Travel blogger Paul Lucas tested Ryanair and Wizz Air's longest scheduled flights to compare the ultra-budget experience on extended journeys. His verdict: Wizz Air edged ahead thanks to a single missing feature on Ryanair's aircraft.
Ryanair's marathon flight from Poland to Tenerife
Lucas began his experiment with Ryanair's longest scheduled route, a six-hour flight from Warsaw Modlin Airport to Tenerife in the Canary Islands. He used his Priority Pass membership to access the small airport lounge, describing it as "a pretty basic affair" but preferable to waiting in the terminal. "For the 30 minutes or so I've got to wait before departure, this beats sitting or standing in the terminal. There are actually okay snacks and even beer on offer," he said.
Boarding the Boeing 737, Lucas took seat 33F—the last row, where the aircraft's taper reduces elbow room. The most notable absence was the seat-back pocket, a feature present on Wizz Air. While this added minimal legroom, it forced Lucas to hold his tablet and sleep mask for the entire flight. "While the knee room may be acceptable to me, the lack of seat-back storage does have some consequences. My seat neighbour seems to actually be sitting on some of his stuff… even my 10kg carry-on is a bit of a hindrance down below," he noted.
In-flight amenities and food
Ryanair offers no Wi-Fi, so Lucas relied on pre-downloaded films. The pre-ordering system for refreshments was down, but he managed to buy coffee and a cheese toastie. "To be honest, this coffee is actually better than the coffee I've had on board some full-service airlines and it's something I nearly always buy when I fly Ryanair," he said. However, the toastie disappointed: "What I can't endorse so much, however, is the cheese toastie. This took quite a long time to come and, when it did, I wish I hadn't bothered. It was more soggy than toasted." Ryanair had not loaded hot meals like Thai green curry or lasagne that were advertised.
Comparison with Wizz Air's flight to Jeddah
Lucas had previously flown Wizz Air's six-hour route from London Gatwick to Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. That flight featured seat-back pockets, allowing him to store items conveniently. "I have to say, I think I prefer Wizz Air just for the fact a seat pocket is much more convenient if you can't reach your under-seat bag," he concluded.
Both flights were challenging due to limited legroom and basic snacks, but the pocket made a significant difference. "Either way, flying in ultra-budget economy for six hours or more really is something I'd rather not do too often. The sense of pain and stiffness I felt after landing lasted all evening," Lucas added.
