Ryanair: The Low Quality Airline

I recently flew Ryanair from Dublin to Nantes, and then from Nantes to Dublin a week later. To say I was unimpressed by the experience would be an understatement. I don’t expect flying to be particularly comfortable, because I have yet to fly with an airline that is all that enjoyable. Ryanair, however, was a notch (or five) below all the other airlines I’ve flown with. Below are a number of the reasons why I believe Ryanair are such a low quality airline.

Plastic Seats

While this isn’t a major problem for people with shorter legs, it is undoubtedly a problem for those of us with longer legs. Whereas most airlines, such as Aer Lingus or British Airways, have fabric seat covers, the back of the Ryanair seats are hard, yellow plastic. For people who already suffer from a lack of leg room, the back of these seats can be even more uncomfortable. Instead of fabric which gives way slightly, the plastic doesn’t move at all.

In-flight Advertisements

I’m used to seeing advertisements on flights in the in-flight shopping guide. I’m used to seeing advertisements in the flight magazines. I am not, however, used to seeing them plastered all over the inside of the cabin. The back of the seats and the doors of the overheard luggage compartments are not the places to put e. I did not pay €100s to look at advertisements and I’m pretty sure other passengers did not either. If I wanted to be bombarded with advertisements, I would stay at home and watch cable television.

Mobile Phone Usage

Ryanair recently allowed passengers to use their mobiles on flights. That’s right, you can fully use your mobile phone on their flights. You can send texts, receive calls, communicate via email on Ryanair flights. If your phone has the functional capabilities to perform video calls, you can call and watch anyone in your contacts list. While this can be a tad annoying, especially when people have annoying ring tones, it can also be quite useful. Unfortunately, all the terms and conditions regarding the use of your mobile phone are in the in-flight magazine in the back of the seat in front of you. Unsurprisingly, the stupid, yellow, plastic seats don’t have pouches in the back to hold the magazines, so you can’t actually reads the terms and conditions. It is only after you land and get your phone bill, that you discover Ryanair has charged you €2 per text sent or call dialled/received. Luckily, I only sent 2 text messages during my flight, but I still got charged €4 (which still isn’t enough to purchase a hot dog on the flight).