Ryanair has chosen to close all of their airport check-in desks by the end of the year to cut costs and apparently pass the saving on to travellers. Passengers will have to check-in online and those with luggage will have to leave it at a bag drop.
The future of low cost flights
This does not surprise me and I do not think Ryanair will be the only budget airline to close their check-in desks because the economic downturn is causing them to cut costs. I would prefer that the savings were put into improving their customer service though.
Impact on passengers
One disgruntled passenger contacted me and ranted that her baggage was slightly overweight but it was not until she was about to board the plane that this was brought to her attention. She was stung with a baggage charge that she had to pay or not fly.
I must admit that I am struggling to think if this is really going to have a massive impact on passengers considering most of us book our flights online and I always travel light. So, I would love to hear your thoughts and opinions on what impact this is going to have on you.
Budget airline extra charges
The airline is trying to encourage passengers to carry hand luggage and has introduced various extra charges. The cost of checking in a bag at the airport is £12; the online fee is £6. Priority boarding is £3 and the ridiculous charges for payment by credit card can cost £24 for a family of four.
Compare like-for-like
When you’re booking your £1 flight remember that it will certainly not be that price by the end of the transaction. It’s worth spending the time comparing like-for-like with other airlines. Comparison websites will not compare these additional extras.
We all love to hate Ryanair, but this is pretty much the future of low cost travel.
Related posts
- Low cost airline check-in fees are a rip off
- Easyjet Vs Ryanair flight price comparison
- Low cost airlines and their silly tricks
- Bomb threat foiled at UK airports
- Low Cost Airlines to charge us to check-in
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Jeremy Head | 23 February, 2009 at 11:27 am
I question the impact this will have on our safety. Would it not be much easier to dump a bag on a flight without actually getting on the plane yourself?
The human interaction element of the security process for hold luggage is in my opinion pretty important… the ability of a trained check in desk person to spot someone behaving strangely… who is going to ask the security questions “did you pack this yourself” “could anyone have interferred with it etc?”
Darren Cronian | 23 February, 2009 at 11:32 am
@ Jeremy
Great points! I’ve no idea why I didn’t think of it from a security perspective. If I appeared at the airport for the wrong flight, I get through security and will it not be until I get to the departure lounge and passport check there that this problem could suffice.
The more I think about it the more this is not a good idea.
Rebecca | 23 February, 2009 at 11:46 am
I flew with Ryanair last week, and as much as i want to slate the self-service check in terminal/computer type things at Stansted…. i can’t. It made the whole process sooooo easy and stress free.
HOWEVER what i do object to is being charged to use the check in desk, when you are not allowed to use the check in desk!!!! i had to pay for the pleasure of pressing a few buttons at the arrivals area of the airport!!! it’s an absolute bloody cheek!!!!!
Further to this, our flights should have, according to Ryanair, cost us £0.00 on the way out and £4.99 on the way back (or the other way round). By the time we checked in a bag, paid its booking fees, checked ourselves in at the desk and paid taxes, the flight was actually nearer £80 each. Now that’s still pretty cheap, but dont tell me my flight is going to be £5 return, when in fact it’s £80 return!!!
And then…. sorry, my Ryanair Rant…. our flights arrived “25 minutes early” each way… hmmm… more like they are just giving themselves longer slots so that they dont have to pay fines for being late. And then, as they were apparently 25 minutes early, Stansted weren’t ready for our flight, so we had to wait on board for 40 minutes until they found steps to get us off. the plane, making us 15 minutes late.
Grrrrrrrr!!!!
Wink Lorch | 23 February, 2009 at 12:28 pm
In Geneva, EasyJet have had auto-check in for a couple of years now – I’ve used the system many, many times as I fly in and out of there with EJ a lot – Ive only twice had problems – both times when all the computers were outed – that’s when you get problems as vast queues build up for manual check-in.
I don’t think security is an issue, personally. The computer check-in asks all the usual questions, which you give as ‘automated’ an answer as you would to a person. At the bag drop there is a person who you have to show your passport to and your boarding card is checked against your luggage. If you didn’t make it to the plane, they would throw your baggage off.
Darren Cronian | 23 February, 2009 at 12:39 pm
@ Wink
Thanks for the comment. It’s good to read passenger experiences of such systems.
Darren Cronian | 23 February, 2009 at 12:40 pm
@ Rebecca
Do you feel better now? It’s good to rant 
As I mentioned in the post, Ryanair are the airline everyone loves to rant at. I have to say I have used them about five times and never had any problems. My main gripe is the lack of customer service, and the ‘you get what you paid for’ attitude.
Simon | 23 February, 2009 at 1:09 pm
I’ve used the EasyJet system at Geneva a number of times also. It’s definately a good idea, and speeds things up from what I’ve seen. You still end up queuing to hand your bags over, but for nowhere near as long.
Some people may struggle with it to start with and so long as they have a decent strategy for if the systems fall over, then it should work fine.
Nick | 23 February, 2009 at 1:32 pm
This type of check-in is nothing new and nothing to do with the current economic downturn just the way they where going anyway. I saw the desks where being installed last summer, not something you do over night. BA, Flybe and BMI have had these for sometime.
What gets to me is Ryanair put it out as saving us money, when they charged for using the manned desks anyway at a high rate then it cost them. So does it not go to show that customers wanted this service and are prepared to pay for it? So it it a good thing or a bad thing? Customer service logic would show to keep it and make money, but when has Ryanair been about the customer?
Nick | 23 February, 2009 at 1:41 pm
@Darren
The Ryanair “get what you paid for” attitude is my problem with the airline as you well know, the thing is you do not get what you pay for as time and time again as I pointed out they are not cheaper than other airlines. (Taking in secondary airports, extra charges etc). Yes Ryanair will tell me I can fly for 1p (sorry 26 pounds with taxes) each way, but add my case and anything else and it is 78 pounds, so why not take the BA 79pound offer and get where you want to be?
Mark Sukhija | 23 February, 2009 at 3:11 pm
That Ryanair are making such a song and dance about this is taking the biscuit. Swiss have been offering online checkin for a number of years. There’s been none of the song-and-dance but a simple service that does what it says on the tin.
@Nick, you really couldn’t have summed it up any better. The price difference between “budget” airlines and flag carriers is minimal and, once you take into account you still have to get to where you want to be, can be much more expensive.
Given that I travel regularly enough, I also manage to accumulate a number of miles which, in turn, translate into free flights. Over the longer run, I actually pay less for my travels using a flag carrier than I do with a budget firm. And have the benefits of a fully featured carrier / alliance and associated services.
Emily Ashwell | 23 February, 2009 at 3:25 pm
I think it all comes down to price. I live much nearer Heathrow so it is almost always cheaper for me to fly BA than Ryanair, taking into account additional fees, train fares to the airport etc. However, I live in the south east and have a lot of airport choice so won’t suffer as much as other travellers who have less choice.
(I also think where Ryanair has a captive market is all the friends and family of people who bought holiday homes near the regional airports that only Ryanair flies to – although I would love a holiday home, I would not like to be beholden to a no-frills airline to get there)
Martino Matijevic | 23 February, 2009 at 4:05 pm
Darren, good point about not being able to compare airlines any more. Before you can call yourself a “price comparison flight search engine”, you have to ask your visitors: “how many bags have you got, how heavy are the bags, can you print your boarding card or are you in an internet cafe, how are you paying, …..”
Gennaro | 23 February, 2009 at 4:31 pm
I prefer online or automated check-in. The lines are notoriously long for check-in and everyone seems to take their sweet time with passengers asking lots of questions that have nothing to do with the check-in itself. Together with e-tickets, this is a postive occurrence. There should, however, be significant security at the bag drop. There’s plenty for passengers entering the main area. That being said, there has to be at least one agent on hand. To go completely human free is asking for trouble.
Roxanne | 23 February, 2009 at 5:44 pm
The next change that they will bring in will be robots instead of cabin crew to cut costs( some may joke they are that already?!)
Murray Harrold | 23 February, 2009 at 8:12 pm
Latest from RyanAir – RyanAir have now abolished aeroplanes as these are proving too expensive to run. Passengers now can check in, with as much baggage as they like and walk & swim. A staff member of RyanAir will wave off each crocodile and point generally in the direction of travel. In a press statement RyanAir said “We now provide cost effective but above all ecologically sound travel. We accept that our flight times may be extended though the low charges will be appreciated by our passengers. We are sure they will appreciate the extra fitness they will also now enjoy. Mate. We hope to introduce self waving desks soon, to cut costs further”
Nathan | 24 February, 2009 at 9:03 am
Wonder whether the budget transatlantic carrier Michael O’Leary wants to launch will follow the same model?
Going right back to the first comment – @jeremy I don’t think it’s a big deal in security terms. I’m sceptical that the old call-and-response routine at check-in is any good at revealing serious threats. In any case, the airline can do it at bag drop if the passenger is putting luggage in the hold.
Personally I’m with Gennaro – online or automated every time.
Darren Cronian | 24 February, 2009 at 1:20 pm
@ Murray
Your forgetting the additional extras. £15 for inflatable armbands (each way) and £10 for the snorkle and flippers (each way) 
Roxanne | 24 February, 2009 at 8:48 pm
Other cost cutting initiatives or money raising initiatives could include
Extra seating in the luggage compartments for kids and people under 5ft!
Getting passengers to clean the plane before and after landing to save costs.
Ryan Air could start plane dating and charge for the service thus raising money for whatever new initiative they decide to bring in next…. The airline could offer a dating service for people to meet other singletons!
When buying your plane ticket, the customer would fill in an online qustionnaire with thier likes and dislikes and so on.. They would then be seated next to someone who might be their future love interest!!! I think this would take off…..!!
Ryanair Networking: Similar to plane dating but it could match you up with a suitable employer…
Inflatable planes..
Biodegradable planes!
Shubh | 27 February, 2009 at 6:39 am
Such steps to cut down the operating cost and to pass on the benefits to the customers are being expected by various airlines. Shortening the onboard menu card is also a good step as this seems just a luxury for short distance flights.
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Rachael | 28 March, 2009 at 10:53 pm
I’ve got a question and please forgive my ignorance, but it’s the first time I travel by online check-in and I’m starting to get kind of worried as I have read and re-read ryanair’s Terms and Conditions of Travel and can’t make any sense of them. So my question is, can you check-in online if you have luggage? It said so when I was booking my flight but everything else I’m reading on the ryainair website is making me confused! And if so is it easy to spot the place were I drop it of (which is under no circumstances the normal desk as I will get charged for that, right)? I’m normally early for my flights anyway but I want to make sure I have everything clear. Thankyou so much to whoever answers.
Rebecca | 30 March, 2009 at 8:44 am
Hi Rachel
I think i’m right in saying that no, if you are taking a bag on board you cannot check in online. So, you get the pleasure in paying both to use the check in desk, and then paying to check your bag in. Only, if you are flying from Stansted, there is no check in desk. Just a few computers when you first arrive, on which you check yourself in, and then take your bag to a baggage collection point. Very well laid out, and efficient. Just a shame you have to pay so much for it.
Rachael | 30 March, 2009 at 11:37 am
Hi Rebeca,
The thing is that when I was booking my flight ryanair had different options, you could check-in 0 bags online, 0 bags at the airport, 1 bag online, 1 bag at the airport,etc and I chose the 1 bag online. But because this is the first time I travel since they have this system and I’m flying from Valencia I started wondering how it was possible for me to get the bag on the plane. But I’ve been reading around and I think there must be a luggage drop-off somewhere in the airport, what do you think?
I’d really apreciate it if anyone else answers.
Thanks again.
Mick Dee | 19 April, 2009 at 11:38 am
Hi
Yes. It would seem that Rynair have Bag drop desks.
Very little information on the website at the moment but i have booked a flight to Seville next month and need to check up on this as i have chosed the same option.
I’ll report back when i find more info
Mick Dee | 19 April, 2009 at 11:44 am
Hi Again.
I have found some info on this matter on the Daily Telegraph website.
@ Darren: I hope you don’t mind me putting up a link to this article.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/travelnews/4972915/Ryanairs-online-check-in-policy-QandA.html
Hope this helps
Rachael | 22 April, 2009 at 1:41 pm
Hi again,
People with luggage can check-in online and there will be bag drop desks for people who choose this option in the future. Until then I had touse the normal desks because aparently Ryanair is being very slow about updating the desks. But there were no problems at all at either of the airports I travelled from (Valencia and London Stansted) even though at Stansted Ryanair now has machines from which you print your ticket even if you choose the check-in at the airport option and you then drop of your bags at the normal ryanair desks.
Hope this helps anybody travelling in the future if they choose online check-in!
Darren Cronian | 7 December, 2009 at 8:59 pm
@ Craig,
I think you will find that the low cost airlines will charge you for printing your boarding pass out because youve opted with online check-in. I do not think that the low costs have self service check-in terminals. You might be best giving them a call, or having a look at the T&Cs.
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