Ryan Air

[Bluegrasstjej]

I know this has been up before, but I'm just getting confused. I've traveled before with my mandolin in the cabin without problems. But now I'm going to Ireland in November, and I'm going with Ryan Air, I just read through their policies and it says I can take the mandolin (smaller instruments than bass fiddle and harp) in the cabin if I pay for another chair. This is ridiculous, I never keep my mandolin between my feet, it doesn't even need a space of its own.

Does anyone have experiences of traveling with mandolins with Ryan Air?

[mikeyes]

Aer Lingus (www.aerlingus.com) is having a sale right now and they will allow you to carry the mandolin on without buying a second seat. Do they fly from where you originate?

[mandroid]

I can't grasp the problem, are they removing the overhead compartments, these days?
maybe a monster Calton OH compatment hog, but not a normal size case.
are things less wierd flying from canada than us ? http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/rock.gif

[Dagger Gordon]

I've never had a problem taking a mando on board ever. I've only flown RyanAir once (London-Sardinia). Can't recall if I checked my mando in on that trip or took it on board, but I don't recall anything terribly different from any other flight I've been on, and I always travel with a mandolin.
I've certainly never bought a seat for the mando or even considered it. A cello maybe, even a guitar possibly, but mando is carry-on I would have thought. That's one reason why we play them - they're easy to travel with!
I've even sometimes had the check-in staff suggest I take it on board if I had thought of checking it in. However, it's important to have quite a good case.

[grandmainger]

But now I'm going to Ireland in November, and I'm going with Ryan Air, I just read through their policies and it says I can take the mandolin (smaller instruments than bass fiddle and harp) in the cabin if I pay for another chair. This is ridiculous, I never keep my mandolin between my feet, it doesn't even need a space of its own.
You should give them a call and discuss this with them in person.

RyanAir is part of a new breed of super discount european airlines where the flights are dirt cheap (sometimes as low as £1 single plus tax, I went to sweden with them for £4 return plus tax, worked out $64 inclusive!). BUT you have to pay for every other extra, including food, drinks, extra legroom, an possibly longer-than-average carry-on luggage.
Do give them a call, and argue your case with them. My guess is that you may be able to keep you mando as carry-on for a small fee rather than pay for an extra seat.

HTH

Germain

[Bluegrasstjej]

I know this has been up before, but I'm just getting confused. I've traveled before with my mandolin in the cabin without problems. But now I'm going to Ireland in November, and I'm going with Ryan Air, I just read through their policies and it says I can take the mandolin (smaller instruments than bass fiddle and harp) in the cabin if I pay for another chair. This is ridiculous, I never keep my mandolin between my feet, it doesn't even need a space of its own.

Does anyone have experiences of traveling with mandolins with Ryan Air?
Haha, of course I mean that I ALWAYS keep my mandolin between my feet!!

[Adare_Steve]

I had an American mandolin maker called 'Grady' (I forgot his last name - and I'm not up on all the makers) in my music shop in Adare, on the west of Ireland yesterday. He bought a bag that he liked the price of! Anyway, I asked if he took his mandolin on board and put it in the overhead compartments (he was flying Aer Lingus, I think) and he said, "sure, why not?"

I would assume that a mandolin would class as one piece of hand luggage on any plane - and fit in the overhead compartment. The problem might come when you want to take the instrument plus another piece of luggage on board.

Oh, so does anyone know the maker I met? He gave me his website address (gradymandolins.com), but the URL is not found when I try it.

Steve Power

[Christine W]

Grady Jones

[Adare_Steve]

Grady Jones
Thanks Christine

Did I meet a legend of Mando-making? Excuse my ignorance - and I hope Grady did, too!

Steve

[muzicfreak]

I'm flying w/ ryanair.. in a bout a week... Let me tell you how ridiculous this airline is.. I was banned from it last summer but i am going to try to pull a fast one on them.. Becuase there are no other airline flying from shannon to Glasgow... But i was banned last year for saying this is ####### B.s. when i was walking away from the customer service.. because the transportation provided to get to the airport broke down and i missed the 40min mandatory checkin by literally 1 min and they would not let my party on the plane.. then they wanted me to buy a new ticket for a 100 bucks... This airline is as cheap as they come.. so i would recommend BMI or like they said up there air lingus:) Ban ryan air before they ban you! haha
happy friday! http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif

[Christine W]

Adare_Steve, "Did I meet a legend of Mando-making? Excuse my ignorance - and I hope Grady did, too!" Quote

I have heard of his mandolins and he has a fine reputation, but I have never played one. So I guess I am ignorant too. http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif Sorry I can' t help more.

[Mando4Life]

First Quality had one when I was there a while ago....looked and sounded real nice.

[catsh16]

I flew Ryan air about 1 month ago... ya, they are about one of the cheapest airlines I have seen, but... it only cost me 60euro to fly Brussels-Rome, the airport looked more like a warehouse. There was 1 terminal and 2 check in desks. but, I wouldn't worry too much about the rules. as long as you are under the 15kg ? checked bag weight limit you are fine(but the fine print says 7euro per kg over the limit). I brought on 2 super heavy carry-ons, one about the size of a mandolin with out any problems. My advise would be just not to say anything and carry it on. worst case, you could put it in a stuff sack/duffle and pretend its a carry on bag

[Bluegrasstjej]

Maybe I should buy a soft case for the trip, they are smaller than the hard case. I'll see if there are any good ones.