Airline passenger news and views
07 February 2012 | Sign In
Ryanair charges
A question of balance
|
Catriona Wells Tuesday 27 April 2010 |
Ryanair have helped to create a low-cost aviation alternative to the big airlines and, for that, the travelling public should be grateful. The problem comes in the way that Ryanair seek to balance their books by add-on charges.
The problem, if indeed there is one, was summed up neatly by Ryanair’s proposal to charge for the use of the on-board toilet. Chief Executive Michael O’Leary, asked why, if it was acceptable for railway stations to charge, should the airline not follow suit? The issue is one of perception – the travelling public have come to expect low prices and resent the add-ons.
Logically, passengers know that you cannot travel to Rome for £5 but they still expect to be able to do so. They can accept that Ryanair make up the difference by charging for optional items such as meals and drinks. The contention comes when Ryanair seek to charge for no-so-optional items such as baggage and use of the toilet.
The Office of Fair Trading recently accused Ryanair of taunting consumers with "puerile" additional charges. The OFT also accused the airline of being less than transparent in the way that it took its online bookings particularly with regard to insurance and payment cards. This is the old question of opt-out versus opt-in but it does seem to cause excessive levels of complaint.
In adopting the prepaid Mastercard as the only ‘free of charge’ payment method, Ryanair were probably being a bit sly. How many people do you know that have a prepaid Mastercard? But we do come back to the main question of how much should passengers be willing to pay? and would it perhaps not be better to show sensible prices?
It is undoubtedly true that many passengers do successfully travel to European destinations for £10 or less. If one is willing to play the game and travel light then the Ryanair business model is a winner. Compared to what existed previously where high operating costs were built into every ticket, Ryanair deserve to be congratulated rather than castigated. The sadness is that they probably have taken the extra charge model too far and are now alienating far too many of their customers.
| Comments | Post a comment |
This is just criticism for the sake of it. My parents have a home in Italy and both they and I fly back and forth using Ryanair. Yes, it can sometimes be a bit of a cattle truck but it is very good value and it works. Before they started, there was no option but to take the massively overpriced BA or AirItalia flights. I love the option of low cost travel. | |
| Rating (0) | |
|
Sharon Peak, Leeds, UK 27 April 2010, 08:57AM | |
I am a fan of cheap airlines. I understand the grumbles but these people have to get real and treat it for what it is - it is low cost travel. After Uni we went to loads of places, stuffed everything into a small bag and wore the rest. We went where it was cheap and when it was cheap, We did fly for £2. | |
| Rating (0) | |
I have used both Ryanair and EasyJet and found them functional and useful. Would I do it by choice (if I had a choice)? probably not. Would I pay 50% more to travel in comfort? definitely yes. Would I pay the old BA prices? definitely no. What I want is EasyJet+ at a sensible price/ | |
| Rating (0) | |
|
Emily Brake, Doncaster 28 April 2010, 10:10AM | |
I have used them and think they are great. You just have to work out the total cost and compare it with the alternatives. If it is cheaper and you can afford it then go for it. The advertised prices are silly, what matters is what it comes out to and they did ought to tell you that and then there would not be all this fuss. | |
| Rating (0) | |
|
Christine Powers, London, UK 28 April 2010, 11:01AM | |
I think the press are very unfair on Ryanair and EasyJet. Both companies have done a great job in making flying cheaper and more available. I know that some of their extras can grate a bit but the idea is that if you simply want a seat, you can travel for very low prices. It is not actually as cheap as they say, but it is still very much cheaper than it used to be with BA and the like. | |
| Rating (0) | |
|
George, Farningham 30 April 2010, 05:35PM | |
They have definitely taken the extra charge model too far this time. I can do without the bad tasting free airplane food but they should never charge for the use of the toilet. | |
| Rating (0) | |
|
Kent Boxley, Stirling 1 May 2010, 07:29PM | |
I cannot see the problem. The on-screen prices are absolutely clear. It is like going into a shop and buying what you want. It is crazy to then say that the bill got bigger because I bought more than I went in for. People have to get real. | |
| Rating (0) | |
|
Alex Simpson, Cardiff 17 May 2010, 03:13PM | |
Absolutely absurd to charge to use the toliet....are they going to start charging to use the loo paper and water as well...!! what next! | |
| Rating (0) | |
|
Daniel B 4 June 2010, 03:06PM | |
Ryanair are apparently making big profits this Q, despite all the disruption, lets hope the proposed charges are just rumours. | |
| Rating (0) | |
|
Justin Green, Portsmouth 1 July 2010, 02:02PM | |
Michael O'Leary has definitely taken the extra charge model way too far here. As a traveller I just want a single clear charge for a plane seat with all the core facilities included. | |
| Rating (0) | |
