It all started with a rough flight. I was stuck in the last row, fell asleep, and was jolted awake by turbulence, only to be forced back to my assigned seat. The flight attendant then used my former seat to catch some shut-eye. Talk about a rude awakening!
Then came the check-in debacle. Ryanair’s two-hour check-in deadline is buried in the fine print, not readily accessible on your ticket, boarding pass, or emails. It’s only revealed by a long queue at the check-in counter, where people are easily blocked from seeing the sign. I waited for half an hour only to be turned back, losing valuable time. To add insult to injury, I had purchased their “priority” service, which included two carry-on bags in addition to our backpacks. I also had a Ryanair-approved letter for my CPAP machine to be treated as a free carry-on. Despite this, the agent insisted I squeeze my CPAP under my seat, which was impossible. They had clearly overbooked the priority service (or failed to properly check bags), causing a huge commotion about overhead storage.
The in-flight experience was equally disappointing. The ordering service didn’t work, and the entire flight was a chaotic mess. Poorly managed, overpriced, and utterly frustrating, Ryanair has officially lost my business.
A Tale of Delays and Discomfort with British Airways
Our trip with British Airways was a whirlwind of delays and inconveniences. We arrived at the airport two hours ahead of our scheduled departure, only to receive a message informing us of an 85-minute delay. An hour later, another message arrived announcing a further 20-minute delay. This constant back-and-forth communication left us feeling anxious and unprepared.
The delays didn’t stop there. Once we finally boarded, we were told that the flight would be delayed nearly two hours. However, this delay was not communicated until after we were already on the plane. Worse yet, the usual “arrive-on-time” message, often used to highlight their punctuality, was nowhere to be found.
Our return flight was equally disastrous. The front toilet was out of order, which caused delays at Gatwick and Cagliari. This was compounded by air traffic control issues, further delaying our arrival by two hours and 40 minutes. Ironically, this was the same problem that caused our outbound flight with British Airways to be late the previous week. Adding to the frustration, the other two toilets also malfunctioned at 30,000 feet, resulting in yet another delay.
The delays weren’t the only problem. Our flight was delayed 12 hours before takeoff, and the delay grew longer throughout the day. Our scheduled 8:30 PM flight finally departed at 11:33 PM. Although the actual flight experience was passable, the cabin was freezing cold due to a broken heating system. Despite this, the crew refused to ground the plane, despite their responsibility to provide safe and comfortable conditions for passengers. To add insult to injury, I was denied coffee and offered only cold drinks, even though passengers seated behind me were served coffee and biscuits.
The Worst Seats and Communication: A British Airways Disaster
British Airways boasts some of the most uncomfortable seats I’ve ever experienced on an international flight. There’s virtually no legroom, and reclining the seat in front of you nearly hits you in the face. There isn’t enough room to even open a laptop or comfortably eat a meal. It’s simply ridiculous, and I hope to never fly them again.
The chaos didn’t end there. The gate wasn’t assigned until five minutes before boarding, leaving us scrambling to find it. Then, we sat on the runway for over two hours. The first hour of the delay was due to weather, which is understandable. However, the second hour was for something that wasn’t even a real problem. Communication between ground control and the flight crew was poor, leading to unnecessary delays.
The flight crew was wonderful, providing excellent service despite the circumstances. However, the airline’s poor management and lack of respect for their passengers make British Airways a definite no-go for me.
More Delays and Disappointments: A Nightmare Travel Experience
Our first flight was a nightmare. It was delayed two and a half hours and we had to wait 45 minutes on the tarmac before boarding. This missed connection forced us to wait another two and a half hours to rebook on another flight the next day. Adding to the frustration, we then had to wait another hour to secure a hotel room for the night. The bus ride to the hotel took another hour and a quarter in 55-degree weather. And to top it all off, the hotel ran out of food.
This was a truly miserable performance by British Airways. As I write this, I’m still waiting for the bus back to Heathrow.
These experiences highlight the importance of choosing airlines with a proven track record of reliability and customer service. While price can be a tempting factor, it shouldn’t come at the expense of comfort, safety, and respect for passengers. Ultimately, a seamless travel experience should be a priority for any airline.
