Review of Ryanair flight from London to Dublin in Economy

15 July 2009
Ryanair
FR 1127
London Gatwick (LGW) - Dublin (DUB)
B737-800
EI-DAP
Low Class :tongue:
Arrived at London Gatwick for the transit onto the Ryanair flight to Dublin. We flew to LGW on the premium airline BA and now flying the world's lowest cost carrier, Ryanair, immediately after the BA flight. What irony.
Transferred from Gatwick's North Terminal to the older South Terminal, where all the LCCs operate from. We had to look for FR's baggage drop and document check counter. FR now have the ridiculous policy that all pax must check-in online and print out their own boarding passes (all at a low cost of 5pounds/euros) or be prepared to pay a surcharge 40pounds/euros for checking in and be issued a boarding pass at the airport!! We had already checked in way in advance in Singapore and had our printed boarding passes but we still need to drop our bags and have our travel documents checked and boarding passes endorsed (requirement for non-EU/UK travellers). When we reached the bag drop counters, horrors!! The single queue for bag drop was more than 50 meters long and only 3 counters were opened! Soon they opened 1 more counter and very surprisingly, the queue moved very rapidly! Bag drop agents were very efficient and friendly and ! was really amazed at the speed they processed our check-in bags.
After check-in, we proceeded through security and into the terminal. South terminal is quite old and facilities very limited in quantity. We bought some food to be consumed onboard.
London Gatwick South Terminal

Soon after the departure gate appeared on the board, we rushed to the gate as the flight was free-seating and we did not want to get stuck with seperate seats. Too late, everyone had also rushed to the gate and the queue for boarding was already quite long. The plane had just arrived and boarding started immediately after the last passengers have left the incoming flight.
EI-DAP. Don't be misled by the aerobridge. It was not in use.

There was an aerobridge attached to the plane but it was not in use. We proceeded onto the tarmac to board via the rear door. Aah, the smell of jet-fuel.
Walking to the plane.

Tailfin

Up the steps

And into the plane.

Boarding. We tried to get a window seat but no chances at all. The flight was very full. Surprisingly, I was still able to secure free seats on the flight just 2 weeks before, paying just 25 pounds in taxes and other charges. We ended up in a middle and aisle seat.

The seats are really plasticky with leather cushions and with safety instructions pasted on them. Seats are also non-reclinable and seat pitch was barely passable. No seat pockets and thus no inflight mags / vomit bags etc.
Seat pitch

Cabin view.

Lots of advertisements in the cabin

After all passengers boarded, the crew distributed inflight magazines and menus to anyone who wanted it. Following this, safety demonstration was done manually.
Crew preparing for safety demonstration

We pushed back on time and had a short taxi for takeoff. Flight time was announced at 1hr 5 min.
Takeoff from LGW. Photo taken over my seat neighbour's shoulders.

Shortly after takeoff, the crew came down the aisle, taking orders for hot meals. Following that, the food cart was pushed down for sales of food/drinks. Well, I tucked into my inflight cuisine of Pret & Manger sandwich, chips and juice which I had bought earlier at LGW.
My inflight meal

Hungry?

Thirsty?

Crew doing the food/beverage sales.

After sale of food/beverages, crew came down with sales of Ryanair scratch cards. Due to the short flight, no sales of duty free items were conducted but pax can approach any crew if they wanted to buy any duty free items.
Very shortly, we started our descent into Dublin.

Approaching Dublin

We landed 20min early and had a very fast Ryanair style taxi to the gate. Disembarking via steps again either by the front or rear doors.
Dublin airport

Under the wings

Last look at our plane