5
RyanAir out of Liverpool Airport to Krakow
Okay, admit it. Based upon reputation, and with pigeon holes ready to be filled, which airline do you think would be better? RyanAir or Swiss Air?
Obviously, Swiss Air. Part of the Lufthansa group? A premium product? Swiss efficiency? Surely, nobody would suggest cheap as chips RyanAir, with a CEO who would charge his grandmother for breathing if he could...
Well, unless you've already read my review of Swiss Air, you may be surprised to know that in my experience, Swiss Air is BY FAR the worst airline I've ever flown with, and RyanAir was excellent.
I will qualify this by stating that Liverpool's 'John Lennon Airport' is also, in my opinion as a wheelchair user, consistently excellent, so that may help with delivering a positive RyanAir experience.
Prior to flying, my pigeon holes also did not expect a great deal from RyanAir. I was a bit nervous about booking with them, but the times (and price) were what we needed, so, let's give them a go.
As per usual at Liverpool, everything pre-flight was easy. The accessible parking is literally right across the road from the terminal entrance. The airport is spacious enough not to be a struggle around people, but compact enough not to have to push a wheelchair too far. Having pre-booked assistance, I went to the Assistance booth before check-in and discussed my requirements. Because I can manage steps and walk short distances with two walking sticks, it was agreed I would be met at the gate and use my own chair to the foot of the aircraft stairs. Boarding time arrived, and I was met by someone from RyanAir who walked with me to the aircraft. I explained to the baggage handlers how best to move my chair and Batec (electric wheel), then I boarded and walked the length of the aircraft. I had pre-booked a seat at the rear, so I had easy access to a toilet.
So far, so good.
Landing in Krakow, a stewardess spoke to me and said they'd requested a set of steps for the rear door so I could disembark that way rather than walking through the aircraft.
My own stairs?
I felt like royalty!
A cynic would say RyanAir simply wanted me off ASAP to give them more time for a turnaround and leave again. Or, it may be that they always use rear and front stairs, and the stewardess was simply making me feel special. Regardless, this was the only time I'd ever been first off an aircraft.
My wheelchair and Batec were waiting for me at the foot of the steps with another RyanAir operative. He escorted me all the way to baggage reclaim and gave me onward directions to where my taxi would be waiting.
So far, so good. But, I still had to get home, plenty of time for it to all go wrong?
Leaving via Krakow Airport was nice and smooth. The only 'grumpy-bit' was sitting with the rest of the Brits in a goldfish bowl room, with a vending machine for comfort, while all the other passengers wandered the shops and cafes. Thank you Brexit.
I landed back at Liverpool Airport. Once again, the rear steps were rolled out, and I was met at the bottom with my chair ready to go. Literally, and without any exaggeration, from wheels touching tarmac, to being sat in the car, ready to go, was exactly 30 minutes.
Okay, RyanAir aircraft are cramped, thrills-free, more like a bus than a plane. But it was cheap, punctual, friendly, and most importantly, helpful. I would certainly fly with them again. Liverpool Airport is excellent too (I'll do another review at some point). On my return flight, we were extra cramped, as I had a visually impaired chap travelling with his dog. I'd been asked if I was okay with dogs, and confirmed I was, so he was swapped with my wife. I can't remember why, although they did say at the time. The bloke told me he was a regular user of RyanAir and found them to be the best airline when flying with his dog (who, after I'd checked it was okay, spent most of the flight leaning against me, having his ear tickled!) For me, I'd rolled over and had my tummy tickled, RyanAir (out of Liverpool & Krakow at least) have won me over and I look forward to flying with them again.
Okay, admit it. Based upon reputation, and with pigeon holes ready to be filled, which airline do you think would be better? RyanAir or Swiss Air?
Obviously, Swiss Air. Part of the Lufthansa group? A premium product? Swiss efficiency? Surely, nobody would suggest cheap as chips RyanAir, with a CEO who would charge his grandmother for breathing if he could...
Well, unless you've already read my review of Swiss Air, you may be surprised to know that in my experience, Swiss Air is BY FAR the worst airline I've ever flown with, and RyanAir was excellent.
I will qualify this by stating that Liverpool's 'John Lennon Airport' is also, in my opinion as a wheelchair user, consistently excellent, so that may help with delivering a positive RyanAir experience.
Prior to flying, my pigeon holes also did not expect a great deal from RyanAir. I was a bit nervous about booking with them, but the times (and price) were what we needed, so, let's give them a go.
As per usual at Liverpool, everything pre-flight was easy. The accessible parking is literally right across the road from the terminal entrance. The airport is spacious enough not to be a struggle around people, but compact enough not to have to push a wheelchair too far. Having pre-booked assistance, I went to the Assistance booth before check-in and discussed my requirements. Because I can manage steps and walk short distances with two walking sticks, it was agreed I would be met at the gate and use my own chair to the foot of the aircraft stairs. Boarding time arrived, and I was met by someone from RyanAir who walked with me to the aircraft. I explained to the baggage handlers how best to move my chair and Batec (electric wheel), then I boarded and walked the length of the aircraft. I had pre-booked a seat at the rear, so I had easy access to a toilet.
So far, so good.
Landing in Krakow, a stewardess spoke to me and said they'd requested a set of steps for the rear door so I could disembark that way rather than walking through the aircraft.
My own stairs?
I felt like royalty!
A cynic would say RyanAir simply wanted me off ASAP to give them more time for a turnaround and leave again. Or, it may be that they always use rear and front stairs, and the stewardess was simply making me feel special. Regardless, this was the only time I'd ever been first off an aircraft.
My wheelchair and Batec were waiting for me at the foot of the steps with another RyanAir operative. He escorted me all the way to baggage reclaim and gave me onward directions to where my taxi would be waiting.
So far, so good. But, I still had to get home, plenty of time for it to all go wrong?
Leaving via Krakow Airport was nice and smooth. The only 'grumpy-bit' was sitting with the rest of the Brits in a goldfish bowl room, with a vending machine for comfort, while all the other passengers wandered the shops and cafes. Thank you Brexit.
I landed back at Liverpool Airport. Once again, the rear steps were rolled out, and I was met at the bottom with my chair ready to go. Literally, and without any exaggeration, from wheels touching tarmac, to being sat in the car, ready to go, was exactly 30 minutes.
Okay, RyanAir aircraft are cramped, thrills-free, more like a bus than a plane. But it was cheap, punctual, friendly, and most importantly, helpful. I would certainly fly with them again. Liverpool Airport is excellent too (I'll do another review at some point). On my return flight, we were extra cramped, as I had a visually impaired chap travelling with his dog. I'd been asked if I was okay with dogs, and confirmed I was, so he was swapped with my wife. I can't remember why, although they did say at the time. The bloke told me he was a regular user of RyanAir and found them to be the best airline when flying with his dog (who, after I'd checked it was okay, spent most of the flight leaning against me, having his ear tickled!) For me, I'd rolled over and had my tummy tickled, RyanAir (out of Liverpool & Krakow at least) have won me over and I look forward to flying with them again.
