Which Is Better: Ryanair or EasyJet?

EasyJet (U2) and Ryanair (FR) are two of the most well-known low-cost airlines for inexpensive travel around Europe. Both these airlines offer low fares, frequent flights, and quick travel to a variety of destinations throughout Europe. Together, they transport around 276 million passengers across the continent each year.

But which airline wins out in terms of comfort, reliability, luggage policies, and overall value? This is a side-by-side comparison of EasyJet and Ryanair based on several criteria, including operations, services, baggage allowances, and other offerings.

Overview of EasyJet and Ryanair

Ryanair: Ryanair was established in 1984 and is now the biggest low-cost airline in Europe. Its headquarters are in Dublin, Ireland. It focuses on ultra-low-cost tickets and has more than 450 aircraft that serve 200+ destinations across 40 countries. The airline takes a straightforward approach, charging more for almost all extras, including priority boarding and baggage.

EasyJet: Another significant participant in the European low-cost market is EasyJet, which was established in 1995 and is headquartered in Luton, England. It operates a modern fleet of over 330 Airbus aircraft, serving more than 150 locations in Europe and North Africa. EasyJet prioritizes convenient travel at reasonable prices, primarily operating to major airports to cut down on passengers’ additional travel time.

Also visit our pages for worldwide office details of both airlines: EasyJet Offices and Ryanair Offices.

Ticket Price Differences Between Ryanair and EasyJet

Ryanair is one of Europe’s leading low-cost airlines, known for its rock-bottom ticket prices, which can range from €20 to €50 for a one-way flight. There are several strategies the carrier uses to keep these fares in check:

• Traveling to less expensive secondary airports.
• To boost earnings, it increased the number of seats on its planes.
• Charging for extras like preferred seating, priority boarding, and checked baggage.

Although the base fee is cheap, many passengers discover that when add-ons are taken into account, the total expenses quickly increase.

On the other hand, EasyJet also tends to have slightly lower fares than Ryanair and often includes a small carry-on allowance. The airline can save travelers time and money on transportation because it primarily flies to major airports.

Comparing the Booking, Check-in, and Boarding Experience of Ryanair and EasyJet

Booking Process: Both carriers have easy-to-use ticket purchasing websites and apps. Critics, though, contend that the Ryanair website is a bit unusual, and it’s easy to unwittingly add “extras” (checked baggage or priority boarding) while booking. The booking procedure with EasyJet is typically simpler, with fewer upsells and hidden fees. Travelers can also benefit from the priority and speedy boarding.

Check-in and Boarding: Both airlines offer various check-in options, including online, mobile app, and via the website. While the Ryanair flight didn’t require you to board a bus, the easyJet flight did, even though you were only a few feet away from the aircraft.

Baggage Allowance Comparison Between EasyJet and Ryanair

Ryanair: Every passenger is allowed to bring one small personal bag on board free of charge. The small personal bag (40 x 30 x 20 cm) must fit beneath the seat in front of you. Examples include a compact backpack, a handbag, and a laptop bag.

EasyJet: All passengers are entitled to one complimentary small cabin bag, measuring 45 x 36 x 20 cm (including handles or wheels) and weighing up to 15 kilograms. For luggage weighing more than 15kg, an extra charge applies.

Overall, EasyJet provides more flexibility and has a less rigid policy than Ryanair.

Comparing Comfort and Seating Between EasyJet and Ryanair

EasyJet and Ryanair are both low-cost airlines, thus neither is renowned for its luxurious seats. Here is a little comparison of seats:

Ryanair: The seats on Ryanair can seem a little restricted, particularly if you’re seated near the back. The seat width is nearly 17 inches, and the seat pitch is 30 inches, making it uncomfortable for taller people. However, if you prefer a little more space, you can pay for extra legroom.

EasyJet: In comparison to Ryanair, EasyJet’s seats are typically thought to be a little more comfortable and offer more legroom. Depending on the aircraft, it offers a little greater comfort with a seat pitch of 30 to 31 inches. Additionally, it is known to offer a slightly superior overall in-flight experience, particularly on longer flights.

Which airline has better Onboard Service?

Ryanair: Here is an overview of Ryanair’s in-flight service:

• No complimentary food or beverages are offered throughout the journey, although snacks and drinks are available for purchase.
• Travelers are advised to bring their own electronics; there are no in-flight entertainment options available.
• The dedicated staff is available to assist you, prioritizing speed and safety over luxury.

EasyJet: Below is a summary of the EasyJet onboard services offered:

• Snacks and refreshments are available on board EasyJet flights.
• Although EasyJet doesn’t provide conventional in-flight entertainment, customers can still enjoy their own media or stream it on their own devices.
• In general, crew members are courteous and customer-focused.

Both airlines offer food and beverages for sale. In the final hour of the trip, the crew proactively offered fresh food to everyone at a 50% discount.

EasyJet and Ryanair Loyalty Programs Compared

Both Ryanair and EasyJet offer loyalty programs for frequent travelers; however, they are not as profitable as those offered by full-service airlines.

• Ryanair offers “Ryanair Choice” membership, which provides priority boarding, improved seating, and additional flexibility.
• “EasyJet Plus,” a comparable program provided by EasyJet, ensures priority boarding, more baggage allowance, and entry to premium lines.

Comparing the Reliability and Safety of EasyJet and Ryanair

• Ryanair’s average on-time performance is competitive for a low-cost airline, ranging from 80 to 85%.
• Operating a fleet of contemporary Boeing 737-800 aircraft, Ryanair complies with EASA rules and maintains a strong safety record.
• EasyJet operates from smaller airports, which is one of the reasons why it has a slightly higher on-time rate when compared to other airlines.
• EasyJet is one of Europe’s safest airlines, contending with tight European safety regulations and in the majority operating the Airbus A320 family.

Pros and Cons Comparison of EasyJet and Ryanair

The following table summarizes the pros and drawbacks of both airlines (EasyJet and Ryanair):

Final Words

Ultimately, choosing between Ryanair and EasyJet comes down to your personal priorities. If you want the lowest possible cost and don’t mind paying more for items like luggage and seat preference, Ryanair is probably your best bet.

However, if you’re looking for a slightly more comfortable flight, better customer service, and a simpler booking process, EasyJet might be a better option. Overall, easyJet was the hands-down winner with better aircraft and customer service.

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