NN takes a look at the pro’s and con’s of flying Ryanair. Whether you love ‘em or hate ‘em, if it wasn’t for budget airlines most travelers wouldn’t know what half of Europe looks like.

Given the recent controversial new ads by Ryanair, where they make a bold attempt to make cheap travel sexy (or sleazy depending on how you look at it), we have decided to give you the lowdown on this European discount air carrier. Far from sexy, but cheap airlines like Ryanair have helped more budget travelers see more of Europe than they thought they could afford. It’s a good deal for light travelers with flexible schedules. Don’t get me wrong – I’m aware of some of the scandalous accusations geared towards the airline, but I’m all for taking a look at both sides of the story by checking out the pros and cons. Knowing what to expect is the best defense and can help you decide if the flight works for you.

The Pros:

  1. Cheap tickets, DUH! “But how cheap?”, you say. Dirt cheap, spent-more-on-dinner-last-night type of cheap. Ryanair has a reputation for introducing cheap flights throughout Europe, some deals can get you a flight for less than 15€ if you act fast. The price for flights start to hike up two weeks before the flight, leave no room for hesitation and book early.

  2. Get ready, set, run to your seats! If you like a little competition, Ryanair’s seat priority policy is right for you. Except for the first few rows in the front, there are no seat assignments. That’s right, it’s first come first serve. The plane opens the doors at both ends so you can still get seats by the door. Besides the obvious strategy of getting to the gate early to beat the line, also keep an eye out for rowdy kids if you’re looking for quick rest on the flight.

  3. Punctual track record. Ryanair unashamedly announces at the landing of every single flight, that 90% of its flights land on time- beating every other European airline. For those who only care about getting to the next destination, budget airlines are a reasonable option. Although their flight record may sound convincing, don’t depend too heavily on an airline’s timing since it’s never 100% guaranteed and Ryanair has been rumored to cancel flights for profit. Also, Ryanair is a point-to-point airline abandoning any blame if you miss a connecting flight, even if it’s a Ryanair flight.

  4. Locations, locations. Ryanair currently offers 174 destinations to choose from and many are places that you should consider on your next euro-trip including Marseille, Rome, Dublin and Barcelona. If it wasn’t for cheap airlines we would be spending more time in trains and buses or would end up having to forgo visiting some cities at all. This year, the airline is adding over seventy new routes for you to check out.

  5. Feel like a VIP. At first, I didn’t know if it’s because the major airports ran out of room or because they’re ashamed of the airline but Ryanair has a lot of “private”, around the back runways located at smaller airports (cheaper for the airline) and not at the international hubs where you might expect to land. Check the exact airport location and make sure that the savings make sense with the budget airline. Do all of your math. Most hubs are located at the outskirts of major cities anyway so I opt for some of the smaller airports because of the shorter lines and quicker service.

The Cons:

  1. Weight/Size restrictions. Ryanair is serious about their luggage policy and will check you on the spot about it, you’ve been warned. But you knew this was coming, it’s how they “justify” cheap tickets.  If you want to avoid any additional fees, your Ryanair flight ticket allows one carry-on that’s 22lbs and 21.6″ x 15.7″ x 7.8″ maximum – no additional purses, laptop cases or shopping bags allowed. Consider traveling with a versatile bag and look over Ryanair’s baggage fees before booking.

  2. Online check-in is mandatory. This is one budget airline that will test your discipline. In order to avoid any additional charges, you must check-in online no later than four hours before your flight and bring your printed boarding pass with you. The airline’s website has had issues with functioning when you most need it so try to check in as early as possible- 15 days before your flight. Airport staff will not print your ticket or check you in for free, these services start at 60€ AKA the price of a new ticket.

  3. Advertisements galore. Just when you start to nod off during take-off here comes another announcement. A typical flight might be filled with announcements for food, drinks, cigarettes, perfume, bus tickets and more cigarettes. Unless you’re a heavy sleeper, you’re not going to be able to nap or get comfortable with a loud speaker that goes off every five minutes.

  4. No-frills for real. If you’re smart, you’ll plan to eat before or after your next flight because you won’t get any free peanuts or drinks with Ryanair. The small seats don’t pull back and you don’t have a small pouch in front of you to stick your phone, papers or computer. Comfort has gone out the window to make room for more seats and faster unloading.

  5. Notorious customer service. From the call center that charges you to hear your complaints to the CEO that laughs when asked about customer courtesy, don’t expect much help after buying your ticket. The handling staff at the airport is paid bonuses for every ten overweight carry-ons that they catch and the two flight attendants on your flight are too busy trying to sell you food for commission.

For further price comparison, here’s a full list of European budget airlines.