Luton Airport/Base for RyanAir or EasyJet?
 

Help Fodorites! Am thinking of using special promotion from Silverjet (thanks to info provided
from another poster), which flies Newark-Luton.
Have never used EasyJet or RyanAir (although
have read most posts about both), but want to
continue from Luton (no need to spend time in UK) to another European destination. Which of
two discount carriers named uses Luton and/or
has most flights? Am trying to plan summer trip
for daughter as a delayed (1 year) college grad
present. Could not travel last summer due to death in family, and would like to do something
special. Am thinking Greece or Sicily. Know it will be hot in late July but only time to travel. Thanks in advance for info and any suggestions.

Easyjet is the main discounter to fly out of Luton

You can easily check all discount air routes from Luton (or any airport) at:

www.whichbudget.com

I'm thinking of doing the same thing. Hw reliable is EasyJet? Has anyone flown them?

flyer!

EasyJet get some bad press here in the UK. This is because they take part in a TV program called "Airline". It is actually all about themselves and they allow the camera crews to film the bad things with airlines. In particular dissatisfied customers who have somehow contrived to be late for their flight.
It always looks horrendus, but there are so many EasyJet planes buzzing around the sky, I think these people are a very small minority.
I have flown with them on numerous occassions. The only delay I have had was 2 hours at Luton when the plane was fogged in at Geneva and unable to take off en-route to Luton. Hardly their fault.

regards.

I had flown EasyJet couple of times and it was fine. Just remember the following:

1. Flying Silverjet and connecting to EasyJet will require 2 separate tickets. No protection if one happens to be late.

2. EasyJet has a very strict check in policy. I believe their check in desks close at exactly 45 minutes before the scheduled flight time (even if the flight is delayed). That means you have to be checked in, standing in a line does not count. No exceptions. If you're 1 minute late, you're screwed.

3. Very strict luggage limits and it can get very expensive if you are over the limit.

Friends of mine have flown EasyJet and told me it was fine. Not stellar, but fine. It is also, to my knowledge, the largest carrier out of Luton.
As many of us know, the show Airline in the US follows Southwest, a budget carrier in the States. I fly them all the time, and I have never experienced problems (except with the boarding strategy). That proved the theory I had of the show focusing on situations that almost NEVER happen.

How long a connection time should one have between SilverJet and EasyJet. I have a feeling the check-in lines for EasyJet can be fairly hideous. Thanks!

I would think 3 hours is the minimum, but recommend at least 4. You will have to go through immigration/customs, check in and security. I don't know how busy Luton is these days with international arrivals.

At the end of the day, even 5 or 10 hours may not be enough if your first flight is delayed because of weather or mechanical or ??? That's the problem with separate tickets when a <b>L</b>ow<b>C</b>ost<b>C</b>arrier is involved.