Ryanair Review 2024 (For Plus-Sized Passengers)

Ryanair has over 40% market share in the EU, so if you have a flight in Europe, there's a good chance it's going to be with them. In this review, I'll give an honest account of what it's like to fly Ryanair as a plus-sized passenger. There are a few important details to note, including the flight route, the plane type, and, most importantly, my size, so you can compare my experience to what yours might look like. I'll cover that first before diving into the review.

Ryanair Review Details

Date of flight: Friday, April 5, 2024
Route: Malta to Manchester, UK (3.5hrs)
Plane model: Boeing 737 MAX 8
Seat: 8D (aisle)

My Measurements:

I'm 5ft 6 inches and around 320lbs (145kg or 22.5 stones for European/UK readers). I carry most of my weight on my stomach and have a small chest. My dress size is 22-24 in the US, 26-28 in the UK, or 54-56 in the EU.

Seat Size and Comfort

Ryanair only offers economy seating, so expect economy-standard comfort. The seat width is 17.7″, which is about average compared to most US airline seat sizes in the same cabin. The material is leather, which is not exactly ideal if you're prone to sweating. My preference would be material seats. The seat was fairly comfortable, and I had a reasonable amount of legroom at 5ft 6. I was very lucky and had the middle seat next to me empty; however, it would have been a squeeze if that hadn't been the case. You have to have the armrests down during landing and takeoff, and they were uncomfortable. Luckily, they can be lifted when the seatbelt sign goes off. You can purchase a second seat with Rynair as a larger passenger, but there it'll cost you the full price of two tickets.

The seat belt wasn't long enough, so I had to ask for a seat belt extender. I've gotten used to this and never expected to fit into a seat without one. I asked as soon as I sat down, and the staff was very polite. You certainly don't need to feel embarrassed or worried about asking. Note: It's been difficult to get a definitive answer from the airline, but based on extensive research and personal experience, the Ryanair seat belt length is around 40 inches.

I hated not having anywhere to store my things on the back of the seat in front. Most airlines have a storage net – not Ryanair. So everything I wanted for the flight, like my headphones and phone, needed to go into my pocket. Not a big deal for a slim passenger, but it is quite difficult to maneuver as a large person with a stranger next to you.

One particularly nice surprise was the tray table. I rarely get it down flat, and I certainly didn't expect it on a Ryanair flight. This indicates quite a good seat pitch, and it was a pleasure to order a drink and set it on the table during the journey.

I have to be honest; having the middle seat free made this flight significantly more comfortable. I didn't have that luxury on the flight back, and it was a very tight squeeze. It's clear that every inch of space is used on these planes, and it's not accommodating for larger passengers. The empty seat will be a rare occurrence, so I have to base this review on the experience of every seat being taken.

Snacks and Beverages

There was a good selection of food and drink available. However, I did order the bacon baguette, and they had already sold out before they reached row 8, which was disappointing. I had a ham and cheese panini, which was adequate (about all you can expect). Other options included sandwiches and hot meals like lasagna and a chicken curry.

My meal deal included a sandwich, a soft drink, and a snack for £10 (around $12.50). This felt fairly reasonable for something quick on a 3.5-hour flight where food isn't included in the ticket price. My panini had to be warmed, and it took around 15 minutes to deliver. As a budget airline, the food is budget, but it's enough, and I've certainly had worse.

Cabin Crew and Service

No complaints here. The cabin crew greeted me with a smile while boarding and maintained high service throughout the flight. I felt comfortable asking for a seatbelt extender, and the woman who brought it to me was discreet and very polite. They served the food and drinks with a smile and seemed genuinely happy to be there.

We landed very late at night, and there was a shortage of buses to get us off the plane. We ended up stuck for around 25 minutes. The captain and cabin crew informed us of what was happening and set a realistic timescale for how long we'd be waiting. This made a big difference when it's past midnight, and you are frustrated and want to get to your destination.

Ticket Price and Extras

I paid £230 (around $280) for a return flight from Malta to Manchester in the first week of April. This included a 20kg suitcase on both legs. It was a late flight, taking off at 11pm and landing at 1am, so it was cheaper than the earlier flights. I personally don't think this is too bad, considering it included plenty of luggage allowance.

Keep in mind that you will also need to pay to reserve seats on Ryanair, and you risk your party being split up if you don't. This is one of the common criticisms of this airline – low-cost fare but several additional costs, such as seats and luggage. Ryanair also has such fantastic coverage across Europe that the prices are often cheaper than the competition as there are plenty of flights to choose from.

Ryanair for Plus-Sized Passengers: My Conclusion

The difficulty with Ryanair is that it's hard to avoid flying with them in Europe. They have so many routes that sometimes, it's just inevitable. Did I feel comfortable as a large passenger? No, not even in an aisle seat. I would happily upgrade to a different class for more space if it were an option. Ryanair provides a one-size-fits-all service, and as a fat passenger, that doesn't work for me. The one positive is that it's a short-haul airline, so even though uncomfortable, it's usually only for a maximum of 3 or 4 hours.

I recommend finding an alternative airline where possible. But as mentioned above, sometimes that just isn't possible. Don't expect a particularly comfortable journey if Ryanair is your only option.

Related:

• Flying while fat and how to make it more comfortable
• The best seat belt extenders for plus-sized passengers

Not plus-sized friendly

45%

45%

Avoid where possible

Small seats with very little space between. No seat-back storage is incredibly inconvenient and as a plus-sized passenger, getting things in and out of your pockets is difficult without encroaching the person next to you. No upgrades available, one cabin and one class. Sometimes Ryanair is inevitable, but where possible, find an alternative.

The Good

1. Friendly and polite staff
2. Decent seat pitch

The Bad

1. Small seats, very little space
2. Lots of paid extras
3. No seat storage

• Seat Size and Comfort

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• Snacks and Beverages

  5
• Cabin Crew and Service

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• Ticket Price and Extras

  4
• User Ratings (0 Votes)
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