Ryanair - New reserved seating structure(s)

lucian_lcr · 09-04-2014 11:38pm

I'm trying to understand if "Ryanair would split groups on purpose", just to convince us to pay for an allocated seat on our next flight. Is there anybody here that:

- travelled (with Ryanair in the last month) in a small (2-6 persons) group, all on the same reservation
- didn't pay for allocated seats and
- got separate seats?

Is so, how long before departure did you check-in?

I'm asking this because I suspect they try to put people (travelling on the same reservation) together, if possible (if they don't check-in in the last minute).

Fred Swanson · 09-04-2014 11:44pm

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mambo · 10-04-2014 9:18am

mambo wrote: »

I wish Ryanair wouldn't say "randomly allocated seat". They are NOT randomly allocated, rather they are allocated in a logical sequence.

random (adj.): made, done, or happening without method or conscious decision.

In fact a complaint could probably be made to the Aviation Regulator or National Consumer Agency that this is misleading advertising, and the wording presumably deliberately chosen by Ryanair to try to scare people into paying extra to choose their seats?

Anyone know to which it would be best to report Ryanair?

Or maybe highlight this to Aer Lingus and let them make the complaint :-)
(Ryanair recently made a successful complaint against Aer Lingus I seem to recall)

spurious · 10-04-2014 9:38am

The new system doesn't like Firefox too much (it was not letting me check in for only one leg), but seems to work OK with Internet Explorer.

lc180 · 10-04-2014 9:44am

mambo wrote: »

In fact a complaint could probably be made to the Aviation Regulator or National Consumer Agency that this is misleading advertising, and the wording presumably deliberately chosen by Ryanair to try to scare people into paying extra to choose their seats?

Anyone know to which it would be best to report Ryanair?

Or maybe highlight this to Aer Lingus and let them make the complaint :-)
(Ryanair recently made a successful complaint against Aer Lingus I seem to recall)

Ah here! Seriously? You want to report them to the consumer agency? And I thoughti was having a bad morning.....

Fred Swanson · 15-04-2014 10:28am

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Gatica · 15-04-2014 11:47am

Fred Swanson wrote: »

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There's no cure for stupidity....

mambo wrote: »

In fact a complaint could probably be made to the Aviation Regulator or National Consumer Agency that this is misleading advertising, and the wording presumably deliberately chosen by Ryanair to try to scare people into paying extra to choose their seats?

I don't think one can make a case for "I'd like it to be more random"... Most random number generators are not that random either, there's a predictable pattern, the repeat rate is just really high but is one of the main vulnerabilities in security.
Unless you were joking, I suppose....

mambo · 15-04-2014 12:04pm

Gatica wrote: »

I don't think one can make a case for "I'd like it to be more random"... Most random number generators are not that random either, there's a predictable pattern, the repeat rate is just really high but is one of the main vulnerabilities in security.
Unless you were joking, I suppose....

I wouldn't like it to be more random. Just for Ryanair not to use the word "random" when it's NOT random, but sequential. Saying automatic seat assignment is "random" will presumably lead more people to pay to choose their seats out of fear that they won't be sitting with their travelling companions if they don't cough up extra €€€, and perhaps is a deliberate ploy by Ryanair, who, let's face it, use every trick in the book to try to squeeze extra revenue from each and every passenger.

Gatica · 15-04-2014 12:16pm

Although I don't like Ryanair, I don't see any issue with that model myself.

lucian_lcr · 15-04-2014 4:40pm

Fred Swanson wrote: »

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Even with average persons (that know they have an allocated seat and know which one it is), the allocated seat boarding method is very slow. Why? Because every person that tries to take his seat, blocks the aisle for at least a few seconds to even a minute. Now, if the persons waiting in queue don't have an allocated seat, they might take the seat that is right next to them, so they will NOT block the queue once again. But with the allocated seating, everybody will block the queue when they arrive to their precise seat, so for a much longer time (in total) than with random seating.

So, unless Ryanair will find a solution to fasten the boarding process, they will continue to face delays on their flights. And I suspect they will not renounce on the "the on-time airline" slogan so easy!

Gatica · 15-04-2014 4:49pm

They'll just make their flight times longer so they'll still arrive "on time"...

spurious · 15-04-2014 5:00pm

lucian_lcr wrote: »

So, unless Ryanair will find a solution to fasten the boarding process, they will continue to face delays on their flights. And I suspect they will not renounce on the "the on-time airline" slogan so easy!

Do away with the overhead baggage things and make them put the bag under the seat in front. If it's the right size it will fit. If it doesn't fit, 100 euro please.
They'd be sitting down quick enough then.

lucian_lcr · 15-04-2014 5:06pm

How about making you pay a fee if you don't take your seat in less than 10 seconds?

languagenerd · 15-04-2014 5:23pm

spurious wrote: »

Do away with the overhead baggage things and make them put the bag under the seat in front. If it's the right size it will fit. If it doesn't fit, 100 euro please.
They'd be sitting down quick enough then.

Are their cabin bag measurements in relation to the seat? I thought the measurements were for the overhead bins, which are taller...

Fred Swanson · 15-04-2014 5:27pm

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spurious · 16-04-2014 9:16am

languagenerd wrote: »

Are their cabin bag measurements in relation to the seat? I thought the measurements were for the overhead bins, which are taller...

They are supposed to fit in either location. The problem is most of what goes on as cabin baggage is outside the correct size so will only fit in the overhead bins.

mattser · 16-04-2014 10:01am

Had two flights last week. No problem with Ryanair, only some of the uber thick passengers trying to avoid/dodge/make life miserable for others.

The "entitled" attitude that came with the tiger has unfortunately stayed with us after he left.

Gatica · 16-04-2014 10:25am

spurious wrote: »

They are supposed to fit in either location. The problem is most of what goes on as cabin baggage is outside the correct size so will only fit in the overhead bins.

I don't think so. The max dimensions of 50x40x20cm don't fit under the seat and they usually make an announcement requesting passengers to put bags that fit under the seat in front under that seat, so that passengers with bigger bags (presumably still within limits) are still able to get their bags into the overhead bins.

joedavey1996 · 11-05-2014 12:42pm

Hi

Can any one help me

I am due to fly from STN - ACE on the 3/7/14 6:20am and return on the 10/7/14 .

Would you be able to tell me the earliest time that I can check in online and get free seats. We are a party of 4 don't mind being split 2 and 2 but would prefer to sit together , so any tips on when the best time to check in would be great. We do not want to pay any extra fees.

Thanks for any help

timmy4u2 · 11-05-2014 12:56pm

You are restricted in your check in window to seven days to two hours.
If you have booked allocated seats you have thirty days.

If you dont mind where you sit or if you are split up etc its a matter of choice when you check in if between the stated times.

From the 8th April 2014 onwards online check-in will open 30 days before each scheduled flight departure time for customers who purchase an allocated seat. Customers who do not wish to select and purchase an allocated seat, can check-in online between 7 days and 2 hours before each booked flight and will be randomly allocated a seat free of charge. Once a passenger has checked in online they can reprint or download their boarding pass up to two (2) hours before each scheduled flight departure time. Each Boarding Pass must be printed and presented on an individual A4 page. Customers who fail to check-in online within the above deadlines will be charged an Airport Check-In fee at the rate set out in our Consolidated Table of Fees. Customers who do not present a boarding pass at the airport will be charged a Boarding Pass Re-Issue fee at rate set out in our Consolidated Table of Fees

joedavey1996 · 11-05-2014 1:09pm

timmy4u2 wrote: »

You are restricted in your check in window to seven days to two hours.
If you have booked allocated seats you have thirty days.

If you dont mind where you sit or if you are split up etc its a matter of choice when you check in if between the stated times.

Thanks for your reply.

So do you reckon If i checked in exactly 7 days before we may get seats together ?

timmy4u2 · 11-05-2014 1:48pm

joedavey1996 wrote: »

Thanks for your reply.

So do you reckon If i checked in exactly 7 days before we may get seats together ?

Its a lottery really but on the last two occasions that I booked on the very start of the seven days we got adjacent seats. Three travelling on the first occasion and four on the second occasion. You will know once you have checked in.

km79 · 11-05-2014 1:51pm

timmy4u2 wrote: »

Its a lottery really but on the last two occasions that I booked on the very start of the seven days we got adjacent seats. Three travelling on the first occasion and four on the second occasion. You will know once you have checked in.

Is it 7 days to the exact time?
Say if flight is 820pm it will open 820pm week before ?

timmy4u2 · 11-05-2014 1:59pm

km79 wrote: »

Is it 7 days to the exact time?
Say if flight is 820pm it will open 820pm week before ?

I often meant to specifically check that out but I forget it each time. I can say that on one occasion at just past midnight I checked in for a flight in which the seven days would not have commenced until 18.30 that evening and I did not have a problem.
I do know that the two hours is precise as a friend of mine got caught when a gremlin popped up on the Ryanair site.
Luckily Ryan Air accepted that there had been a problen and issued a boarding card but it cost her on phone calls.

joedavey1996 · 11-05-2014 2:51pm

Thank you for replies, do you see your seats before you have confirmed to check in

timmy4u2 · 11-05-2014 3:13pm

joedavey1996 wrote: »

Thank you for replies, do you see your seats before you have confirmed to check in

If you are on free seats you see them when you have checked in, otherwise people would be chopping and changing. They usually fill the seats from the centre, forward and back, and load front and rear towards centre,or at least that what they did any time I travelled

Fred Swanson · 11-05-2014 7:02pm

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lucian_lcr · 12-05-2014 10:55am

joedavey1996, you can check in for the outgoing flight starting from 26/6/14 00:00 (midnight) and for the return on the 3/7/14 (midnight). I managed to do the check in right after the midnight, even if Ryanair does not officially say this. It is a bit uncomfortable to do the check in for the return flight on the day of your departure, but many of us manage to do it.

timmy4u2 wrote: »

Its a lottery really...

Actually this is what Ryanair wants us to believe! In fact, the free seats are not randomly allocated as they state, but following a precise order:
- rows: 18, 15, 19, 14, 20, 13... (from the middle to back door and middle to front door)
- on each row, the order of the seats allocation is A-F
At least this is what I saw after analysing many, many FR flights.

joedavey1996 · 12-05-2014 11:02am

Thanks very much for the help !

timmy4u2 · 12-05-2014 12:43pm

lucian_lcr wrote: »

joedavey1996, you can check in for the outgoing flight starting from 26/6/14 00:00 (midnight) and for the return on the 3/7/14 (midnight). I managed to do the check in right after the midnight, even if Ryanair does not officially say this. It is a bit uncomfortable to do the check in for the return flight on the day of your departure, but many of us manage to do it.

Actually this is what Ryanair wants us to believe! In fact, the free seats are not randomly allocated as they state, but following a precise order:
- rows: 18, 15, 19, 14, 20, 13... (from the middle to back door and middle to front door)
- on each row, the order of the seats allocation is A-F
At least this is what I saw after analysing many, many FR flights.

That is what I said in my previous post. but it is a lottery as to where you will sit as you do not know until you have checked in.
Also if there are four of you together and two seats are available in their forward allocation and two on their rearward allocation your group will be split.
When I travel alone I leave the check in until late:cool:

pajor · 12-05-2014 1:51pm

lucian_lcr wrote: »

joedavey1996, you can check in for the outgoing flight starting from 26/6/14 00:00 (midnight) and for the return on the 3/7/14 (midnight). I managed to do the check in right after the midnight, even if Ryanair does not officially say this. It is a bit uncomfortable to do the check in for the return flight on the day of your departure, but many of us manage to do it.

Actually this is what Ryanair wants us to believe! In fact, the free seats are not randomly allocated as they state, but following a precise order:
- rows: 18, 15, 19, 14, 20, 13... (from the middle to back door and middle to front door)
- on each row, the order of the seats allocation is A-F
At least this is what I saw after analysing many, many FR flights.

Two weeks ago I was randomly assigned 11B, one of the most uncomfortable plane journeys of my life.

mattser · 12-05-2014 6:09pm

pajor wrote: »

Two weeks ago I was randomly assigned 11B, one of the most uncomfortable plane journeys of my life.

Why ?

Fred Swanson · 12-05-2014 8:02pm

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timmy4u2 · 12-05-2014 8:35pm

Fred Swanson wrote: »

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There are some wonderful people travelling who would rather be on the outside.
Wonderful if they have a window seat. In that situation I will always be willing to accommodate them.
Now if they have a middle seat, that another story altogether:D

pajor · 13-05-2014 8:29am

mattser wrote: »

Why ?

Because when you're 5'8 and there's two guys bigger than you on either side, it becomes quite uncomfortable and claustrophobic. I always take an aisle seat with AL. Will just give the feckers the €5 next time.

At least it was only from Eindhoven.

mattser · 13-05-2014 9:31am

pajor wrote: »

Because when you're 5'8 and there's two guys bigger than you on either side, it becomes quite uncomfortable and claustrophobic. I always take an aisle seat with AL. Will just give the feckers the €5 next time.

At least it was only from Eindhoven.

I understand. Was just wondering how long the flight was. I'm 6'0'' and will also pay to have an aisle seat. Far more freedom. Did return to Spain recently and surely would have died in middle/window.

Gatica · 13-05-2014 9:35am

I thought after Ryanair assigns you a seat you still have a choice to pay for a different one?

Fred Swanson · 13-05-2014 10:46am

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Gatica · 13-05-2014 11:04am

That's crap.

Fred Swanson · 13-05-2014 11:13am

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pajor · 13-05-2014 12:26pm

Fred Swanson wrote: »

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And even though there's an English language helpline in the Netherlands, I just wasn't bothered.

Lesson learned.

timmy4u2 · 13-05-2014 12:29pm

Gatica wrote: »

That's crap.

If that was not so there would be no need to book a seat until you saw what you are getting.
In the end of the day you are gambling on just a few Euro.
If seat location is a priority there is a cheap solution when booking

helimachoptor · 13-05-2014 12:32pm

Flew to Lanzarote last week, as usual everyone q'd up and myself and the wife got on to find a couple in our seats. I politely asked them to move as they were in our seats the lady said "dont be stupid its ryanair you just sit where you want" i pointed out on her boarding pass there were allocated seats.. she said " not my problem this is where im sitting" at that point i advised her again she & her husband were in our seats and my wife was 6 months pregnant and not a good flyer, the male then got uncomfortable and was trying to move but the wife told him firmly " sit your ass down we are not going anywhere" :eek:

Pressed the call bell, attendant moved them and the icing on the cake was as we were disembarking they had to wait until the plane emptied to get their hand luggage.

Similar occurrence without the grief on the way back, it would help if ryanair announced it was assigned seating tbh

Fred Swanson · 13-05-2014 12:52pm

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stargazer 68 · 13-05-2014 12:55pm

Fred Swanson wrote: »

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Yep - they announce it when they say the flight is boarding - please check your assigned seat on your boarding pass and they also announce it several times on the plane.

pajor · 13-05-2014 1:21pm

Dovies wrote: »

Yep - they announce it when they say the flight is boarding - please check your assigned seat on your boarding pass and they also announce it several times on the plane.

Some people are just as thick as two planks. :pac:

A Dub in Glasgo · 13-05-2014 5:54pm

helimachoptor wrote: »

it would help if ryanair announced it was assigned seating tbh

They do and they also make it plain on the boarding pass and during the process of check in

There are some real fecking idiots in the world, you met 2 of them

lucian_lcr · 14-05-2014 11:27am

It may be that the 2 were so used to travelling with Ryanair, that they didn't even listen the announces. So, they didn't even imagined that the rules may have changed. At least you had a flight attendant to convince them, imagine this would happen in a train!

km79 · 14-05-2014 12:13pm

lucian_lcr wrote: »

It may be that the 2 were so used to travelling with Ryanair, that they didn't even listen the announces. So, they didn't even imagined that the rules may have changed. At least you had a flight attendant to convince them, imagine this would happen in a train!

It has happened me repeatedly with Irish rail. It's very annoying and has made things uncomfortable on occasion when train is full.
I've emailed and they have replied saying I should ask the other people to move.
Easy for them to say .....not so easy when it's a group of drunk people !

spurious · 14-05-2014 2:48pm

pajor wrote: »

Some people are just as thick as two planks. :pac:

This.

The number of 'rear door' boarders pushing their way all the way to the back from the front is unreal. Even when it's pointed out to them - 'Oh no, row 26 isn't too far back'.

Preserve me.

Ryanair - New reserved seating structure(s)

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