Ryanair claimed its Prime subscription scheme was a ‘no brainer’ for frequent flyers, but it failed to attract anything like enough customers and has now been ditched
Ryanair says its Prime subscription would be limited to 250,000 members – but only 55,000 signed up (Image: F9Photos/Getty Images)
Budget airline Ryanair has announced the immediate closure of a loyalty scheme to new customers after failing admitting it was loss-making.
The no-frills carrier only launched its £79 a year Prime subscription in March, offering free reserved seats, free travel insurance and access to 12 annual (one per each month) member-exclusive seat sales.
It claimed that “Prime” members who took a dozen flights per year would save up to £420 , or more than the times the cost of the subscription Ryanair said the scheme was limited to 250,000 members on a first come, first served basis.
But the Irish airline has now announced it will be scrapped after just 55,000 people signed-up.
Ryanair said all those existing members will continue to get exclusive monthly low fare offers until October next year, but no new members will be allowed to sign up.
Dara Brady, Ryanair’s chief marketing officer, called the scheme a “no-brainer” for frequent flyer when launching it back in March.
But speaking now, he said: “Over the years, customers have asked for a Ryanair members scheme, so we trialled this ‘Prime’ scheme over the last eight months.
“To date, we have signed up over 55,000 Prime members, generating over €4.4m (£3.86m) in subscription fees. However, our Prime members have received over €6m (£5.26m) in fare discounts, so this trial has cost more money than it generates.
“This level of memberships, or subscription revenue does not justify the time and effort it takes to launch monthly exclusive Prime seat sales for our 55,000 Prime members. We are grateful to our 55,000 Prime members who signed up to this Prime trial over the last eight months, and they can rest assured that they will continue to enjoy exclusive flight and seat savings for the remainder of their 12-month membership.”
He went on: “With over 207m passengers this year, Ryanair will continue to focus on delivering the lowest fares in Europe to all our customers, and not this subset of 55,000 Prime members.”
Ryanair recently made a change so that passengers have to use to use digital boarding passes only. Since November 12. passengers will no longer be able to download and print a physical paper boarding pass. Instead, they will have to use the digital boarding pass generated in the “myRyanair” app on their mobile device -smartphone or tablet -during check-in process to board any of its flights.
Ryanair is scraping its relatively new membership schemeCredit: Getty
But it today revealed it was scraping the scheme, revealing that it was costing more money than it was bringing in.
The Ryanair‘Prime’ membership cost £79 for 12 months, which worked out to £6.60 per month.
Ryanair revealed the program had signed up 55,000 subscribers which had generated £3.8 million in subscription fees, but had doled out £5.3 million in fare discounts.
“This trial has cost more money than it generates,” Ryanair chief marketing officer Dara Brady said in a statement.
“This level of memberships, or subscription revenue does not justify the time and effort it takes to launch monthly exclusive Prime seat sales.”
While the Prime service ended today, the 55,000 members would be able to continue using their subscription for the 12-month period for which they’d paid.
The scheme allowed members who flew 12 times per year to save hundreds on hidden fees, such as reserved seats and travel insurance.
Members were also be granted access to exclusive seat sales, giving them the best deals on flights throughout the year.
According to the low-cost airline, Prime members who flew 12 times per year saved up to £420, more than five times the subscription fee.
And members who flew three times a year with the airline still saved £105 through the new scheme.
Ryanair is not the only budget airline with a membership scheme.
The Wizz Air membership costs £500 for an entire year, with 50 routes across Europe, North Africa, the Middle East and Asia included in the scheme.
Wizz Air ‘All You Can Fly’ members still have to pay a £9 booking fee for each flight taken as well as other fees like carry-on luggage and checked baggage.
The subscription program cost Ryanair more money than it was worthCredit: Getty
The Canary Islands have been put on a ‘no go’ list for 2026, and even as a big fan of the beautiful archipelago, I can see why the surge in visitor numbers might be putting people off
The island already felt busy in March(Image: Natalie King)
It’s not often you see a warning against a holiday destination you’ve repeatedly visited, but this week, American travel guide producer Fodor released their annual ‘No List’, a guide to all the destinations they recommend against visiting in 2026.
Among the crowded cultural sites and areas of natural beauty being ruined by overtourism, there was a Spanish addition: the Canary Islands. Beloved by Brits thanks to a microclimate that has made them a major winter sun destination, with almost 18 million visitors last year, tourism is at the heart of the Canaries. This is one area that I never thought I’d see on a do-not-visit list.
Yes, the islands have had a fair share of problems and negative attention this year, from overtourism protests in the summer to reports of delays at airports due to new EU passport checks. But with warm weather, relatively inexpensive living costs, and natural beauty in abundance, will Brits really want to abandon the Canary Islands?
My most recent trip to the Canaries was in March of this year, when I visited Lanzarote. The weather in the UK was grim at the time, and Ryanair flights were cheap, so my travel companion and I decided it would be the perfect last-minute break to escape the gloom.
And it seems like many others had the same idea. Our flight was full, which surprised me at first, given that it was midweek in March. But of course, the Canaries are a year-round destination, so others were like us trying to escape the wintery weather. Arriving late in the evening, thankfully, the queues through the airport were quick.
My first indication that the island’s popularity had skyrocketed was the difficulty in booking a hotel and the corresponding rise in prices. Having visited at off-peak times in the past, there are usually plenty of hotels and apartments to choose from, even at the last minute. However, this time, most of the cheaper spots had booked up, leaving us with out-of-budget luxury accommodation or places with terrible reviews.
Luckily, we did get a good deal at a hotel called Caybeach Sunin Playa Blanca. It had mixed reviews, so I was nervous, but it actually turned out to be lovely. With a heated pool, decently sized apartments, and close proximity to the beach, it was a surprising hit at just over £60 a night.
The Canaries have recently seen a crackdown in holiday lettings, and while this was before I arrived, the changing regulations over the past year could have impacted the amount of choice on offer and the prices.
After dropping off our bags, we headed to Playa Blanca’s beachfront, which has lots of bars and restaurants. In the past, the number of places to eat meant that finding a table was easy, but even late at night, we found many restaurants full to capacity. The only places with seats were a couple of dodgy bars that had men outside practically trying to pull you in, which is never a good sign.
This was a common theme during our stay, whether we visited the town or the marina, everywhere seemed full. While it wasn’t quite the crowds you’d find in Venice or Santorini, it felt like the sort of crowds you’d usually only see in Spanish resorts in the summer. It was good to see people supporting the local restaurants and shops, but I could see how year-round crowds would be having an impact on islanders.
John Dale Beckley, founder of the sustainability platform CanaryGreen.org, told Fodors: “Residents have started protesting because they’re genuinely fed up. Traffic is one of the biggest issues. What used to be a 40-minute drive from the north can now take well over an hour each way. The government previously changed regulations that allowed residents to rent out their properties on Airbnb and Booking.com. This has driven up both rental prices and property values. Many young people now find it almost impossible to rent or buy a home.”
There have been reports of an increase in violent crimeon the Canaries, and warnings that thefts get worse in the winter season, as organised gangs visit hotspots such as Tenerife, knowing it will be packed with visitors. The increases in rent caused by the tourist surge have also led to locals moving away from popular areas, reportedly leaving businesses struggling to recruit workers.
Of course, lots of people will point out that I’d chosen to go to a popular destination, so what could I expect? However, March is usually a quiet time on Lanzarote as the winter sun crowds are heavier in December and January, while the summer rush is still a long way off. If the island is this busy in March, I can imagine it becoming extremely crowded during the peak months.
So, should Brits avoid the Canaries? Personally, I’d think twice if you’re the sort of person who doesn’t like crowds and prefers a quieter break. There are many winter sun alternatives emerging as contenders to the Canaries, such as the Azores and Cape Verde. However, I did still have a great time in Lanzarote. I love its unique volcanic landscape, the beaches are wonderful, and I’ve never received a less than friendly welcome, so I’m very much in two minds about whether I’d go back in 2026.
If you’re planning a Christmas break abroad or visiting family, Ryanair has released helpful tips for transporting your gifts safely to your destination, and you may want to hold off on wrapping them up
Ryanair have warned against packing wrapped gifts(Image: Getty Images)
Christmas is one of the busiest travel times, and in addition to the surge in traveller numbers, one thing that can hold up security lines and cause issues at airports is the amount of Christmas gifts packed into suitcases.
That’s why Ryanair has put together a guide on how to pack your presents, and included a stark warning about wrapping your gifts before you put them in your suitcase. If you’re planning a Christmas trip and are looking to get your gifts organised, then you might want to heed the budget airline’s advice and avoid wrapping them before you go.
“Don’t spend hours intricately wrapping gifts to carry in your hand luggage. Wrapped gifts may be opened, searched and screened by airport security staff,” a statement from Ryanair read.
Even with technology such as scanners available, airport staff may need to open your suitcase and check certain items, which means your beautiful wrapping paper could be torn off your gifts before you even get them under the tree. Ryanair’s advice, as an alternative, is to pack the unwrapped gifts and bringing a gift bag folded flat in your suitcase, which you can then use when you arrive.
The budget airline also gave advice to festive travellers about carrying valuables, advising them to place expensive or sentimental items in their smaller hand luggage bag, which goes under the seat in front of them. Avoid placing them in checked baggage or your larger cabin bag, as they may end up in the hold if the overhead lockers are full.
There was also a reminder not to carry items that look like weapons in your hand luggage. Avoid buying toy guns or slingshots for the kids in your family, as they can cause issues at security.
Passengers should also wait until they reach their destination to buy Christmas crackers. While they only give a small bang, these items are considered explosives. Party items, including sparklers, party poppers, and fireworks, should also be left at home.
Many people will be buying liquid gifts for loved ones, whether it’s a bottle of perfume, toiletries, or alcohol, so it’s worth checking the liquid rules for your arrival and departure airports. If you’re looking to buy a bottle of whiskey or a posh perfume, it may be worth waiting and getting them in duty-free, as you can then take your shopping bag on the plane with you.
While most UK airports still have the standard 100ml volume limits in place for hand luggage, some destinations, such as Dublin Airport, have relaxed their liquid rules, allowing containers of up to two litres to be carried through.
And finally, if you’re taking Christmas food with you, remember that items such as jam, preserves, soups, and custard count as liquid, so should be packed into your checked luggage. Check your departure airport’s official website for information and the latest updates to liquid rules.
MORE flights have been cancelled today amid a nationwide strike abroad.
The walk out across Belgium is following the new plans introduced by the country’s prime minister to reduce the debt.
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A nationwide strike in Belgium has seen more flights cancelled today
Brussels Airport confirmed they have cancelled 110 of the 203 incoming flights today.
This is in addition to the departing flights already axed due to the strike.
The remaining 93 incoming flights will still go ahead.
In a statement yesterday, Brussels Airport confirmed: “Due to the national industrial action on Wednesday 26 November in which the staff of the security and handling service provider is participating, we unfortunately expect major disruptions to our airport operations on that day.”
Hundreds of Brits will be affected by the cancellations as airlines including BA and Ryanair operate flights.
British Airways has cancelled all of its London Heathrow to Brussels flights.
And Ryanair has cancelled all of their flights to Brussels Charleroi which affects routes from Manchester and Edinburgh.
Flights between Manchester and Brussels that are operated by Brussels Airlines have also been cancelled.
Brussels Charleroi Airport also said in a statement: “Due to the national day of action planned for Wednesday 26 November by a united front of trade unions and the lack of staff available to ensure safe operations, Charleroi Airport will not be able to operate scheduled departures and arrivals.
“Passengers scheduled to fly via Charleroi on November 26 will be contacted in the coming days by their airline for a rebooking or refund.”
Antwerp and Ostend-Bruges airports are fully operating stick.
It’s not just flights affected, as Eurostar travel has also been affected.
A number of trains between Paris and Belgium have been cancelled or delayed this week.
They told passengers: “Please keep an eye on our live train info page which we’ll update as soon as we know the strike impacts our timetable.
“Public transport and domestic train traffic could be disrupted. If you have a connecting journey, please check for travel updates with the relevant carrier ahead of your trip.
“You may need to allow extra time for your journey.”
Ferries and domestic trains are also being affected and cancelled.
Ryanair and British Airways flights have been cancelled
RYANAIR has axed hundreds of thousands of seats across many routes in Europe resulting in Brits losing direct routes to some of their favourite holiday destinations.
If you’re trying to think of some alternative spots for your next holiday, the experts at MoneySuperMarket along with Sun Travel have found options some for you.
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Bergerac will no longer have direct flights after Ryanair cut the routeCredit: Alamy Stock PhotoBut a beautiful alternative is Carcassonne in the south of FranceCredit: Alamy Stock Photo
Carcassonne, France
In 2025, Ryanaircut many services to Franceincluding its route to Bergerac which is known for its half-timbered houses and medieval streets.
If you still want that for your next break, Carcassonne is a great alternative.
“For an aesthetic even closer to Bergerac, the village of Alet-les-Bains is only an hour’s drive away, with half-timbered houses that feel like a step back in time.”
Brits can fly directly from London Stansted to Carcassonne with Ryanair with a flight time of two hours.
Or fly from Manchester and arrive in the French city in just two hours and 10 minutes.
Marrakesh, Morocco
It’s not just France that’s affected, Ryanair announced it would be cutting its routes routes to Tenerife North starting from winter 2025 season.
However, if it’s winter sun that Brits are looking for, then there are a few other spots to fly to instead.
Marrkesh is a great alternative for anyone looking for a sunny holidayCredit: Alamy
Whether you’re looking for a city break or a beach destination – each city offers something different.
But all have souks to explore, pretty resorts and hotels as well as high winter temperatures.
Flying to Marrakesh takes under four hours from the UK and flights from London are as little as £15 in December.
Krakow is a foodie alternative for anyone who will miss the direct route to BriveCredit: Alamy Stock Photo
Krakow, Poland
Ryanair also cut flights to Brive in France as a result of the rising tax rate.
But if you still fancy the charm of the French city that’s known for its fantastic food, then you might find what you’re looking for in the Polish city of Krakow.
MoneySuperMarket added: “Brive is loved for its food markets, history, museums, and that artisanal distillery feel, but Krakow could be an alternative with a stunning medieval old town, lively markets, and rich museums.
“Krakow also offers its own vodka distillery experiences, bringing the same taste of local culture while also being an easy city to reach from many UK airports.”
Brits can fly to Krakow from major airports in the UK with flights taking just over two and half hours.
In January one-way tickets are as little as £15.
Ryanair is axing routes to the Azores from March 2026Credit: AlamyInstead, head to the pretty archipelago of Madeira in PortugalCredit: Alamy Stock Photo
The autonomous Portuguese islands are known for their dramatic volcanic landscapes and have long been a favourite with UK holidaymakers.
One alternative recommended by the team at Sun Travel is beautiful Madeira.
Still in Portugal, the archipelago has the lush greenery of the Azores as well as black sand beaches.
It’s not just about nature, though, as there are still bustling cities like Funchal where holidaymakers can explore the Old Town and visit the Mercado dos Lavradores market.
Or wander through the pretty Madeira Botanical Garden and Monte Palace Tropical Garden.
Flights to Madeira depart from the likes of Bristol, Manchester, Bournemouth, Leeds, Nottingham, Liverpool and London for as little as £16.
Ryanair has axed flights to Vigo in SpainA pretty alternative is the city of Porto in PortugalCredit: Alamy Stock Photo
Porto, Portugal
In August 2025, Ryanair said confirmed that two million seats across Spain would be being scrapped including those to Vigo.
The city is known for its vibrant seafood scene, beautiful Atlantic coastline, and as a gateway to the Cíes Islands which are just a 45-minute ferry trip away.
For a different budget-friendly, and direct route from the UK – check out Porto.
The coastal city in northwest Portugal is known for its huge bridges, port wine production, and colourful, winding streets.
Its position by the sea means that, like Vigo, it has plenty of fresh seafood.
While you’re there, don’t forget to try the ‘Porto sandwich’ called Francesinha, which is made with layered meats like steak, ham, and sausage between toasted bread slices.
You can fly directly from the UK to Porto from London, Birmingham, Manchester, Bristol, Edinburgh and Glasgow.
The flight time is under two and a half hours – and they’re as little as £15.
RYANAIR has announced that it will be scrapping all its flights to another European destination.
From March 29, 2026, Ryanair will be axing all its flights to and from the Azores.
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Ryanair is scrapping its flights to the Azores islands in PortugalCredit: Alamy
The airline has said that the cancellations are as a result of high airport fees.
This means the six routes that currently travel to the Azores, which works out to around 400,000 passengers each year, will be scrapped.
The airline also said that ATC charges have risen by 120 per cent since the Covid-19 pandemic and there has also been the introduction of a €2 (£1.76) travel tax.
Ryanair’s CCO Jason McGuinness said: “We are disappointed that the French airport monopoly ANA continues to raise Portuguese airport fees to line its pockets, at the expense of Portuguese tourism and jobs – particularly on the Portuguese islands.
“As a direct result of these rising costs, we have been left with no alternative other than to cancel all Azores flights from 29 March 2026 onwards and relocate this capacity to lower cost airports elsewhere in the extensive Ryanair Group network across Europe.
“After 10 years of year-round Ryanair operations, one of Europe’s most remote regions will now lose direct low-fare flights to London, Brussels, Lisbon, and Porto due to ANA’s high airport fees and Portuguese Govt. inaction.”
The Azores are around 950 miles from Portugal itself and the islands offer a great short-haul holiday destination.
The nine volcanic islands are known for having unspoiled beauty, which includes vibrant green hills and black sandy beaches.
According to Azores Getaways, “just like Hawaii, the Azores offer visitors captivating coastlines dotted by sun-dappled beaches and stunning shores.
“But one major thing that visitors won’t find in this Portuguese paradise are throngs of tourists, crammed together and rivaling one another for a small patch of sand”.
Many of the islands have natural hot springs and thermal pools, which attract a lot of visitors.
The Azores are also ideal for people who love the outdoors, as you can go hiking in the forests, explore volcanic landscapes, swim in natural pools and even do a bit of whale and dolphin watching.
There are even a number of historic towns across the islands including Ponta Delgada, which has a number of buildings made from black and white volcanic stone.
One Sun reporter who visited the Azores said: “With its black beaches, hot springs and isolated spot in the Atlantic, the nine volcanic islands of the Azores make you feel as though you’ve stepped on to a movie set.
“We’d arrived on a speedy two-hour flight from Lisbon to the largest island in the archipelago, and gateway to the Azores, Sao Miguel, and every turn in our rental car looked picture-perfect.
The Azores a series of nine volcanic islands often dubbed the ‘Hawaii of Europe’Credit: Alamy
“First we embarked on a kayak tour of the pea-green Furnas Lake, and snuck a peek at the 17th century mansions nestled on the quiet banks.
“Then, a quick drive up to the Pico do Ferro viewpoint rendered us speechless as we gazed down at the bubbling geysers below and the spectacular crater lake we had just navigated below.”
They added: “Many people are lured to the Azores for whale watching and the abundant marine life around the islands.
“With everything you could need to feast your eyes and your belly, it’s clear to see why it is often dubbed the Hawaii of Europe.
“Thankfully, it doesn’t come with a long-haul flight and pricey plane ticket.”
The six routes to the islands, which have been growing in popularity as winter sun destinations, will be cancelled from March 2026 with the budget airline citing issues such as rising air traffic control costs
Ryanair’s flights to the island will cease by the end of March 2026(Image: Peter Byrne/PA Wire)
Ryanair has announced it’ll cut all of its routes to the Azores islands as of March 29, 2026, due to rising costs and travel taxes, the airline claims.
The budget airline once offered six routes to and from the island, including seasonal flights from London Stansted and Bristol Airport, which operated from April to October. It also offered connections from Portugal’s mainland, including Lisbon and Porto.
Ryanair’s CCO Jason McGuinness said: “We are disappointed that the French airport monopoly ANA continues to raise Portuguese airport fees to line its pockets, at the expense of Portuguese tourism and jobs – particularly on the Portuguese islands. As a direct result of these rising costs, we have been left with no alternative other than to cancel all Azores flights from 29 March 2026 onwards and relocate this capacity to lower cost airports elsewhere in the extensive Ryanair Group network across Europe.”
He added: “This loss of low fare connectivity to the Azores is direct result of the French monopoly airport operator – VINCI – imposing excessive airport charges across Portugal (which have risen by up to 35% since Covid) and the anti-competitive enviro taxes imposed by the EU, which exempt more polluting long haul flights to the US and Middle East, at the expense of EU remote regions such as the Azores.
“After 10 years of year-round Ryanair operations, one of Europe’s most remote regions will now lose direct low-fare flights to London, Brussels, Lisbon, and Porto due to ANA’s high airport fees and Portuguese Govt. inaction.”
The airline also urged the Portuguese government to take action, with statement saying: “The Portuguese Govt. must intervene and ensure that its airports which are a critical part of national infrastructure – especially in an island economy like the Azores – are used to benefit the Portuguese people, rather than benefitting a French airport monopoly.”
Ryanair’s axing of these flights now leaves Brits with only one direct route to the Azores; British Airways offer seasonal flights from London Heathrow to Ponta Delgada Airport. However, direct flights only run during the peak summer season, although you can book flights with a connection in Portugal’s mainland for the rest of the year.
The Azores are not the first destination to see its Ryanair services axed due to costs. Ryanair abandoned a number of regional airports in 2025 including Strasbourg, Bergerac, and Vatry, and has threatened to leave several French airports due to rising taxes. Jason McGuinness told a French magazine that a 180% tax increase made regional airports ‘unviable’ for the airline.
The French government’s 2025 budget included a tax hike for air travel, meaning domestic and European flights leaving France were hit with an extra cost of €4.77 (approx. £4.21) per ticket.
RYANAIR has been banned from landing some flight routes at a European airport at certain times of the week.
The Airport Coordination Netherlands [ACNL], which apportions landings Eindhoven Airport, made the decision following a slew of late arrivals on Monday and Thursday evenings.
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Ryanair will no longer be able to fly certain routes during the weekCredit: Reuters
Flights hitting the runway from Sofia, Bulgaria and Pisa in Italy both consistently arrived an average of an hour late.
The official body have since cracked the whip, removing the budget airline’s slots.
“Ryanair is the most punctual airline in Europe. We have appealed this unprecedented, irrational and disproportionate decision by ACNL to the European Commission and the Dutch courts, where we expect it will be overturned,” a Ryanair spokesperson said.
The airline have pushed back against the decision and questioned the claims made by the ACNL.
“ACNL are penalising airlines for ATC [air-traffic control] delays that push flights just 15 minutes over their scheduled arrival time which is completely out of whack with the vast majority of European airports where the threshold is much higher and more reasonable,’ the spokesperson added.
“Ryanair has long campaigned for ATC [air-traffic control] reform, but EU Commission President, Ursula von ‘Derlayed-Again’, has failed to take action.”
The Sun Online has reached out to Ryanair for comment.
GROUNDED
It comes just days after Ryanair announced they were set to scrap even more flights across Europe in 2026, and months following their decision to scratch two million seats across Spain.
Earlier this year, the budget airline said they would be cancelling all flights to three French airports – Bergerac, Brive, and Strasbourg.
However, more are set to be axed, they have confirmed, affecting passengers in summer 2026.
Chief Commercial Officer Jason McGuinness told local media: “We will be leaving several regional airports in France this summer.
“When you increase taxes by 180 per cent, it makes these airports unviable for us.”
The new taxes will see an extra €4.77 per flight ticket when it comes to short haul flights.
However, long haul flights will increase by €120 (£105).
Which airports in France will be affected is yet to be confirmed.
Ryanair added that two million seats across Spain would be being scrapped.
This affects all flights to and from Tenerife North, Vigo, Santiago Valladolid and Jerez.
Ryanair boss Michael O’Leary said at the time: “If the costs in regional Spain are too high, I will fly elsewhere.
The World Airline Awards rank the best airlines for each continent, and its top list for Europe includes a number of surprises, including a strong ranking for British Airways and a winner that few have heard of
The awards ranked the top airlines in Europe(Image: MEN MEDIA)
The World Airline Awards have published its list of the Best Airlines in Europe, which includes a number of big names. However, popular budget airlines such as Ryanair and easyJet failed to make the top 10.
Skytrax, whose site allows users to post airline and airport reviews, put together the list based on customer surveys that included rankings for a number of factors from staff friendliness to cabin cleanliness, seat comfort, and even the quality of the airline’s website.
At number one is Turkish Airlines, which is the flag carrier for Turkey. This airline offers several routes from the UK to Turkish destinations including Istanbul, Ankara, and Antalya from bases in London Heathrow, London Gatwick, Manchester, Birmingham, and Edinburgh.
Certifying it as a four-star airline, according to its own ranking system, Skytrax said: “Turkish Airlines delivers a good experience to customers, and for short-haul travel the airlines provides a superior experience versus many other legacy carriers in Europe, and benchmarks well against Middle Eastern competitors.”
Another winner was Air France, which operates from London Heathrow, Manchester, Edinburgh, and Birmingham, with destinations including Paris and other major cities.
UK-based British Airways managed to clinch fourth place, while Virgin Atlantic was the next UK airline on the list, taking sixth place. The latter flies from London Heathrow, Manchester, and Edinburgh, and offers services to far-flung destinations such as the USA, Canada, Korea, and India.
Recently, a study revealed the airline with the worst legroom, and the results were surprising. Which? looked at 12 popular airline and worked out how many inches passengers got for their money.
At the top of the list was Aer Lingus offering 31-32 inches of space, and in second place, British Airways offered a decent 29-31 inches. But in third place was easyJet with 29 inches, showing that budget airlines aren’t necessarily more cramped than their premium counterparts.
At the bottom of the list were TUI and Wizz Air who offered seat pitches of 28 inches, so there’s not a huge amount of difference between the best and worst legroom when it comes to economy class.
Ryanair has expanded its operations for this winter
It’s a popular destination for Brits and other travellers(Image: Medvedkov via Getty Images)
Ryanair is offering flights to a sun-soaked destination with December temperatures of up to 18C from £15. The budget airline recently announced a 37% increase in its operations at Murcia airport for the upcoming winter, introducing four routes, including a new route to London Stansted with four weekly flights, and additional flights to Birmingham and Dublin.
Starting fares for flights to and from Murcia are as low as £15 from Stansted, and the expansion in connections will create over 450 local jobs and provide passengers with more choices at the lowest fares, according to Alejandra Ruiz, Ryanair’s spokesperson in Spain.
Ryanair’s schedule in Murcia for the 2025/2026 winter season continues to strengthen connectivity outside the peak season, creating over 450 local jobs and boosting year-round tourism in Murcia.
Despite Ryanair’s growth at Murcia Airport this winter season, the airline has been forced to cut one million seats from its overall schedule in Spain for the 2025/2026 winter season due to excessive increases in AENA charges (+6.62%) and ineffective ‘incentive schemes’, which are making regional airports financially unviable.
Ryanair has long championed and invested in regional airports, supporting access to low fares to stimulate tourism and employment, but it cannot justify continued investment in airports whose growth is hindered by uncompetitive charges.
Murcia is popular for its culture, warmer climes, and rich history, as well as its cuisine and beaches.
Despite reports of tourists being driven away from Spain by protestors, one Spanish airport has reportedly seen a rise in the number of passengers passing through, with a third coming from the UK
Alicante-Elche Airport is popular with Brits heading to Benidorm(Image: Andy Commins / Daily Mirror)
Warnings of Spanish ghost towns and holidaymakers ditching the country do not apply for one popular region where visitor numbers are spiking.
A Spanish airport in the popular Costa Blanca region has reported its tenth consecutive record-breaking month for passenger numbers, almost surpassing last year’s passenger total with a fair few weeks remaining in 2025.
Alicante-Elche Airport welcomed 1.9 million passengers in October, an increase of 5.9% compared to last year, and 631,771 of those passengers were Brits, representing over a third of passenger traffic. This was followed by Germany, which represented 129,127 passengers and the Netherlands with 118,996.
So far in 2025, the airport has had 17.2 million people pass through its doors, and it’s estimated it could reach the 20 million mark by the end of the year, according to Spanish expat news outlet Olive Press. They also reported that the airport had its busiest October for flights yet with 11.931, an increase of 6.1% year on year.
Some of the additional traffic could be down to new routes opening up to Alicante. Ryanair recently announced new connections to and from Cardiff, Aberdeen, Bratislava, Linz, Salzburg, Bydgoszcz, Rzeszow, Stockholm Västerås, Småland, and Lanzarote.
Ryanair also added additional flights on 29 of their existing Alicante routes for its winter 2025 schedule, noting the destination’s popularity during the colder months. The airport is serviced by several budget airlines popular with Brits including easyJet, Jet2, Vueling, and Wizz Air, making it easily accessible from across the UK.
Alicante-Elche is the fifth busiest airport in Spain, and the largest in the Valencian Community. One of the reasons it’s a popular destination for Brits is its close proximity to Benidorm, with a direct bus from the airport to the holiday hotspot taking just 45 minutes.
It’s also just 20 minutes away from the centre of Alicante, which has cultural attractions and beautiful beaches. The Telegraph dubbed Alicante ‘Spain’s most underrated city break’ in a 2024 article.
The news comes amid speculation that the anti-tourism protests of 2023 and 2024 would deter tourists from taking Spanish holidays. While the majority of protests took place in cities such as Barcelona and on island locations like Majorca, it was speculated that anti-tourist sentiment could lead visitors to choose alternative destinations, such as Greece or Turkey.
Benidorm has also implemented some strict restrictions to keep rowdy Brits under control. Swimming in the sea is banned between the hours of midnight and 7am, with fines between €300 and €1,500 ( approx. £255 – £1,278). Reserving your spot can also land you in trouble, with sunbeds, towels, or umbrellas left on the sand before 9.30am removed, and potential fines of up to €250 (about £220.33) for leaving your belongings behind.
Smoking and vaping have also been banned from the beach, with reports of fines reaching the thousands.
Passengers at one UK airport are advised to be aware of two significant changes taking effect from later this week. A number of key airlines have already mde a change to their operations at the regional airport.
Now, although Emirates and easyJet are not yet operating from Manchester Airport’s Terminal 2, that will soon change. In an update to X, formerly Twitter, Manchester Airport said: “Reminder! From 19th November, all airlines, except Ryanair, will operate from Terminal 2.
“This change is part of our £1.3bn transformation programme, bringing more airlines into our upgraded terminal and improving facilities for passengers.” While Emirates departures currently take place at Terminal 1, this will switch to Terminal 2 on November 18. Meanwhile, easyJet departures will move to Terminal 2 on November 19, just one day later.
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Luxair, Finnair, British Airways, Turkish Airlines, and Loganair are among the numerous other airlines that have already transferred to Manchester’s Terminal 2. Additional developments to Terminal 2 will also be occurring over the coming months.
The X update, published on November 14, continued: “Further parts of Terminal 2 will be opening over the coming months including the Great Northern Market, the airport’s first Wetherspoons pub, new shops and bars including Fever Tree, and a new pier that will allow more flights to depart from the Terminal.
“As part of our multi-million-pound investment, we’ll be expanding Terminal 3 to make use of space that will be available when Terminal 1 closes. Some new parts of Terminal 3 will open early next year, including new sports bar Sporting Chance.”
Further guidance from Manchester Airport states that ‘all airlines will contact passengers directly to confirm the details’ and staff will be available to support these arrangements. Check-in desks for Terminal 2 are located on the upper level of the Terminal.
If you’ve reserved a parking spot in Terminal 1 or 3 but your flight has been relocated to Terminal 2, the airport can transfer your reservation to the nearest parking area at no additional cost. You will need to fill in an online form to have these changes applied.
However, this is only possible if you booked parking directly through the official Manchester Airport website, including Meet & Greet or multi-storey car parks. Unfortunately, the airport cannot modify third-party bookings, so you must contact the provider directly in such cases.
For those who have reserved a lounge in Terminal 1 or 3 but are now flying from Terminal 2, the airport adds: “If you booked your lounge directly on the official Manchester Airport website, you’ll need to cancel your current booking and rebook a lounge in Terminal 2, subject to availability.
“If no availability is shown for Terminal 2 lounges, you can still cancel your original booking for a full refund. If you booked through a third-party website or provider, please contact them directly. We’re unable to make changes to third-party bookings.”
Back in August, Ryanair said confirmed thattwo million seats across Spainwould be being scrapped.
The destinations is said it would be closing operations and ceasing flights to were:
Santiago de Compostela
Vigo
Valladolid
Jerez
Tenerife (North)
Tensions over increased airport charges had affected relations with the state-owned Spanish operator Aena.
Mr O’Leary said at the time: “If the costs in regional Spain are too high, I will fly elsewhere.
“We are better off flying at the same cost to places such as Palma [on the island of Mallorca] than flying to Jerez.”
Germany
In October, Ryanair announced it was dropping 24 routes to and from Germany, cutting nearly 800,000 seats in total.
It was revealed that nine airports would be affected, along with the plans of those wanting a winter break, and including to major cities that are popular with tourists.
These are:
Berlin
Hamburg
Memmingen
Baden-Württemberg
Cologne
Frankfurt-Hahn
Dortmund
Dresden
Leipzig
Ryanair’s CEO Eddie Wilson said back in August: “Germany’s air travel market is broken and needs an urgent fix.
“As a result of these high government taxes/fees (the highest in Europe), and Lufthansa’s high-fare monopoly, German citizens/visitors now pay the highest air fares in Europe.”
France
Ryanair cut services to France in 2025 – with the loss of 25 routes and some 750,000 seats this winter following the decision to drop services to Strasbourg, Brive and Bergerac.
Now though, it has been revealed that further cancellations are possibly looming.
CEO Jason McGuiness has confirmed thar Ryanaire will leave France’s regional airports in the summer of 2026.
However, as yet, no official destinations have been named yet.
The actions of the airline earlier in the year caused a 13 per cent reduction in its capacity in France.
Mr O’Leary told French newspaper Le Parisien: “You have this crazy situation where your government increases the solidarity tax on airline tickets (TSBA), which has gone from 2.63 euros to 7.40 euros per ticket. 180% increase! It’s totally unjustified.”
He added that commercial flying was a “rotten sector that does not bring in a lot of money.”
He also accused the French government of viewing airlines as their personal “tax collectors,” as well as making the claim that “French air traffic control is by far the least effective in Europe.”
Plus, here is everything you need to know about whether you can use a printed boarding pass, including rules for Ryanair, easyJet, Wizz Air and Jet2 explained.
Routes to destinations in France, Germany and Spain are all being slashedCredit: Getty
“As a result of these high Govt taxes/fees (the highest in Europe), and Lufthansa’s high-fare monopoly, German citizens/visitors now pay the highest air fares in Europe.”
Dortmund, Dresden, and Leipzig airports are to stay closed overwinter.
Ryanair has already axed flights across Spain and GermanyCredit: Alamy
Ryanair will only offer digital boarding passes from November 12, leading to fears that tech-phobes will be unable to fly – and the company’s boss Michael O’Leary could be to blame
The new rule comes into force today(Image: Getty)
Ryanair’s new boarding rules take effect today, with Brits warned not to get caught out and risk incurring a large fee.
Today, the budget carrier has switched entirely to digital boarding passes. This means travellers who have purchased tickets will no longer be able to download and print them before arriving at the airport – an option currently used by 20 per cent of Ryanair passengers, according to the airline.
Desks at the airports will no longer offer the option to print them, which incurred a fee of £55. It is likely that a similar fee will be charged to those who arrive at the airport without having downloaded their digital boarding pass.
All Ryanair has said is that “If you have already checked-in online and your smartphone or tablet is lost, you will receive a free of charge boarding pass at the airport.” That implies that a £55 late-check-in fee will be levied on those who don’t or aren’t able to check-in online before they get to the airport.
There are significant concerns that passengers without use of a mobile phone, or those who are less tech-savvy, may be caught out. A sizeable 2.06 million Brits aged over 55 do not have one of the handy devices, according to MoneySuperMarket. This equates to around 10 per cent of the age group.
With the new rule, customers will have to use the digital boarding pass created by the myRyanair app after they check in. Ryanair stated that 206 million of its passengers already use digital boarding passes, suggesting approximately 40 million journeys could potentially be affected.
The company’s chief executive, Michael O’Leary, said that his 86-year-old mother uses the Ryanair app to travel. Nevertheless, the decision has sparked criticism, with several campaign groups accusing the airline of ageism.
Dennis Reed, director of Silver Voices, told The Telegraph: “It’s a disgraceful move. They are effectively saying they don’t want older people as passengers. There’s a strong argument to say that it’s discriminatory.”
Several worried readers contacted The Mirror to voice their concerns about the change. One said: “I have elderly in-laws who live in Spain. They won’t be able to download anything onto their phone. They’re not tech-savvy, so what will happen when they travel to the UK? I appreciate the need to utilise technology, but that will not work for a lot of passengers.”
Another said: “This seems discriminatory to people, such as the elderly, who, for various reasons, are not able to use smartphones. By Ryanair’s own admission, some 20% of passengers do not use smartphones currently for boarding passes. It may backfire. Ryanair will lose these customers who will turn to alternative providers without such a policy.”
Mr O’Leary, aged 64, was swift to dismiss such concerns. He said: “I’m old, and I travel with Ryanair on a very, very regular basis, and I use the Ryanair app, it is pretty simple, pretty easy to use.” For those especially worried about the change, Mr O’Leary indicated the airline would show flexibility, assuring that “nobody would be cut off at the knees.”
He stated it would be “reasonably forgiving” of passengers arriving with paper boarding passes throughout Christmas and into January.
“The critical thing: If you’ve checked online before you get there and you lose your phone, we’ll have your name in the system,” he said. “We will manually board you at the boarding gate so if your phone goes off, you lose your phone, your phone gets stolen, it is not going to make any issue as long as you checked in online before you got to the boarding gate, which, by the way, would eliminate all the check-in fees at the airport.”
Mr O’Leary dismissed suggestions that elderly passengers would struggle with the changes as patronising.
“Actually, what you find is the old people firstly just get their kids or grandkids to make bookings for them, and then pretty quickly they’re adopting it themselves. And it is slightly patronising, this notion that old people can’t and won’t move to mobile technology or to the apps,” he said, MailOnline reported.
The switch was pushed back by a week to November 12 to avoid the UK and Irish half-term period.
Ryanair chief marketing officer Dara Brady said: “To ensure a seamless transition to 100 per cent digital boarding passes for our customers, we will make the switch from November 12, which is traditionally a slightly quieter time for travel following the busy mid-term break period.
“Ryanair’s move to 100 per cent digital boarding passes will mean a faster, smarter, and greener travel experience for our customers, streamlined through our best-in-class ‘myRyanair’ app, where passengers will also benefit from helpful in-app features, like Order to Seat and live flight information.”
The budget airline has already abandoned a number of regional airports this year, including Strasbourg, Bergerac, and Vatry, and more could be added to the list in the coming months
10:57, 11 Nov 2025Updated 11:05, 11 Nov 2025
Some airports across France could be hit by capacity cuts soon(Image: Getty Images)
Ryanair has announced it will stop flying from several French regional airports due to tax changes. The budget airline has criticised a rise in taxes across the region, leading to this significant decision.
Several regional airports have already been dropped this year, including Strasbourg, Bergerac, and Vatry. Ryanair’s commercial director, Jason McGuinness, now says more French airports will join the list in the coming months.
Speaking to French magazine Challenges, he said a 180% tax increase made regional airports ‘unviable’ for the airline. The 2025 Budget introduced by the French government includes a tax hike for air travel, adding an extra cost of 4.77 euros per ticket for both domestic and European flights leaving France.
Speaking about the summer of 2026 to the magazine, Jason McGuinness, commercial director of the low-cost airline, said: “We will be leaving several regional airports in France this summer. When you increase taxes by 180%, it makes these airports unviable for us.”
The tax increase also means long-distance business-class tickets will cost up to an additional 120 euros. Initially, the French government claimed the higher taxes would bring financial benefits, but it has faced strong opposition from many parts of the aviation industry.
Ryanair’s CEO, Michael O’Leary, previously told Le Parisien that the airline would cut its travel capacity across France if the government decided to raise taxes related to air travel. He described a significant tax increase on air travel as ‘unjustified’ because the sector doesn’t generate a substantial amount of revenue.
He said the airline could potentially double its annual passenger numbers in France by 2030, provided the government scrapped the taxes. But he warned there were more attractive options elsewhere, and threatened further capacity reductions if taxes rose again.
French Transport Minister Philippe Tabarot hit back at Ryanair’s announcement, accusing the carrier of using ‘aggressive’ tactics to “evade their obligations”. The row comes despite Ryanair cutting its winter capacity in France by 11%, even as it added 31,000 more flights and six million extra seats compared to last winter.
The capacity reductions followed a hike in aviation taxes and the loss of approximately 7.3 million passengers due to French Air Traffic Control (ATC) disruptions. Strasbourg, Vatry, Bergerac, and Brive saw services virtually brought to a stop by the airline, whilst Beziers lost more than 100 flights during the winter season.
You can buy it at the airport, but some airlines won’t let you board with it
14:10, 10 Nov 2025Updated 16:55, 10 Nov 2025
Ryanair’s stance is clear(Image: Bradley Caslin via Getty Images)
If you’re planning on jetting off abroad any time soon, it’s worth knowing that you might not be able to bring a common item, typically costing around £3, on board your flight. Ryanair and Jet2 both have a clear ban, but you can bring the same product onto easyJet or TUI services.
While many airline rules are consistent across carriers, certain restrictions differ depending on your chosen operator. When travelling by plane, passengers often browse airport retail outlets and restaurants, purchasing everything from duty-free goods to refreshments and snacks.
But before spending money in the departure lounge, it’s handy to know that hot drinks cannot be taken onto certain flights. Many travellers opt for a caffeine boost at the airport, and there are normally plenty of opportunities to purchase a tea or a coffee before you’re called to the gate.
But you’ll be required to finish that drink prior to boarding with Ryanair or Jet2, according to their individual policies. Ryanair states it “cannot allow passengers to board the plane with hot drinks” for safety considerations, whilst Jet2’s website confirms: “You may not bring hot food or hot drinks onboard the aircraft”.
Should you be flying with TUI or easyJet, however, you’re permitted to carry your airport coffee onto the aircraft, provided it has a secure lid. As well as this, recent post-Brexit rules mean certain items purchased before departure cannot be transported into any EU nations, and this applies irrespective of which airline you’re travelling with, reports the Liverpool Echo.
You’re not allowed to bring meat or dairy into the EU, even if they’re part of food items like sandwiches, regardless of whether you purchased them at the airport or elsewhere.
The budget airline will implement the new rule from November 12
Ryanair will implement a major change from this week(Image: F9Photos/Getty Images)
Ryanair will bring in a major change from Wednesday (November 12) in a move aimed at improving its airport experience for passengers. The change – which will see the airline adopt 100% Digital Boarding Passes (DBP) – means travellers will no longer be able to download or print a physical paper ticket, and must instead access it in their Ryanair App.
This scheme, initially scheduled for May 2025, intends to eliminate check-in charges, save around 300 tonnes of paper each year, and provide travellers with direct flight updates. The budget airline claimed that almost 80% of its over 207 million annual passengers have already adapted to the transition.
In an update last week Ryanair CMO, Dara Brady, explained: “While over 80% of passengers already use Digital Boarding Passes, and therefore won’t be affected by this progressive change, we remind the small number of passengers who still print boarding passes to download the myRyanair app ahead of the move to 100% digital boarding passes from Wednesday, 12 November.
“Moving fully digital means a faster, smarter, and greener experience for passengers, whilst also providing easier access to a range of innovative in-app features, including ‘Order to Seat’, live flight information and direct updates during disruption. We look forward to delivering an enhanced travel experience for 100% of our customers, streamlined through our best-in-class myRyanair app.”
If you’re worried about the practicalities of Ryanair’s change, look no further. Below, the Mirror has explored all the essential details you need to know before November 12, including instructions on check-in and accessing your DBPs.
1. What is a DBP, and how do I get one?
A DBP, or Digital Boarding Pass, is the electronic ticket you receive after checking in with Ryanair. Starting from November 12, passengers will be required to use a DBP rather than a physical ticket to board a Ryanair flight.
Passengers can check in online at Ryanair.com or through the Ryanair App, available on Apple’s App Store and Google Play. To avoid additional fees, travellers should complete this step before arriving at the airport.
After checking in, a DBP will automatically appear in the Ryanair App. You will need to present this at airport security and the boarding gate before your flight.
However, please note that for flights from Morocco on or after November 12, passengers must check in online as usual and then present their DBP at the airport to receive a printed boarding pass. This physical boarding pass must then be shown to board flights.
Besides displaying your DBP, the Ryanair App also offers several other features that may be useful before boarding. According to the airline’s website, this includes the following:
Order to seat abilities: Place food and drink orders via your phone to receive priority service.
Live flight information: Get real-time updates on boarding, gate changes, and delays.
Direct updates: Receive instant notifications from Ryanair’s operations centre during disruptions.
Alternative flight options: Access real-time information on alternative flights during disruptions.
Travel documents: View all your travel documents in one easy-to-access location.
2. What happens if my phone dies or I lose it before boarding?
Losing your mobile can be very stressful, but Ryanair CEO Michael O’Leary reassures that it won’t stop you from boarding your flight. In a previous interview on The Independent’s daily travel podcast, he said: “The big concern that people have is: ‘What happens if I lose my battery or what if I lose my phone?’
“…If you lose your phone, no issue. As long as you’ve checked in before you got to the airport, we’ll reissue a paper boarding pass at the airport free of charge.”
O’Leary also mentioned that if a mobile device has run out of power, staff will have each traveller’s ‘sequence number’ at the departure gate. Therefore, passengers can still board without it, so there’s no need to worry.
Advice on Ryanair’s website mirrors this, adding: “If you have already checked in online and you lose your smartphone or tablet (or it dies), your details are already on our system and you will be assisted at the gate.”
After completing the online check-in, your DBP can be accessed offline through the Ryanair App. This means there’s no need for Wi-Fi or mobile data to view it.
3. What if I don’t check in online before arriving at the airport?
All Ryanair travellers should get reminders to check in online 24 to 48 hours prior to their flight departure. If they do not check in before arriving at the airport, they will be required to pay a fee.
Currently, the fee is £55/€55 per passenger for the majority of flights. However, passengers departing from Spain are required to pay £30/€30, while those leaving Austria will be charged £40/€40.
Ryanair’s website adds: “The fee is charged per passenger and per sector.”
Budget airline Ryanair to scrap the option for passengers to print out and use a paper boarding pass
12:58, 06 Nov 2025Updated 12:59, 06 Nov 2025
Ryanair is pressing ahead with a big change to aircraft boarding by going 100% digital (Image: SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images)
Ryanair passengers will be forced to use digital boarding passes only from next week.
The budget airline issued update to remind customers, ahead of the big change from Wednesday November 12. From that date, passengers will no longer be able to download and print a physical paper boarding pass.
Instead, they will have to use the digital boarding pass generated in the “myRyanair” app on their mobile device – smartphone or tablet – during check-in process to board any of its flights.
Ryanair insisted the “vast majority” of people already use digital boarding in this way, adding that nearly 80% of its more than 207 million passengers annually did so. But that still means that around 40 million passengers who prefer other methods, including printing their pass, will be impacted.
Dara Brady, Ryanair’s chief marketing officer, said: “While over 80% of passengers already use digital boarding passes, and therefore won’t be affected by this progressive change, we remind the small number of passengers who still print boarding passes to download the myRyanair app ahead of the move to 100% digital boarding passes from Wednesday, 12 November.
“Moving fully digital means a faster, smarter, and greener experience for passengers, whilst also providing easier access to a range of innovative in-app features, including ‘Order to Seat’, live flight information and direct updates during disruption. We look forward to delivering an enhanced travel experience for 100% of our customers, streamlined through our best-in-class myRyanair app.”
Ryanair insisted the move would mean lower airport costs and so fares for all Ryanair passengers, as well as saving 300 tonnes of paper annually.
But it has already had to reassurance customers who fear they will be caught out. For instance, it says that if passengers lose their smartphone or tablet they can get a free boarding pass at the airport, but assuming they have already checked-in to their flight online. The same is true if their battery runs out before they get through airport security, it says, while if it packs up before boarding then they “will be assisted at the gate.”
Then there is the question of what happens if a customer does not have a smartphone with the Ryanair app. The airline says: “If passengers don’t have a smartphone or tablet, as long as they have already checked-in online before arriving at the airport, they will receive a free of charge boarding pass at the airport.”
Ryanair added that, as long as passengers have checked-in online, the digital boarding pass will be available regardless of whether they have a mobile signal or not.
