Aegean is a full-service carrier that operates a two-class product, including its own business-class lounges in Greece. Indeed, it's probably in the top 5 European carriers for quality of service- I can't understand why anyone would mention it in the same breath as the airlines you listed there...

Yep, that's right. Almost invariably the LCC costs as much as or more than other carriers once you pay all the add-ons, and for that you get treated like a piece of ****. You have to fight the other passengers for a seat. There is no one to answer your questions. You have to check in at a kiosk but the kiosk is not working. You get the picture....

That's way overblown. A bit like saying US and SQ are equals because they are both Star Alliance legacy carriers. :eek:

As mentioned before, tarring all LCCs with the same brush is a mistake. Even with the add-ons, the LCCs can be more or less expensive than the legacy carriers. You need to check and compare the total costs. Some of the LCCs allow priority boarding (which most legacy carriers don't), often for a fee.

I personally don't like Ryanair. However, I have several roundtrip reservations with them costing a total of £0.02, around $0.03. It can be done - these are for taking hand baggage (up to 10 kg/22 lbs) only, checking in online and paying by Visa Electron card. Such fares are available from time to time, not necessarily permanently. I checked and compared. ;)

I challenge you to find me bookable all-in fares for £0.01 each way on a legacy carrier.

After having had the pleasure of flying Ryanair from the Beauvais airport, I've come to the following conclusion

THe high tier lcc are better.

These are in my book
Transavia
Germanwings
Air Berlin
Easyjet - toss up


Ryanair flies from airports in the middle of no where, so the costs to get to airport (all be it on their cattle bus) diminishes any value. Also, LLC (especially Ryanair), are very strict about the luggage allowance, which is 15kg.

On trips to europe, my bag usually weighs 18kg - 20kg.

And while you can try to sneak it on your carry on, expect a dragon and boarding gate to make you pay the hefty 7euro's a extra kilo.

Also, if you flight is cancelled, you're screwed.

All being equal, fly the majors. Only and only if you don't have a choice, fly LCC.

In my case, Ryan air and major was over a 200 euro difference (for a very last minute ticket).

Side note : Agean to greece is great. Olympic should be avoided where possible.

Let's return the to OP's question which is for US flyers. As an American I can't get a Visa Electron card so I will have to pay the credit card fees. I will also have to pay air port check in, granted I can send them a letter to get it back later, but that is a lot of extra work. Plus anyone traveling from over seas is going to have more luggage then the Ryan Air carry on limit forcing them to pay for hold luggage.

Your comments are about one airline. Let's return to the OP's question, which also mentioned easyJet.

EasyJet is so superior in just about any comparison that it is rude to mention both in the same sentence. ;) Major airports, the biggest carrier at LGW, superior cabins and staff. All IMO, of course.

And if you want a sandwich, you can avoid the ripoff airline prices by buying it at the airport (e.g. at Pret a Manger). Tip: if you buy a newspaper (normally The Independent) from WHSmith airside, you normally get a free 500ml bottle of water, which you can take onboard.

I haven't taken Ryan Air, but I have flown on EasyJet. I used EasyShuttle to get to the airport and it was late, causing me to miss my EasyJet flight. I had to pay some high rescue fee to catch a later flight.

In the end I look back and could have traveled on BA for about 5GBP more, and regret not doing some.

I will admin that on the way back we had no problem with EasyJet and had a comfortable flight.

After checked bag fees, credit card fees, and buying a bottle of water, you may end of being better on a major.

I took EasyShuttle, but took one that was scheduled to arrive at least an hour before I actually needed to get to the airport. Given how stopped up traffic in London can get, with random delays here and there, I recommend anyone do the same with any transport method. The same thing has happened to me with the National Express, the tube, and who knows what else.

Aim for 2.5-3 hours in advance of your flight, and expect delays.

We planned for an early shuttle, and booked the first shuttle of the day. However it never came, we tried to take National Express, but they were cash only and we spent all our GBP the night before as it was our last day in london. So we only had USD. We tried to get the driver to take us to the airport and offered to go to the ATM once we got there. He wasn't interested.

Which is why I generally exchange money at the airport :) Then again, still have 10K Costa Rican Colones :rolleyes:

Of course this does not work in the US, as the airport exchange places are a HUGE ripoff :(

EmailKid

Great to know. Thanks, Carolinian. I think I must've been on RyanAir years ago when they charged us for water and didn't let us bring our own...

I think that must have been immediately after the water bottle scare. That rule has long since been relaxed. Though of course you still can't bring a bottle through security. :(

OP here...

I found a £0.00 fare on Aer Lingus from DUB to FRA that with taxes and fees and Luggage charges ends up around $60USD. LH gets me there for $70.

With all the uncertainty about what fees I will actually have to pay (times two because the wife is coming too), it seems not worth it to take an LCC if coming from the USA...

Thanks guys

I don't see why this is necessary. I've had no trouble traveling around the world with a single backpack that I have taken on Ryanair as hand luggage many times. Note that Ryanair has never bothered to weigh or measure it.

If you can find a Ryanair flight in one of their "sales" for less than about £5, it is absolutely worth it IMHO, as even after the check-in fees, card fees, and bus to the airport, you'll still be under £25. If you can't find such a sale, it absolutely isn't worth it, and you are better off taking EasyJet or a legacy. Except at peak holidays, you should never spend more than about £50 on the airfare cost of a flight in Europe; if it gets that high, take the train.

Nobody enjoys flying Ryanair, but their sale prices often mean one can't afford not to. Just be sure to compare the total door-to-door costs when making your decision. It sounds like the OP has done this and found that BA or LH work out cheapest in their case, but this doesn't mean this will hold true for other travelers, regardless of where they are based.

With regard to bottled water, you are allowed to bring an empty bottle through security, and can then refill it at the restroom taps airside. I thus only buy about one bottle of water per trip (in the West).