Ryanair ups baggage charges for holidays

bmaxi

Ryanair are to charge €20 for each checked bag in July and August.
Isn't it amazing how O'Leary can claim, on the one hand, that the €10 travel tax is killing tourism, yet add a "holiday" tax himself. Much more acceptable when going into Ryanair's coffers, obviously.

markpb

bmaxi wrote: »

Isn't it amazing how O'Leary can claim, on the one hand, that the €10 travel tax is killing tourism, yet add a "holiday" tax himself. Much more acceptable when going into Ryanair's coffers, obviously.

MoL will claim that you can avoid the baggage charges but if you want to fly, you can't avoid the airport tax.

Southsider1

It'll be interesting to see how long he can keep turning the screw...

markpb

Southsider1 wrote: »

It'll be interesting to see how long he can keep turning the screw...

He said a long time ago that he'd keep increasing the costs until (I think) 90% of passengers didn't check in bags. If he could reach 100%, they could do away with check in desks completely which I'd imagine would save them quite a bit.

bmaxi

markpb wrote: »

MoL will claim that you can avoid the baggage charges but if you want to fly, you can't avoid the airport tax.

Yep, I know all that, it's the cynical timing. Try flying off on hols with missus and 2.4, with two pairs of jocks and a sunhat. O'Leary knows exactly what he's doing.

irish_goat

Ryanair flights are still going to be cheaper.

JHMEG

The €20 will probably help keep actual fares low. The €10 tourist tax is to fund DAA payrises, Declan Collier's bonus, and so on.

L1011

irish_goat wrote: »

Ryanair flights are still going to be cheaper.

Realistically, they're not. If you're not INSANELY flexible with travel dates and aren't booking months in advance, the proper airlines usually beat them.

I've not flown Ryanair since 2004 as I've always found a proper airline cheaper for my actual needs - and that flight was when they were the only operator on that route! Which they promptly dropped when the destination airport upped its charges, and Aer Arann have managed to operate for quite reasonble rates since.

markpb wrote: »

He said a long time ago that he'd keep increasing the costs until (I think) 90% of passengers didn't check in bags. If he could reach 100%, they could do away with check in desks completely which I'd imagine would save them quite a bit.

DAA bye-laws make this utterly impossible. For the average Ryanair flight loading you need three desks open for that flight. Its fantasy on O'Learys part that he could get rid of them there. And I assume other airports are much the same.

Bluetonic

MYOB wrote: »

Realistically, they're not. If you're not INSANELY flexible with travel dates and aren't booking months in advance, the proper airlines usually beat them.

What 'proper' airlines do you speak of? I'd love to know so I can disprove your crazy theory.

robinph

MYOB wrote: »

DAA bye-laws make this utterly impossible. For the average Ryanair flight loading you need three desks open for that flight. Its fantasy on O'Learys part that he could get rid of them there. And I assume other airports are much the same.

Don't think I've ever seen three checkin desks for any Ryanair flight, even before there was any option of online checkin.

scottyboy

MYOB wrote: »

Realistically, they're not. If you're not INSANELY flexible with travel dates and aren't booking months in advance, the proper airlines usually beat them.

I've not flown Ryanair since 2004 as I've always found a proper airline cheaper for my actual needs - and that flight was when they were the only operator on that route! Which they promptly dropped when the destination airport upped its charges, and Aer Arann have managed to operate for quite reasonble rates since.



DAA bye-laws make this utterly impossible. For the average Ryanair flight loading you need three desks open for that flight. Its fantasy on O'Learys part that he could get rid of them there. And I assume other airports are much the same.

Here is an example of a random flight, in a few months time to provide proof of the above statement. Note: The extra €5 per bag per person per flight is not included as this only starts from midnight tonight plus you only get 15kg with Ryanair.

Example is Dublin to Paris (Eurodisney) on Sat 3rd July for 1 week, 2 adults and 2 kids. 1 bag each.

Ryanair: €735.12
AirFrance: €706.32

You choose which one is less hassle?!

sflemings

Well the onus is on people to search around for the best deal. As you've said they mightn't be the best all the time. Anytime I fly I always search around for the best deal but more often than not Ryanair will always win.

Bluetonic

scottyboy wrote: »

Here is an example of a random flight, in a few months time to provide proof of the above statement.

The problem with proving the statement is you need every case to be correct. One case in favour of Ryanair disproves the crazy theory.

I still fail to see how Ryanair are not a 'proper' airline.

ardmacha

Realistically, they're not. If you're not INSANELY flexible with travel dates and aren't booking months in advance, the proper airlines usually beat them.

"proper" airlines only have fares around the Ryanair level because of competition from FR.
But it is a win-win, as you get Ryanair fares, but don't have to fly Ryanair!

Millie

We were looking into flights to London and also to Spain in Aug and fortunately/unfortunately Ryan Air were the cheapest.

KC61

It really depends on the individual journeys. Everyone's circumstances differ.

Ryanair's model ideally suits people who are only carrying hand luggage. This tends to rule out people going for more than 4 days away or who are travelling with families.

In some cases (but not all) these people can be better catered for by other airlines - but it all depends on the dates, bags, route and number of passengers.

We could all come up with different options, but every single journey can produce different results. There are a lot of "what ifs" to take into account.

scottyboy

Very true KC61,

Sadly the Ryanair effect has meant that travelling from Dublin has become very restricted for those travel groups. Even trying to connect with another airline in the UK or Europe becomes a problem due to luggage and non hub airports used by FR. With Aerlingus following the same business model, I have to rely on BMI, BA, Air France etc to leave the island in a stress free, non hoop jumping way with my family.

robinph

KC61 wrote: »

Ryanair's model ideally suits people who are only carrying hand luggage. This tends to rule out people going for more than 4 days away or who are travelling with families.

But it would also be cheaper to fly with Ryanair if you had lots and lots of luggage. as you can take 2 x 15kg bags + 10kg hand luggage + another 20kg of sports equipment (just put anything you like in a ski/ board bag and call it sports stuff).

Total of 60kg before you get charged any excess baggage fees, bet you can't do that on another airline.

scottyboy

robinph wrote: »

But it would also be cheaper to fly with Ryanair if you had lots and lots of luggage. as you can take 2 x 15kg bags + 10kg hand luggage + another 20kg of sports equipment (just put anything you like in a ski/ board bag and call it sports stuff).

Total of 60kg before you get charged any excess baggage fees, bet you can't do that on another airline.

that would cost €180!! (1st bag €15, 2nd bag €35, plus Sports bag €40 = €90 x 2(eachway) = €180) not including ticket price, taxes, surcharges, credit card charges, check in charges, priority boarding char, ges, toilet charges, other charges.......

Certain "proper" airlines allow 2 bags, maximum weight per bag 32kg = 64kg as part of ticket price.

KC61

robinph wrote: »

But it would also be cheaper to fly with Ryanair if you had lots and lots of luggage. as you can take 2 x 15kg bags + 10kg hand luggage + another 20kg of sports equipment (just put anything you like in a ski/ board bag and call it sports stuff).

Total of 60kg before you get charged any excess baggage fees, bet you can't do that on another airline.

It really does depend on individual circumstances. Broad generalisations tend not to work when dealing with airline fares.

As I said above it depends on a whole range of permutations such as:
Departure times, dates, the route in question, the numbers travelling, the numbers of bags, the time of booking, etc.

There are far too many permutations to produce definitive statements, but as I said above if you are travelling alone with hand luggage only, you will tend to be suited to the Ryanair model as you can get away with no extra charges at all. But you can also do that with other airlines. Again other permutations will come into play such as time/date of travel and time of booking.

People need to shop around and find what suits them best and that isn't always Ryanair!

For example, for the recent France-v-Ireland rugby match in Paris the cheapest fares available travelling out on Friday and back on Sunday (booked in January and with no checked bags) for 2 people was actually with SWISS via Zurich!

robinph

scottyboy wrote: »

that would cost €160!! not including ticket price, taxes, surcharges, credit card charges, check in charges, priority boarding charges, toilet charges, other charges.......

Certain "proper" airlines allow 2 bags, maximum weight per bag 32kg = 64kg as part of ticket price.

I'd be doubtful if you'd get that kind of allowance on a flight within Europe, and on a transatlantic flight your only going to get that kind of allowance once you go up a class or two.

Run_to_da_hills

You could always wear as much clothes as possible at check in including four pairs of jocks and several tshirts, jumpers etc and change out of them in the jacks once you got inside the cabin.

cynder

I booked ryanair from dub to France for 3 adults and 3 kids. Had to work it on dates that I paid no taxes paid 756 would of been aprox 1000. Otherwise. Other airlines was 1500. I also booked for 3 suitcases.

scottyboy

robinph wrote: »

I'd be doubtful if you'd get that kind of allowance on a flight within Europe, and on a transatlantic flight your only going to get that kind of allowance once you go up a class or two.

Very true, BA will only carry 2 x 32kg bags on transatlantic flight and board bag free at economy class not FR class! Otherwise, it is 20kg plus board bag free for most mainstream flag carriers in Europe at economy class.

robinph

scottyboy wrote: »

Very true, BA will only carry 2 x 32kg bags on transatlantic flight and board bag free at economy class not FR class! Otherwise, it is 20kg plus board bag free for most mainstream flag carriers in Europe at economy class.

Think you might have got 32kg and 23kg mixed up there:

http://www.britishairways.com/travel/bagchk/public/en_gb

Only 1 bag at the lowest fare class according to that page, and that is limited to 23kg or pay extra for a limit of 32kg for that one bag.

Edit: and the sports equipment is not free, that has to be included in the rest of the weight allowance or you pay an extra fee:
http://www.britishairways.com/travel/bagsport/public/en_gb

scottyboy

I guess they have changed the terms since last winter when you could practically bring a house on holiday for free. Still seems a reasonable deal though, 2 bags of 23kg for transatlantic inc board bag or 1 bag at 23kg and this can be your board bag.

mickoneill30

This arguing doesn't really matter. If you're flying reasonably near it's easy enough to check all the airlines.

www.aerlingus.com
www.ryanair.com
www.airfrance.ie
www.aerarann.ie
www.flybmi.com
(anyone else?)

Ryanair are not always the cheapest but it only take about 10 minutes to put your times & destinations into all the sites above. I'm sure Ryanair are cheaper some times but every time I personally have needed to fly over the last couple of years (sometimes with a checked in bag) I've managed to get it cheaper for the times I was looking for with another airline. But that could just be me. Normally I need to fly near the end or the start of the day. I don't really like wasting half a day to save a few quid (unless it's a big difference but it never has been). This is just my personal experience so no need to get defensive anybody.

robinph

Ryanair do not fly transatlantic though.

defitzi

:cool:Just one small protest but I stopped using O'Leary rip-offs long ago- Sail/Rail Irish ferries to London or anywhere rail station UK 30.50e and cross-channel at Dover-tenner- cheap train from there-great bargains most railways in Europe especially Belge-seniors 5 euros per day (no sat-sun-feasts May Sept) after 9 am; in France use local trains heavily subsidised by regions-inter egion trains everywhere.Baggage- bikes free. Or Eurolines-great deals especially from London to everywhere!
Who needs O'Leary- greedy sod:pac:

L1011

Bluetonic wrote: »

What 'proper' airlines do you speak of? I'd love to know so I can disprove your crazy theory.

All of them that don't have an airline code beginning "F" and ending "R", I've found.

Its not a "crazy theory" - I check prices ever time I fly (which is lots) on the off-chance that Ryanair might actually be cheaper. The only time in the past 5 return trips that they've been cheaper, the convenience factor and the costs of getting to my final destination (flying to Amsterdam and getting a 15min, 4 euro train vs. Eindhoven and a 45min, 15 euro train) tipped me back over to Aer Lingus/KLM.

robinph

mickoneill30 wrote: »

www.aerlingus.com
www.ryanair.com
www.airfrance.ie
www.aerarann.ie
www.flybmi.com
(anyone else?)

Dublin
Cork
etc

KC61

mickoneill30 wrote: »

This arguing doesn't really matter. If you're flying reasonably near it's easy enough to check all the airlines.

www.aerlingus.com
www.ryanair.com
www.airfrance.ie
www.aerarann.ie
www.flybmi.com
(anyone else?)

Ryanair are not always the cheapest but it only take about 10 minutes to put your times & destinations into all the sites above. I'm sure Ryanair are cheaper some times but every time I personally have needed to fly over the last couple of years (sometimes with a checked in bag) I've managed to get it cheaper for the times I was looking for with another airline. But that could just be me. Normally I need to fly near the end or the start of the day. I don't really like wasting half a day to save a few quid (unless it's a big difference but it never has been). This is just my personal experience so no need to get defensive anybody.

Other airlines that you left out that offer travel to a wide range of destinations around Europe from Dublin include:
www.swiss.com
www.flysas.ie
www.iberia.ie
www.lufthansa.ie
www.luxair.com

Also - 2 codeshare options:
www.klm.ie
www.ba.com

Finally to the UK there is also:
www.flybe.com

robinph

MYOB wrote: »

All of them that don't have an airline code beginning "F" and ending "R", I've found.

Its not a "crazy theory" - I check prices ever time I fly (which is lots) on the off-chance that Ryanair might actually be cheaper. The only time in the past 5 return trips that they've been cheaper, the convenience factor and the costs of getting to my final destination (flying to Amsterdam and getting a 15min, 4 euro train vs. Eindhoven and a 45min, 15 euro train) tipped me back over to Aer Lingus/KLM.

All depends on where you are going though. What is the cheapest way to get to Eindhoven?

KC61

MYOB wrote: »

All of them that don't have an airline code beginning "F" and ending "R", I've found.

Its not a "crazy theory" - I check prices ever time I fly (which is lots) on the off-chance that Ryanair might actually be cheaper. The only time in the past 5 return trips that they've been cheaper, the convenience factor and the costs of getting to my final destination (flying to Amsterdam and getting a 15min, 4 euro train vs. Eindhoven and a 45min, 15 euro train) tipped me back over to Aer Lingus/KLM.

You do raise another point - travel costs to/from the overseas airport - often forgotten when booking flights!

L1011

robinph wrote: »

Don't think I've ever seen three checkin desks for any Ryanair flight, even before there was any option of online checkin.

I misread the bye-laws, its two desks for a full 737-800 class aircraft:

http://www.irishstatutebook.ie/2002/en/si/0323.html

Applies to Dublin, Cork and Shannon. So even if 100% of passengers are travelling with hand luggage only, FR would need 2 desks per flight.

cynder

robinph wrote: »

All depends on where you are going though. What is the cheapest way to get to Eindhoven?

Walk and swim!

mickoneill30

robinph wrote: »

Dublin
Cork
etc

KC61 wrote: »

www.swiss.com
www.flysas.ie
www.iberia.ie
www.lufthansa.ie
www.luxair.com

Also - 2 codeshare options:
www.klm.ie
www.ba.com

Finally to the UK there is also:
www.flybe.com

Bleedin hell. There goes my 10 minutes of checking

KC61

mickoneill30 wrote: »

Bleedin hell. There goes my 10 minutes of checking

Most of the other airlines can be checked on sites such as www.expedia.ie or www.lastminute.ie so it's usually fairly easy to do!

L1011

robinph wrote: »

All depends on where you are going though. What is the cheapest way to get to Eindhoven?

Only Ryanair fly to Eindhoven off this island, although you could be lucky with a CityJet flight via LCY I seriously doubt it'd be cheaper.

It is, however, somewhere I never expect to want to go to unless I get a job for Philips!

KC61 wrote: »

Most of the other airlines can be checked on sites such as www.expedia.ie or www.lastminute.ie so it's usually fairly easy to do!

Often these show the flights as much, much dearer than via the airline themselves.

cson

MYOB wrote: »

All of them that don't have an airline code beginning "F" and ending "R", I've found.

Its not a "crazy theory" - I check prices ever time I fly (which is lots) on the off-chance that Ryanair might actually be cheaper. The only time in the past 5 return trips that they've been cheaper, the convenience factor and the costs of getting to my final destination (flying to Amsterdam and getting a 15min, 4 euro train vs. Eindhoven and a 45min, 15 euro train) tipped me back over to Aer Lingus/KLM.

I'm interested in finding out what your definition of 'proper airline' is?

L1011

cson wrote: »

I'm interested in finding out what your definition of 'proper airline' is?

I've already answered that. Not Ryanair. Thats all my definition extends to.

robinph

MYOB wrote: »

Only Ryanair fly to Eindhoven off this island, although you could be lucky with a CityJet flight via LCY I seriously doubt it'd be cheaper.

It is, however, somewhere I never expect to want to go to unless I get a job for Philips!

There are a bunch of boardsies heading to Rotterdam this weekend, some are flying into Eindhoven with FR, some to Schiphol. I went for the second options myself with EI, but I don't think there was much of a difference between the two and how we then go about getting from whichever airport to Rotterdam, and I can't actually remember my reason for picking the EI option.

FR does give people more options than ever before on most destinations though and they have to be doing something right as people still use them more than any other airline.

AlekSmart

To be fair to Micheal O Leary he did a recent UK Newspaper interview where he reveald some gems of the O Leary mind...

By far the best IMO is his definition of the Ideal Ryanair Customer as ...

"Possessing a pulse and a credit card " .

Micko also revealed that Family holidays generally present him with problems due to his wife`s insistence on bringing multiple pairs of shoes and the likes whilst he likes to travel (Ultra) light ......It might just be that Micko practices what he preaches.

PS: On my last trip to Berlin (courtesy of FR) I bought a pair of shoes there to replace a clapped out pair I then dropped into a Berlin recycling bin....how`s that for an understanding of EU recycling policy ?

cson

MYOB wrote: »

I've already answered that. Not Ryanair. Thats all my definition extends to.

Thus we are to assume Flyglobespan, Sabena et al are were proper airlines? I do wonder if you've ever flown with easyjet because in my experience they're on a similar level to Ryanair, usually more expensive actually. To be quite honest I do take exception to your quite ignorant statement that they are not a proper airline; the IAA have granted them a licence thus they constitute a proper airline in the governing authorities estimation. I don't know if you consider yourself a higher authority on the matter than the IAA but unless you are, then throwing around remarks like the above are careless at best and downright ignorant at worst.

Ryanair have opened up air travel for a lot of people who previously couldn't afford to. Over 10 years ago a flight to London would still have hit close to the IR£300 mark, its a point a lot of people easily omit. I don't know know what you expect from air travel on a personal level but the fanciful notion of it being the romantic exotic experience that it most liikely once was decades ago is long gone. I would like to think that everyone is aware of Ryanairs business model and what it entails and indeed how one can find ways around it.

On topic and regarding bags, if anyone is going to the UK, I'd reccommend BMI for their baggage allowances solely. The last time I travelled economy with them I had an allowance of a checked in bag of 20kg and a further two pieces of carry on. Not very punctual mind you, outbound flight left me over an hour late.

Tarabuses

bmaxi wrote: »

Ryanair are to charge €20 for each checked bag in July and August.
Isn't it amazing how O'Leary can claim, on the one hand, that the €10 travel tax is killing tourism, yet add a "holiday" tax himself. Much more acceptable when going into Ryanair's coffers, obviously.

Where did you see that? I've just checked a flight in July and the charge is still €15 for the first bag and €35 for the second (which at a total of €50 is dearer than 2 x €20!).

I would also give Ryanair a clap on the back for charging us €15 for a bag compared to £15 in sterling.

scottyboy

The increased charge for bags will only be applied from midnight tonight for bookings in July and August.

sflemings

cson wrote: »

Thus we are to assume Flyglobespan, Sabena et al are were proper airlines? I do wonder if you've ever flown with easyjet because in my experience they're on a similar level to Ryanair, usually more expensive actually. To be quite honest I do take exception to your quite ignorant statement that they are not a proper airline; the IAA have granted them a licence thus they constitute a proper airline in the governing authorities estimation. I don't know if you consider yourself a higher authority on the matter than the IAA but unless you are, then throwing around remarks like the above are careless at best and downright ignorant at worst.

Ryanair have opened up air travel for a lot of people who previously couldn't afford to. Over 10 years ago a flight to London would still have hit close to the IR£300 mark, its a point a lot of people easily omit. I don't know know what you expect from air travel on a personal level but the fanciful notion of it being the romantic exotic experience that it most liikely once was decades ago is long gone. I would like to think that everyone is aware of Ryanairs business model and what it entails and indeed how one can find ways around it.

On topic and regarding bags, if anyone is going to the UK, I'd reccommend BMI for their baggage allowances solely. The last time I travelled economy with them I had an allowance of a checked in bag of 20kg and a further two pieces of carry on. Not very punctual mind you, outbound flight left me over an hour late.

Flew with FR from Kerry to London last month. Got a return flight for 2 for 55 euro. Mind you, it would have been 35 but I didn't have enough of time to put money into my MasterCard PrePaid card before the offer closed. How cool is that though when you think of it! 35 euro return for two. it would have cost 144 euro to get to dublin for a wknd.
I think if EI still had the monopoly we would be paying outrageous prices to get out of this country.

L1011

cson wrote: »

Thus we are to assume Flyglobespan, Sabena et al are were proper airlines? I do wonder if you've ever flown with easyjet because in my experience they're on a similar level to Ryanair, usually more expensive actually. To be quite honest I do take exception to your quite ignorant statement that they are not a proper airline; the IAA have granted them a licence thus they constitute a proper airline in the governing authorities estimation. I don't know if you consider yourself a higher authority on the matter than the IAA but unless you are, then throwing around remarks like the above are careless at best and downright ignorant at worst.

Ryanair have opened up air travel for a lot of people who previously couldn't afford to. Over 10 years ago a flight to London would still have hit close to the IR£300 mark, its a point a lot of people easily omit. I don't know know what you expect from air travel on a personal level but the fanciful notion of it being the romantic exotic experience that it most liikely once was decades ago is long gone. I would like to think that everyone is aware of Ryanairs business model and what it entails and indeed how one can find ways around it.

On topic and regarding bags, if anyone is going to the UK, I'd reccommend BMI for their baggage allowances solely. The last time I travelled economy with them I had an allowance of a checked in bag of 20kg and a further two pieces of carry on. Not very punctual mind you, outbound flight left me over an hour late.

Flyglobespan and Sabena are no longer airlines, so I don't see why you'd even consider mentioning them in relation to the here and now.

Due to the fact that Easyjet don't serve this country, I've never had a need to use them.

And the reducing cost of flights wasn't down to Ryanair, it was down to deregulation. Had FR not been there, the price competition would have been between British Midland and Aer Lingus on Dublin->London.

What I expect from air travel is not what I expect from Dublin Bus - which is the only other transport service provider I can compare to Ryanair. Except Dublin Bus don't surcharge at random.

JHMEG

defitzi wrote: »

:cool:Just one small protest but I stopped using O'Leary rip-offs long ago- Sail/Rail Irish ferries to London or anywhere rail station

Assuming you live in Dublin Port, otherwise add on €€€ for the transport from your home to Dublin Port on this side.

I'm sail/railing it in June, as one of the lads is afraid of flying. Dublin Port to Paddington all in about €80 return each. I priced it on Ryanair when we first decided to go and it worked out €20 return from Dublin Airport to any of the London airports.

Sail/rail is fantastic value when put in the the context of paying for a ferry ticket and a UK train ticket.

amacachi

MYOB wrote: »

I've already answered that. Not Ryanair. Thats all my definition extends to.

I'm not Ryanair, good to know you have such a high opinion of me.

BenShermin

JHMEG wrote: »

Assuming you live in Dublin Port, otherwise add on €€€ for the transport from your home to Dublin Port on this side.

I'm sail/railing it in June, as one of the lads is afraid of flying. Dublin Port to Paddington all in about €80 return each. I priced it on Ryanair when we first decided to go and it worked out €20 return from Dublin Airport to any of the London airports.

Sail/rail is fantastic value when put in the the context of paying for a ferry ticket and a UK train ticket.

In fairness they are fantastic value when you can't book in advance with the airlines. I flew over to London LGW with Ryanair on Easter Saturday for €20 (a bargin), but I refused to pay upwards of £80gbp for a return flight on Easter Monday from any of the London airports, especially when a sailrail ticket from Wembley Central Station via London Euston to Dublin Port only cost me £30.50, booked the day before at the ticket office in Wembley Central!

On that Ryanair flight over to Gatwick I had a gander at the inflight magazine. O'Leary's latest cost cutting plan is to abolish luggage fares alltogether for people who are willing to bring their suitcases themselves to the boarding gate. The baggage handlers will then take the luggage off the passengers at the gate and put them in the hold. At the arrival airport the handlers will give the passengers their luggage at the arrival gate thus eliminating the need for check-in and baggage reclaim belts. Quite simular to the procedure they have for buggies.

The only problem I see with this is that the 100ml security rules will be enforced on passengers hold luggage.