By College Tourist, Author, Victoria Humphrey
Let's face it, "budget travel" is essentially the middle name of every student who studies abroad. I applaud Irish-based Ryanair for offering such a wide selection of budget-friendly flights to destinations throughout Europe and Africa (yes, you can take RyanAir to Morocco) and wish we had a similar airline in America. However, there are a few things you should know, before booking that seemingly "too good to be true" 20 euro round-trip ticket, that are guaranteed to make your Ryanair experience significantly more enjoyable (or tolerable, depending on the situation).
1. Map out your trip ahead ... way ahead!
Ryanair notoriously flies out of the most obscure airports in every city, so make sure that time management remains a priority when finalizing the details regarding your departing flight. While public transportation (bus, metro, tram) is usually the most economical option when traveling to the airport, sometimes splitting a cab, regardless of price, with your fellow study-abroaders might be the best option. Not only are Ryanair flights usually at the crack of dawn, but the airport will more than likely be located off the beaten path. After all what is more important, saving a few euros attempting to take public transportation or actually making the unbelievably cheap flight that you managed to book?
2. Hand luggage only.
Always remember to bring hand luggage only -- "hand luggage" meaning a carry-on bag, which for students usually happens to be an oversized (and almost too large to fit in the luggage sizer) backpack. If you don't, Ryanair will not think twice about charging you an arm and a leg! Ryanair is very strict on their carry-on policy, and everything must fit in one bag in order for you to not get charged extra; ladies you cannot even bring a cross-body bag in addition to your one carry-on, unless it fits inside your carry-on, or you are able to hide it underneath your coat without getting caught. If backpacks aren't really your thing, you will see many stores in whatever city you're studying in that offer "Ryanair Approved" roller boards, but why waste the money when you can just stuff the backpack that you probably brought with you from home?
3. Wear as much clothing when traveling as possible.
Wearing three shirts, two jackets, two scarves and your clunky boots may sound like a lot, but when push comes to shove, it is better than paying that additional money for an over-sized bag. Sure, you may feel like you're taking a trip to the Arctic with all those layers on, but I promise you won't be the only one doing it! Remember everyone is flying Ryanair for the same reason... it's cheap -- no one is trying to spend any more money than they absolutely need to!
4. If you have to take a bus from the gate to your plane, try stand as close to the doors as possible.
Most Ryanair flights don't board and deplane directly at the gate since it's cheaper to do it on the tarmac, so more often than not you'll have to take a bus to your plane. There are no seat assignments on Ryanair (unless you pay for it) and whether or not you get a coveted window or aisle seat is all up to how fast you can run... no, but seriously! So in order to have the best chance at a prime seat, make sure you stand as close to the bus doors as possible so you can have a head start on all the other passengers once everyone starts running to the plane (unless of course you are an Olympic-level sprinter, then don't even sweat it).
5. Don't plan on having leg room.
Ryanair truly puts the "ultra" in ultra low cost airline (yes, those are the exact words from the website) because I've never seen an airplane with so many rows of seats! I'm convinced that in order to maximize the number of available seats and profit, Ryanair minimizes the amount of space in between each row of seats, which means significantly less leg room.
Now, I suppose it could have been that I had on too many layers of clothes or that my overstuffed backpack took up too much room under the seat, but nonetheless, nine times out of ten, I was not exactly comfortable. However, at the end of the day what do you really expect when you pay next to nothing for a ticket?
6. Bring snacks.
Ryanair is no different from most American airlines; they charge a ridiculous price for food, too! It's always better to be prepared than hungry, so just bring something with you.
7. Ryanair prides itself on being on time, but don't always count on it.
Sure the Ryanair website states that around 90 percent of their flights reach their respective destination on time, but just like all airlines, sometimes things don't go according to plan. However, whenever your Ryanair flight is on time, make sure you're mentally prepared to be awoken to the blaring sound of the William Tell Overture (yes, the horse racing music) and boisterous applause upon landing. As if it wasn't 7:00 in the morning and you weren't sitting inside an airplane with an all lemon yellow interior right? It's really not that bad once you get used to it, but your first time is definitely a shocker!
To this day I remain thankful to the study abroad student I happened to cross paths with in the security line in Rome who was kind enough to share with me the tips of the trade regarding travel on Ryanair. While Ryanair will always be Ryanair (trust me once you experience it, you will know exactly what I'm talking about) I promise you will come to know and love Ryanair (quirks and all) during your time abroad! At the end of the day, nothing beats "budget friendly" travel!
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Air Arabia debuted in 2003 as the first low-cost carrier to service the Middle East and Northern Africa, and seven years later, remains the area’s leading budget airline – despite newcomers’ attempts to pilfer away budget-minded flyers. Air Arabia has stayed true to its slogan, “Pay Less Fly More,” keeping fares low while still providing the safe and streamlined service that it's become so reputed for. The minds behind the award-winning company continue to brainstorm new ways to keep ahead of other budget airlines – their latest project, announced in June, will amp up service even more with a fourth hub in Amman, Jordan, offering direct flights to Europe, North Africa, and Asia]. Outside the airspace, in November 2010 the brand plans to debut its budget-friendly, 300-room Air Arabia Centro Hotel at Sharjah Airport, featuring an eatery, pool, and business center.
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Throughout its 32 years of service, this doyen of the budget carriers has enjoyed numerous accolades for its high standards of service, and in 2010 took home its sixth Skytrax “World Airline Award” in the best budget airline category (in 2008 it also earned “Best Cabin Crew” accolades). Little wonder, given Air Berlin’s stance on not nickel-and-diming its passengers; offering complimentary snacks, beverages, and newspapers on-board; as well as flexible booking options that allow customers to modify flights sans the exorbitant, industry-standard change fees. For cutting-edge convenience, the MMS (Multimedia Message Service) program permits flyers to reserve a seat, check in, and have their boarding pass sent directly to their mobile phone. The airline also scores points in the family department – while many budget airlines leave parents feeling like they should apologize for flying with their little ones, this carrier makes a family’s flight more enjoyable with amenities like cots for infants, baby bags (filled with a bottle, bib, and nappy), toys, and special childrens' dining menus – not to mention the reduced rates for children under 12.
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Born of the leading Brazilian highway transportation group, Grupo Aurea, back in '01, GOL has quickly evolved into Brazil's second-largest airline, offering up some fierce competition to current lead contender, TAM. Its modernized Boeing fleet (which operates at speeds that are 12 percent faster than similar competitor models) and super-low fare policy, has coupled well with on-board niceties like a nutritious snack menu and a smartly dressed staff (two of Brazil’s most famous stylists, Gloria Coelho and Ricardo Almeida, designed the uniforms). What’s more, GOL has branched out for an expanding international presence, most recently in July announcing a frequent-flyer agreement with Delta that’s sure to put GOL more squarely on the radar of an American clientele.
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When JetBlue first took to the skies in 2000, it was a tiny two-line carrier connecting New York City to Buffalo and Fort Lauderdale. Ten years later, the airline’s vast network and stellar reputation (it's held the highest ranking among low-cost carriers for customer satisfaction by JD Power & Associates for five straight years) have exploded on the aviation scene. Its on-board technology is what has really set JetBlue ahead of other budget airlines, with seat-back personal entertainment units that include 36 channels of DIRECTV, XM radio, and pay-per-view movies. What’s more, JetBlue was the first U.S. airline (back in December of '07) to offer free in-flight e-mail and messaging for Wi-Fi-enabled laptops and BlackBerrys – a perk cherished (at long last) by both business and leisure travelers.
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Awards have been jetting towards this Australian budget airline, including its 2009 ranking as the top Australia and New Zealand carrier in the coveted Skytrax’s “Best Low-Cost Airline” category. Launched in 2004, the carrier's domestic and international services stretch the globe, but not your wallet, with low fares that have been known to tumble below rates of $5 one-way (not including taxes and fees). In fact, the airline – along with sister carriers Jetstar Asia and Jetstar Pacific, all of which parent company Qantas has stakes in – is so confident in its rates, that they've put a price-beat guarantee into place for routes to and from Singapore (and other cities) that will beat any competitor airline’s rates by 10 percent. Unlike many budget airlines, Jetstar Airways also offers upgrades to StarClass on international flights, a premium seating area that's inclusive of food, drinks, and entertainment.
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Part of the namesake Indian beer empire, Kingfisher launched in 2005, emerging among a new crop of privately-owned Indian airlines that offer great service, decent food, and clean, modern planes at reasonable prices – others include SpiceJet and IndiGo; another, Jet Airways, is priced higher. Primarily serving India’s rapidly growing and increasingly mobile middle class, these airlines have also transformed the average visitor’s India experience, largely removing those tediously slow, if romantic, train journeys from the equation. What’s more, Kingfisher finalized a contract with OneWorld in June, linking the airline to both American Airlines’ and British Airways’ frequent-flyer programs. Despite some financial problems (nothing new among budget airlines), Kingfisher continues to promise passengers the “royal treatment,” offering on-demand entertainment in its red leather seats (though not in its low-fare class), complimentary gourmet Indian dishes, and a choice between business, economy, or low-fare class seating (on its domestic routes).
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If you ever hear a flight attendant tell passengers that if they “don’t know how to operate a seat belt, then you probably shouldn’t be allowed in public unsupervised,” you're most likely flying Kulula Air. The Johannesburg-based airline is known for its sense of humor, along with its affordable rates. Started in 2001, Kulula Air has brought budget air travel to South Africa and beyond on the African continent. Named for a Zulu (the largest South African ethnic group) word meaning “light, easy, and simple,” Kulula offers a full service of straightforward travel options, including car rentals, adventure outings, and even cellular phone packages. Tip: It has been rumored that wearing green onto the wildly decorated green and blue planes will get you a free Kit Kat from the comedian attendants on board (a fun perk compared to many budget airlines).
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Taking speed from the road to the sky, former Formula One race-car driver Niki Lauda founded quirky discount airline NIKI in 2003. Rather than cutting luxury to conserve cost, NIKI relies on quality patron perks to keep bookings booming (it seems to have worked – profits rose by 75 percent between 2008 and 2009, and NIKI added flights to six European cities to its roster in 2010). Extras include complimentary in-flight snacks that forgo the peanuts in favor of hearty sandwiches, plus entertainment options like free magazines, newspapers, TV shows, movies, and radio stations. If you’d like to spend some of the money you saved on the cheap flight, indulge in their on-board store (which hocks everything from earphones to Frisbees to Swarovski jewelry). Or, eat like royalty and upgrade your food to gourmet Demel (think minced veal or yellow chicken curry – a major upgrade from budget airlines' usual staples), purveyor to the Habsburg court in Vienna.
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Experience Porter (established in 2006) at its prime by flying one of its classy planes out of Toronto, its hub city and the site of a sleek departure lounge touting comfy chairs--perfect for unwinding airport stress. If you’d like to stay up and alert, indulge in a complimentary self-serve latte in a heated mug, or opt to get some work done at the business center, where passengers can surf the web with free wireless Internet. In-flight is truly refined: Sip a complimentary glass of beer or wine, stretch out with lots of legroom in the two seat-only configurations (no chance of being the cramped middleman), and enjoy it all in peace and quiet (aircrafts feature a noise and vibration suppression system to dull that flying buzz). Bonus features for those who can’t commit or have busy travel schedules (and more proof that Porter is decidedly atypical among budget airlines): Passengers may purchase their tickets in bulk with a pre-paid “Porter Pass” of up to 100 one-way trips, or opt for a "Freedom Fare," which allows free flight changes all the way to the day you take off.
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Aboard Virgin America, innovation, aesthetics, and comfort blend seamlessly for a flight that will make you feel like a VIP whether or not you splurge for premium seating. Its ambition to “bring great service back to the skies” has inspired a forward-thinking business strategy invested in style, entertainment, and relaxation, as well as the maintenance of attractively low fares. In-flight absinthe sales and a new frequent-flyer mile link with trendy hotel chain Joie de Vivre ups the cool quotient even more, but passengers need only turn on the TV to know that this is a different kind of affordable airline: The CW’s “Fly Girls” reality show (which aired in early 2010) chronicled the lives of five Virgin America flight attendants. Onboard, indigo and violet mood lighting changes throughout the flight, responding to the time of day to help passengers relax. Expect live satellite television, 20 new pay-per-view blockbusters, more than 3,000 MP3s (plus radio and audiobooks), in-flight food ordering, gaming, and a chat function that enables seat-to-seat conversations.
All photos courtesy of Wikimedia.