Ryanair, we understand, is a no-frills airline that serves Europe only. Flying mainly out of Dublin and Stansted (London), Ryanair flies in and out of secondary airports. For example, it serves Paris by using Beauvais, about 35 miles outside the city, and uses rail and/or bus to reach the center city. Very low prices, according to their web site. Any experiences out there, travelers?

Hi Al: <BR> <BR>Yes, we flew Ryanair this past May from Florence to London (Stansted). <BR> <BR>We were very impressed with the airline. The flight (not full which may have added to this) was on-time, the flight attendants were very nice and overall it was a very positive experience. <BR> <BR>I can't remember, but I believe I had called them from the states and reserved the flight - at the time (don't know if it's changed), there was no way to book over the internet. <BR> <BR>If you need more info, just let me know. <BR>Carol (fellow Arizonan) <BR>

Be on time for your flight - early if you want to make sure you dont get bumped.Otherwise they're OK.

We used Ryanair to fly from Dublin to London - certainly 'no frills', but the attendants were courteous, the flight was on time, and our bags arrived with us. We DID have to beg to get on, as we arrived within 10 minutes of the plane departing (bad traffic, we got lost, etc.). The plane was only half full, the doors were shut (boarded out on the runway from a portable stairway, just like the old days) but they rolled the stairs back and opened the door. <BR>I did notice the emphasis on selling duty-free; great sales presentation.

I guess that Frank's advice is good advice for all airlines all the time. <BR> <BR>My wife and I had excellent experience for STN-DUB ($18 USD!) and DUB-BVA ($27) in September of this year. No one got bumped from either flight and no other passengers expressed any reservations about flying RyanAir. I didn't speak to enough of them to be able to tell how many were "regulars" - - I know there were several other first-timers - - presumably brought out by the bargain fares. <BR> <BR>One curious note about Beauvais - - if you are headed east (for example towards Strasbourg), www.euroshell.com will tell you to head "backwards" towards Paris first. Our reading of the map told us we could save an hour by heading straight to Reims and then joining the autoroute there. I'm not sure it saved us one minute. Probably didn't cost us any either, but the time "savings" didn't happen - - the RN roads are sufficiently slower than the Autoroutes, that it was an even trade. <BR>

RyanAir is cheap no frills - you get what you pay for and that is all. If you get bumped or a re late ect tough luck. Great prices between UK and Ireland £3 single($5) to some UK cities from Ireland.

Think Southwest. Inexpensive, friendly...it's fine.

http://www.ryanair.com

Think Southwest only much nicer (more leg room, friendly attendants, less hassle all around). You can't beat the prices. Note: Beauvais is really out there. The "airport" is more like a landing strip with a medium sized building. Don't except to be able to change money or get anything to eat there. I rented a car, but I understand you can take a shuttle bus into Paris pretty easily.

Personally, I have vowed never to fly with them again. Having tried them lots of times, I have yet to be impressed. However, if you have plenty of time on your hands, they tend to be the cheapest option. Hope that you have better luck than me !

I havent flown (flew? flied? alway had trouble with that one)... with RyanAir but have flown a few times with easyJet, another UK based no frills airline. <BR> <BR>In my experience all "no frills" actually means is you dont get seat allocation and inflight refreshments are not complimentary. <BR> <BR>Big deal. <BR> <BR>The seat allocation thing means checking in nearer flight time which is good as sitting in an aiport is time I would rather spend in my holiday destination. You basically get on the plane and take a seat that is empty, for such a short flight who cares if you arent next to your tribe or the window? <BR> <BR>The food/ drinks thing is even less important. I saved so much on a flight back from Palma last year I could have spent £70 on a luxury Harrods picnic and still had cash in hand compared with other airlines. The cheapest alternative airline on the route wanted well over £150, easyJet was £39. <BR> <BR>They do push to leave on time, personally I think that is great, it annoys me no end to be delayed by the idiot who fell asleep in the departure lounge, the moron who had to buy just one more thing in the shops or the people who didnt leave enough time to get to the airport in the certainty that 200 other passengers could wait for them. <BR> <BR>Sorry if that's a bit harsh - I'm a bit fed up of being delayed by other passengers who are then rushed on red faced carrying their huge bags of airport shopping!!!! <BR> <BR>Anyway, I have heard good things about RyanAir flights, staff and general service and I have certainly no negative comments about easyJet. <BR> <BR>Kavey

RYANAIR IS AN IRISH OWNED AIRLINE OPERATING FLIGHTS BETWEEN IREALND - UK -EUROPE. IT IS BASED IN IRELAND AND NOT THE UK AND IS A NO FRILLS AIRLINE AND VERY INEXPENSIVE. IT IS HEADQUARTERED IN DUNLIN AND NOT THE UK. THE OWNER IS A FREIND OF MY NEIGHBOURS!!

RYANAIR IS AN IRISH OWNED AIRLINE OPERATING FLIGHTS BETWEEN IREALND - UK -EUROPE. IT IS BASED IN IRELAND AND NOT THE UK AND IS A NO FRILLS AIRLINE AND VERY INEXPENSIVE. IT IS HEADQUARTERED IN DUBLIN AND NOT THE UK. THE OWNER IS A FREIND OF MY NEIGHBOURS!!

I was just wondering....if Ryanair is an Irish airline out of Ireland why does their web site say that their prices are in Pounds, not Punts?

Have flown RyanAir and agree with the comparison to the US's Southwest airlines. Cheapest farea around for intra-European routes if you don't mind the extra time involved in getting to some secondary airports. From Paris there is a bus that goes to Beauvais airport - allow 60 to 90 minutes transit time. They have a toll free # and office in Dallas - try toll free directory (1-800-555-1212 in the US)