20 Surprising Facts About Ryanair

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20Low Fares Made International Travel Accessible to Millions

For all the criticism surrounding fees and working practices, Ryanair has had one undeniably positive effect: it made international travel affordable for millions of people who previously considered flying too expensive.

Its routes have connected smaller cities and regional airports, supported tourism and allowed families, students and workers to travel across Europe more frequently.

For travellers arriving in Corfu, our Corfu Airport guide explains the airport’s facilities, transport options and important summer travel tips. You can also read our guide to the best time to book flights to Corfu.

Examples of Ryanair Extra Charges

The following prices are indicative ranges available in August 2026. Ryanair uses variable pricing, so the exact amount can change according to the flight, route, date and time of purchase.

Extra or Service	Possible Charge
Airport check-in when online check-in was not completed	Approximately €55 per passenger
Boarding pass when already checked in but phone is lost or dead	Free, according to Ryanair’s current policy
Complete name change online	Approximately €115
Complete name change through an agent	Approximately €160
Small spelling correction of up to three characters	Normally free within the permitted period
Priority and two cabin bags	Approximately €6–€36 during booking; potentially €20–€60 later
10kg checked bag	Approximately €9.49–€44.99 during booking
20kg checked bag	Approximately €18.99–€59.99 during booking
Excess baggage	Usually charged for every additional kilogram
Reserved seat	Variable according to location and demand; random allocation remains available without a seat-selection fee
Flight change	Change fee per passenger and flight, plus any fare difference

Always check Ryanair’s official fee table before booking, as charges and policies can change. Some fees may also be affected by national court decisions or consumer-protection rules.

Final Thoughts

Ryanair’s formula combines extremely low advertised fares with strict cost control, high passenger volumes and billions of euros in additional sales.

The model has attracted strong criticism, but it has also changed European aviation permanently. The best approach for passengers is to read every condition carefully, check in online, measure baggage and compare the complete price rather than the headline fare.

Have you flown with Ryanair? Share your experiences, unexpected charges or money-saving tips in the comments below.