Ryanair Requires Web Check-In... Then Takes Down Website For 10 Hours

from the except-during-the-hours-of... dept

Tue, Jun 16th 2009 10:21pm — Mike Masnick

Ryanair, the discount Irish airline famous for incredibly cheap fares, combined with massive charges for anything extra (recently, it's talked seriously about charging for bathroom access), announced that passengers would need to check in online, or face a large additional charge of £40. Yet... just a month later, it announced that it needs to take down its website for a whole 10 hours for maintenance purposes. So, if you're planning to check-in or fly during that time period, you might be in a bit of trouble. Regulators aren't pleaseed either, noting that it's irresponsible of the company to both require online check-in and to close down the website for a significant period of time.

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Filed Under: discount airlines, flights, web check in
Companies: ryanair

9 Comments

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lawgeeknz, 16 Jun 2009 @ 11:19pm

Just imagine
"...it's irresponsible of the company to both require online check-in and to close down the website for a significant period of time"

Now why can't regulators understand the same logic when it comes to #copyright 3 strikes internet termination!
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john savage, 17 Jun 2009 @ 12:31am

thieving Ryanair
On 13th May I flew with Ryanair from Zaragoza, Spain to Stansted. I had booked my ticket on the Spanish language website. There was no explanation on the site about this online check-in con. First I knew about it was at the check-in desk. Being early I suggested finding a computer to print it out on but was told that you cannot print it out within 2 hours of take-off! Most of the passengers were Spanish. About 80% of them were caught out by this and had to pay 20€ to board. At least it's only 20€ from there, but what a sneaky dirty trick.

Last week my mother flew from Stansted to Zaragoza. I warned he about the check in con so she made sure she had printed it out. They still charged her £10. What for I don't know.

If Ryanair are short of cash they should put their fares up. Not treat their customers with contempt, and not resort to sleazy, bullying extortion.
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dmcn (profile), 17 Jun 2009 @ 1:35am

caveat emptor
If every this applied to anything, its booking a flight from ryanair - you need to watch every box you tick and every dropdown you use (especially the one for travel insurance).

However, in ryanair's defense, half the time they are charging you 99c to fly hundreds of miles - that's cheaper than a bus ticket, and less than a litre of petrol. They do need to make money somewhere, often through the complacency and mistakes of customers. Not a great customer service model, but it is airlines like them that have helped reduce the cost of flights generally.
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- ebola, 17 Jun 2009 @ 1:59am
  
  Re: caveat emptor
  They fly with one of their compeditors... there is one with orange liver* I would reccomend.
  
  * That's livery, Cliff**.
  ** Mmm, that too...
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Blatant Coward, 17 Jun 2009 @ 1:40am

RE:thieving Ryanair
"Last week my mother flew from Stansted to Zaragoza. I warned he about the check in con so she made sure she had printed it out. They still charged her £10. What for I don't know."

That was the £10 print out reading fee.
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Joe King, 17 Jun 2009 @ 3:21am

This airline...
This is the airline that has a really cute stewardess who doubles as an adult film actress (at least she did a few months back). :) In fact...I think this site reported it?!

Her name is Edita Schindlerova.
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- Greg, 17 Jun 2009 @ 6:07am
  
  Re: This airline...
  hmmm @ Schindlerova's List
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Mr Big Content, 17 Jun 2009 @ 4:15am

Separating the Smart Customers From The Stupid Ones
It’s really quite simple, they’re giving you ample warning, so you just have to check in for your flight before the site goes down, to avoid paying the extra £40. The smart folks will already be planning ahead.

Take some food.
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Crosbie Fitch (profile), 17 Jun 2009 @ 4:33am

Bathrooms on planes??
I wouldn't be surprised to be charged for the use of a bathroom on a plane. What a luxury!

I'd have thought even a shower would only be available to business class passengers who'd paid a special premium.
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