Choosing the Right Flight ... and Getting the Right Service

Okay, I would rate myself as a fairly seasoned traveler, but some surprises are still in store at every trip I take. Like a sign I recently spotted at Budapest-Ferihegy Airport while waiting for check-in. The illuminated panel designated this counter to Ryanair, helpfully pointing out that we were in the Economy Class queue. Hold on ... Ryanair is the most frill-less of all no-frills airlines, they do not actually have "classes" on their flights. You book a seat, full stop. But apparently the programming skills lavished on the display did not keep up with developments in air travel. Or the programmer was simply confused - as many people become when trying to book a flight to Ireland. The choice is too wide, the pitfalls are many, and prices range from dead cheap to exorbitant.

My real (and nasty, of sorts) surprise came later, however - having paid for priority boarding on the Ryanair flight (not a bad idea in general and a real treat at Dublin Airport on the flight out), I noticed that the contractor's personnel handling the boarding process at Budapest did somehow not grasp the concept. Within ten seconds the boarding queue(s) descended into something resembling the charge of the Light Brigade, a free-for-all scramble to get through the gates first. This was not helped by the total lethargy displayed by the very young bloke checking the boarding passes (and, in theory, the right to priority boarding), his apparent inability (or unwillingness) to understand several English complaints about this by infuriated passengers adding to the pandemonium of dis-satisfaction. Most passengers actually paying for priority boarding seemed to have been beaten to seats by those traveling lighter and cheaper, i.e. without the yellow slip that should be checked at the gate ...

This marred an otherwise good travel experience with an airline that seems to be constantly bad-mouthed by passengers with expectations too high for the price they are willing to pay. Will I complain? You bet I will, though the complaints process at Ryanair is not the easiest. I'll keep you updated, promise. Just don't hold your breath, it may take a while. After all I am taking the normal passenger complaints route.

In the meantime you may get some basic advice on choosing the right flight for your trip to Ireland ... but don't even start to search for business class flights with Ryanair! Oh, by the way, I forgot to tell you about the in-flight entertainment. Provided by a stocky older guy from the former Soviet Union who did only grasp 50% of the "No Smoking" signs. The "no" part was beyond his linguistic powers, apparently ...

Photo © 2007 Bernd Biege licensed to About.com, Inc.