About Ryanair
Ryanair is Europe's largest low-cost airline by passenger numbers, selling flights to more than 230 airports across Europe and North Africa. The company was founded in 1984, is headquartered in Swords near Dublin, and operates under an Air Operator Certificate from the Irish Aviation Authority; its parent Ryanair Holdings is publicly listed. The model is simple: the base fare buys a seat and a small personal bag, and everything else costs extra, including larger cabin bags, checked luggage, seat selection, and airport check-in. You book directly on ryanair.com or in the app, and since November 2025 boarding passes are digital only, so a smartphone with the myRyanair app is required to fly. Prices display in the currency of the departure country, which is euros for most European routes, and a payment fee can apply depending on the payment method and market. Ryanair fits price-driven travelers on short European routes who follow the rules; it fits poorly if you expect flexibility or hand-holding when something goes wrong.
What are alternatives for Ryanair
Pros of using Ryanair
- Base fares are regularly among the lowest in Europe on short-haul routes
- Network of more than 230 airports with high frequencies between major European cities
- European payment methods accepted: PayPal, Apple Pay, Google Pay, iDEAL, Pay by Bank, and major cards
- As an EU carrier, every flight falls under EU261 compensation and rerouting rules
- Booking directly avoids the extra identity verification Ryanair imposes on bookings made through third parties
Cons of using Ryanair
- Trustpilot score of 1.3/5 from more than 31,000 reviews, dominated by complaints about fees, refunds, and customer service
- Strict cabin bag rules enforced with sizers at the gate, where oversize bags are charged on the spot
- An airport check-in fee of €55 per passenger applies if you did not check in online
- Boarding passes are app-only since November 2025, a problem if your phone dies or you travel without a smartphone
- Refunds and disruption compensation are slow, and phone and chat support operate on limited hours
