Ryanair is Europe’s go-to low-cost airline and often makes headlines for its low fares and “great care”. With claims of poor service, questionable reliability, and debatable value for money, I decided to wipe the slate clean of any past experiences and test them myself. I travelled from Glasgow to Charleroi (near Brussels) to see if the experience matched the price.
Flight Details
Aircraft: Boeing 737-800
Date: 10/05/2022
Route: Glasgow → Brussels Charleroi
Price: £15.99 (£7.99 flight + £8.00 seat selection)
Airport Experience
Arriving at Glasgow Airport at 6:15 AM for a 7:35 AM flight, I was surprised by how busy the airport was. Despite a long queue in security, the staff processed the queue quickly, and I was in Duty-Free within 18 minutes.
With a variety of food options available, I was able to get myself a coffee and head to where I thought the gate would be. At 7:05 AM, our gate (I was wrong) was displayed, and seating was plentiful while we waited for boarding to begin.
Boarding Experience
Ryanair’s boarding process is notorious for being a bit chaotic, and this flight was no exception. Priority boarding is intended for passengers with wheeled suitcases, with a non-priority queue for everybody else, however, misplaced passengers often slow the process.
Another hiccup arose due to Ryanair’s strict face mask policy. Masks were mandatory for flights to Belgium at the time, and some passengers without masks had to purchase them at the airport, causing further delays.
Boarding was via stairs at Gate 27, with passengers directed to the door nearest their row. A friendly crew member greeted each passenger as they boarded (a polite “hello” back is always appreciated). As a 6’3” traveller, I found the legroom adequate—despite what some may say.
This was only my second time flying Ryanair from Glasgow Airport as the airline has only seven destinations from here, a far cry from what they used to offer from GLA in the past, but that traffic has since moved to Edinburgh.
This particular aircraft was equipped with Ryanair’s newer style of seats, a significant improvement over the old original seats that are still found on some of their older aircraft. Thankfully the airline has also scaled back the use of yellow onboard, and has instead replaced it with a much more…relaxed interior.
We pushed back from the gate on time and the crew carried out the safety briefing, listen to this regardless of how many times you have flown with them.
In-Flight Experience
Ryanair keeps things minimal —there are no seat-back pockets, physical magazines, or menus. Passengers are encouraged to download the inflight magazine before boarding, as Wi-Fi is not available.
The crew began with a food and drinks service, preferring contactless payments (cash was not accepted). Prices were reasonable compared to other airlines, and the crew was approachable, answering questions and accommodating requests.
Following this, a duty-free service was offered, again with competitive prices and attentive service.
With the flight only half-full, I enjoyed having my row to myself, which allowed extra space for my bag and added comfort. Before landing, the crew sold scratch cards to support charity. While I didn’t win anything, the cause was worth contributing to.
The Ryanair trumpet played as we landed, signalling “yet another on-time arrival”. A quick taxi to the gate and efficient border control had us exiting the airport in no time, with Ryanair staff on hand to guide passengers.
Final Thoughts
For just £7.99, Ryanair delivered an experience that exceeded expectations. The flight was on time, the crew was professional, and the overall service offered fantastic value for money.
If I had to be critical, Charleroi Airport’s location might deter less confident travellers, as it’s outside Brussels (a theme not unique to Brussels). However, a regular coach service is available to Brussels and other nearby cities at a reasonable price on a first come first served basis.
Would I fly Ryanair again? Absolutely—especially at these prices.
Key Takeaways:
- Value for Money: Excellent.
- Efficiency: Security and boarding could improve slightly, but overall smooth.
- Comfort: Adequate, even for taller passengers.
- Extras: Reasonable prices for food, drinks, and duty-free items.
If you’re looking for budget-friendly travel, Ryanair might just surprise you.
George Nugent Travels 