Hello,
Firstly, both Ryanair and Aer Lingus took a disgraceful approach to dealing with their customers, over the last 18 months. They should have been dealt with quickly and firmly, by the regulator - but instead, we got the usual crap service from a regulator!
I had personal experience of how they tried to wrongly retain customer funds, although quickly took matters into my own hands, by having my credit card company retrieve my money. This approach was widely discussed on social media, so anyone who didn't take it, took their chances with regards to accepting vouchers instead of a refund!
Secondly, I agree 100% that Ryanair's annoying bright yellow, their irritating announcements every time you land, and their general poor approach to customer service, puts them below Aer Lingus, when it comes to which airline to choose. That's before we consider the fact that Ryanair always put you in a departure lounge about as far away from check in, and security, as they can possibly get - wasting my time, commuting back and forth etc. Cheapest, is definitely not always best!
Notwithstanding the above, I will give Ryanair credit for their punctuality. As a rule of thumb, I've found them better at keeping to schedule.
Unfortunitely, given we're a small island, we have limited other options, when it comes to flights. For some people, perhaps travel to and from Belfast airport, may offer alternatives.
I've also heard KLM advertising on the radio recently, referencing flights from Dublin and Cork, but my guess is that many of those flights are not direct, so you'll have to allow time for stop overs at one of their European Hubs, in some cases. I've used KLM-Air France in the past (not recently), and they were fine. Equal to AL on short haul, and probably a little better, on long haul.
When I'm travelling for social reasons, I'm going to try and look harder at using the ferry services to England, France and Spain (its a slower, but probably more relaxing way to travel), going forward.
