Budget airlines stress, is it just me?

I'm strong enough to queue for 2-3 hours! My friend thinks I should choose assisted boarding, but I'm only a bit weak after recovering from illness and don't have anything really wrong with me like others, so I feel I shouldn't

I phoned the airline to arrange for assisted boarding and de-boarding the last few times I flew. I had no compunction about doing so. If people with mobility issues stopped asking for these facilities they would disappear.

I recall having a conversation with a man on one flight who asked me what my "disability" was. When I told him it was arthritis he replied that his wife had arthritis but "did not want to make a fuss". I told him I had not made "a fuss" simply a five minute call to the airline customer services to claim a legal right. I have a well practised "edge" to my voice when talking back to foolish people like this. It certainly shut him up.

I've no expectations of a flying service other than they get me from A to B with civility and a modicum of comfort. The rest is up to me. After many years of travel I've had few problems and much gratitude for the £5 seats which tempted me to explore areas I would otherwise never have visited. So many happy memories.

I bet I'd still be in a seat with a tired kid who won't go to sleep behind me, kicking me up the bum.

The budget airlines just want to get you there as quickly as possible and turn the aircraft round for the next trip. Not much thought is giving to your enjoyment of the experience. The long haul flights and scheduled flights usually want to make the experience part of your holiday and often promote that airline's country in the way of hospitality. You get the feel the voyage is part of your holiday and not just a means to an end, but you are paying for it.

I've got a travel 'neck' bag I wear, and if I'm in a less than salubrious area, I put it down my top. The bag is big enough for my passport, currency and credit cards. I've used it a few times and much prefer it to digging around in a handbag.

Before I found the bag I used a running belt for my cash/cards, but because I'm fat couldn't see it when opening it! Nervous moment in NY when it nearly fell off too.

I'm flying with Easyjet next week and have bought the smallest backpack EVER for the cabin. 45 x 36 x 20 cm. We're only going for a few days and thought I'd be OK with a cabin bag, and managed to book the last two £7.99 seats. Hours later I thought I'd take a 'large cabin bag' as well - would have had to change seats and pay another £31.99 each, there and back. Just told my son we'll buy toiletries when we get there, shower gel for £1 I'm still saving £120+

My favourite airline is Emirates. Unfortunately they don’t fly to Europe so we have to use another airline, usually EasyJet. We did find Qatar to be very good too, but Emirates is definitely the best.

I have a list in my airport handbag & check it off as I put things in. Medications, sunglasses, kindle, passports etc then I know I haven’t forgotten anything.

Himself’s list is slightly different of course - wallet, euros for train or taxi, switch off boiler ...

Sago, to answer your question. Yes, a lot of passengers are going through the same turmoil that you go through, you just don’t see it. I’m a regular flyer but boy I drive myself crazy checking everything twice, three times sometimes even four but I do it before I get to the airport. Put aside some quiet time to check that you have completed reservation and any paperwork that you might need. Make a list beforehand and tick it off as you go. Put passport, money, paperwork in a bag, perhaps the bag you are taking with you. Leave the list out and only look at the list. You could even put it on your phone. Night before departure, get yourself a drink, go through the list. Then relax, you’re going on holiday!
If your GC are being assessed for ASD they may suffer from sensory overload, if they are not too young, headphones may help. Do some research about what has worked for others. If you are getting stressed and they sense this, they will also get stressed.
Plan and be organised and have a great holiday.

I have to fly with Ryanair to UK because there is no choice. The flight is just over an hour so need for food or drinks on board. I have almost always been satisfied with their service and found staff to be courteous and helpful in the main.
Like Urmstongran I think the service is fine for the money.

When we disembarked on Wednesday from a Ryanair flight there was no pushing and shoving. Passengers were polite and courteous, standing in the aisle to allow each row to stand up and exit. Very civilised but to be honest I’ve never seen it not be so.

My favourite is Jet2 because that cheery holiday music (from the Tv ad) is played on embarking & disembarking - certainly lifts the experience! Costs more though ... we fly with them to Ibiza in June.

I flew with Jet2 in February and they disembarked us one row at a time. Very civilised. The crew said they were hoping to keep that going forward so hopefully it'll still be the case when we fly with them next month ?

roganjosh

We fly Ryanair by choice travelling between home in Spain and UK and other European destinations. Book via their website and follow the instructions and have never had any problems, they were brilliant rebooking flights during Covid so no complaints from me.

None from us either roganjosh! Ryanair is cheap and does what it says on the tin. Very happy to-ing and fro-ing with them to be honest.

Ginny42 don’t feel guilty about needing assistance, it ends up being much better for the airline to know who might need help and you will recover properly from your illness.

I flew Jet2 to Malta last September and I've got to say they were fantastic. I honestly can't fault them. What really impressed me was, on both flights, having reached our destination we were disembarked row by row. There was no pushing or shoving everyone just left their seat calmly when instructed to do so by the cabin crew. Also, prior to our trip they kept in touch by email to insure we had all the right documents etc. Luckily, you that you no longer need to complete a UK Passenger Locator Form prior to returning home - as that was a bit of a nightmare. Just make sure you have downloaded and/or printed you NHS covid pass and any pass needed by the Portuguese authorities. It all seems overwhelming at first but once you're travelling its actually quite straightforward and far less stressful than it seems to be before you leave home.
Have a lovely holiday, you will be fine!

I’m another who’s fine with Ryanair - follow their instructions to the letter and there’s never been a problem and mostly on time, they never cancel!

EasyJet cancelled a flight without notice and were totally unhelpful in getting us back to Blighty so that cost them €800 compensation for the two of us!

BA were brilliant with free champagne on a birthday flight, Etihad, Emirates, Air France - excellent service but expensive

Most of the problems I’ve seen at airports are caused by other travellers not listening and/or thinking they can beat the rules, because they’re entitled. Airside staff and aircrew deserve medals for their patience IMO.

Alan Joyce CEO of Quantas, don’t know what anyone could have against the man.

nanna8

I hate Qantas- overrated, rude staff and uncomfortable flights. They were good until that Irishbloke took over.

What has the Irishbloke got to do with Qantas - they are owned by Ethiad, Singapore Airlines, Virgin Group, HNA Group and the rest 51% is Australian owned.

Ryanair used to be awful but they are really fine now and did you know Ryanair have the best safety record of ANY airline
I travelled with them three weeks ago and it was perfectly smooth absolutely nothing I could complain about

I am not an airline snob, it’s the whole package, queues,security,check in etc, I never want to be the person holding up the queue.
I travel on an Irish passport which will make life a bit easier but until I’m off the plane I don’t really relax.

I hate Qantas- overrated, rude staff and uncomfortable flights. They were good until that Irishbloke took over.

I love Ryanair...flown with them loads...never had an issue....always landed on time ( if not before)

Blondiescot

Flown with several budget airlines and never had any problems. Think some people have a degree of snobbery when it comes to them. I've got no issues - if the price is right, get me on that plane!

Not at all. It's about quality of service for me. Jet2 are cheap but offer good service. Easyjet can be hit and miss, although mostly they're good. Ryan Air has always offered poor service on the flights I've been on. Great that they're cheap, but I don't want that stress when travelling.

Never had a problem with Ryanair, in fact very grateful that their low prices have enabled me to get away to beautiful places when my finances have been tough.
I was able to visit magical Siena with the best ever bargain of a penny there and a penny back flight to Pisa.

Just come back from Portugal, both ways with EasyJet. The worst thing was Manchester Airport and it’s purely shortage of staff. There was a lot of queuing both ways through security so maybe you could get assisted passage or something.

If there is a choice, we prefer EasyJet from Liverpool but it’s very early flights. I wouldn’t actually choose Ryanair if there was any other way, especially the late flight on Friday nights from Liverpool - pure hell! There’s no doubt it’s cheaper by Ryanair if you can stomach the added costs etc and the thought of THAT MAN crowing about his passenger numbers!

Once you’re on the planes, there’s no difference, the food choices and staff are better on EasyJet but it’s such a short flight, it’s no hardship really. Good luck, just sleep if you can (except the late Friday flight from Liverpool, just avoid for your blood pressure’s sake!

Slightly off piste but yesterday, I flew into Tokyo (with a Japanese airline )and we were all asked very politely to stay seated, belts still fastened until the plane had docked & the captain gave us the ok to move. Well, we all sat there like good children, not a soul moved, not a sound was heard and it was a good five minutes before the proverbial whistle blew. Everyone was calm, bags were gently retrieved and everyone disembarked in a cool, calm manner?. It can be done. Maybe Easyjet and Ryanair could take some lessons in training their passengers!