Flight check: Ryanair

Published: 01/09/2006 - Filed under: Archive » 2006 » September 2006 » Tried and Tested » Tried & Tested » Airlines » Tried & Tested » Airlines » Ryanair »

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Brno, Czech Republic - London

First impressions I arrived at Brno Airport at 1500 for my 1720 flight to Stansted, after catching the 1435 airport bus for the 7km ride from Brno city centre. The bus journey costs 30p each way, while taxis cost £7. The small terminal houses both departures and arrivals, although a new departures terminal is poised to open. Landside, the terminal has Hertz and Avis car-hire booths, a cash machine, information desk, and a small bar. Ryanair's daily flights to Brno began in March 2005 and carried 115,000 passengers on the route in the first 12 months. There was no queue at check-in and the check-in assistant was friendly and efficient.

The departure lounge is big, but with limited shopping, consisting of a small kiosk selling alcohol and cigarettes, perfumes and aftershave. The "Inflight Bar" serves half-litres of beer for about 50p. Many passengers were making the most of their last chance for Czech Republic prices before boarding. There is wireless internet throughout the lounge, charged at £5 per hour.

Boarding Seats were not assigned, and people with tickets marked 1-65 were first to board – these were given to the first passengers to check in. Luckily, I found a window seat with extra legroom on the second row. We were seated by 1710, and we took off 10 minutes late at 1730. Our plane was the only one at the airport, although there are also flights to Vienna, Munich and Prague, as well as charter flights to Mediterranean and Black Sea resorts at other times. As we took off, I could see old aircraft hangars with grass covered roofs formerly used by the Soviet military near the main airport buildings.

The seat With 76cm pitch, Ryanair seats on the B737-800 (189 passengers) can be cramped, making laptop use difficult, so it is worth going for an emergency or bulkhead row. I found my pull-out table was uneven, which made typing awkward. Ryanair's seats also seem to have poor lower back support and I found my back ached after about half an hour's typing.

The flight The cabin crew were cheerful and quick to offer food and drinks, as well as scratch cards "to win an Audi TT", which very few people bought. We were offered Ryanair's in-flight magazine, as well as the usual duty-free goods. The flight was smooth but for a little turbulence.

Arrival We arrived on time and were through passport control by 1720. It was 15 minutes before the baggage carousel for our flights was announced. Baggage then took 10 minutes.

Verdict Brno's airport is rather bare, but that will change when the new terminal opens. The flight is all that can be expected of Ryanair. The cabin crew was particularly polite.

Price Ryanair (ryanair.com) has return fares from £43.

Tom Chesshyre