I flew on Europe’s infamous low-cost airline Ryanair from London to Sweden and the cheap fare was worth the hassle

Ireland-based Ryanair is the largest airline in Europe, carrying some 15.8 million passengers in July 2022 and beating its pre-pandemic record of 14.9 million carried in August 2019.Ryanair planes pictured at Dublin airport.

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The Boeing 737 family, including the unique 737 MAX 8200, is the workhorse of Ryanair’s fleet.A Ryanair Boeing 737-800.

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Source: Ryanair

Ryanair was the first airline to fly the special Boeing 737 MAX 8200, which the carrier has dubbed “Gamechanger.” The carrier has 210 on order.A Ryanair Boeing 737 Max 8200.

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Source: Ryanair

The 737 MAX 8200 is a modified version of the 737 MAX 8 that can fit 197 seats — eight more than the carrier’s 737-800, which has 189 seats.Ryanair cabin.

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Source: Ryanair

First launched in 2014, the -8200 was specifically designed as a high-capacity option for low-cost airlines. In addition to Ryanair, the type has gained interest from carrier VietJet, which ordered 100 in 2016.VietJet Boeing 737 MAX 8200.

Boeing

An airline most famous for bikini-clad flight attendants just placed an $11 billion order with Boeing

While Ryanair was just a single airline in 2018, it was grown into five as of 2022. The carrier’s four subsidiaries include Buzz, Malta Air, Lauda Europe, and Ryanair UK.

Ryanair

Source: Ryanair

Although Ryanair is a mega-carrier that has become a household name, it is also infamously known for its bare-bones product. Over the years, the low-cost giant has earned the title of being one of the worst airlines in Europe.Ryanair Boeing 737 MAX 8200.

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From 2013 to 2019, Ryanair consistently earned the unwanted title by UK consumer group Which?, with the organization pinning hidden fees on the poor score.Ryanair.

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Source: The Guardian

Airline complaint agency Aviation ADR received over 14,000 complaints about Ryanair in 2018, resulting in more than £2,601,618 in payouts to customers.Ryanair.

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Source: Which?

The reputation continued after the height of the pandemic when Which? asked consumers which airline they would never fly with again, and 75% said Ryanair. In 2022, the carrier still sat at the bottom of the company’s list of worst airlines.

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Source: Which?

According to Which?, it’s the airline’s no-frills business model, excessive hidden fees, and poor customer service that turns customers away. However, for those on a tight budget, it may be the only option.

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Source: Which?

On a recent trip to Sweden, I decided to take Ryanair from London to see if I could navigate the airline’s strict rules.Flying Ryanair from London to Stockholm.

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After a complicated airport experience and a short departure delay, the $84 last-minute ticket was worth the hassle. Here’s what it was like flying on Ryanair from London to Stockholm.Ryanair aircraft pictured at Dublin airport.

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My journey started at London Stansted Airport at 5:30 a.m. for my 8:25 a.m. departure. Stansted is London’s fourth-largest airport and Ryanair’s biggest hub.Flying Ryanair from London to Stockholm.

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I set an alarm to check in 24 hours before my flight so I didn’t miss the online check-in window. According to Ryanair, passengers that do not check in within two hours of the scheduled departure time, a fee of £/€55 per passenger will be charged at the airport ticket counter.Flying Ryanair from London to Stockholm.

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Moreover, a fee of £/€20 per passenger will be charged for those that check in online but do not print their boarding pass.An Italian passport holder printed his Ryanair boarding pass for a flight.

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Source: Ryanair

However, EU/EEA/UK nationals can access their boarding pass on the airline’s mobile app free of charge, though a few airports don’t accept these yet.Italian Ryanair passenger’s mobile boarding pass.

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Source: Ryanair

These are just a few of the several rules I had to remember before I even got to the airport.I also had to ensure I left plenty of time before my flight to get through all the chaos. The app told me to be through security by 6:55 a.m.

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When I checked in, I couldn’t get a boarding pass on the mobile app because I am a US citizen. Instead, I was required to print a page and present it at the airport for a “visa check.”Flying Ryanair from London to Stockholm.

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Getting to the visa check desk at Stansted airport was a two-step process. First, I had to find section “F” and get in a long, snaking line that led to self-serve bag drop kiosks. The wait was about 20 minutes.Flying Ryanair from London to Stockholm.

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The kiosks, which were first launched at Stansted in 2008, can be used by those carrying an EU/EEA passport and need to check their bags.Flying Ryanair from London to Stockholm.

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Source: Business Traveller

Everyone else is directed to a second line specifically for visa checks. This queue took another 20 minutes.Flying Ryanair from London to Stockholm.

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Airlines that fly a customer to a country they cannot legally enter, whether it be visa-related or other, then that carrier would be responsible for flying the passenger back. Ryanair does not want to incur that cost, so it requires any non-EU/EEA travelers, including US citizens, to have their passports checked at the airport before security.Ryanair app telling me to get my boarding pass at the airport.

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Source: The Points Guy

Other budget carriers like EasyJet and Wizz Air do not do this, nor do many mainline carriers like Air Canada.On a July trip from London to Montreal, I did not have to have my passport checked before receiving a boarding pass.

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Source: The Points Guy

The agent scanned my passport and issued my boarding pass. Fortunately, I pre-booked a carry-on and didn’t need to check a bag, but those that did can check their luggage here.Flying Ryanair from London to Stockholm.

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According to Ryanair’s website, one extra cabin bag starts at €/£6, while 10kg and 20kg checked bags start at €/£12 and €/£21, respectively, when booked in advance. My pre-purchased carry-on cost $26 at the time of booking.Flying Ryanair from London to Stockholm.

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However, at the airport, it can cost up to €69, per Ryanair. Always pre-book your bags when flying Ryanair or its partners, either at booking or during check-in, because the rules are strict, and you will end up paying a lot more otherwise.Flying Ryanair from London to Stockholm.

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Source: Ryanair

About 45 minutes after arriving at Stansted, I headed to security. Unlike in the US, many European airports require passengers to fit all their carry-on liquids in a one-liter baggie. Knowing this going in, I brought my own, but agents can provide them as well.Flying Ryanair from London to Stockholm.

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Security took about 25 minutes and neither of my bags needed a second check, so I was off to my gate.Flying Ryanair from London to Stockholm.

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However, gate information was not available until 7:35 a.m., so I waited about 25 minutes before Gate 30 populated on the departures board.Flying Ryanair from London to Stockholm.

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On the way to the gate, I had to pass through a large duty-free area and food court…Flying Ryanair from London to Stockholm.

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…ride a train two stops…Flying Ryanair from London to Stockholm.

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…and walk down a few long corridors. The journey can vary from 10-25 minutes from security to the gates, so plan accordingly.Flying Ryanair from London to Stockholm.

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After about two hours after arriving at the airport, I made it to my gate just in time to board. I lined up in the priority lane because my pre-purchased carry-on came with the perk.Flying Ryanair from London to Stockholm.

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Ryanair has a bag size check at the desk that outlines the allowed dimensions for both items. Fortunately, mine just barely fit, and the gate agent scanned my boarding pass and sent me on my way.Flying Ryanair from London to Stockholm.

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To save on airport fees, Ryanair doesn’t always use a jetbridge. So, instead of boarding directly from the gate and onto the plane, passengers had to take an escalator downstairs…Flying Ryanair from London to Stockholm.

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…walk through three hallways…Flying Ryanair from London to Stockholm.

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…and descend a flight of stairs before finally making it out onto the ramp.Flying Ryanair from London to Stockholm.

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When I walked out onto the ramp, I noticed I was not actually boarding a Ryanair 737 but instead a Lauda A320. Both aircraft are configured in an all-economy 3×3 layout.Flying Ryanair from London to Stockholm.

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While I was on a different plane than a typical Ryanair flight, the rules and requirements regarding bags and check-in, among others, are the same.The add-ons offered on the app.

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To board, passengers ascended two sets of airstairs, one via the forward door…Flying Ryanair from London to Stockholm.

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…and one via the aft door.Flying Ryanair from London to Stockholm.

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Because I had a carry-on, I was one of the first in the long line to the ramp to board. I was randomly assigned seat 7E at check-in, which was a middle seat towards the front of the plane.View from my seat.

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But, I could have pre-selected my seat for a fee. The options ranged from $7-$15 depending on the location of the seat and legroom, but I was fine with whichever seat for the short two-hour flight.Flying Ryanair from London to Stockholm.

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If you do take the gamble on a random seat and get one you don’t want, you can still pay for a different one after check-in.The add-ons offered on the app.

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Onboard, the A320 was very basic, and the slim grey seats reminded me of Spirit Airlines or Frontier Airlines in the US.Flying Ryanair from London to Stockholm.

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However, unlike Ryanair’s notoriously cramped Boeing 737 jet with standard seats offering just 30-inches of pitch and 17 inches of width, Lauda’s A320 was more spacious.Ryanair seats.

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Source: SeatGuru

The roomier plane offers 32 inches of pitch and 17.3 inches of width. Being just 5’3″ and on the small side, I had plenty of legroom and seat space on the Lauda plane.Flying Ryanair from London to Stockholm.

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Source: Simple Flying

There are extra legroom seats available on both Ryanair and Lauda, so I recommend taller passengers upgrade if it’s in the budget.Flying Ryanair from London to Stockholm.

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The man sitting in the aisle seat next to me was tall and could not fit his legs into the space. He had to pretzel himself into the seat to fit, which did not look comfortable.Flying Ryanair from London to Stockholm.

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While the legroom could be a hit or miss depending on the traveler’s size, the seat does offer come with a few features, including a large seatback pocket…Flying Ryanair from London to Stockholm.

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…and a tray table that could easily fit my laptop.Flying Ryanair from London to Stockholm.

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The tray table was about the same size as typically offered on Ryanair jets, but the seatback pocket was a bonus. Since 2004, the company has removed seatback pockets from all of its planes to “save time on cleaning costs.”Ryanair seats.

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Source: The Telegraph

But, there were no power ports, inflight WiFi, seatback screens, or a headrest.Flying Ryanair from London to Stockholm.

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The seat did recline, however, which was a pleasant surprise.Flying Ryanair from London to Stockholm.

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Moreover, my carry-on easily fit into the medium-sized overhead bin.Flying Ryanair from London to Stockholm.

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About 30 minutes into the journey, the flight attendants came through with for-purchase drinks and snacks, like alcohol, water, soda, paninis, and Pringles. Nothing was complimentary.Flying Ryanair from London to Stockholm.

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I ordered Pringles and coffee for €5.85. The coffee was burnt, but the chips curbed my hunger until lunch. Next time I’ll bring my own food and drinks.Flying Ryanair from London to Stockholm.

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After the service, I visited the lavatory, which was spacious, and listened to a podcast before landing in Stockholm.Flying Ryanair from London to Stockholm.

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When deplaning, we used a jet bridge, so being seated towards the front of the plane meant I was quickly off and on my way.Flying Ryanair from London to Stockholm.

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Overall, the experience was perfectly fine for the price. The seats were hard but bearable for a couple of hours, and I didn’t feel cramped.Flying Ryanair from London to Stockholm.

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Ryanair’s less spacious 737 seats may be more uncomfortable, but they still offer more legroom than Spirit or Frontier’s 28-inches of pitch, so I can’t imagine it’s worse than that.My colleague flying Spirit Airlines from New York to California.

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I flew Spirit across the US for $35 after it canceled thousands of flights in August. I wouldn’t hesitate to do it again but it wasn’t without risks.

I also made sure to pre-download a few podcasts to entertain me during the flight. Ryanair and its subsidiaries’ lack of amenities could leave customers very bored if they don’t come prepared.Flying Ryanair from London to Stockholm.

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While the flight was smooth, the most stressful part was ensuring I followed all of the rules because one misstep can be very costly, especially for budget travelers.Flying Ryanair from London to Stockholm.

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I actually spent more time waiting in lines and traversing the airport than I did on the plane, but you get what you pay for when flying low-cost instead of full-service.Flying Ryanair from London to Stockholm.

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For comparison, I flew out of London Heathrow in July on Air Canada, which is a mainline carrier, and the check-in and boarding process was much easier.Flying internationally on an Air Canada 787.

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I flew on Air Canada in economy from London to Montreal and while the Boeing 787 was comfortable, the food was a real disappointment

If you are trying to decide whether or not to fly Ryanair, I think it’s worth it for flights under two or so hours, especially if you end up on a Lauda or Buzz-branded plane.Buzz aircraft.

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Make sure you add up the costs of bags and seats before booking to ensure it’s still cheaper than other all-inclusive options.Flying Ryanair from London to Stockholm.

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Then, do your research. Learn the rules of flying the carrier so you are not surprised at the airport when you’re charged a crazy fee for something you could have pre-booked for cheaper, or done for completely free, like simply checking in online.Ryanair aircraft.

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