global Entry
Posts: 1,519
i checked in for a flight yesterday for monday, solo traveller, on business only 2 hour flight so didn't pay for a seat and got 10A. So no middle seat for me
May 26, 2017 | 3:01 am
#12
Join Date: May 2017
Posts: 2
It seems Ryanair is now operating a policy of deliberately separating families and travel companions in order to generate revenue from paid seating options.
https://www.google.it/amp/www.independent.co.uk/travel/news-and-advice/ryanair-flights-middle-seats-assigned-passengers-pay-reserve-changed-seating-policy-a7750581.html%3Famp
https://www.google.it/amp/www.independent.co.uk/travel/news-and-advice/ryanair-flights-middle-seats-assigned-passengers-pay-reserve-changed-seating-policy-a7750581.html%3Famp
May 29, 2017 | 4:37 pm
#13
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2017
Programs: Hhonors Diamond, IHG Platinum, BA Silver
Posts: 260
Good to see Simon Calder is onto this.
We just need Lucian to update his site to show the new algorithm! Lucian, if you're reading, flyertalkers will give you lots of clicks on your site if you do this!
We just need Lucian to update his site to show the new algorithm! Lucian, if you're reading, flyertalkers will give you lots of clicks on your site if you do this!
May 30, 2017 | 4:03 am
#15
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Netherlands
Programs: KL Platinum; A3 Gold; LH Senator
Posts: 30,594
So it's cheaper to just pay for the seat you want in advance.