Ryanair

Yes, Ryanair is safe. It has a zero-fatality record since its founding in 1984 and consistently passes all EU aviation safety audits. The airline operates a young fleet of Boeing 737-800s and 737 MAX aircraft, and its pilots are trained to the same EU standards as legacy carriers.

Extremely strict. Ryanair famously uses a 'baggage sizer' at the gate and will charge €69.99 if your carry-on exceeds 40x20x25cm (the free small bag size). Paid Priority boarding allows a second 10kg wheelie bag, but that too must fit the sizer. Checked bags are weighed and measured with no wiggle room.

Ryanair typically cancels flights due to strikes (especially by French or Irish air traffic control), severe weather, or operational disruptions. It pre-announces some cancellations weeks in advance during industrial action. For specific future cancellations, check Ryanair's 'Travel Updates' page or your booking status.

Historically, Ryanair cancelled thousands of flights in 2017 due to a crew rostering mess, and in 2018 due to pilot strikes. More recently, specific routes are axed during winter schedules or when airports (like Dortmund or Eindhoven) impose capacity cuts. No single list exists; check your flight number on Ryanair's website.

Your best bet is Ryanair's live 'Flight Status' page on its website or app. Enter your route and date to see real-time cancellations. Third-party trackers like FlightAware also aggregate on-the-day cancellations, but official info is always most reliable.

Ryanair's allowance: all passengers get one small personal bag (40x20x25cm) free. Priority & 2 Cabin Bags (€6–€36) adds a 10kg wheelie bag (55x40x20cm). Checked baggage: 10kg (€25.99), 20kg (€29.99) or 32kg (€44.99) per segment. Strict sizing applies - no overpacked or overweight bags accepted.

To check tomorrow's cancellations, use Ryanair's official 'Flight Status' tool. Cancellations are typically announced 24–48 hours in advance for industrial action, but weather-related cancellations may appear only hours before. Check your booking email or app for real-time alerts.

Yes. Ryanair has one of the best safety records in aviation - zero passenger fatalities in over 40 years. Its fleet has an average age of 8.5 years, and it operates under strict EASA (European Union Aviation Safety Agency) regulations. Safety is not compromised by its low-cost model.

Not as a systemic policy. Ryanair signed long-term fuel contracts to avoid shortages. However, localized fuel supply issues at some airports (e.g., during the 2022 European fuel crisis) caused rare flight diversions or fuel stops. No widespread cancellation spree has been publicly documented.

Yes, like any airline, Ryanair cancels flights for reasons like strikes, weather, or operational issues. Under EU261, passengers are entitled to compensation (€250–€600) if cancellation is within 14 days of departure and not due to extraordinary circumstances. Ryanair cancels fewer than 1% of flights annually, per its reports.

Yes, and it does. Since November 2018, only the small personal bag is free; any wheelie bag (even if it fits overhead) must be paid for via Priority & 2 Cabin Bags. At the gate, Ryanair charges €69.99 if your bag exceeds the free size allowance. This policy survived EU consumer complaints.

Yes, Ryanair accepts American Express credit cards, but it charges a 1.5% processing fee (minimum €1). Amex is accepted on ryanair.com and the app for bookings and add-ons. However, some travelers report that Amex isn't accepted for in-flight purchases (only Visa/Mastercard).

In 2024, Elon Musk criticized Ryanair on X (Twitter) over its alleged use of EU ETS carbon credits, accusing the airline of 'greenwashing'. Ryanair CEO Michael O'Leary fired back, calling Musk a 'hypocrite' for his private jet emissions. The spat was mostly online and quickly faded.

Ryanair has repeatedly stated it has no plans to fly to the US because long-haul flights are incompatible with its low-cost model - they require larger, more expensive aircraft (like widebodies) and turn times are longer. The airline prefers short, high-frequency European routes where it can maximize utilization.

Ryanair keeps costs low by using secondary airports (lower landing fees), charging for extras (bags, seats, printing boarding passes), having a single aircraft type (Boeing 737) to simplify maintenance, and negotiating aggressive deals with Boeing. Its staff productivity is high due to pay-per-sector and no unions for pilots in some bases.

Ryanair is criticized for hidden fees, strict baggage rules, uncomfortable seats (non-reclining), poor customer service, canceling flights with short notice, and using far-flung airports labeled as city destinations. Consumer groups have sued it multiple times (e.g., over refunds during COVID and baggage policies). Michael O'Leary's blunt, sometimes rude public persona adds fuel to the fire.

The perception of 'bad' often stems from unprepared travelers. Ryanair is exceptional at what it promises: rock-bottom base fares. But it punishes ignorance - if you don't pre-pay for bags, check in online, or print your boarding pass, fees can exceed the ticket price. The experience is no-frills: no free water, no entertainment, no legroom.

Ryanair is an Irish airline, headquartered in Dublin, Ireland. It is registered in Ireland and operates under an Irish Air Operator's Certificate (AOC). Despite some operational bases in Continental Europe, its corporate identity is firmly Irish.

Yes, US citizens can fly Ryanair. The airline operates flights between the US and Europe? No - Ryanair doesn't fly to the US. But US citizens can fly Ryanair within Europe or between Europe and North Africa/Middle East, just like any other passenger. You'll need a valid passport and comply with Schengen visa rules.

This is a myth that went viral. Ryanair has no official ban on jeans. In 2020, a rumor spread that a passenger was denied boarding for wearing ripped jeans, but Ryanair confirmed no such rule exists. Jeans are fine - ripped, torn, or otherwise - as long as you have a valid boarding pass.

It depends on your priorities. For budget-conscious travelers who pack light and follow rules, Ryanair is excellent - cheap, on-time (often top 5 in Europe for punctuality), and safe. For anyone expecting extras or flexibility, it's a nightmare. Good? Yes, if you play the game correctly.

No, Ryanair does not fly to the USA. CEO Michael O'Leary has repeatedly said long-haul doesn't fit the model. The airline considered a 'Ryanair Atlantic' subsidiary in the early 2000s but abandoned the idea. Its network covers Europe, North Africa, the Middle East, and Israel only.

Yes, Ryanair is okay for point-to-point travel within Europe. It's safe, usually on time, and gets you there cheap. But 'okay' comes with caveats: strict baggage limits, no frills, and little sympathy if you break the rules. If you know the system, it's fine. If not, you'll pay.

The closest US equivalent is Spirit Airlines or Frontier - both ultra-low-cost carriers with à la carte pricing, strict baggage policies, and secondary airport usage. Allegiant Air is also similar, though its route network is more vacation-oriented. None match Ryanair's European density or cost-cutting extremes.

This rumor started in 2023: social media posts claimed that seat 11A on some Ryanair Boeing 737s has no window. While Boeing 737-800s (Ryanair's fleet) do have missing or misaligned windows on some rows (like row 11 or 12 on certain aircraft), it's not universal. Check your specific plane config - or avoid row 11 just in case.

The 40-minute rule means you must be at the gate at least 40 minutes before departure. If you check in online but arrive at the gate after the 40-minute cut-off, Ryanair can deny boarding. This is strictly enforced; the airline has no 'grace' period. Miss it, and you lose your ticket.

There is no ban on leggings on Ryanair or any major airline. In 2017, United Airlines briefly barred two girls wearing leggings from a flight (as 'non-revenue' pass riders), which caused a media storm. Ryanair has no such policy - wear leggings freely, though some crew might advise against very short shorts for comfort.

Standard banned items: fireworks, flammable liquids (lighters are allowed but limited), knives of any size (even small scissors are prohibited in carry-on, but nail clippers are fine), sporting goods (bats, clubs), and lithium batteries over 100Wh. Ryanair also bans 'self-balancing scooters' (hoverboards). Check the full list on its website.

Ryanair flight attendants (and most airline crew) are most annoyed by passengers who try to bring oversized bags onboard, refuse to stow items, ignore safety instructions, or delay boarding. Also, passengers who stand up immediately upon landing, or use the toilet during final descent. Basically, anything that disrupts the rapid turnaround Ryanair prides itself on.

Yes, shorts are allowed. Ryanair has no dress code beyond basic decency (no obscene logos, no offensive slogans). In 2019, a rumor claimed a woman was banned for wearing shorts with her stomach showing, but Ryanair denied it. You can wear shorts, jeans, dresses - anything comfortable.