Latest news with #Ryanair
Daily Mirror
9 minutes ago
- Daily Mirror
Ryanair passengers 'fight' at popular Spanish airport as queue chaos breaks out
Ryanair passengers are reported to have started "fighting" as queues at a popular Spanish airport got "out of control." British tourists have been sharing their experiences online Ryanair passengers are reported to have started "fighting" at a popular Spanish airport as queues got "out of control", marking the second time travellers have been left furious in Spain this month. Various videos have circulated online showing the "snaking" queues to board planes, and many Brits have expressed their bewilderment at the situation. One video, shared on TikTok by a woman named Kimberley, revealed the "crazy" scenes at Barcelona airport this week, and claimed some people missed their flights as a result of the queue. Showing footage of the queue, she claimed this is what happens when you arrive two hours early. In the clip, it was suggested Ryanair have a "two-hour rule" in place, which impacts how early people can drop their baggage at airports. If you need to brush up on your knowledge, all airlines have different boarding pass rules that you need to know about before travelling this summer. Kimberly said: "This is honestly the craziest thing we've ever experienced. So, you can only drop your bags off two hours before your flight is due to depart. "Because of this, this is what generates this massive build up of this huge snake queue. Basically, what ended up happening is we had to skip the queue and go to the last minute queue, because our flight was literally due to take off in 40 minutes, and we still had to go through passport control. "When I tell you people started fighting each other. It's not funny, but I can laugh about it now, because we did manage to make our flight. I know what people are going to say 'why did you book with Ryanair? You know what your're going to get.' "Well, we had no choice, because of the timings - it was our only option. Of course, there were people trying to push in and cut the line." Warning: Below video may contain offensive language Kimberley said it was the most "stressful" journey she's ever experienced, but she wasn't the only one to raise concerns either. Ashleigh also posted a video of the queues at the airport this month, and claimed "so many people missed their flights." Since the videos were shared, many people have commented on the clips. People admitted the airport looked "so busy." One person said: "I am flying tomorrow and I am so stressed. How early should I be at the airport?" Another wrote: "I fly back and forth to Barcelona regularly, and it's always the same at Ryanair baggage drop." A third replied: "Never take a suitcase for this very reason." Meanwhile, a fourth offered a different suggestion, adding: "It's because ot Ryanair baggage policies." Someone else also chimed in with: "Got in and out of Barcelona in minutes last month. It's not normally like this." If you didn't know, when you travel with Ryanair, the airline allows passengers to add checked bags to their booking up to two hours before the scheduled flight departure time. This applies to the initial booking and any changes made later down the line, according to Ryanair's terms and conditions. The Ryanair website states: "The Bag Drop desks open at the latest two hours before the scheduled flight departure time and closes 40 minutes before the scheduled departure time, unless you are notified otherwise before flight departure. Please check in your baggage as early as possible. "We recommend all passengers arrive at the check-in or bag drop desk at least two hours before they are due to fly. If you have booked through an Online Travel Agent, have been required to verify your booking, and wish to do so at the airport, please make sure you arrive at the airport two hours before your flight. "You must be at the boarding gate at least 30 minutes before your flight departure time. Our check-in and bag drop desks open at the latest two hours before your scheduled flight departure and close strictly 40 minutes before your flight departure unless you are notified otherwise before flight departure. "If you do not check-in by then you may be denied boarding without refund. We recommend you check the departure airport website for security wait times. Each airport has different security times depending on the time of day and travel season."
Western Telegraph
24 minutes ago
- Business
- Western Telegraph
Widow in tears as Ryanair refuse to refund dead husband
Yvonne Shields' husband, Colin Shields, booked his flights to Venice, Italy, last year and was meant to fly out in September to represent Scotland at a powerchair football match. Colin was tetraplegic after he had an accident 14 years ago and needed two essential carers to accompany him on the flight, whose tickets he paid for. But when Colin tragically passed away due to a brain bleed in April 2025, Yvonne contacted Ryanair customer support to notify them and request a refund. Colin was meant to represent Scotland at a powerchair football match. (Image: Kennedy News and Media) The 44-year-old said she was told she could not get a refund for the carers' tickets as it was against Ryanair's policy despite Colin having paid for them. She was promised a refund of only £258 for his ticket but claims she has not even received that either. When Yvonne got back in touch to chase the refund, she was reportedly told they could not disclose any information unless they spoke to the original booker - despite being informed the 'booker is dead'. The mum said she even provided Ryanair with Colin's death certificate and proof that she is the will executor, but they still refused to speak with her and ended the chat. Ryanair have since apologised for the ordeal and said that she was 'regrettably incorrectly advised wrongly' by their customer service agent. Yvonne, from Glasgow, Scotland, said: "He was captain of the Scottish power football team and they were playing against other national teams. "He is tetraplegic so he couldn't go by himself and he had two essential carers. He often travelled with carers. "He booked them through a company, it's not like it's personal carers, we don't know these people. He paid for their tickets too, it was all through him. "Colin passed on April 12th and I contacted them in April. I filled out the form to get a refund for Colin and the caters. They authorised part of the refund but they didn't send it. "I sent the death certificate and proof I am the will executor. They said a refund would come in the next 24-48 hours. "They said their policy is to refund only Colin's ticket, not the carers'. But I've not had it, there's nothing. "I emailed them to say I haven't received the refund and it's been over 48 hours. They said that they have to speak with the booker. "My sister contacted them and said the booker is dead. It's so upsetting and trivial. I told them back in April that he passed so there should be no reason why they can't refund it. "I can't get in contact with these carers because the contract ended, but they didn't pay for the tickets, Colin paid for the tickets. "They said 'I can't disclose any information with someone not tied to the booking', even though they were discussing it with me in the past. "They said 'we would need the passengers to contact us to process', but I don't have passengers to contact. "They said there's nothing else we can help you with and ended the chat" Yvonne said the lack of empathy and understanding from Ryanair is frustrating and caused her to burst into tears. The mum-of-two said it is a lot for her to deal with while also handling grief and feels like she is 'bashing her head on a brick wall.' Yvonne said: "I burst into tears because I have quite a lot to deal with right now since Colin passed. It's a lot. "It's not like you're getting this clean slate to start again. I constantly have to deal with things. "I've got two kids as well, 14 and 17, and it's dealing with their emotions as well. "The fact they're not even giving me the money back is infuriating. It's like bashing your head on a brick wall. They're trying to speak to someone that isn't here, it's an unreasonable request. "It's frustrating, it's devastating, you feel like you're nothing. We've dealt with so much because of his disability. Things are always that little bit tougher, harder." Colin was paralysed from the chest down after an accident in 2010 and developed a condition called autonomic dysreflexia, which meant his blood pressure could soar and cause a stroke if not treated - which is what led to his brain bleed. Yvonne said: "Colin had an accident 14 years ago, a month before our youngest was born. It's just constant battling and I feel tired, I feel drained, sometimes I want to just ignore it but my sister says 'you're not ignoring this, they stole from you.' "It's the lack of empathy, lack of understanding, it's not a box-standard person going on a flight, it's a disabled person. "If you had a family member who died, surely you would think it's all cancelled." Recommended reading: A Ryanair spokesperson said: "Mr Shields was due to travel from Edinburgh to Venice on 16 Sep' 25 but passed away prior to this flight. "Mrs Shields attempted to submit a refund request (26 Apr) and was advised to submit a death cert and proof of executorship. "On 30 Jun, Mrs Shields was informed that a refund (£257.58) was issued and was regrettably incorrectly advised by a customer service agent who wrongly believed that the other two passengers on the booking were not entitled to a refund. "Our Customer Service Department would be happy to further assist this passenger to correct this customer service agent's error and assist this passenger with their refund." Ryanair admitted that the customer service agent also incorrectly informed Yvonne that the refund of £257.58 would be sent to her husband's Ryanair wallet, instead of the card used to pay for the booking.
Metro
an hour ago
- Business
- Metro
Ryanair axes flights to 3 French cities including Europe's 'Christmas Capital'
If you were a planning on jumping on a low-cost flight to France soon, you might be disappointed. Ryanair have axed all services to Brive, Bergerac and Strasbourg, and will be reducing its capacity at other airports. The budget carrier say this will mean the loss of 25 routes and 750,000 seats in France this winter. Other destinations impacted include Marseille, where capacity will be cut by 9%, Paris-Beauvais which will see a loss of 8%, and Toulouse which will be cut by 4%. It comes after the airline already axed flights to Vatry, in the northeast of France, earlier this year. Fuel your wanderlust with our curated newsletter of travel deals, guides and inspiration. Sign up here. Ryanair bosses say the decision is due to 'harmful' taxes on tickets and they had 'no choice' but to take the drastic action. It's bad news for travellers who were looking forward to heading to Strasbourg this winter, often known as Europe's 'Capital of Christmas' due to its markets which attract approximately two million global visitors every festive season. Meanwhile, wine lovers will be missing out on sipping merlots and sauvignon blancs in Bergerac, while Brive is often considered a gateway for those looking to explore the Dordogne. Jason McGuinness, Ryanair's chief commercial officer said in a statement that the French government had failed to act. The statement continued: 'This completely avoidable loss will have a severe impact on regional connectivity, tourism and local employment. 'Unless the government changes course and abolishes this unfair air tax, Ryanair's capacity and investment in France will inevitably be redirected to more competitive European markets such as Sweden, Hungary, or parts of Italy.' Bucharest has the beautiful buildings, tree-lined boulevards and swish cafes we associate with Paris — at a dramatically cheaper price. Recently ranked 9th in The Times' roundup of '24 of the best affordable city breaks in Europe', Romania's capital and largest city is actively welcoming tourists. The government is pouring money into accommodation and public transport in a bid to attract travellers, while other countries are pushing them away. During the 19th and 20th centuries, Bucharest was a hotspot for French artists and intellectuals, who frequented the city. At the time, society mirrored the Parisian way, with a focus on fashion, elegance and sophistication. Likewise, prominent Romanian artists, including Constantin Brâncuși, studied in Bucharest before making their names in Paris. Visually, the city earned its 'Little Paris' nickname thanks to its architectural similarities with France's capital. The streetshave similar ornate flourishes of Neoclassical, Art Nouveau, Art Deco and Romanian Revival are on display on every corner. More Trending Metro's Alice Murphy spent a day at the park during a trip to Romania and said it is easily accessible by train, bus, taxi, or on foot. She also recommends the Free Walking Tour of Bucharest, where you can learn about the city's history and culture, and a visit to the National Village Museum to discover how people live in rural Romania. Of course, no European city break is complete without a stroll around the Old Town. Bucharest's pedestrian-only area is very tourist-friendly and brimming with terraces, cafes, restaurants, and shops. Do you have a story to share? Get in touch by emailing MetroLifestyleTeam@ MORE: Dozens injured on Delta flight to Amsterdam after it hits severe turbulence MORE: Sobbing Ryanair passenger stopped from boarding plane 'felt like a criminal' MORE: 'I felt like a millionaire': Travellers share their business class upgrade stories
Daily Mirror
an hour ago
- Business
- Daily Mirror
Ryanair offers £50 off flights but there are two big catches
The budget airline Ryanair is about to release its Prime Member offer for August, giving members £50 off return flights operating between 30 October and 27 November Ryanair has promised £50 off return flights for passengers who sign up to its Prime membership, but reviews of the deal are mixed. The budget airline is about to release its Prime Member offer for August, giving members £50 off return flights operating between 30 October and 27 November. To become a member, you have to pay a £79 sign-up fee, which lasts for the whole year. According to Ryanair, members have been able to save more than £500 so far since the scheme launched in March this year. If things continue in that direction, then Prime subscription holders might expect to pocket about £1,000 in savings by the end of the 12-month membership period. The latest membership sale began just after Ryanair's boss admitted staff are given bonuses for catching passengers with non-compliant bags. The Prime deal isn't quite as uncomplicated or good as the airline suggests, however. Firstly, Ryanair's calculation of potential savings only makes sense if you fly regularly anyway, always reserve a seat, and buy Ryanair's flight insurance policy. The airline includes savings of £120 for seat reservations and £180 for travel insurance. Extra bags and priority boarding are not included in the deal. The even bigger issue is the potential ticket savings. Ryanair launches a three-day sale window each month, during which members can buy discounted fares. The next one begins on 1 August. Ryanair promises that members can bag "£50 off return flights for travel between Thursday, 30 October and Thursday, 27 November". However, customers who have signed up for the subscription have claimed that the deals are rarely that impressive and often little better than those that can be found by searching on Skyscanner. The short sale window, combined with the uncertainty on which flights will be included in the sale, means the benefits are limited for frequent flyers. One unhappy passenger recently wrote on Reddit: "I'm in a long-distance relationship and I fly every two weeks from London to Helsinki. Ryanair is by far the cheapest and most convenient airline for me. I thought 'hmm I fly a lot, so this £80 should be worth it.' "It's a scam. The free allocated seats are from like row 19 and behind, no front rows you have to pay extra for any of them. Kind of useless. The cheaper returns are a scam, genuinely cheaper to just look at Skyscanner. The app does not say when or if there is a discount for the next month so if there's no discount next month, it's basically wiping your ass with cash. "No priority boarding, no extra bag, no discounts, only crappy seat selection. I've had two delayed flights over two hours, but as it's just under 3 hours so I'm entitled to nothing. Nothing about this is worth the upfront cost." Another added: "I just got an email with the so-called discounted rates for members, and all I can say is it's a joke. There are just a few seats in planes (not all of them, mind you) for Prime members, so if they are sold out, you won't be able to claim your free seat."
Reuters
2 hours ago
- Business
- Reuters
UK suffers more flight cancellations after air traffic failure
LONDON, July 31 (Reuters) - Nearly two dozen flights to and from UK airports were cancelled on Thursday, a day after technical problems with Britain's air traffic control system caused widespread disruption across the country. National Air Traffic Services (NATS), which provides air traffic control services for planes flying in UK airspace and the eastern part of the North Atlantic, said on Wednesday its systems were fully operational with capacity returning to normal after it switched to a back-up system. The second outage in recent years at NATS also affected Gatwick Airport near London, Edinburgh Airport in Scotland, and other locations, resulting in 122 cancellations as of 1830 GMT on Wednesday, according to aviation analytics firm Cirium. Transport minister Heidi Alexander said she would meet NATS' chief executive Martin Rolfe "to understand what happened and how we can prevent reoccurrence". NATS is working closely with airlines and airports to clear the backlog, Alexander wrote on social media platform X. Across UK airports, twelve departures and eleven arrivals had been cancelled on Thursday as of 0730 GMT, according to Cirium. At least 16 flights, including departures to Brussels and Toronto and arrivals from New York and Berlin, had been cancelled at Heathrow Airport, according to its website. The airport, Britain's largest and Europe's busiest, was also hit by a fire at a power sub-station in March which stranded thousands of passengers. Ryanair Chief Operating Officer Neal McMahon called on NATS' Rolfe to resign, saying no lessons had been learnt since the August 2023 disruption caused by a malfunctioning in the automatic processing of flight plans. NATS, which on Wednesday apologised to those affected by the failure, did not immediately respond to a Reuters request for a response to McMahon's comments.
