Ryanair - www.ryanair.com Review

Where do I start? Ryanair should be avoided at all costs. It is actually better to travel a bit further or pay more money for a flight than to use this airline since it does nothing but fill you with anxiety, dread and rip you off when you go to check in with a lot of uncaring hostility thrown in. (An obvious requirement when applying for the job - although training seems to have been given to acheive the levels reached by all!!!) We flew from London Luton to Reus and found that we were over weight with our luggage (my fault for misunderstanding the RULES! Oh sorry - terms and conditions its called!!) They proceeded to insist that we pay an extra £200 for excess baggage and advised us smugly that we were in a no win situation, since we would have to pay cancellation fees if we decided not to fly that day instead of paying the excess!!! We then found that we could do it cheaper, by paying for an extra bag at £70 instead, to which the staff advised us then that we MUST hurry up and buy a bag from their shop and transfer our luggage so that it was within the weight limits. We requested that we don't buy another bag, but just give them the extra £70 to save on time,since the bags were already packed and it was still going to be the same weight going on the plane. (Incidently - we did have an 18 month old child in her buggy who was also very upset and crying!) However, that did not bother the hardened staff who insisted that we transfer the weights. Whilst we were desperately trying to rearrange our bags to accomodate their requirements - they added their helpful hints, by stating "That bag MUST fit in the cage or you will be charged for it" You can't put that fluid into the holdall or it will be confiscated" You need to hurry up or you will be late" When we finally done it - we had to then go across the hall to pay the £70 before we could be checked in, but the staff manning this desk was at the toilet! Eventually, she came back and answered the ringing phone, then proceeded to deal with this customer instead - meanwhile the staff at check in are telling us to hurry up and that there is nothing that they can do if a member of their staff is on the phone and that we will have to wait (hurry up and wait?!!!!)

This was just at check in - I cannot begin to describe the anxiety and feelings of dread at the gate, never mind the return journey, which were all equally as distressing. When we complained to the staff of the ridiculousness of it all - they responded with a "what do you expect from a budget airline.

AVOID THIS AIRLINE AT ALL COSTS!!!! DO NOT SPOIL YOU HOLIDAY!!!