What to know about Ryanair, the leading low-cost airline in Europe

Irish roots and a rapid ascent

Ryanair was founded in 1984 in Ireland by Tony Ryan, a visionary entrepreneur, alongside Liam Lonergan and Christy Ryan. The company launched with the goal of offering low-fare flights and disrupting the European aviation industry. While Ryanair is headquartered in Dublin, its operations span a vast network of airports across Europe.

During the 1990s, taking advantage of European Union airline deregulation, Ryanair adopted a low-cost model inspired by American carriers like Southwest Airlines. This strategy fueled spectacular growth, cementing its status as one of the world's leading low-cost airlines.

A massive, low-fare network

Today, Ryanair serves more than 200 destinations in over 40 countries across Europe, North Africa, and the Middle East. The company operates a fleet of over 500 Boeing 737 aircraft, which are favored for their fuel efficiency and suitability for short and medium-haul flights.

To keep fares low, Ryanair relies on paid optional services, such as seat selection, checked baggage, and priority boarding. The airline frequently utilizes secondary airports, such as Beauvais near Paris, to minimize operating costs and maintain its price advantage.

Ryanair's competitive edge

Ryanair is best known for its ultra-competitive pricing and expansive route map. Its primary strengths include:

  • Low-fare flights that cater to a wide range of budgets.
  • Solid on-time performance, with delay rates often lower than the industry average.
  • A modern fleet, optimized to lower CO2 emissions.

The airline intends to continue expanding its network while doubling down on sustainability initiatives aimed at reducing its overall carbon footprint.

A focus on accessibility

Ryanair remains committed to its founding mission: making air travel accessible to everyone. Through a strategy built on efficiency and cost optimization, the company remains a dominant force in the European air travel market. Its low-cost model, combined with an impressive reach, makes it a top choice for travelers prioritizing low fares.

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Reviews of Ryanair

Summary of 14 reviews
3.1/5
Average rating
+2 recs +14 -12 Score weighted by contributor expertise level: a recommendation from a level 3 member counts as 3.
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Average ratings by criterion

Customer service
2.5/5
Reliability
2.7/5
Value for money
3.9/5

Great prices but that is about it

Traveling with Ryanair means you get some really great deals. If you are on a tight budget, it is a good idea. Of course, for the price, you should not expect much. Comfort will not necessarily be there. They are also very strict about the size and weight of your luggage. If you have the option, choose another airline.

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A little worse than EasyJet

For me, among the low cost airlines, there is Easy Jet and then below that, Ryanair. That said, I have never had any problems with them either. The upside is that they serve quite a few destinations. You have to be really sure about the departure and arrival airport, though. I got burned once because I was leaving from Beauvais thinking I was taking off from Paris, and never again.
I have always been amused by the systematic clapping upon arrival, as if it were a miracle that the pilot managed to land the plane.

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Really cheap flights

Hello everyone, I have used Ryanair twice: to go from Paris to Dublin (Ireland) and from Paris to Stockholm (Sweden). I have no complaints about the service, and what is more, I am really satisfied with the prices. I did a lot of looking for the dates I was interested in, and I didn't find anything cheaper. Just one note: departures are not from the main Parisian airports (Orly or Roissy) which have the advantage of being easily accessible. Departures are from Beauvais airport, in Picardy. You therefore have to book seats on a shuttle bus that goes from Paris Porte Maillot to Beauvais Airport in about 1 hour to 1 hour 30 minutes for around fifteen euros each way (unless the prices have changed?). This can be annoying for flights leaving early or arriving late because it becomes more complicated (and especially more expensive) to get to or from Porte Maillot at 5 am or 1 am since public transportation isn't running... See ya! Review imported on 11/04/2020 from our old site Voyage-Net.com
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Paris to Stockholm for €60

For my part, I went to Stockholm for €30 round trip + €30 for the shuttle between the airport and the city. So €60 is actually not bad...Review imported on 11/04/2020 from our old site Voyage-Net.com

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Experienced pilots

Hello everyone, I fly often but I do not know anything about piloting, so what attracts me to an airline is above all safety and reliability. Service comes way after that (for me, anyway!). Seeing Ryanair prices, I asked myself: where is the catch? Is it reliable? Do they make profits at the expense of safety?

To get an interesting answer, I was able to talk directly with pilots from other airlines to get some meaningful opinions, and here is what I learned:

The planes are very new and monitored just as much as they are for other airlines. The pilots are among the best paid in the market. They are also among the most experienced! (They take the cream of the crop of pilots).

Once again, I do not know much about planes, but I prefer to place my trust in professional opinions. It is up to you to judge.

Review imported on 11/04/2020 from our old site Voyage-Net.com

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Price and service level are consistent

I think Ryanair is really great for the price. Okay, it is true that the service is not as good, but if you pay less, it is normal to get lower quality service!Review imported on 11/04/2020 from our old site Voyage-Net.com

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Cheap Paris Rome trip

Hello everyone, I travel 1 to 2 times a year with this airline to get to Rome and I think it has a very good price to quality ratio. Review imported on 11/04/2020 from our old site Voyage-Net.com

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A different way to fly

Ryanair is fine, when everything goes well! You pay a low price and you accept the trade-off until the end. A 2-hour flight? Expect 2 hours of sales pitches from the cabin crew who are looking for any way possible to sell us something. Even the most ridiculous items. It is tiring to hear someone make an announcement every 10 minutes, but we choose to pay a low price. Can't wait to arrive!Review imported on 11/04/2020 from our old site Voyage-Net.com

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Not happy

Ryanair... if you want to be treated like flying cattle, then fly with Ryanair!! The other day in Girona, we were yelled at in an unacceptable way because our bag was 3 cm too big!!! They shoved us into the plane meanly while charging us an extra 50 euros. All of that just to make us wait an hour on the tarmac in temperatures of almost 104°F (40°C). I do not recommend Ryanair. If they treat their employees and planes like they treat their customers, I wonder how it even works!! Valerie

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No issues on Paris - Verona

:) :)  Experience with RYAN AIR! Very positive, and yet I was one of the skeptics! The results for a round trip from PARIS(BEAUVAIS) to VERONA: no problems at all, a ticket for two at a very attractive price (112 euros total for both people) with priority boarding, schedules respected right down to the quarter hour, and boarding staff who were kind in both Beauvais and Verona. An experience to repeat without hesitation! I should add that the period I chose was the Pentecost weekend... Review imported on 11/04/2020 from our old site Voyage-Net.com

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The devil is in the details

Ryanair treats its customers and staff poorly. Pay very close attention to the terms and conditions, especially regarding boarding passes and the weight and size of your luggage. I have actually had to throw clothes and personal items into airport trash cans before. If you pay for 2 bags, be very careful because the weight does not combine. You will only be allowed 15 kilos total split between 2 bags and not 30 kilos. Otherwise, once you know all their rules, you have to admit they are by far the cheapest.

Review imported on 11/04/2020 from our old site Voyage-Net.com

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My take on Ryanair.com

Hi, Ryanair is an airline with a young fleet, so in theory, it is pretty safe. European regulations are followed, but only to the bare minimum (e.g., number of hours and mandatory maintenance checks). However, their constant search for profitability causes issues. In order for the planes to weigh as little as possible and consume less fuel, the tank holds barely more than the amount necessary to complete the planned trip. This limits the options to divert or change the landing airport (for example, Ryanair has already landed when visibility was not compliant due to fog). Also, the pilots are not the best. There is no proof of this, but they have the most unfavorable status of any European airline, so if they could, they would probably go elsewhere. So, the airline has never had a crash, but it has had many small incidents. There are airlines that are not much more expensive that inspire more confidence in me.

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Watch out for booking changes

Ryanair, sure, when everything goes well, but on my last trip I needed to change my dates. It is possible, that is what is indicated, BUT you get hit with a 140 Euro penalty and on top of that, you can only access the most expensive fares. So, it ends up being cheaper to just buy a new ticket without going through the exchange process!!!! And customer service: no recourse possible, and their response: buy another ticket if it is cheaper!!! I tried another destination: nothing to do, you MUST PAY. In conclusion, I am losing a trip......thanks Ryanair

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I am done with Ryanair

I just flew with Ryanair. It was my first time and it will be the LAST TIME! The reason is simple: I love to travel and the mode of transportation is part of that experience. I prefer to pay a little more and meet airline employees who are respectful toward travelers, instead of unpleasant and rude ones who treat us like cattle. :o I also prefer, even if it costs money, a spacious plane where you can breathe and enjoy the trip, not a sardine can where I feel suffocated and packed in tight. :-[ I prefer to be given the total cost of the ticket up front and deal with a serious company, instead of starting with a low price and dealing with a company that will offer me paid services throughout the entire journey. >:( On the other hand, I have always had quality trips with Vueling, which I will continue to fly with. Review imported on 11/04/2020 from our old site Voyage-Net.com

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