Ryanair or aer Lingus!!

syklops · 11-09-2012 09:33AM

naughtysmurf wrote: »

Not always true, if Ryan Air have to cancel a flight, you will be put on the next available flight that has seats available & that may not necessarily be later that day or the next, they will tell you 'that's what travel insurance is for'

Compared to Aerlingus who do what when they cancel a flight?

Incidentally, how often do Ryanair cancel flights? Very rarely. I fly with Ryanair 12-15 times a year, have done for the past 7-8 years and I have never had a flight cancelled on me, so I am not on my holiday or trip thinking it might happen.

bamboozle · 11-09-2012 09:34AM

Aer Lingus every time.

last time i flew ryanair i swore never again, the queue in the departure lounge was like the queue to get in the door of the arnotts winter sales, everyone eyeballing each other to make sure no-one was skipping the queue, plus you had ryanair staff eyeing up everyones carryon to make sure if could fit into the correct dimensions. the we were left waiting 30 minutes in a stairwell in dublin airport before we were allowed walk over to the airplane. A horrible stressful way to begin a holiday.

Aer Lingus is just much more relaxed, your seat is assigned so no rush to queue up and race onto the plane, you're flying from T2 also which is a nicer terminal, the flight is much more relaxing as you dont have non-stop sales pitches over the microphone to buy scratch cards etc...plus lots more leg space.

Debs_Mann · 11-09-2012 09:36AM

Aer Lingus, by far and away, i have had more rough landings when flying with Ryanair, that i always feel safer flying aer lingus

naughtysmurf · 11-09-2012 09:52AM

syklops wrote: »

Compared to Aerlingus who do what when they cancel a flight?

Incidentally, how often do Ryanair cancel flights? Very rarely. I fly with Ryanair 12-15 times a year, have done for the past 7-8 years and I have never had a flight cancelled on me, so I am not on my holiday or trip thinking it might happen.

No issue but you said "knowing I will get home with them" I interpreted that as always on time, which isn't the case. All airlines will have to cancel flights from time to time for all kinds of reasons, it's just part & parcel of flying

There are posts on here where people have given there view on Ryan Air's performance after a delay or cancellation and they are not pretty but I think they are reasonably decent enough as an airline

If you were flying SNN to Malaga return in the height of the summer and for some reason your return leg was cancelled, you may be waiting a while for a flight home as they only fly two days a week and those planes are pretty full during the summer months... no different to many other airlines and yes it's rare enough also like most other airlines

seven_eleven · 11-09-2012 11:07AM

Aer Lingus all the way. You are treated nicely, get nicer service and seats, and its no hassle/rush while everyone tries to force their way onto a fluorescent yellow plastic seat aircraft.

The only down side to aer lingus is the fact that they could go on strike. But really, its not somethign that has ever worried me. You can usually tell if they are or not depending on how long before you book your flights.

Procrastastudy · 11-09-2012 11:15AM

seven_eleven wrote: »

Aer Lingus all the way. You are treated nicely, get nicer service and seats, and its no hassle/rush while everyone tries to force their way onto a fluorescent yellow plastic seat aircraft.

The only down side to aer lingus is the fact that they could go on strike. But really, its not somethign that has ever worried me. You can usually tell if they are or not depending on how long before you book your flights.

Honestly I'm not trying to sell Ryan air here - I'm quite willing to admit where the prices are lower I'll go for Aer Lingus. The seats on Ryanair for me are a big plus - the big minus is its like flying in a massive moving advert for rubbish they try and sell.

I do have one question though - What is the big attraction of service on Aer Lingus? To me the only advantage is a bit of peace and quiet (Easily obtained with a good set of headphones). Have I been missing out on something from one of the Trolley Grannies? (Not that Ryan air staff are anymore attractive ladettes don't really do it for me.)

Solair · 11-09-2012 11:19AM

I'd definitely opt for Aer Lingus over Ryanair where possible.

These days with all the queuing and security, flying's already annoying enough without adding even more queuing and stress!

Aer Lingus generally seem to just provide a nicer product.

Unless Ryanair's WAY cheaper or the only option, I would definitely go with Aer Lingus.

AngryLips · 11-09-2012 12:37PM

syklops wrote: »

I have to smile at all the people saying Aer Lingus is more stress free. The last 2 times I flew with them, The flight was delayed for 4 hours because of the snow(yet somehow the Ryanair flight went off on time)

Of course, this is also the same airline that you're more likely to experience an emergency landing on than with Aer Lingus http://www.rte.ie/news/2012/0816/ryanair-spain.html

Procrastastudy · 11-09-2012 01:04PM

AngryLips wrote: »

Of course, this is also the same airline that you're more likely to experience an emergency landing on than with Aer Lingus http://www.rte.ie/news/2012/0816/ryanair-spain.html

People forget that Ryanair (per number of flights e.g. lots of take off and landings where the likelihood of an accident is greatest) is a massive airline with an incredibly good safety record. IIRC one of the best in the world.

seven_eleven · 11-09-2012 01:40PM

Procrastastudy wrote: »

Honestly I'm not trying to sell Ryan air here - I'm quite willing to admit where the prices are lower I'll go for Aer Lingus. The seats on Ryanair for me are a big plus - the big minus is its like flying in a massive moving advert for rubbish they try and sell.

I do have one question though - What is the big attraction of service on Aer Lingus? To me the only advantage is a bit of peace and quiet (Easily obtained with a good set of headphones). Have I been missing out on something from one of the Trolley Grannies? (Not that Ryan air staff are anymore attractive ladettes don't really do it for me.)

I think its more that Aer Lingus are our classic national airline. I feel like Im treated with just that tad bit more respect and dignity than Ryanair. I always found the staff extremely helpfull from the Check-in agent to the Flight attendant, who both always try their hardest for me and provide a service with a smile.

Aside from that they dont offer all that much more in the way of service compared to Ryanair.
I agree with your above statement about the ryanair advertisements etc. They just feel really tacky and cheap. I dont like that. and I personally dont care about how the F/A's look as long as they provide a good service.

finally, its the advantage of flying into closer airports such as Heathrow, CDG, and Shcipol that makes me chose aer lingus. I often use them for connecting flights onwards where flying to Luton etc isnt an option. I will admit though, I probably wont chose Aer Lingus if they are more than €20 or so more expensive than Ryanair. I have flown with both airlines quite a bit.

AngryLips · 11-09-2012 08:47PM

Procrastastudy wrote: »

People forget that Ryanair (per number of flights e.g. lots of take off and landings where the likelihood of an accident is greatest) is a massive airline with an incredibly good safety record. IIRC one of the best in the world.

I don't see Lufthansa group experiencing these kind of emergency landings, and they're the same size as Ryanair or bigger.

jester77 · 11-09-2012 09:28PM

AngryLips wrote: »

I don't see Lufthansa group experiencing these kind of emergency landings, and they're the same size as Ryanair or bigger.

Lufthansa do have emergency landings, here is one from last month

Plus Lufthansa have been striking the last few weeks, and i see that Aer Lingus could be hit with strikes in the not too distant future. Less chance of that nonsense happening with Ryanair.

celtictigermrk2 · 11-09-2012 10:38PM

AngryLips wrote: »

Aer Lingus all the way. It's the stress-free option.

Couldn't agree any more with this. So much more relaxed with Aer Lingus... and you're not penned into your seats with the "seatbelt on" sign permanently lit so that Ryanair can flog you all manner of goods like sheep in a pen:D

Raladic · 12-09-2012 09:21PM

Aer lingus, they are generally nice and won't charge you a fortune if your bag is 1cm bigger than the line.

furmi · 12-09-2012 09:58PM

I normally go with Ryanair as they are normally cheaper but last month I flew Aer Lingus. It was only to Uk.

six of one, half dozen of another. Both the same IMO

12-09-2012 10:32PM

Ryanair -

-Queue is bedlam cattle in the slaughterhouse situation
-Seats with less room for feet, don't recline, nowhere to put your stuff
-Cabin temperature can vary to too hot to too cold
-Rough landings
-strict on bags
-annoying booking process
-on-board selling hassle & bugle horns
-annoying website booking process

Aer Lingus

-better seats, better room, pick your seat free, better cabin and checked-in policies,less hassle in queues, better service

unless there is 50 euro or more difference in flight cost or times I go Aer Lingus. For a 4 hour flight I would deifinitely go Aer Lingus

pconn062 · 13-09-2012 11:43AM

If I had to fly anywhere that took more than 1 hour I would always try with to fly with Aer Lingus. I have no problem with Ryanair's bag or booking card policies, my opinion is if you are going to fly with them and you don't follow their rules it's your own fault if you get stung. My biggest problem with them is the constant badgering from the cabin staff on the plane, constantly trying to flog an endless flow of rubbish. I know the staff are just doing their jobs but it does my head in and I can't imagine dealing with it for any longer than an hour. For me, flying is meant to be enjoyable and having to constantly listen to a constant barrage of sales pitches, gets very tiresome very quickly.

ixoy · 13-09-2012 04:51PM

Aer Lingus is more comfortable but there's one very good reason I've tried to avoid them when there isn't a big price difference:

SIPTU Serve Strike Notice on Aer Lingus

Every year this happens. I wouldn't have booked them except they were, on a search, the only ones going to Toulouse that weren't looking for insane prices.

bridestream · 13-09-2012 05:04PM

The strike notice referred to was also served on the DAA.
If the DAA goes out on strike Ryanair will NOT be flying in/out of Dublin either!!

Yamanoto · 13-09-2012 07:33PM

pconn062 wrote: »

My biggest problem with them is the constant badgering from the cabin staff on the plane, constantly trying to flog an endless flow of rubbish. I know the staff are just doing their jobs but it does my head in and I can't imagine dealing with it for any longer than an hour. For me, flying is meant to be enjoyable and having to constantly listen to a constant barrage of sales pitches, gets very tiresome very quickly.

They're on commission - that's why the tat is given such a hard sell. Ryanair cabin crews are typically on lowly wages and look to bump their take-home by whatever means necessary - including making passengers trips akin to a time-share sales pitch on the Costa del Sol.

Aer Lingus 'Sky Shopping' is the same story, if a lot less incessant.

Tiesto · 13-09-2012 07:38PM

definitely Aer Lingus.
Wayyy less stressful.

After my last flight with Ryanair Im simply done with them.
What is it with their staff been so god damn unfriendly
I dont care if your paid **** money. We all have to start somewhere!

bridestream · 15-09-2012 06:52PM

Anyone using Lingus recently notice any change in carry on bag size policy?

bridestream · 19-09-2012 08:18PM

Travelled Monday 17th Sept DUB to AGP and noticed no difference in carry on luggage regs from several months ago except PAX may have been more abiding!

JohnMearsheimer · 19-09-2012 10:45PM

Aer Lingus. I have flown Ryanair loads of times but a recent experience really put me off them. I flew out to London with Ryanair in April and back with Aer Lingus. On the way out a Ryanair member of staff went out of her way and did everything she could to try and squeeze extra money out of me when I was boarding. I was really pissed off about the whole thing for a few hours after. My return journey with Aer Lingus was a dream in comparison.

Tech3 · 20-09-2012 07:17AM

Not much between them both basic budget carriers. Ryanair are fine for short haul flights to the UK but beyond that I would choose Aer Lingus.

mikemac1 · 20-09-2012 07:33AM

Never had a delay with Ryanair

Last three times I've been with Aer Lingus there have been delays over technical problems.
The captain explains it, ok these things happen. They fix it and we move on

For a short flight to the UK I go with cheapest

For a longer flight I'd choose Aer Lingus, just find it less stressful

tfrancer · 20-09-2012 08:00AM

JohnMearsheimer wrote: »

Aer Lingus. I have flown Ryanair loads of times but a recent experience really put me off them. I flew out to London with Ryanair in April and back with Aer Lingus. On the way out a Ryanair member of staff went out of her way and did everything she could to try and squeeze extra money out of me when I was boarding. I was really pissed off about the whole thing for a few hours after. My return journey with Aer Lingus was a dream in comparison.

What was the staff member trying to sell you while you were boarding? I will be using Ryanair next month for the first time in a couple of years for a flight to Birmingham. The Ryanair fare was half what Aer Limgus were charging. Generally I have found dealing with Aer Lingus a much better experience.

ger664 · 20-09-2012 08:18AM

bridestream wrote: »

Anyone using Lingus recently notice any change in carry on bag size policy?

This only applies to Regional flights operated by Aer Arran. I hope it doesn't catch on.

For me its Ryan Air. I have flown with them a lot. If you go by the rules you wont get hit with the fees. Agree the queue to get on the plane can be a nightmare but whats the rush its not leaving without you and not been seated with your children for a 2-4 hour flight can have its advantages.

The one time I have flown with Aer Lingus recently was for a partner connection in Heathrow. Sitting on the tarmac in the plane for 2 hours on the way out and a 3 hour delay in Heathrow on the way back.

JohnMearsheimer · 20-09-2012 04:28PM

tfrancer wrote: »

What was the staff member trying to sell you while you were boarding? I will be using Ryanair next month for the first time in a couple of years for a flight to Birmingham. The Ryanair fare was half what Aer Limgus were charging. Generally I have found dealing with Aer Lingus a much better experience.

No, that I could put up with. I had a shoulder bag and a piece of hand luggage with me for my flight. When I was boarding I was asked to put my luggage in the cage to see if it would fit, it did. Then I was asked to put my luggage on a scales. It came in at 6 kgs. She then turned her attention to my shoulder bag and told me I could only take 1 piece of hand luggage on board and I'd have to put my luggage in the hold at a charge of €50. I didn't have much in my hand luggage so I just threw my shoulder bag into it.

When I did this the woman from Ryanair asked me to put it the cage again to see if it would fit. I didn't see the point as my hand luggage was a hard shell case, it isn't very expandable. Anyway, the case still comfortably fitted into the luggage cage just as easily as it did a minute earlier.

She then asked me to weigh the bag again, it came in at 10.7 kgs, 700 grams over the 10 kg limit. She told me I would have to check it in for €50 because it was now over the weight limit. I put some things in my coat pocket and the weight came down to 10.1 kgs. I couldn't believe it when she still insisted that I check the bag in for being overweight. When all this was going on she was pressurizing me to check my bag saying the plane was going to be late. I had another go at getting the weight down and took out a writing pad and envelope full of documents I needed. The bag came in at 9.9 kgs. She then objected to me carrying my writing pad and my envelope in my hands. I made a point about not seeing Ryanair staff confiscate newspapers from other passengers boarding the plane and she let it and me go.

If I was way over the weight limit I'd say fair enough but that woman was completely inflexible and it felt like she was doing all she could to get an extra 50 quid out of me. I asked her what was the point of making me shift a few things from my hand luggage to my coat pockets and making me carry a writing pad and envelope because I was still boarding the plane with 10.7 kgs of stuff. She completely dismissed me and told me to get on the plane because I'd make everyone late. There were still a nice few people in the queue to board when she said that to me. When I got around the corner from the gate I just quickly threw all my stuff back in my luggage. I have flown lots of times with Ryanair but I've never experienced this level of pettiness from them.

I flew back from London with Aer Lingus. It was an extremely busy flight with it being a bank holiday weekend. When I went to check in, Aer Lingus told me I could check my bag in free of charge if I wanted due to the expected pressure on the overhead bins with the flight being so full. I know Aer Lingus only did this to suit themselves but at least there was some forward thinking being shown, I wasn't charged and I wasn't inconvenienced. My bag was already spinning around on the carousel waiting for me when I reached it. The difference in treatment I received from both companies really make my mind up about who I will be flying with in the future.

tfrancer · 20-09-2012 05:17PM

Thanks for that really detailed description of your Ryanair experience!

Ryanair or aer Lingus!!

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