Ryanair

rinkydinkdink

Anyone had any experience of taking their bikes on Ryan Air. I know what a pain they can be at the best of times, but might need to get the Stumpy transported on one of their flights.
Problem is that I can't seem to find out how much extra it's going to cost. Even when you go into the section on bikes and sports equipment, it doesn't specify if it's a flat fee - only that you have a 15 kilo limit on luggage and then it's about £12 every extra kilo.
Any help appreciated.

Kiwi Kranker

Save up and fly with someone else

Not much help I know but I will give you the stats from my experience with them.

In 3 years I have flown 9 times with them

9 times the flight was delayed leaving
9 times the flight was delayed returning

never ever EVER again. (I was a glutton for punishment but they were filthy cheap...oh and sorry I never took a bike, I use BA when needing to do that)

Words cannot express my hatred for the airline. They may simply be a big flying bus but a certain level of service is expected like at least once leaving on time.

I can only imagine what the living hell you will go through taking a bike with them will be.

Whatever they tell you over the phone it will be the opposite at the airport.

I wish you all the luck in the world and hope the ulcer you get from dealing with them heals quickly.

schlepcycling

According to their list of charges here -> http://www.ryanair.com/site/EN/faqs.php?sect=CHARGES the charge for sports equipment is £25 each way.

doherty916

Two years ago I flew Blackpool - Reus with a steel framed Brian Rourke in a bike bag (with pipe lagging etc.) with no probs. The Ryanair ground staff in Blackpool were very helpful. There is an each way additional charge

UncleFred

Used them to get me from Chavsted to Pau this year for the Etape. Ontime flights both ways and 25 Quid each way for the bike. Plus you have to pay extra to check in at the airport, have another bag, have access to the inflight oxygen etc etc.

Oh and don't forget to take some change for the Toilet door.

ddraver

I have only been once and they were fine - Just put it in a big box and pad it well

there is a certain amount of hoping for the best involved though to be honest - if one baggage handler is having a bad day and hoiks a huge mnetal suitcase on top of it then it ll get damaged - but there s no guarrentee that that won't happen on the BA flight next door either!

The thing with budget airlines is to play their game - be there with weighed luggage, all the paperwork etc 2hrs before the flight leaves etc Don't expect anything - but know what you should get - remember you literally get what you pay for - and nothiong more!!

I ve not had any problems with timing that have nt happened on more expensive arilines either....

ian.r.mcdonald

I have travelled several times with my bike in a specific travel box- and apart from the reaction of other travellers to the size of my luggage - no problems at all

dont try and avoid the £25 charge and "wing" it

Kiwi Kranker

ddraver wrote:

I have only been once and they were fine - Just put it in a big box and pad it well

there is a certain amount of hoping for the best involved though to be honest - if one baggage handler is having a bad day and hoiks a huge mnetal suitcase on top of it then it ll get damaged - but there s no guarrentee that that won't happen on the BA flight next door either!

The thing with budget airlines is to play their game - be there with weighed luggage, all the paperwork etc 2hrs before the flight leaves etc Don't expect anything - but know what you should get - remember you literally get what you pay for - and nothiong more!!

I ve not had any problems with timing that have nt happened on more expensive arilines either....

Its not the condition that the bike arrives in it is the service and the less hassle that make flying with the likes of BA worth every penny. It is a total lottery about who handles your baggage (always pack for the worst) but if it does go wrong you can atleast expect the service to be a heck of lot more helpful than ryanair.

Every airline has its issues and its horror stories but more often than not you will be let down by Ryanair and I speak from experience. I am not an airline 'snob' but I can only take being burnt so many times. Actually just writing this makes the hatred for Ryanair in me come rising up! I have missed more meetings and lost more valuable holiday time due to RA than I care to remember.

But

If you dont fly so often then I would definitely recommend Ryanair but you just need to prepare to put up with their 'quirks'. And lets face it they are damn cheap.

Goodluck.

rinkydinkdink

Thanks for the reponses everybody.
I did fly with the bike on Easy Jet to Spain and they were fine, but I've never been happy flying with Ryanair, so msticking the bike in as well is a bit worrying.