Purchase cheap flights on Ryanair - eDreams

Although it does not offer any transatlantic services, Ryanair cheap flights are regularly booked by North Americans for their onward travel in Europe. With headquarters that are located in Dublin, the majority of Ryanair's services run from the UK to destinations in continental Europe. Like other budget airlines, such as easyJet and Jet2.com, Ryanair provides low fares which are particularly attractive for multi-city business travellers as well as those who are undertaking a touring vacation of several European cities.

Ryanair operates a fleet of around 400 Boeing 737 aircraft and has plans to expand this number by 2024, when it expects to run a fleet of 600 or so airplanes. The majority of services run by the Irish air operator are under its own name, but Ryanair also provides codeshare services with Air Europa to about 16 different destinations across Europe. Because it is a low-cost operator, the airline tries to keep ticket pricing to a minimum. This means that you are likely to have to pay for any extras on a flight, such as food and drink, taking luggage aboard or for seat reservation. The principal base of operations for Ryanair in the UK is London Stansted, although it runs services from many other regional airports in Great Britain and Ireland, as well.

The online check-in that Ryanair offers makes life easier at the airport, especially if you are travelling from a busy hub, such as London Stansted. Nevertheless, the airline recommends that you arrive at least two hours before your flight is due to leave even if you won't need to check-in, having done so online beforehand. There are baggage drop-off desks at nearly all of the airports Ryanair operates from to use. These open two hours ahead of your flight and close 40 minutes before your plane is due to take off. For passengers who have checked in online but forgotten their boarding pass, it is possible to reprint them up to two hours before the flight. If Ryanair does this for you at the terminal building, then a charge for reissuing is levied unless you have a 'Flex Plus' type of ticket.

Ryanair passengers can check in online via the airline's website or from an app. Either way, you will need your six-digit reservation number in order to confirm that you will be boarding your flight. Once you have made your confirmation, a boarding pass will be issued to you. It is possible to store this on a smart device to be scanned at the gate when you arrive or to print on paper so that you can present it. EU citizens are not technically required to carry their passports with them as their ID when flying, but most do as they constitute the most convenient form of identification. US citizens should have their passports with them when presenting their boarding passes.

Checked baggage on Ryanair is not free of charge. No ticket sold by the airline includes a baggage allowance for the hold. It is possible to purchase baggage allowances for two bags of up to 20 kg, or 44 lbs, when you buy your ticket. No set single fee is levied for each bag you check in for a flight - it all depends on the destination as well as how busy the service is. If you have an additional bag you want to put in the hold of the aircraft than your booking allows, then you can add an additional bag by informing Ryanair in advance by accessing your booking details online. If you turn up to the airport terminal with an extra bag or with luggage that weighs more than you have paid for, then expect to see a surcharge applied per additional piece or kilo of weight.

Like other budget airlines, such as Eurowings, Ryanair limits the amount of hand luggage you can take on board with you. Ryanair's cabin baggage policy restricts you to one small item of luggage per person. This means it is acceptable to take on a laptop bag or a handbag, for example, but nothing much bulkier. As long as your bag's dimensions are under 35cm x 20cm x 20cm – which is about 13.5 in x 7.5 in x 7.5 in – then you will be allowed aboard with it. If you bring a second cabin bag with you, then the flight staff will place it in the hold for you without an additional fee, but you will not be allowed to take it on board. For passengers who have pre-booked airport special assistance with their ticket, additional items of hand luggage are permitted. Also, bear in mind that passengers who have opted for 'Priority and 2 cabin bags' or 'Plus/Flexi' tickets will be allowed more than one item with them. The second item must not be over 55 cm x 40 cm x 20 cm - or 21.5 x by 15 in x 7.5 in - in size, or weigh more than 10 kg, or 22 lbs.

Ryanair has plenty of services from both the UK and Ireland, as well as many other routes in continental Europe. Top ones include:

• Flights from London to Barcelona
• Flights from London to Dublin
• Flights from London to Cork
• Flights from Leeds to Ibiza
• Flights from Edinburgh to London
• Flights from Edinburgh to Dublin
• Flights from Edinburgh to Rome
• Flights from Dublin to Rome
• Flights from Dublin to Athens