Flying with Ryanair

HungryFish

I am flying with Ryanair on Monday and I haven't travelled with them in a long time. Can anyone tell me what the story is with seating on the plane? I haven't been assigned a seat number and I haven't reserved one of the emergency exit seats. Do we just sit where we like or are you assigned a seat at the gate...?

Miaireland

Sit where you like.

Creamy Goodness

it's an open seating plan. first come first served

Mint Sauce

Run once you get past the gate if air bridge, or once getting of bus if transfer.

woodchuck

They'll board people who have paid extra for 'priority boarding' first (separate queue).

Then they'll call everyone else. First come first served... sit where you like basically!

wildefalcon

Bring sunglasses for the interior colour scheme.

You'll thank me.

jt_dublin

If it is not a full flight, they will have a number of rows at the front blocked off... They say it's for weight distribution.

Mint Sauce

woodchuck wrote: »

They'll board people who have paid extra for 'priority boarding' first (separate queue).

Then they'll call everyone else. First come first served... sit where you like basically!

How strict is that though? The odd time I have used Ryanair, or witnessed it in use, the queue becomes one once past the checking gate, or a race once off the bus (hence my previous comment).

Stheno

irish-stew wrote: »

How strict is that though? The odd time I have used Ryanair, or witnessed it in use, the queue becomes one once past the checking gate, or a race once off the bus (hence my previous comment).

Always enforced in Dublin anyway

MadsL

bring Earplugs + headphones.


Tadle-tadle-tat=tarrh!! Another ontime (within 25 minutes anyway) Ryanair flight!!

Ow my bleeding eardrums.

Moo1

jt_dublin wrote: »

If it is not a full flight, they will have a number of rows at the front blocked off... They say it's for weight distribution.

What's it for?

mahamageehad

You can book seats now with ryanair as well (for a fee of course) these are the exit seats and those at the very front. These people also get to board first and they don't need priority.

jt_dublin

jt_dublin wrote: »

If it is not a full flight, they will have a number of rows at the front blocked off... They say it's for weight distribution.

Moo1 wrote: »

What's it for?

According to Wikipedia:
In the airline industry, load balancing is used to evenly distribute the weight of passengers, cargo, and fuel throughout an aircraft, so as to keep the aircraft's center of gravity close to its center of pressure to avoid losing pitch control

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Weight_distribution

MadsL

And why do no other airline do this?

Moo1

I thought you were saying there was another reason for it!

coylemj

MadsL wrote: »

And why do no other airline do this?

They probably do but most airlines assign seats before the passengers board so they don't then need to physically block off certain rows, they just won't assign people to those seats.

I've been on half empty planes where people moved seats when the doors were closed, the cabin staff asked them to go back to their original seats but said they could go anywhere they liked when the plane was in the air and the seat belt light was switched off. They explained it was because of weight distribution.

irlirishkev

I hate Ryanair so much, but indeed they're often the cheapest, so I usually just grin and bear it.

It's gawdy and cramped inside. Feels smaller than other light aircrafts, possibly due to the horrible horrible colour scheme.

They'll try and sell you stuff via the overhead speakers for the entire flight while the poor stewards patrol the plane, displaying said 'stuff'..

Oh and when you land, they have a fanfare which plays on the overheads, as already mentioned. And quite often, people will applaud.

The priority boarding thing.. I've never used it, but if I did, I'd be more interested in boarding last, rather than first, so I could spend less time on the actual plane.

Shanek320

1.Check in early. Don't bring ANY baggage.

2.When checked in SPRINT to the boarding gate.

3.Do NOT stop to buy anything/help old people/tie your laces or assist lost tourists.

4.Aggressively approach the gate (to ward off other captives/old people/tourists) and stand right up on top of the boarding cordon.

5. The second the ground staff reach for the personal address reach for your boarding pass and passport. (N.B Tie your laces prior to this moment)

6. Show it to them (they won't check it anyway)

7. Once past the ground staff run as fast as you can. Do NOT, I repeat, DO NOT look behind you.

8. As you approach the aircraft, at high speed, (practice beforehand in your local housing estate) scan the Boeing aircraft. Check to see if the rear door is open and there are boarding steps available.

9. If rear door is open, board there. Do NOT sit in any of the front 10 rows. (You will not survive any potential accident there)

10. Get into a seat that is not occupied. If it is occupied; ask the passenger how they beat you to the seat and then tell them you had booked that precise seat. Stand your ground.

11. Sit in seat.

12. Use the toilet paper you smuggled on to wipe sweat from your brow. Do not put it in the seat back pocket. (There will be none anyway). Discard the paper onto the ground. Nobody will notice it as the floor will be littered with rubbish.

13. Wipe under arms and groin area if necessary.

14. Put on seat belt.

15. Once aircraft is airborne put in ear defenders and close your eyes. Do NOT open your eyes during the flight. This may attract unwanted attention. Pretend you are asleep/dead/comatose or drunk.

16. Once you hear wheels going back down extract ear defenders. Wipe sweat from fingers and brace for a carrier landing.

17. Once aircraft arrives in small rural village RUN. You will have to repeat all of the above for the two hour bus ride to main city

Oh, and don't forget, enjoy the flight and Y'all come back now.

MadsL

^

You missed;

Barge stewardess that is standing in the exit rows out of the way and sit down.

If you get held up for any reason, generally she is standing in that row and people out of politeness will not sit there.

Excuse me dear! Plonk arse in seat = extra legroom.

Lapin

jt_dublin wrote: »

If it is not a full flight, they will have a number of rows at the front blocked off... They say it's for weight distribution.

Moo1 wrote: »

What's it for?

jt_dublin wrote: »

According to Wikipedia:
In the airline industry, load balancing is used to evenly distribute the weight of passengers, cargo, and fuel throughout an aircraft, so as to keep the aircraft's center of gravity close to its center of pressure to avoid losing pitch control

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Weight_distribution

Moo1 wrote: »

I thought you were saying there was another reason for it!

There is.

Blocking clusters of seats mean the crew don't have to clean those areas after the flight, thus enabling them to reach their turnaround deadlines quicker.

jt_dublin

Lapin wrote: »

There is.

Blocking clusters of seats mean the crew don't have to clean those areas after the flight, thus enabling them to reach their turnaround deadlines quicker.

I'm not convinced of that... The might pick up stuff like newspapers that have been left behind but I dont believe that they clean the plane between flights.

I go to the UK almost every week and quite often have to wipe crumbs or crisps off the seat before I sit down. If I lower the tray, then it will often have tea or coffee stains & crumbs on it. In fact, one friday flying back to Ireland I was sitting in row 2, next to a father and his young son of about 4 years old. The kid was eating sweets, something colourful like skittles. One of these dropped on the ground. When I flying back to London 2 days later on the sunday evening, I managed to sit in the same seat and there was the same bright coloured sweet still on the ground. I kid you not!

Chinasea

I always hang back when boarding the flight. I really, really do not get what the fe** people stand in the ques for to get on the flight. I try my very best to be last. I don't give a flying fiddlers where I sit. What the heck does it matter? And if I am last on, I have less time to wait for take off, the plane has had more time to air and I usually get to pick from a few of the seats.

But, I have noticed there is now a competition with me and some other well versed travellers who have twigged this, and it is getting harder to determine if the handful of other people hanging around are actually getting on the plane too and are the same game as you..... tis a bit of fun.


Also, we usually get to sit together which is another myth put to bed.

Lapin

Chinasea wrote: »

I don't give a flying fiddlers where I sit. What the heck does it matter?

Some of us like a window seat.

For me, much of the enjoyment of flying is watching the world pass by below.

Stheno

Lapin wrote: »

Some of us like a window seat.

For me, much of the enjoyment of flying is watching the world pass by below.

I like an aisle seat and legroom, so book the reserved seats

K.Flyer

irlirishkev wrote: »

The priority boarding thing.. I've never used it, but if I did, I'd be more interested in boarding last, rather than first, so I could spend less time on the actual plane.

Always Always Always try to avoid being one of the last 20 - 30 people onto the plane.
Ryanair planes have way more passenger seats than available overhead locker spaces.
At best you will have your carry on bag under your feet if its small enough and you dont have long legs or else it will end up down the other end of the plane where you cannot keep an eye on it.

Stheno

K.Flyer wrote: »

Always Always Always try to avoid being one of the last 20 - 30 people onto the plane.
Ryanair planes have way more seat / passengers than available overhead locker spaces.
At best you will have your carry on bag under your feet if its small enough and you dont have long legs or else it will end up down the other end of the plane where you cannot keep an eye on it.

This is where priority boarding and reserved seats is great.

Get on plane before everyone starts clogging up the aisle, get your stuff in a locker before they get jammed, then sit down, stick on the headphones, and chill as chaos ensues.

Take out headphones for liftoff, put headphones back on, sleep through flight, then exit at high speed on landing.

brownacid

Lapin wrote: »

Some of us like a window seat.

For me, much of the enjoyment of flying is watching the world pass by below.

I queue up as I hate not getting a place to put my bag over my seat as it impedes my exit strategy.

Lustrum

Jesus, after reading the comments on this, it's no wonder people get stressed out when flying Ryanair.

How about, just accept it for what it is, chill out, and enjoy the flight. Granted there's not much leg room, they're always trying to sell you stuff, but none of this is new to anyone who's ever flown with them.

I had a day trip last week, grand flight, friendly crew, the plane was spotless. As we were joining the queue before boarding the guy in front of me was asked to put his bag in the sizer, so he had a go at the girl telling her he had to do this every time - if he has to do it every time, why doesn't he just deal with it and do what he's asked!!

It's funny how people forget that they paid €20 for their flight - if you want service, go first class; if you want to go cheap, go Ryanair



PS. About the front seats being blocked off - if the flight isn't full, they prefer to have people further back which moves the centre of gravity further back (but still within limits). During the cruise, the rearward C of G will help give the plane it's nose up attitude which helps reduce drag. This results in less fuel being burnt, and more savings!

jjbrien

Shanek320 wrote: »

1.Check in early. Don't bring ANY baggage.

2.When checked in SPRINT to the boarding gate.

3.Do NOT stop to buy anything/help old people/tie your laces or assist lost tourists.

4.Aggressively approach the gate (to ward off other captives/old people/tourists) and stand right up on top of the boarding cordon.

5. The second the ground staff reach for the personal address reach for your boarding pass and passport. (N.B Tie your laces prior to this moment)

6. Show it to them (they won't check it anyway)

7. Once past the ground staff run as fast as you can. Do NOT, I repeat, DO NOT look behind you.

8. As you approach the aircraft, at high speed, (practice beforehand in your local housing estate) scan the Boeing aircraft. Check to see if the rear door is open and there are boarding steps available.

9. If rear door is open, board there. Do NOT sit in any of the front 10 rows. (You will not survive any potential accident there)

10. Get into a seat that is not occupied. If it is occupied; ask the passenger how they beat you to the seat and then tell them you had booked that precise seat. Stand your ground.

11. Sit in seat.

12. Use the toilet paper you smuggled on to wipe sweat from your brow. Do not put it in the seat back pocket. (There will be none anyway). Discard the paper onto the ground. Nobody will notice it as the floor will be littered with rubbish.

13. Wipe under arms and groin area if necessary.

14. Put on seat belt.

15. Once aircraft is airborne put in ear defenders and close your eyes. Do NOT open your eyes during the flight. This may attract unwanted attention. Pretend you are asleep/dead/comatose or drunk.

16. Once you hear wheels going back down extract ear defenders. Wipe sweat from fingers and brace for a carrier landing.

17. Once aircraft arrives in small rural village RUN. You will have to repeat all of the above for the two hour bus ride to main city

Oh, and don't forget, enjoy the flight and Y'all come back now.

Ah yes I always treat flying Ryanair like I am running a marathon. Well said

woodchuck

Lapin wrote: »

Some of us like a window seat.

For me, much of the enjoyment of flying is watching the world pass by below.

+1. After that an aisle seat will do. What I absolutely HATE are the middle seats if you're stuck between two strangers for the whole flight. Not so much that I'd pay for priority boarding though (absolute waste of money for the average traveller imo).

Also add to that list being prepared to dash to a different gate at the last second... has happened me twice! You'd think people would respect the general order of the queue at the previous gate, but no :P

irish-stew wrote: »

How strict is that though? The odd time I have used Ryanair, or witnessed it in use, the queue becomes one once past the checking gate, or a race once off the bus (hence my previous comment).

They generally DO only let people with priority boarding on first. But only for a limited time. If you're late for the priority boarding call then you aswell be in the regular queue. I think it's a waste of money though personally.