If you only had a choice of flying Ryan Air or Aer Lingus, which would you choose?

ShineOn7

I was always an Aer Lingus over RA kinda traveler if there wasn't too much difference in the price, but I've just seen this on Reddit Ireland

Thought I would tell people to be careful booking at the moment with Aer Lingus.

I had to travel to Berlin on essential business three weeks ago. I booked the flight over with Ryanair and the return flight with Aer Lingus. The booking was made in late May. The day before my Aer Lingus return flight last week, I tried to check in online and got an error message. I rang the Aer Lingus phone centre and was told they had cancelled the flight... without informing me. So I was stuck in Berlin the best part of a week until I could get a Ryanair back to Dublin.

But wait, there's more.... At Dublin airport I politely broached the topic with an Aer Lingus staff member. She said: 'It's impossible that you could have had a flight with us from Berlin because we haven't been doing any flights to or from the Schengen area for the past couple of months.'

In other words: It seems Aer Lingus is deliberately advertising flights that it knows it isn't running. After you book, you may not get any notification the flight is cancelled, and you won't be offered a refund, just tokens to spend on other Aer Lingus flights. I'm generally not a conspiracy theorist but I have to wonder about this practice.


Anyway, just wanted to let people know.

More complaints about AL in the thread

https://www.reddit.com/r/ireland/comments/hbxc08/aer_lingus_shady_practice_alert/


What's your preferred airline of the two and why?

michellie

Hit and miss with both, use both each year. Last year we had 2 summer holidays, the staff on the Ryanair flight were complete dogs. The aerlingus flight was grand.

Was flying to Chicago in Nov 2018 to surprise family on thanksgiving. Aerlingus cancelled the flight after a 5 hour wait in the airport, rescheduled us to the following morning, ruining our thanksgiving plans and surprise. We were compensated under the EU thing and got a nice amount back.

Another time we were flying home from salou and were left sitting/standing on a freezing cold stair way in the airport for an hour and a half by aerlingus staff. With the door locked at the top of the stairs and no staff explaining anything. That was a disgrace.

I have yet to receive a refund for our flights from either aerlingus or Ryanair for our holiday departing Wednesday that they cancelled weeks ago.

theguzman

The difference is Chalk and Cheese, the Aer Lingus passenger experience is far superior and you don't have to queue like cattle at the gate for 45 mins etc. Ryanair on certain routes is frankly embarrassing, stag and hen parties, scum on holidays to Marbella, Benidorm etc. You could get seated to some absolute looper for a few hours. Aer Lingus will probably be some retired elderly couple or business people etc. Aer Lingus flight prices are often as good if not better than Ryanair.

I am fully in favour of dry flights and if the alcoholics can't handle a few hours in the air without drinking and causing commotion they should stay at home.

I fly on Ryanair a good bit but I know what I'm getting myself into. Aer Lingus is a far more civilised experience.

spurious

If the prices were similar, Aer Lingus.
If for some reason I need to be somewhere at an ungodly hour of the morning, Ryanair.

finbarrk

Aer Lingus, if possible, all the time.

theteal

theguzman wrote: »

The difference is Chalk and Cheese, the Aer Lingus passenger experience is far superior and you don't have to queue like cattle at the gate for 45 mins etc.

Why would you do this? It's been allocated seating for a long time now (not that I ever did if beforehand tbh)

I cant remember the last time I was in an Aer Lingus flight so cant really compared. I live between 2 RA airports so have been on 100+ of those. Meh, I expect a flying bus service and that's what I get, when the flight is less than an hour I couldn't give a fiddlers

JustAThought

Ryanair every time.

I used travel a lit for work and Aer Lingus was so unreliable that they became a nightmare - constantly merging flights (about 80% of my flights) so you either missed meetings or were late for conferences having arrived early for your booked flight had to wait around for hours for the next flight - I’d NEVER trust them for work again.

I flew Aer Lingus to Boston several times and once to San Fran - again - jaded rude loutish staff who would not have been out of place in a borstal or gestapo camp.

At this point I’d almost choose any other carrier other than Aer Lingus, and certainly would always give Ryanair precedence.

A friend of mine living in USA can’t even get a voucher (yet) for a flight which was cancelled due to Covid. I don’t know if this is how they are treating all their overseas customers.

cgcsb

Aer Lingus if the price is similar. If they are looking for Double the amount Ryanair are then I'd have to go with ryanair. Use the change to get the extra leg room and priority boarding and of course bring the noise cancelling headphones so you don't have to listen to their sales pitches.

Aer lingus haven't been accepting bookings for a long time now. Anyone that had a fight with them really should have checked but of course if your tight is cancelled they should tell you.

Ryanair do that too by the way. It's happened to me before.

Aer lingus for me when there's a choice. Less ****ing around, nicer staff and more relaxed flight. Ryanair is just plain and simple not a comfortable journey. Then there's the ridiculous and blatant lies about their reliability. Adding 20% in to their flight times to increase their on time stats, playing a stupid song along with the lie and the morons that clap. Do you clap the bus driver when he stops????

nsa0bupkd3948x

I much prefer Ryanair. I've found them more reliable and better in irrops. Their app and IT system is far better too.

Ive flown both airlines countless times and would book with either but if the times and prices are the same Ryanair wins hands down for me.

Burnt far too many times with Aer Lingus.

Seamai

Aer Lingus flights tend to be a bit more civilised though the gap is narrowing, not because Ryanair is getting better but because Aer Lingus is deteriorating. Flew transatlantic with AL last year and it was pretty poor. Flew with Ryanair to Malta in February, at least it looked like Ryanair but it was actually Malta Air which is part owned by them. All the cabin crew were Italian and clueless, a complete farce, it was like being in one of those Airplane films from the 70's.

Get Real

If it's anywhere in Europe, couldn't give a fiddler's between the two. Whatever one is cheapest. I think they are the exact same personally.

It's basically a seat, buy food if you want, watch Netflix and arrive at destination.

Any other parts I think are perception. You could have a cranky staff member with either company, something could go wrong with either. But mostly, everything goes smoothly for me and I notice little difference.

I think alot of the AL V RYN debate are remnants from about 15 years ago when there were differences and people have stayed in those camps.

They're both like a train seat and get you from A to B.

Seamai

Niner leprauchan wrote: »

Aer lingus haven't been accepting bookings for a long time now. Anyone that had a fight with them really should have checked but of course if your tight is cancelled they should tell you.

Ryanair do that too by the way. It's happened to me before.

Aer lingus for me when there's a choice. Less ****ing around, nicer staff and more relaxed flight. Ryanair is just plain and simple not a comfortable journey. Then there's the ridiculous and blatant lies about their reliability. Adding 20% in to their flight times to increase their on time stats, playing a stupid song along with the lie and the morons that clap. Do you clap the bus driver when he stops????

In the last 5 years I've flown a lot more with Ryanair and I don't think they have ever been on time, not even once, yet they love announcing how they've made up for lost time.
At 6'3" that extra little bit of legroom on AL is a big plus for me.

Lily_Aldrin7

michellie wrote: »

Hit and miss with both, use both each year. Last year we had 2 summer holidays, the staff on the Ryanair flight were complete dogs. The aerlingus flight was grand.

Was flying to Chicago in Nov 2018 to surprise family on thanksgiving. Aerlingus cancelled the flight after a 5 hour wait in the airport, rescheduled us to the following morning, ruining our thanksgiving plans and surprise. We were compensated under the EU thing and got a nice amount back.

Another time we were flying home from salou and were left sitting/standing on a freezing cold stair way in the airport for an hour and a half by aerlingus staff. With the door locked at the top of the stairs and no staff explaining anything. That was a disgrace.

I have yet to receive a refund for our flights from either aerlingus or Ryanair for our holiday departing Wednesday that they cancelled weeks ago.

My flight was cancelled (I was meant to fly in the end of May) and I requested a voucher as there was no refund option and I still haven’t received a voucher from Aer Lingus and I wonder if that’s still normal

Valhallapt

Seamai wrote: »

In the last 5 years I've flown a lot more with Ryanair and I don't think they have ever been on time, not even once, yet they love announcing how they've made up for lost time.
At 6'3" that extra little bit of legroom on AL is a big plus for me.

As someone who travels for work a lot, I almost always choose Ryanair, their OTP is superior! There is one route I do frequently that has a EI and FR only 20 mins apart, but the FR is an hour quicker door to door. I generally only get to the airport 45 mins before departure, but aer Lingus board so early you need extra time.

Del2005

theguzman wrote: »

The difference is Chalk and Cheese, the Aer Lingus passenger experience is far superior and you don't have to queue like cattle at the gate for 45 mins etc. Ryanair on certain routes is frankly embarrassing, stag and hen parties, scum on holidays to Marbella, Benidorm etc. You could get seated to some absolute looper for a few hours. Aer Lingus will probably be some retired elderly couple or business people etc. Aer Lingus flight prices are often as good if not better than Ryanair.

We were supposed to be flying a few years ago on Aerlingus and it was a big storm day. After several delays and about 12 hours in the airport we were called to a gate. Stood for about 30 minutes and then they announced that we had to go to a different gate. At the new gate they told us that the flight was cancelled and we had to leave.

There were a large amount of non residents asking about hotels or next flight. The words from several Aerlingus staff member were "You are no longer authorised to be airside you have to leave" which was the answer to any question.

So we all have to go through passport control and then a massive queue formed at the Aerlingus service desk. The service desk then closed about 5 minutes after we got to it with most of the flight still in the queue. People eventually just started leaving except the people who were flying home and our group. I spotted a person in an Aerlingus uniform and asked about our flight, they sent us to the 1st class check in area and we got rebooked for the next day.

I've flown Ryanair regularly and even after getting stung for €40 at the gate for too big a bag, I now have a correct sized bag, they are a pleasure to fly with, noise cancelling ear phones used on all flight so I don't hear the PA. I've never had any delays with Ryanair so can't comment on that.

PhilOssophy

7/10 OP, not even past page 2 and you haven't created the Ryanair vs Aer Lingus tit-for-tat that has been done to death on here!

Gael23

If the price difference wasn’t that much then Aer Lingus

Comhrá

If the price difference is < €25 or thereabouts, I'd pick Aer Lingus.

ted1

Makes no difference RA only fly short haul from Dublin , it’s a seat , stick in headphones and watch the tablet.

RA do have more planes and flights than Aer Lingus. So if a plane breaks or crew go sick etc you have a better chance of getting home in a replacement flight.

Dint understand the previous comment about q’ing for 45 minutes. It’s designated seating.

But really it depends on flight times. I hate early morning flights . 10 am is perfect. Late flights are pointless as you are paying to stay in a hotel you don’t need as you could have got a morning /day flight and spent time in the destination

Early flights home are pointless again as you are paying an extra nights accommodation without any benefits

ninebeanrows

ted1 wrote: »

Makes no difference RA only fly short haul from Dublin , it’s a seat , stick in headphones and watch the tablet.

RA do have more planes and flights than Aer Lingus. So if a plane breaks or crew go sick etc you have a better chance of getting home in a replacement flight.

Dint understand the previous comment about q’ing for 45 minutes. It’s designated seating.

But really it depends on flight times. I hate early morning flights . 10 am is perfect. Late flights are pointless as you are paying to stay in a hotel you don’t need as you could have got a morning /day flight and spent time in the destination

Early flights home are pointless again as you are paying an extra nights accommodation without any benefits

There are pros and cons for both

Cant stand the slowness of the air bridge boarding of Aerlingus planes, it's also very slow to vacate plane if in back rows where as Ryanair usually fill and empty plane using two doors.

Overall experience is that Aerlingus has had more delays than Ryanair

Generally onboard Aerlingus is more pleasant with better staff, more civility, leg room and better lighting. Also aerlingus flights are more likely to be only 70 or 80% full so you'll often have a middle seat free allowing more room

So for me if it's all about time I'd go for Ryanair

Aerlingus wins for onboard comfort

finbarrk

At least you can sleep on the Aer Lingus flights, by reclining the seat a bit. I find it difficult to sleep on the straight up Ryanair seats.

Patrick2010

finbarrk wrote: »

At least you can sleep on the Aer Lingus flights, by reclining the seat a bit. I find it difficult to sleep on the straight up Ryanair seats.

One of the benefits of flying Ryanair is that their seats don't recline. As someone over 6 foot its a literal pain when the seat in front is reclined. Who needs to sleep on a flight in Europe anyway?
Also the poster who says they have to queue for 45 minutes at the gate before boarding, why??. I never get this, you have a ticket, your seat is assigned, whats the point?. Once the queue goes down I'll wander over and walk on , no queuing.

FVP3

theguzman wrote: »

The difference is Chalk and Cheese, the Aer Lingus passenger experience is far superior and you don't have to queue like cattle at the gate for 45 mins etc. Ryanair on certain routes is frankly embarrassing, stag and hen parties, scum on holidays to Marbella, Benidorm etc. You could get seated to some absolute looper for a few hours. Aer Lingus will probably be some retired elderly couple or business people etc. Aer Lingus flight prices are often as good if not better than Ryanair.

I am fully in favour of dry flights and if the alcoholics can't handle a few hours in the air without drinking and causing commotion they should stay at home.

I fly on Ryanair a good bit but I know what I'm getting myself into. Aer Lingus is a far more civilised experience.

Honestly this is fairly cliched stuff. Both are low cost and the difference between them is minimal. When I was flying to Bristol for work every month a few years ago the Ryanair service as full of "business men". There and back, Ot was easy jet that was full of tourists.

michellie

Patrick2010 wrote: »

One of the benefits of flying Ryanair is that their seats don't recline. As someone over 6 foot its a literal pain when the seat in front is reclined. Who needs to sleep on a flight in Europe anyway?
Also the poster who says they have to queue for 45 minutes at the gate before boarding, why??. I never get this, you have a ticket, your seat is assigned, whats the point?. Once the queue goes down I'll wander over and walk on , no queuing.

I'm 5foot 2 and I find it annoying when people recline seats back. It goes back one inch, why do people need to do it? There's little enough space as it is!!

ted1

finbarrk wrote: »

At least you can sleep on the Aer Lingus flights, by reclining the seat a bit. I find it difficult to sleep on the straight up Ryanair seats.

there's a certain place in hell for people that recline on shorthauls.

ShineOn7

Valhallapt wrote: »

As someone who travels for work a lot, I almost always choose Ryanair, their OTP is superior! There is one route I do frequently that has a EI and FR only 20 mins apart, but the FR is an hour quicker door to door. I generally only get to the airport 45 mins before departure, but aer Lingus board so early you need extra time.

To save me and others from 3 Googles, can you explain the acronyms?

Valhallapt

ShineOn7 wrote: »

To save me and others from 3 Googles, can you explain the acronyms?

OTP on time performance
EI is aer Lingus
FR is Ryanair

Spanish Eyes

Ryanair FTW. Observe the rules and it's all good.

AL on the other hand NEVER seem to take off on time, although the stats will state otherwise.

Not much difference between the two apart from black leather seating and garish blue and yellow. They are air buses.

spurious

Ryanair don't take off on time either, but they allow mad times for their flight duration, so they can leave 30 minutes late and still arrive early.

k123456

I have flown RY 100 times, delayed once 3 hours and EU 261 compensation (I will say it was a little difficult to get compensation )



AL maybe 20 times max

Several years , I got married in France in May , not exactly low season
AL : Flight was cancelled , I think six weeks beforehand for "operational reasons "
Lots of guests some elderly , had to book new flights to another airport with another carrier

The vast majority of the time , I fly RY , and am very happy with them ;
I dont eat their onboard food, I use their farefinder to find low fares, I never bring cabin bags , bigger than their recommended dimensions

junebabies

Ryanair as they are generally on time and they don't loose my luggage. Their cabin crew are more helpful and friendly than Aer lingus imo

louis346789

Have flown 80 flights with Ryanair in 2018 and 115 in 2019. Max of 10 cancelled or badly delayed.

ShineOn7

junebabies wrote: »

Ryanair as they are generally on time and they don't loose my luggage. Their cabin crew are more helpful and friendly than Aer lingus imo

What put me off RA years ago was their "I couldn't give a singular fúck about you" attitude from staff

Has this changed? I haven't used them in a good while

Mr rebel

If both are being offered at the same price, then I would go for Aer Lingus I guess as they have airport priority over Ryanair. For instance, if I am travelling to Berlin then I would rather fly into the Aer Lingus serviced Tegel airport which is much more centrally located compared to the Ryanair serviced Schoneberg which is in the outskirts of the city.
Despite both being budget airlines, Aer Lingus still get the pick of the better terminals at an airport. As an example, Lisbon and Bordeaux have designated cattle sheds for Ryanair while Aer Lingus qualify for their “proper” terminals.
You also don’t have to pay extra for cabin baggage with Aer Lingus although I haven’t flown with them in some time so maybe that has changed.

The one real pro that Ryanair has over Aer Lingus for me are their non-reclinable seats. I am that person on Aer Lingus who ALWAYS gets stuck behind a recliner.