RYANAIR UNCOVERED: Denied boarding? Read the facts!

It is in most airline’s interest to deny boarding to a passenger if possible, in fact, the practice is rife in the industry. The main reason is that they have overbooked the flight, empty seats on an aircraft cost money (an unsubstantiated claim from someone purporting to be ex-staff of Ryanair claims that Ryanair DO Overbook Their Aircraft).

A recent report demonstrated that on average, the number of people not turning up to flights is around 5 percent, but, in certain circumstances, that number can be up to 15 percent. The latest estimate putting that at a staggering 250,000-obviously putting airlines in an interesting position. 

 But the more likely reason an airline will deny you boarding is that they know you will have pay for a new flight. Charging one passenger twice for the same service is a fantastic business model! Everything from “typos” to turning up late gets you penalised, so read on and let’s try and avoid the pitfalls.

Let’s start with the obvious ones, such as drunkenness, intoxication or verbal or physical abuse towards Ryanair staff. Let’s hope that applies to the Pilot too!

Pregnant passengers who do not have a doctor’s note: in English!

No Stamp on Boarding Pass (non-EU citizens)
If you are from outside the EU, you must have your boarding pass stamped by a member of staff at the information desk. If you proceed directly to the gate without this, you will be denied boarding.

Oversized Luggage
Ryanair has a strict baggage policy, with hand luggage dimensions the joint lowest in. At many airports, you are not allowed to carry any “duty-free”, unless it fits in your hand luggage (easyJet also does this at some airports). Normally you will be able to pay a fine to carry these items on, but if their credit card machine is broken and you have no cash, then you will be denied boarding.

Slight Damage to your Passport
Even if airport authorities say the passport is perfectly legal, the airline can deny boarding at its own discretion.

Traveling with Local Form of ID not Recognised by the Airline
Ryanair doesn’t believe in following local laws, only Irish law. Therefore if you have a form of ID legal in your country, if Ireland doesn’t recognize it, you will be denied boarding. A Spanish family successfully sued Ryanair when they were denied boarding on an internal flight in Spain, for trying to travel with their children on a Spanish Family Card.

Deaf or Blind Passengers

For those traveling alone and didn’t advise Ryanair in advance.
This is actually an improvement on Ryanair policy: before, they only allowed four blind passengers in total, regardless of whether they were accompanied or not.

The Fifth Sole Traveling Passenger Requiring Assistance Even if you have advised the airline, if there are four or more passengers who require assistance, only the first four will be allowed to board.

Traveling with a Guide Dog on Certain Routes

With a Leg in a Cast
Passengers with their leg in a cast must purchase three seats or they will be denied boarding. (must have cost Rolf “jake the peg” Harris a fortune)!

Credit Card fees

Do you know passengers already pay twice for the same service with Ryanair?  they charge multiple credit-card fees, this is despite the fact the purchase is a single transaction!