Complete BS. Cost of expensive meals and cost for suitcases aren't "random costs". They are entirely predictable and you have to make your decisions based on that. The people who can't do that end up paying for the ones that do.
One of those arbitrary costs of budget airlines is paying €50 for having your ticket printed at the airport (Lufthansa). Sometimes you just don't have a printer or the possibility to check in beforehand. Sure, I could 'plan ahead' and buy a cheap printer along the way to the airport and do it myself right then and there and it would be cheaper. I'd then throw away the printer or give it to someone else. How is $60 a reasonable price for airport check-in?
Many airlines still offer 'free' food in the plane, some don't and charge large amounts of money for very crappy food. Sure, I could 'plan ahead' and bring a large bag of food for me and my family, but then I have less room for other things and I get closer and closer to the weight limits that keep getting lower and lower. I can't even bring water from outside the airport past security. Some airlines offer complementary (due to higher ticket prices) drinks, but others ask for €4 for a 0.25ml drink. Planning ahead would mean I end up paying slightly less at the shops at the gate.
I understand the model that budget airlines use to make money; basic ticket prices and paying for upgrades. I am saying that I'd rather pay more for the tickets and then not be charged for everything along the way. It is much more transparent that way and I don't end up packing a picknick or chasing after hotel owners to print tickets, etc.
Ryanair allow you to use your phone, you don't need it printed up. You only have to pay if you want to check in at the airport. If everyone checked in online then Ryanair wouldn't need to have any staff at the check-in desk in the airport, if you don't check in in advance then you need to subsidise the costs of paying those staff members. If check in at the airport is free what that really means is that everyone else is subsidising you checking in early.
> Many airlines still offer 'free' food in the plane, some don't and charge large amounts of money for very crappy food.
Again, this amounts to everyone else subsidising your food. The airlines have to pay for it somehow, either they charge you or they increase the ticket prices. I hate airline food, and if I can avoid paying for it at all then great. Most Ryanair flights are <3 hours, you can manage that without eating.
> I can't even bring water from outside the airport past security. Some airlines offer complementary (due to higher ticket prices) drinks, but others ask for €4 for a 0.25ml drink. Planning ahead would mean I end up paying slightly less at the shops at the gate.
The water thing is universal. You can empty your bottle out and many airports have free fountains beyond security to refill.
> I am saying that I'd rather pay more for the tickets and then not be charged for everything along the way. It is much more transparent that way and I don't end up packing a picknick or chasing after hotel owners to print tickets, etc.
Why though? You're saying you'd rather not have the choice to pay for these things. You'd rather get a flight with higher costs just in case you feel like eating on the flight or having a bottle of water. Not only that, but you want everyone else on the flight who doesn't want those things to chip in and pay for your convenience.
I have good news for you then. Ryanair no longer demands that you print the ticket. You can do everything from their app.
I spent a total of 8 EUR to travel from Germany to Bulgaria and back again two years ago with Ryanair. I fly with them whenever possible because they're by far the cheapest option available and I simply manage to not eat or drink something or go online for 2-3 hours, which really should be manageable for pretty much anyone.
Equally amazing too that people won't pay for a designated seat but will then spend 30 euros on drinks and snacks?
I think in general, people are very lazy and rather pay extra instead of plan ahead.
I'm sorry but that is nonsense. I live abroad so am a frequent flyer back (say 5 or 6 times a year at regular intervals) home, for the past 5 years. I always compare the prices, never once have a rival airline beaten Ryanair. I've never had a bad issue either.
Personally as a 6ft 2 guy I love that they don't have seats which can recline :) the bane of my life on other airlines.
How on earth that is possible remains one of the best kept secrets (to me). But I am sure there is a boat load of tax money involved.
America is probably the poster child for how bad this can be, by looking at Amtrak. For all but the shortest routes along the northeast corridor, taking the train is slower, many times MUCH slower (like going cross-country), yet it can cost far, far more. Taking an Amtrak from DC to Seattle is horribly expensive and takes days, compared to an airplane which is a fraction of the cost and takes 6 hours or so. Why would anyone take an Amtrak for a long route like this? Mainly, it's just people who want the quaint experience of "seeing the country"; for actual travel between these points it makes no economic sense whatsoever. Even on the northeast corridor it doesn't make much sense for many cases/routes. Even worse, it's frequently much cheaper to take a bus (such as MegaBus) for inter-city trips in the NE corridor than Amtrak, if you don't mind it being slow (but not that much slower than Amtrak).
For people who don't want any food in-flight, and who can carry all their stuff in their carry-on luggage, it sounds like a good deal to me.
As for leg room, according to another comment here, the seats on RyanAir do not recline. As another tall guy, I'd rather have that than another inch of legroom. Legroom isn't that great when the person in front of you reclines their seat into your personal space.
They are always the cheapest, even EasyJet doesn't compete for some reason. I prefer Ryanair over any other airline and use them whenever possible.
Do they ever say "No"?
Not once this far! I'm if course asking politely and explaining that I'm a bit short of leg space here.
There would be great possibilities for a real-time booking app feature and the nervous tension as the check-in window begins to close as you attempt to get one last closing bid in ...
Another marvelous opportunity to turn inconvenience for some into more profits and cheaper flights for others.
\s
I'd love to vow to never use them again after this, but unfortunately they are the only airline flying anywhere near where I want to be most of the time.