Compare Flybe vs Ryanair

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We asked you to review low cost airlines from around the world. You did.

Based on your ratings, this is how Flybe and Ryanair match up.


Ryanair is Ireland’s flagship carrier and it rose rapidly in popularity charts owing to its strategy of offering low-budget no-frills travelling experience to people who might be on a stringent budget. It maintains a fleet of 306 aircrafts, most of which are Boeing 737-800 type and fly passengers to as many as 179 destinations, with Europe and Morocco being mainstream itineraries. Ryanair was founded in 1985 and since then has had its head-quarters at Swords. It has also stuck with its advertising slogan of ‘Low fares made simple’ while operating from two bases the first of which is Dublin and the second is London Stansted.

This Irish airline benefitted the most in 1997 when the aviation industry in Europe was deregulated and reaped rich rewards in terms of expansion and adopting a cost effective strategy. Rewards were manifested over the years and eventually it was in 2013 that the airline was bestowed the honour of being the largest in Europe and busiest on the international platform in terms of number of passengers. That said, low budget policy has brought its share of criticism and some of the aspects that have been compromised upon are in-flight service, tie-up with secondary airports owing to lower landing fees and lack of washroom facilities on board aircrafts in Ryanair.

Britain based Flybe Airline is a low cost carrier that operates within European limits courtesy of its fleet of 67 aircrafts. From its base at Exeter, this airline caters to 180 itineraries and touches 65 airports dotted all across Europe. This airline was founded in 1979 and has its largest base at Birmingham Airport, the others being at other leading cities of Britain. There are bases beyond UK’s boundaries as well, primary amongst them being Helsinki which hosts Flybe Nordic branch.

Because it follows a system of allocating seats beforehand, with Flybe it is possible to book online and choose seats as per individual preferences. There are two classes namely Economy and Economy Plus and while passengers travelling by Economy Plus are entitled to a complimentary beverage and snack, those travelling by economy can make use of the ‘Buy on Board’ programme. Named as ‘Deli in the Sky’, this programme offers food and drinks at stipulated prices. Another method that the airline generates revenue from entails the sale of merchandise like duty-free cigarettes, spirits and so on, especially on flights that are meant to travel beyond Europe.

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