Ryanair is one of the most controversial and transformative airlines in the history of commercial aviation.
It is Europe’s largest airline in terms of passengers carried and fleet size – but what can you expect when flying with Ryanair? In no particular order, here are 10 facts about flying with Ryanair, from the booking process to onboard service.
1. Expect a lot of extras to be offered when booking flights
When it comes to booking your Ryanair flight – whether on the airline’s website or dedicated app – expect to be overloaded with many extras being offered, such as travel insurance and car hire. It can get a little overwhelming, but always review what you are purchasing before entering your card details.
2. You can choose to pay for your seat or be allocated a seat at random during check-in
Depending on your ticket type, you may already have seat selection included in your final price. If it is not, you have the option to purchase a seat or be randomly assigned one during check-in. The random seat allocator option is only functional while checking in within 24 hours of departure.
3. You may be charged a fee if you require check-in at the airport
If you turn up at the airport without a boarding pass to hand, Ryanair will charge you. The fee – 55 EUR or 30 EUR from Spain – is charged per passenger per sector. To avoid any unnecessary fees, checking in can be completed via Ryanir’s website and mobile app. Boarding passes can either be printed or used digitally on an electronic device.
4. Expect the weight and size of your luggage to be checked
Ryanair is known for being extremely strict when it comes to luggage. Be sure that your hold luggage meets the weight requirement permitted by the airline (either 10kg or 20kg depending on your ticket), and that your carry-on luggage (max 10kg and should measure 55 x 40 x 20cm) and small bag (must fit under the seat in front you and should measure 40 x 20 x 25cm) meet the weight and dimension requirements set by the airline. Extra fees will be charged for overweight checked luggage and large cabin bags. Please note that tickets vary and may not include checked luggage or carry-on luggage.
5. Boarding will begin before passengers have left your arriving aircraft
Ryanair has a 25-minute turnaround policy in place, meaning that when a Ryanair aircraft lands at a specific airport, the crew and ground staff have 25 minutes to get it back in the air for the next service. Because of that policy, you’ll notice that “boarding” will begin before passengers on the arriving flight have even left the aircraft. You may even begin this process before the aircraft has even arrived.
6. You’ll notice that your seat does not recline
One of the no-frills elements of Ryanair flights is the non-recline seat. No matter the length of your journey, the seat you’ll be allocated will not move an inch. It’s said that non-recline seats cost less to build and require less maintenance, ticking all the boxes for Ryanair’s low-cost business model.
7. There is no in-flight entertainment
Again, given that Ryanair is an ultra-low-cost airline, there is no in-flight entertainment on board. If you do bring your own device for entertainment, ensure that it has enough charge or that you bring a power bank with you, as Ryanair also does not provide any charging facilities.
8. Food and drink, plus duty-free items, will be available to purchase onboard
Once the seatbelt sign has been turned off, the cabin crew will come around with food and drink options. The airline has an extensive onboard menu, so there’s something for everyone. Additionally, duty-free items will be offered later in the flight. There may also be a chance to buy Ryanair scratch cards, depending on your flight length. Please note that the crew only accepts card payments for purchases on board.
9. There will always be two people in the cockpit
During your flight, you may notice the seatbelt sign randomly come on and some of the cabin crew gather at the front of the plane. This is done so that a crew member can safely enter the cockpit, allowing one of the pilots to enter the cabin, usually for the toilet. Ryanair has a strict policy of having two people in the cockpit at all times.
10. You can “sit back, relax, and enjoy the flight”
Although Ryanair often gets a bad rap, the airline has never been involved in a hull-loss incident or recorded a passenger fatality since its inception. Passengers are definitely in safe hands when it comes to flying with the airline, meaning you can, as the Ryanair safety demo signs off with, “sit back, relax, and enjoy the flight.”
This article was updated on September 23, 2024.
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