But you need to be aware its a cut-price service and they’ll look to nail you on extras – so just make sure you dont need any! Dont eat on the plane, bring your own, dont turn up with more luggage than they said you could, book online long in advance…the obvious things we all know already.

Their carry-on weight allowance is probably the most generous anywhere. Its worth the extra dosh buying a strong yet light bag for the hold as, like all airlines, they do try to crush it.

If you want to bring 42kilo suitcases for “no extra charge” then pay a few hundred more dollars (pounds) in the ticket price!

I’m poor too buddy, but I’m not going to complain that a company charged me what they warned me ahead of time they would!

Sheesh…

So either stop being cheap and spend more, realize that being poor means you don’t get to fly first class for economy dollars, or just suck it up and be grateful you can get a cheap flight.

And unfortunately, people “vote” with their money. It’s how Wal-mart and Target have been so successful here in the U.S. Sure we’d all like to buy “American” but given the price differences we cave in to the mega stores which drives out the mom-and-pop stores which utlimately brings down the economy of everyone EXCEPT those who are already rich enough that they can (and do) shop at nicer (and more expensive) stores.

This translates to airlines in that folks are always trying to get cheap tickets from point A to point B since the majority of us fly economy instead of business or first class (also explains why there are always more economy seats that first class/business class). Now I’m not saying that some of us don’t fly in first class or business class, just that we (the majority of folks) fly economy. Thus we vote with our dollars (or whatever currency) and as we continue to choose economy, airlines have to come up with ways to stay profitable. Lowering ticket prices helps attract folks to fly, but you can only go so low. Thus Ryanair takes a novel approach by going with ultra cheap (if not free) tickets with a HUGE but clause. The clause being that everything costs extra. From checking in bags to the “privilege” of using a credit/debit card to an pillow/blanket to even a cheap 8 oz can of soda, everything is billed a la carte.

Sure, most folks would be in arms against a Ryanair in the States, but look at what airlines have already done in the U.S. There have been size reductions to what you can bring as carry-on luggage, fees added to “overweight” check-in luggage, what used to be a complimentary service (beverages, headsets, snacks, meals) are now a charge by service. All in all, these are merely baby steps that our U.S. airlines have done compared to what giant steps Ryanair has done over in Europe.

Meanwhile, as readers of this blog have seen, airlines are also increasing service levels for business and first class (just look at Singapore Airlines’ Pods for instance).

Ultimately, it’s my personal opinion that airplanes will eventually be separated into two divisions. Insanely expensive “we treat you as Royalty” class and moderately cheap “we pack you like a can of sardines” class with new and improved standing seats (an ideal that was pitched by Airbus to Asian airlines).

Of course, if … nay when it gets to that point, I’m hopeful that the “have nots” will rise up and take over the “haves”.

And then he expects what?

When I go to WalMart I don’t expect Nordstrom’s service.

-TF