'No frills' Airlines what do you think?

[Graham F]

I am keen to find out what peoples experiences are of these 'no frills' airlines do you think they are value for money and would you always use them when possible?

I have only been on one flight with a 'No frills' airline, I found it to be very good. I arrived at the check in desk for Ryan Air 5 minutes after it closed (thanks to French customs for searching the car i was travelling in )and after all you hear about when its closed its closed I feared I had missed my flight home but to their credit they took my ticket and bag and let me on with no arguement what so ever!! 25 mins later the flight took off and arrived back at Stansted 20 mins early!! The ticket however did cost me the best part of 300 euros but seen as I only booked it 5 hours before the flight I can't really grumble.

[gazzae]

I think they are great, I can fly to visit a friend in London for only a couple of £, providing I book in advance.

I have only ever experienced EasyJet and I can't fault them. See it for what it is - a flying bus - and you'll have no complaints. You get on, you travel to your destination, you get off. Simple as that. And, if you book a little sooner than 5 hours before you fly, it can be quite cheap too

In comparing EasyJet with Ryanair, I would say EasyJet is more likely to get you closer to where you actually want to be as it relies a little less on provincial airports that can be 75 miles from the city you are allegedly flying to. I have also yet to hear EasyJet grumbling about ways of persuading passengers to fly without checked baggage, which I know Ryanair is actively considering and could turn out to be a complete pain.

[Halcyon]

Well you may not get your own movie Tv screen in the back of your seat, or meals all day long, but they are great for traveling short distances in my opinion.
I've just got my Dad a flight to Paris for £44 and that includes taxes.
If I was travelling to the U.S, Canada, Australia, I'd pick a larger company as I'd like better ammenities, but for short distances they r great.

[danielf]

I'm not that impressed with them. I used to fly BMI regularly on a leg that is now operated by BMIbaby. I find BMIbaby not that much cheaper (unless booking way in advance, they may charge you more than BMI used to charge for Business Class). I also find that I occassionaly have to travel a day early or later in order to get a reasonable fare. All in all, for this specific flight, service has deteriorated, prices have not dropped that much, and delays have increased.

Originally Posted by Halcyon

Well you may not get your own movie Tv screen in the back of your seat, or meals all day long, but they are great for traveling short distances in my opinion.
I've just got my Dad a flight to Paris for £44 and that includes taxes.
If I was travelling to the U.S, Canada, Australia, I'd pick a larger company as I'd like better ammenities, but for short distances they r great.

You don't get a movie screen on your seat with BA either, unless you're flying long-haul. And on 'shuttle' services within the UK the 'meal' is usually a soggy apple lattice pie.

[skyblueheroes]

For short distances they are superb. Used BMI Baby and Ryan Air. No complaints both times - superb.

[Graham F]

I bought a nice sandwich on the ryanair flight I took cost £3 and was sooo nice seen as i hadn't eaten all day it was well worth the money

[SMHarman]

Originally Posted by towny

I have also yet to hear EasyJet grumbling about ways of persuading passengers to fly without checked baggage, which I know Ryanair is actively considering and could turn out to be a complete pain.

Bit more than a grumble

http://www.easyjet.com/EN/news/20040705_01.html

I bet when the winter timetable comes out, they will start charging for hold luggage, carry on or pay policy.

Originally Posted by SMHarman

Bit more than a grumble

http://www.easyjet.com/EN/news/20040705_01.html

I bet when the winter timetable comes out, they will start charging for hold luggage, carry on or pay policy.

That page says they are increasing the weight allowance for cabing luggage, it doesn't say anything about checked bags carried in the hold. Personally I think Stelios is too smart to try something like paid-for hold baggage. It would be a PR disaster.

[Mr_love_monkey]

I have a dislike of Easy Jet, but only because my company insists on making us fly with them, when we go to Scotland - the one time I flew with them paying myself, to Liverpool - I couldn't fault them - like Towny says if you take them for what they are, flying buses - I just object to flying on them for business - especially when I've had to get up at 4 to make the flight - least with BA at that time you get breakfast.

[Mike]

I have flown with most airlines.......from Easy jet to BA. I recently came back from a weekend in New York flying BA and I was really disappointed because when I arrived at home there was no orchestra playing in my front garden. I am really tempted to complain under the trades description Act.

[Mr_love_monkey]

Originally Posted by Mike

I have flown with most airlines.......from Easy jet to BA. I recently came back from a weekend in New York flying BA and I was really disappointed because when I arrived at home there was no orchestra playing in my front garden. I really tempted to complain.

They were playing at mine that day - they only have 1 and you have to book them way in advance...

Originally Posted by Mike

I have flown with most airlines.......from Easy jet to BA. I recently came back from a weekend in New York flying BA and I was really disappointed because when I arrived at home there was no orchestra playing in my front garden. I am really tempted to complain under the trades description Act.

Having flown long-haul with BA in business class, I am really tempted to complain at the suggestion that their 'fully flat bed' is anything remotely like a double bed plus bedside cabinet and lamp, with or without a lifesize Piccadilly Circus as a backdrop.

[etccarmageddon]

I have flown with www.mytravel.co.uk long haul.

they are to be avoided even if you have to pay more to fly with another airline. they are AWFUL.