Ryanair.com -what do you know?
Mar 4, 2002 | 9:11 am
#1
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Join Date: Feb 2002
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Ryanair.com -what do you know?
msrohud
Posts: 139
From:
Registered: Apr 2001 posted 01-25-2002 06:06 AM
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I saw this mentioned on ABC news last night. It is a low budget/low fare airline operating in Europe. They mentioned that passengers pay very low fares (ie. London to Venice for US $15) but pay for anything else while on the lane other than water.
Thoughts, anyone? Anyone over in Europe know much about this airline? Have to ask - what about safety?
http://www.ryanair.com/
[This message has been edited by TravelAssist (edited 03-28-2002).]
Posts: 139
From:
Registered: Apr 2001 posted 01-25-2002 06:06 AM
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I saw this mentioned on ABC news last night. It is a low budget/low fare airline operating in Europe. They mentioned that passengers pay very low fares (ie. London to Venice for US $15) but pay for anything else while on the lane other than water.
Thoughts, anyone? Anyone over in Europe know much about this airline? Have to ask - what about safety?
http://www.ryanair.com/
[This message has been edited by TravelAssist (edited 03-28-2002).]
Mar 4, 2002 | 10:30 am
#2
Join Date: Mar 2002
Location: London United Kingdom
Posts: 3
Have a look at the help pages / airports a-z on www.easyvalue.com it lists all the routes operated by low cost airlines flying ex UK.
On a pedantic note easycar (the new name for easyrentacar) is not an easyJet company.
All of Stelios' businesses are stand alone and have their own managemen teams, business plans, goals and shareholders.
The low costs (by and large) do not compete on a head to head route basis. There are very few overlaps. However they do compete for the in the lesiure travellers pocket.
On a pedantic note easycar (the new name for easyrentacar) is not an easyJet company.
All of Stelios' businesses are stand alone and have their own managemen teams, business plans, goals and shareholders.
The low costs (by and large) do not compete on a head to head route basis. There are very few overlaps. However they do compete for the in the lesiure travellers pocket.
Mar 28, 2002 | 5:43 pm
#3
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fcrit
Posts: 25
From: Atlanta, GA, USA
Registered: Jun 2001 posted 01-25-2002 06:23 AM
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I haven't flown them myself, but their rep in the UK is very good. Last time I was in London, they were advertising ridiculous prices, like 9GBP to Spain. Basically they're following the US Southwest model - all the same aircraft, fast turns at the gate, etc. They just announced yesterday that they were buying 100 new Boeing 737-800's, with options for 50 more, so they must be planning for the long haul. Don't expect anyting fancy, but remember that wihin Europe, some "international" flights aren't much longer than the DC-NYC shuttle, so frills may not be necessary.
Posts: 25
From: Atlanta, GA, USA
Registered: Jun 2001 posted 01-25-2002 06:23 AM
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I haven't flown them myself, but their rep in the UK is very good. Last time I was in London, they were advertising ridiculous prices, like 9GBP to Spain. Basically they're following the US Southwest model - all the same aircraft, fast turns at the gate, etc. They just announced yesterday that they were buying 100 new Boeing 737-800's, with options for 50 more, so they must be planning for the long haul. Don't expect anyting fancy, but remember that wihin Europe, some "international" flights aren't much longer than the DC-NYC shuttle, so frills may not be necessary.
Mar 28, 2002 | 5:44 pm
#4
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MatthewClement
Posts: 1240
From: London, UK: UA 1K, KLM Royalwing, SPG Platinum, Hilton Diamond
Registered: Apr 2001 posted 01-25-2002 08:12 AM
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When they work, the European low-cost airlines are wonderful. There is intense competition in the UK between Easyjet, Ryanair, Go (BA), and Buzz (KLM), all of which offer very cheap fairs to short- and medium- haul destinations. During peak promotions, they give away tickets free -- you pay only the mandatory airport taxes.
These airlines typically fly to and from less convenient airports -- in London, they fly from Luton or Stansted. And heaven help you if something goes wrong. Like Southwest, these airlines don't have agreements with other airlines, so tickets aren't endorsed over. And they have virtually no spare capacity in their systems, so replacement planes are hard to come by.
So terrible is the reputation of Easyjet when things go wrong that they've made a documentary series about them in the UK. As a matter of company policy, we're not allowed to fly any of the budget carriers on company business, just in case things go wrong.
As a tourist, particularly a tourist on a budget, these airlines are the best thing since canned beer, sliced bread and Marmite.
Posts: 1240
From: London, UK: UA 1K, KLM Royalwing, SPG Platinum, Hilton Diamond
Registered: Apr 2001 posted 01-25-2002 08:12 AM
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When they work, the European low-cost airlines are wonderful. There is intense competition in the UK between Easyjet, Ryanair, Go (BA), and Buzz (KLM), all of which offer very cheap fairs to short- and medium- haul destinations. During peak promotions, they give away tickets free -- you pay only the mandatory airport taxes.
These airlines typically fly to and from less convenient airports -- in London, they fly from Luton or Stansted. And heaven help you if something goes wrong. Like Southwest, these airlines don't have agreements with other airlines, so tickets aren't endorsed over. And they have virtually no spare capacity in their systems, so replacement planes are hard to come by.
So terrible is the reputation of Easyjet when things go wrong that they've made a documentary series about them in the UK. As a matter of company policy, we're not allowed to fly any of the budget carriers on company business, just in case things go wrong.
As a tourist, particularly a tourist on a budget, these airlines are the best thing since canned beer, sliced bread and Marmite.
Mar 28, 2002 | 5:46 pm
#5
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Spider
Posts: 1150
From: Boston/Sydney *AA Platinum*
Registered: Mar 2000 posted 01-25-2002 08:15 AM
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Isn't RyanAir the base model for new Ansett (Australia)? There's been a lot of talk about rebuilding it after a successful European discount carrier.
I should also add that little known NZ based carrier called FreedomAir has been following the lead of RyanAir with great success. No food on board but very friendly service, great respect for frequent flyers (of other airlines) and dirt cheap fares which are available most of the time. The downside is 24 rows on a 737...
[This message has been edited by Spider (edited 01-25-2002).]
Posts: 1150
From: Boston/Sydney *AA Platinum*
Registered: Mar 2000 posted 01-25-2002 08:15 AM
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Isn't RyanAir the base model for new Ansett (Australia)? There's been a lot of talk about rebuilding it after a successful European discount carrier.
I should also add that little known NZ based carrier called FreedomAir has been following the lead of RyanAir with great success. No food on board but very friendly service, great respect for frequent flyers (of other airlines) and dirt cheap fares which are available most of the time. The downside is 24 rows on a 737...
[This message has been edited by Spider (edited 01-25-2002).]
Mar 28, 2002 | 5:47 pm
#6
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LemonThrower
Posts: 163
From: atlanta, GA
Registered: Jan 2002 posted 01-25-2002 08:24 AM
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flew one-way on easyjet from London Luton to Amsterdam Schipol. $25.
Very similar to Southwest. I was very pleased.
Only drawback is it was a more expensive cab ride to Luton, but there is a train from Victoria that is reasonably priced.
Here is a partial list of European discounters. You will be amazed at where you can get to and how cheaply you can get there from London. Start with the bigger ones like easyjet, ryan, buzz, go, virgin, and british midlands. Some have their own emphasis--LTU for Germany, Ryanair for Ireland, etc.
http://www.worth.com/content_articles/ZZZF3Z7OEEC.html
Posts: 163
From: atlanta, GA
Registered: Jan 2002 posted 01-25-2002 08:24 AM
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flew one-way on easyjet from London Luton to Amsterdam Schipol. $25.
Very similar to Southwest. I was very pleased.
Only drawback is it was a more expensive cab ride to Luton, but there is a train from Victoria that is reasonably priced.
Here is a partial list of European discounters. You will be amazed at where you can get to and how cheaply you can get there from London. Start with the bigger ones like easyjet, ryan, buzz, go, virgin, and british midlands. Some have their own emphasis--LTU for Germany, Ryanair for Ireland, etc.
http://www.worth.com/content_articles/ZZZF3Z7OEEC.html
Mar 28, 2002 | 5:48 pm
#7
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Join Date: Feb 2002
Posts: 181
RK7
Posts: 170
From: Sacramento, California USA
Registered: Aug 1999 posted 01-25-2002 08:25 AM
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We flew Ryanair last fall from London (Stansted) to Frankfurt (Hahn)and saved bundles of money vs flying UA as part of our transatlantic routing or taking the train. Both would have added almost $400 to our transportation cost but Ryanair was about $30 each. It was just like flying Southwest in my opinion (but cheaper). Planes and safety were just fine. Stansted is a compact newer airport that has a train connection from Central London or you can take a 75 minute taxi ride into the English countryside for about 50 pounds. Yes, the ride to the airport can cost you more than your flight. To get best ticket prices,buy tickets at their website.
Hahn is a nice airport, too, about an hour west of Frankfurt.
Posts: 170
From: Sacramento, California USA
Registered: Aug 1999 posted 01-25-2002 08:25 AM
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We flew Ryanair last fall from London (Stansted) to Frankfurt (Hahn)and saved bundles of money vs flying UA as part of our transatlantic routing or taking the train. Both would have added almost $400 to our transportation cost but Ryanair was about $30 each. It was just like flying Southwest in my opinion (but cheaper). Planes and safety were just fine. Stansted is a compact newer airport that has a train connection from Central London or you can take a 75 minute taxi ride into the English countryside for about 50 pounds. Yes, the ride to the airport can cost you more than your flight. To get best ticket prices,buy tickets at their website.
Hahn is a nice airport, too, about an hour west of Frankfurt.
Mar 28, 2002 | 5:50 pm
#8
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doc
Posts: 29047
From:
Registered: May 99 posted 01-25-2002 08:34 AM
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Ryanair Confident After Increase In Profit And Passengers
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/Forum109/HTML/003256.html
Posts: 29047
From:
Registered: May 99 posted 01-25-2002 08:34 AM
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Ryanair Confident After Increase In Profit And Passengers
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/Forum109/HTML/003256.html
Mar 28, 2002 | 5:51 pm
#9
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steadman
Posts: 7
From: LONDON, UA 2P, KLM RW, BA SIL, Hilton Gold
Registered: Oct 2000 posted 01-25-2002 08:39 AM
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Hi,
I use the budget airlines quite frequently (especially when I'm paying). Last june we
had a fantastic vacation flying Easyjet from Gatwick to Amsterdam, on to Geneva and then to Barcelona and back to Luton. The price was 79 GBP! Every flight left within 30 minutes of the alloted time. I had no complaints.
Also flown to Venice with Ryanair for 2GBP + tax return (total was, I believe, 32GBP).
As said previously, when they work they work well but, due to lack of spare aircraft, a day's timetable can crumble in the most fantastic way if one of the planes become inoperative.
Posts: 7
From: LONDON, UA 2P, KLM RW, BA SIL, Hilton Gold
Registered: Oct 2000 posted 01-25-2002 08:39 AM
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Hi,
I use the budget airlines quite frequently (especially when I'm paying). Last june we
had a fantastic vacation flying Easyjet from Gatwick to Amsterdam, on to Geneva and then to Barcelona and back to Luton. The price was 79 GBP! Every flight left within 30 minutes of the alloted time. I had no complaints.
Also flown to Venice with Ryanair for 2GBP + tax return (total was, I believe, 32GBP).
As said previously, when they work they work well but, due to lack of spare aircraft, a day's timetable can crumble in the most fantastic way if one of the planes become inoperative.
Mar 28, 2002 | 5:52 pm
#10
Original Poster
Join Date: Feb 2002
Posts: 181
cy-gone
Posts: 151
From: california
Registered: Mar 2000 posted 01-25-2002 09:00 AM
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I have flown them several times and have been very satified. Be aware however that they do not fly to the major airports in most cities. If you fly to Venice they do not really go there. They fly to an airport about 40 miles from Venice. They do provide inexpensive buses to Venice however. This is true of most of RyanAirs flights. If you are going to Frankfurt you will not arrive in the main airport but a suburban location. It is very difficult if you try to make connections. But it is very cheap.
Posts: 151
From: california
Registered: Mar 2000 posted 01-25-2002 09:00 AM
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I have flown them several times and have been very satified. Be aware however that they do not fly to the major airports in most cities. If you fly to Venice they do not really go there. They fly to an airport about 40 miles from Venice. They do provide inexpensive buses to Venice however. This is true of most of RyanAirs flights. If you are going to Frankfurt you will not arrive in the main airport but a suburban location. It is very difficult if you try to make connections. But it is very cheap.
Mar 28, 2002 | 5:54 pm
#11
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TonySymons
Posts: 43
From: London, UK
Registered: Jan 2002 posted 01-25-2002 09:06 AM
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Ryanair is also open seating which can be seen as either good or bad. Some priority is given to families with children etc. Pitch is 28" so the 737's they fly are pretty cramped.
Oneway some of their web only offers are excellent. The general problem is you can usually get one way cheap (or free) but the other way can be expensive unless you want to fly at inconvient times.
Posts: 43
From: London, UK
Registered: Jan 2002 posted 01-25-2002 09:06 AM
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Ryanair is also open seating which can be seen as either good or bad. Some priority is given to families with children etc. Pitch is 28" so the 737's they fly are pretty cramped.
Oneway some of their web only offers are excellent. The general problem is you can usually get one way cheap (or free) but the other way can be expensive unless you want to fly at inconvient times.
Mar 28, 2002 | 5:55 pm
#12
Original Poster
Join Date: Feb 2002
Posts: 181
LemonThrower
Posts: 163
From: atlanta, GA
Registered: Jan 2002 posted 01-25-2002 09:12 AM
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Something else to keep in mind on easyjet (and probably the others) is that the pricing is the cheapest the further in advance you book. Prices rise as you get closer to departure. You still will come out ahead on these discounters but your savings will be less if you wait to book.
Posts: 163
From: atlanta, GA
Registered: Jan 2002 posted 01-25-2002 09:12 AM
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Something else to keep in mind on easyjet (and probably the others) is that the pricing is the cheapest the further in advance you book. Prices rise as you get closer to departure. You still will come out ahead on these discounters but your savings will be less if you wait to book.
Mar 28, 2002 | 5:56 pm
#13
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terenz
Posts: 3459
From: YVR USGP AAPLT HGPP HHGVIP
Registered: Nov 1999 posted 01-25-2002 10:21 AM
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I've flown Ryanair (FR) r/t once between STN and DNR. Not complaining for the price of GBP 100 inc. taxes for 2.
Only cavaet is that FR will do nothing for you if something goes wrong, even if it's their fault. They justify this with their low prices. The chairman of Ryanair explicitly stated this customer service policy in an interview with one of the leadng U.K. papers this month (I believe it's the Times but their website only allows free searches within the past 7 days).
Posts: 3459
From: YVR USGP AAPLT HGPP HHGVIP
Registered: Nov 1999 posted 01-25-2002 10:21 AM
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I've flown Ryanair (FR) r/t once between STN and DNR. Not complaining for the price of GBP 100 inc. taxes for 2.
Only cavaet is that FR will do nothing for you if something goes wrong, even if it's their fault. They justify this with their low prices. The chairman of Ryanair explicitly stated this customer service policy in an interview with one of the leadng U.K. papers this month (I believe it's the Times but their website only allows free searches within the past 7 days).
Mar 28, 2002 | 5:59 pm
#14
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Join Date: Feb 2002
Posts: 181
askworldtraveler
Posts: 452
From: Los Angeles, California
Registered: Mar 2001 posted 01-25-2002 07:47 PM
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Flew Ryan from Standsted to Alcona (Italy) a few months ago, $48.00 (dollars) Round Trip! Planes were clean, left on time, more then norm then not I'm told.
The drinks and 'baps' - could cost you more then your ticket.
While the boarding from London was orderly, from Italy, it was like the running of the bulls
They are VERY particular on weight - carry on and checked - so don't go over their limits which are lower then other carriers unless you want to pay.
Having done it once, we would do it again, IF it was not out of our way.
As mentioned in several other posts, if there is a problem, it's your problem - there only responsiblity is the cost of the ticket.
They are a point to point airline - so connections (or missed connections) are not there problem.
Finally, consider taking their flight insurance.
One story - during the saftey demo - two gents were talking loudly - they stopped the demo - went up to them and told them to BE QUIET! I loved it!
------------------
Askworldtraveler, EXP,4 million AA miles+++Hilton Gold (thanks to EXP)
Posts: 452
From: Los Angeles, California
Registered: Mar 2001 posted 01-25-2002 07:47 PM
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Flew Ryan from Standsted to Alcona (Italy) a few months ago, $48.00 (dollars) Round Trip! Planes were clean, left on time, more then norm then not I'm told.
The drinks and 'baps' - could cost you more then your ticket.
While the boarding from London was orderly, from Italy, it was like the running of the bulls
They are VERY particular on weight - carry on and checked - so don't go over their limits which are lower then other carriers unless you want to pay.
Having done it once, we would do it again, IF it was not out of our way.
As mentioned in several other posts, if there is a problem, it's your problem - there only responsiblity is the cost of the ticket.
They are a point to point airline - so connections (or missed connections) are not there problem.
Finally, consider taking their flight insurance.
One story - during the saftey demo - two gents were talking loudly - they stopped the demo - went up to them and told them to BE QUIET! I loved it!
------------------
Askworldtraveler, EXP,4 million AA miles+++Hilton Gold (thanks to EXP)
Mar 28, 2002 | 6:00 pm
#15
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chemist661
Posts: 474
From: Quartz Hill,CA ; US Chairman's Preferred,UA Premier Exec., Hilton Gold
Registered: May 2001 posted 01-25-2002 08:59 PM
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Did side trip for 3.5 days AMS-NCE (Amsterdam-Nice) on Easyjet. Cost $80 each RT. Flights were decent. Sure beats the $400-$500 RT on KLM, etc. On both of my flights, the coffee/tea were free because catering did not load the liquor or snacks on board. (didn't matter, I do not drink, anyway). Otherwise, you pay for any extra stuff.(drink/snacks, etc). Will use them again.
Posts: 474
From: Quartz Hill,CA ; US Chairman's Preferred,UA Premier Exec., Hilton Gold
Registered: May 2001 posted 01-25-2002 08:59 PM
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Did side trip for 3.5 days AMS-NCE (Amsterdam-Nice) on Easyjet. Cost $80 each RT. Flights were decent. Sure beats the $400-$500 RT on KLM, etc. On both of my flights, the coffee/tea were free because catering did not load the liquor or snacks on board. (didn't matter, I do not drink, anyway). Otherwise, you pay for any extra stuff.(drink/snacks, etc). Will use them again.