I hate Ryanair and I love them too. It’s a true love-hate relationship. I nearly always travel with Ryanair, because they usually offer the cheapest fare. But only for that reason. Yet I feel entitled to criticise them - and I do so at every opportunity.

Everything about their product and their Chief Executive, Michael O'Leary, is tacky and unpleasant. From the garish colours; the non-reclining seats; the cacaphonous fanfare if they land early; the constant barrage of selling things - from electronic cigarettes to lottery tickets to over-priced food and drink; aggressive and unfriendly, and often linguistically incompetent staff; having to stand in queues to board; having to walk through the rain and wind (any N European airport) instead of using an airbridge; and don't start me on the extra "optional" charges. It all adds up to a most unpleasant experience, albeit one I can endure for up to three hours.

I grant that they have been instrumental in bringing fares down and opening up Europe to the masses. But they have also caused huge problems in areas where they've pulled out all of a sudden, eg in France, Belgium and Spain (Granada, Jerez, Alicante? El Prat, Ciudad Real) leaving blighted airports and foreign homeowners and tourists with no local airport to fly to.

And let's not forget the other low-cost carriers who contributed to the 21st Century revolution in air travel, notably easyJet. From 2000 we nearly always flew with them from Liverpool to Malaga on our frequent trips to Andalucía. They were great. Unfortunately, they rarely compete on price these days.

Other budget airlines have been significant too - Air Berlin, Wizz-Air, Vueling, Jet2, Bmibaby. The whole experience is usually much more pleasant with them.

We are currently on a quick tour of relatives which involves flights from Malaga to Frankfurt-Hahn; Karlsruhe-Baden Baden to London Stansted; and Bristol to Malaga. All with Ryanair. Total cost for two of us - just over 200 euros. Unbelievably cheap!

But, I shall continue to criticise Ryanair and I shall continue to fly with them if they offer me the best deal.

Hypocritical? No, pragmatic!

Our love-hate relationship is set to continue ...

© Paul Whitelock

See also:

The Ryanair business model - a modern parable

Cheap flights - hilarious skit by Fascinating Aida

Tags: Michael O'Leary, Chief Executive, Ryanair, cheapest fare, Fascinating Aida, cheap flights, low-cost carrier, easyJet, budget airline, Air Berlin, Wizz-Air, Vueling, Jet2, Bmibaby, Malaga, Frankfurt-Hahn, Karlsruhe-Baden Baden, London Stansted, Bristol, paul whitelock, Diese E-Mail-Adresse ist gegen Spambots geschützt! JavaScript muss aktiviert werden, damit sie angezeigt werden kann. , www.a1-solutions-spain.com