Comments on: Putting my money where my mouth is

By: Maybe Ryanair isn’t that bad? « John Lyle's new brand thinking

Maybe Ryanair isn’t that bad? « John Lyle's new brand thinking — Wed, 01 Sep 2010 09:11:44 +0000

[...] that bad? Posted on September 1, 2010 by John Lyle Earlier in the year I wrote a piece saying I had put my money where my mouth is and paid extra to book with BMI Baby rather than fly [...]

By: Susi O'Neill

Susi O'Neill — Thu, 14 Jan 2010 23:58:44 +0000

Agreed – the irrating music, adverts and stings all the way and the promise of ‘free’ flights (last time my ‘free’ flight was £73 with no luggage or anything) make you feel cheap – when the experience doesn’t need to feel that bad. but their irritating CEO clearly doesn’t care: I’m not convinced consumers do that much – money talks. When the price differential is negligible like in the case of your flight, many will opt for the ‘better’ service, but while they can keep the prices extremely keen (and routes in regional airports offer few choices of carriers) I can see RyainAir being a major travel brand for many years to come.

By: Tim GARRATT

Tim GARRATT — Tue, 12 Jan 2010 20:39:17 +0000

I agree entirely. I was abandoned by them last year in Spain – they had a problem with the plane – which became my problem. The flight was 1p there and £14.99 back – total bill £153. Thats because I wanted a seat on the inside I think.

Never again – I would rather walk.

At least you can have a pee in the hedge and not have to pay – http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/7914542.stm

Tim

By: Francine Pickering

Francine Pickering — Tue, 12 Jan 2010 13:21:11 +0000

Too true, John,

There can’t be many air travellers in the country who don’t understand the Ryanair brand promise – you’re going to be stung every step of the way. It’s not as if they really make any attempt to set expectations any higher these days (Ooh, what a bargain!). And yet we still experience that feeling of being had every time an extra cost appears.

It’s the difference between “cheap and cheerful” and “cheap and nasty” and it doesn’t have to be a big difference to make all the difference to the brand experience. Some brands get it right and some, as you say, will fail.