Job Discussion Forums

Wolfbluez · Joined: 23 Mar 2005 Posts: 20 Location: WI, USA

Hey all,
I've got what's hopefully a quick question for someone. I need to get from Paris to Barcelona to start a ESL course, and have found Ryan Air to be the cheapest and quickest option. The only problem is that it seems they only allow one checked bag of 15kg, and one carry on bag. Is this correct? Does anyone have experience using Ryan Air??

Much Thanks!

grahamb · Joined: 30 Apr 2003 Posts: 1945

Their cabin baggage allowance is a surprisingly generous 10kg, giving a total allowance of 25kg.
EasyJet also fly from Paris to Barcelona. Have you looked at their website?

Wolfbluez · Joined: 23 Mar 2005 Posts: 20 Location: WI, USA

Are you allowed more than one peice of cabin baggage?

I have looked at EasyJet. There price is twice as much, but I don't think I'd have any issue with their baggage policies, and getting to the aiports seems like it would be a little easier.

Thanks

deezy · Posted: Mon May 16, 2005 9:43 pm Post subject:

Yes, you are correct about the baggage allowance with Ryan Air. You might risk going with the heavier baggage, and then get friendly with some people in the queue who have little baggage.... I flew with RA to Italy early last year, and some people behind me added their allowance to mine (which was minimal as I was only going for 4 days), so they got through with no extra charge. And the extra charge per kilo is exhorbitant... I can't remember how much but I remember the shock horror on the faces of those who had excess.

On the way back, I carried three big bags onto the plane with no questions asked.

Good luck.

Wolfbluez · Joined: 23 Mar 2005 Posts: 20 Location: WI, USA

Thanks for the input. I think I'm just going to avoid the "chance game" and the hassle and pay a little extra to book with EasyJet.

dmb · Joined: 12 Feb 2003 Posts: 8397

Do you think airline companies should have different allowances. I always thought it to be unfair that someone who goes on holiday for two weeks has the same allowance for someone who goes away for a year or more to work and live.

Zero Hero · Joined: 20 Mar 2005 Posts: 944

Of course it is true. One way they keep prices low is by avoiding certain costs, such as large-scale baggage handling fees. Obviously, the cheaper the ticket, the more restrictions there are on that ticket.

I made the mistake of getting a Ryan Air flight once. Expect a grotty made-to-feel-cheap trip. You are not even treated as a customer, let alone a guest as is the case with major carriers. It was quite blatant.

I guess it is okay for backpackers, students, and lager louts going from their council estates in the north of England to 'Ma-jor-ca' for their annual knees up, though.

dmb · Joined: 12 Feb 2003 Posts: 8397

anthyp · Joined: 16 Apr 2004 Posts: 1320 Location: Chicago, IL USA

I have used Ryan Air before, too.

They are pretty serious about that weight allowance. I remember going to the airport thinking, "Man, 12 Euros for a flight from Brussels to Liverpool. Smashing!" (I was practicing my Britishisms for the upcoming trip.) Then I get there, find out my bag is over the limit, and end up paying a whopping 50 Euro fine. I don't remember how much over the limit I was, but ever since, I've traveled light.

Overall the experience was not good. The tickets are cheap, yeah ... but you get what you pay for. Don't get me wrong, if you have very little to take with you, or it's a short flight, and you don't really care about things like high quality service or refreshments or even landing in an airport anywhere near the place you thought you were going, Ryan Air should suit you perfectly.

How much is this ticket, by the way?

darkside1 · Joined: 16 Feb 2005 Posts: 86 Location: Glasgow, Scotland

Ryan Air fly into Girona airport, which is a 75 minute coach ride up the motorway away from Barcelona. Easy Jet fly into Barcelona City Airport, which is much closer to the city and easy to reach by train, bus or taxi.

I have only had one bad experience with Ryan Air in about a dozen flights (a drunk who was trying to steal life vests as we were landing at Girona- he was arrested by the Guardia Civil on landing). No problems with Easy Jet after a similar number of flights.

Tuttifruitti · Joined: 07 Oct 2004 Posts: 75

As someone else said here, you get what you pay for with RyanAir. If you're going away for a while, it mightn't be such a good idea, but for weekends or a few days, I think they're fine. It's just like a bus except cheaper than a bus across Europe and it's got a toilet!
A couple of years ago, they said they weren't interested in good customer service, just getting people there - and that's what they do!
Though they're not the best around, I'm glad they and others like them appeared on the scene - the competition was great for the traveller!
Very Happy

Stephen Jones · Joined: 21 Feb 2003 Posts: 4124

Barcelona airport is on the underground system and Girona airport is in the middle of nowhere.

If you have a lot of stuff, take the bus.

bluffer · Posted: Wed May 18, 2005 6:38 am Post subject:

Ryanair even charge their employees for the uniforms they are forced to wear!! And staff are banned from charging their mobile phones at work.

It was reported that their next batch of planes will have no sun shades, a fixed chair ( sorry folks with long legs, you wont be able to move the seat rest back ), no seat back pocket etc. All to cut costs and cleaning time and therefore turnaround time. Rolling Eyes

Moore · Joined: 25 Aug 2004 Posts: 730 Location: Madrid

Tip - wear a coat with lots of big pockets and put small heavier things in pockets (obviously nothing sharp): they can�t weigh you, although you may look a little daft if it�s the middle of summer....