Travel enthusiast who avoided Ryanair for 10 years lays bare what 'really impressed' him on flight ()

<iframe frameborder="0" height="100%" scrolling="no" src="https://www.gbnews.com/res/scraper/embed/?video_url=https%3A%2F%2Fmm-v2.simplestream.com%2Fiframe%2Fplayer.php%3Fkey%3D3Li3Nt2Qs8Ct3Xq9Fi5Uy0Mb2Bj0Qs%26player%3DGB003%26uvid%3D52768347%26type%3Dvod%26viously_id%3Dr6t5rAnFdTZ" width="100%"></iframe><br/><p>A traveler who avoided Ryanair for a decade has shared his surprisingly positive experience after returning to the budget airline.</p><p>Charles Brumfield, who runs the YouTube channel Charles on Travels, decided to give the carrier another chance after previously experiencing poor customer service.</p><h3></h3><br/><p>Rather than opting for the bare minimum fare, he chose to splash out on all available extras to create what he called a "premium first class" experience.</p><p>His experiment aimed to see if paying for additional services could transform the budget airline journey into something more comfortable.</p><h3></h3><br/><img alt="Ryanair" class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="5c61ff118ce330caaf18c867152f4436" data-rm-shortcode-name="rebelmouse-image" id="35a14" loading="lazy" src="https://www.gbnews.com/media-library/ryanair.jpg?id=56617389&width=980"/><h3></h3><br/><p>The decision came after years of deliberately booking with other carriers. </p><p>Despite adding numerous extras, Brumfield's total fare remained remarkably affordable at just £53.</p><p>He upgraded his basic fare of £12.50 to a regular ticket which included priority boarding, two cabin bags and a standard reserved seat. He then paid additional charges to select a front row seat and for fast track security.</p><p>In total, it still only cost him a "ridiculously cheap" €63.99 (approx £53).</p><p><strong>MORE LIKE THIS:</strong></p><ul><li><a href="https://www.gbnews.com/news/trainee-ryanair-mechanic-sacked-dyslexia-safety" target="_self">Trainee Ryanair mechanic SACKED after failing to follow safety instructions and telling instructor ‘I know best’</a><span class="redactor-invisible-space"></span></li><li><a href="https://www.gbnews.com/travel/ryanair-new-routes-summer-2025" target="_self">Ryanair confirms new routes from UK airports to 'sunny' holiday hotspots and 'Europe's most beautiful cities'</a><span class="redactor-invisible-space"></span></li><li><a href="https://www.gbnews.com/travel/ryanair-prime-subscription-service-savings" target="_self">New £79 Ryanair subscription service announced that could save customers up to £420</a></li></ul><h3></h3><br/><blockquote class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/BozBp_mhoYS/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="14" style=" background:#FFF; 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transform: translateX(16px) translateY(-4px) rotate(30deg)"></div></div><div style="margin-left: auto;"> <div style=" width: 0px; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-right: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(16px);"></div> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; flex-grow: 0; height: 12px; width: 16px; transform: translateY(-4px);"></div> <div style=" width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-left: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(-4px) translateX(8px);"></div></div></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center; margin-bottom: 24px;"> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 224px;"></div> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 144px;"></div></div></a><p style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px; margin-bottom:0; margin-top:8px; overflow:hidden; padding:8px 0 7px; text-align:center; text-overflow:ellipsis; white-space:nowrap;"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/BozBp_mhoYS/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px; text-decoration:none;" target="_blank">A post shared by Charles Brumfield (@charlesontravels)</a></p></div></blockquote> <script async="" src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script><h3></h3><br/><p>The traveler was particularly pleased with seat 1A which came with what he described as "a true luxury on a Ryanair flight - a seat pocket." The front row position also provided welcome extra leg room.</p><p>One feature that particularly impressed Brumfield was Ryanair's new app service allowing passengers to pre-order food and drink.</p><p>He ordered a 200ml bottle of Prosecco before take-off.</p><p>"Pretty much as soon as we were up in the air, the cabin crew leapt into action to bring me my Prosecco. I was really impressed by how quickly they brought this out," he said.</p><h3></h3><br/><img alt="Ryanair inside plane" class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="dc29ff3c04e83245665c3b85de691571" data-rm-shortcode-name="rebelmouse-image" id="deac8" loading="lazy" src="https://www.gbnews.com/media-library/ryanair-inside-plane.jpg?id=59750960&width=980"/><h3></h3><br/><div class="embed-latest"></div><p>Though they brought him rosé instead of standard Prosecco, he was too pleased with the swift service to complain.</p><p>"I was halfway through that drink before they even took the seatbelt signs off," he added.</p><p>The flight arrived in Newcastle on time, with his front row seat enabling a quick exit.</p><p>Despite noting some downsides like the "rubbish" seat and "cheap flimsy plastic cup," Brumfield concluded his overall experience was satisfactory.</p><p>"I have avoided Ryanair for quite a long time but I do think going forward I will be a lot more willing to give them a chance," he reflected, "The base fare is so low that it really does open the opportunity to travel a lot more."</p><p> Even with added extras for comfort, he noted it would "still going to be a lot cheaper than flying with the likes of BA."</p>