Ryanair Reviews: Ratings, Fees, Pros and Cons

Ryanair is Europe’s largest low-cost carrier, flying to more than 180 destinations across 27 countries. Its rock-bottom fares make it a go-to for budget travelers, but its reputation is split. Some passengers praise the savings; others describe hidden fees and frustrating customer service. This review breaks down what the data actually shows, so you can decide if Ryanair fits your next trip.

Is Ryanair a Good Airline?

Ryanair is a good airline for price-focused travelers who pack light and follow its rules closely, but it struggles with customer service, with a 1.3 TrustScore on Trustpilot and 2.5/5 on TripAdvisor. Reviewers consistently cite baggage fees and unhelpful airport staff as the biggest complaints (Trustpilot, Oct 2026).

Ryanair’s fleet is primarily modern, fuel-efficient Boeing 737s, and the airline offers a Business Plus program for faster security processing. These operational strengths support reliable scheduling, but they don’t offset the customer experience issues that dominate reviews.

What Do Review Platforms Say About Ryanair?

For context, easyJet holds a 3.5 TrustScore, while Wizz Air sits at 1.2 and British Airways at 1.6 (Trustpilot, Oct 2026). Low scores are common across the budget and legacy airline sector alike, so Ryanair’s rating isn’t unique to its business model.

Is Ryanair Good? Weighing the Pros and Cons

Ryanair is good for low fares, frequent European routes, and a generous free personal bag allowance, but it falls short on customer service responsiveness and fee transparency. Whether it’s “good” depends on how much you value price savings versus convenience and support.

The Good

• Significantly lower ticket prices than traditional carriers
• Extensive European route network with frequent flights
• Modern, fuel-efficient Boeing 737 fleet
• Generous cabin baggage allowance for a budget airline
• Business Plus program for faster security
• Some travelers report professional staff and smooth flights

The Bad

• Unexpected baggage fees charged at the airport
• Confusing check-in process requiring the Ryanair app
• Hidden fees throughout the booking flow
• Reports of aggressive or unhelpful staff at gates
• Technical issues with the app and website
• Difficulty reaching customer support for complaints

Flying with Ryanair: What to Expect

Flying with Ryanair means checking in online 24 hours before departure, packing within strict cabin bag limits, and budgeting for optional extras beyond the ticket price. As of September 2025, the free personal bag allowance grew to 40x30x20 cm, about 33% larger than the previous EU-standard size (Avion Tourism, Sept 2025).

New bag sizers are now installed at Ryanair’s European airports to enforce these dimensions. Only one free item fits under the seat; a second cabin bag requires Priority boarding or a checked bag. Bags that don’t comply are charged a fee at the gate.

Tips for Flying Ryanair Successfully

1. Check in online 24 hours in advance to avoid airport check-in fees.
2. Read the current baggage policy before you pack.
3. Measure your bag against the free allowance (40x30x20 cm) before departure.
4. Arrive early to allow time for bag sizing and gate procedures.
5. Download the Ryanair app in advance and confirm your login works.
6. Set aside a budget buffer for seat selection, priority boarding, or baggage add-ons.

Some Trustpilot reviewers from October 2026 reported gate charges as high as €75 for bags judged oversized, and one reviewer cited a €62 per-person airport check-in fee. These are individual, reviewer-reported amounts rather than confirmed current Ryanair pricing, so always verify fees directly on Ryanair’s website before booking.

Who Should (and Shouldn’t) Fly Ryanair

Ryanair Airlines Reviews: How to Read Them

Ryanair’s online reviews skew negative because review platforms attract more complaints than compliments, and Trustpilot notes it has “no history of asking for reviews,” meaning its sample may not represent the full passenger base. Ryanair carried 206.9 million passengers in the 12 months to January 2026 (Aviation24, Jan 2026), making the roughly 33,000 Trustpilot reviews a small fraction of total fliers.

A frustrated passenger is more likely to leave a review than a satisfied one, so platforms like Trustpilot and ConsumerAffairs will always lean critical. ConsumerAffairs’ own summary acknowledges this tension directly, listing “affordable flight options” and “helpful and professional staff” as pros alongside “unexpected hidden fees” as a con.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Ryanair safe to fly?
Ryanair operates a modern Boeing 737 fleet and carried 206.9 million passengers in the 12 months to January 2026 with a 94% load factor (Aviation24).

What is Ryanair’s TripAdvisor rating?
Ryanair holds 2.5 of 5 bubbles across 99,509 TripAdvisor reviews.

What is Ryanair’s Trustpilot score?
Ryanair has a 1.3 TrustScore, rated “Bad,” based on 33,134 total reviews as of October 2026.

How many Ryanair destinations are there?
Ryanair serves 180+ destinations across 27 countries, according to the airline’s route network.

Does Ryanair charge for carry-on bags?
Ryanair’s free personal bag allowance is 40x30x20 cm; a second cabin bag requires Priority boarding or a checked-bag fee.

Why are Ryanair reviews so negative?
Review platforms attract more complaints than praise, and Trustpilot notes it has no history of inviting reviews, which can skew sentiment negative.

How does Ryanair compare to easyJet on Trustpilot?
EasyJet holds a 3.5 TrustScore versus Ryanair’s 1.3, though both operate in the same low-cost segment.

What do App Store reviews say about Ryanair?
The Ryanair app holds 4.3 of 5 stars on the Apple App Store from 11,000+ ratings, despite reviewer complaints about login and payment bugs.

Is Ryanair good for last-minute airport check-in?
Reviewers report being charged airport check-in fees when they didn’t check in online 24 hours ahead, so pre-flight check-in is strongly advised.

What does ConsumerAffairs say about Ryanair?
ConsumerAffairs’ summary lists affordable fares and generous cabin luggage policy as pros, alongside hidden fees and a confusing check-in process as cons.