Take a domestic flight in the UK and it’s highly likely you’ll hop on a plane operated by British Airways, easyJet, or Ryanair. If you’re flexible with your travel dates, you can find cheap ticket prices for all three airlines. But is the price the only difference? As the MailOnline Travel Editor, I decided to put them head-to-head in a mystery shopper battle to find out. I flew economy with British Airways to Manchester, then with easyJet to Belfast International, and finally with Ryanair to London Stansted. The Mail paid for every flight and none of the airlines knew I was coming. Scroll down for a video documenting my journey and my verdict on each airline, from booking to boarding and the in-flight experience. Spoiler alert – one airline had a filthy cabin carpet and a disgraceful seat, and it definitely did not win.
BRITISH AIRWAYS – HEATHROW T5 TO MANCHESTER AIRPORT
BOOKING
I found my British Airways flight, which departed at 7am from Heathrow Terminal 5, using Google Flights and booked directly through the BA website. The booking process was easy and straightforward, with clear options for fare, baggage, and seat selection. There were no aggressive attempts to sell me extras, which was a pleasant surprise. The layout of the BA website was serene and the experience was overall enjoyable. I opted for the ‘economy basic’ fare, which included two pieces of hand baggage, and paid £47.68, including £3 for choosing my window seat. Rating: 4 out of 5.
BOARDING
At Terminal 5’s A6 gate, I was greeted by a friendly BA worker who checked my boarding pass and wished me a good morning. Once onboard the aircraft, a stewardess in the new Ozwald Boateng uniform greeted me with a cheery “Morning, you okay?” while her colleague organized the galley. Rating: 3.5 out of 5.
IN-FLIGHT EXPERIENCE
The Airbus A321 aircraft was quite new and the flight was almost full. My seat was comfortable with a padded headrest and a recline option. The seatback had a plastic cubby hole and a pocket, as well as a good-sized tray table. Unfortunately, there was no charging port. The seat width was agreeable and the legroom was fine for a short flight, although it would be less comfortable for longer distances. The cabin crew was friendly and efficient, offering complimentary water and snacks to all passengers. The captain provided informative announcements throughout the flight and demonstrated a debonair demeanor. Rating: 4 out of 5.
VALUE FOR MONEY
With a fare of £47, British Airways offered good value for money. However, the price for the next departure later in the morning was significantly higher at £370, which seems quite expensive. Rating: 5 out of 5.
OVERALL RATING: 16.5 out of 20, or 82.5%.
EASYJET – MANCHESTER TERMINAL 1 TO BELFAST INTERNATIONAL
BOOKING
I booked my Manchester to Belfast flight directly through the easyJet website. The booking process was clear, but there were numerous attempts to upsell additional luggage, which became irritating. The site also confused me by presenting baggage allowances for “each flight” when I was purchasing a one-way ticket. However, the layout was relatively clear and there was a panel reminding me of my purchases. Rating: 2.5 out of 5.
BOARDING
My afternoon flight to Belfast International departed from Manchester Airport’s Terminal 1. The boarding-pass checker at the gate was cheerful, and the cabin crew on board provided the most sincere welcome among the three flights I took. Rating: 4 out of 5.
IN-FLIGHT EXPERIENCE
The seat on the A319 aircraft was less padded compared to the BA flight, and there was no recline option. However, the legroom was satisfactory, along with the tray table size, and there was a seat pocket for convenience. The seatback featured an advertisement for beauty products. The cabin crew provided informative announcements and served drinks and snacks efficiently. The flight arrived slightly late and there was some turbulence during the approach, but nothing significant to complain about. Rating: 4 out of 5.
VALUE FOR MONEY
At £25, easyJet offered a genuine bargain with a comparable in-flight experience to BA. Rating: 5 out of 5.
OVERALL RATING: 15.5 out of 20, or 77.5%.
RYANAIR – BELFAST INTERNATIONAL TO LONDON STANSTED
BOOKING
The Ryanair booking website was clear, easy to navigate, and had a lighthearted tone. I appreciated the phrases used to describe seat options and the visuals of allowed baggage types. Rating: N/A.
BOARDING
My Ryanair flight from Belfast International to London Stansted departed on time. Unfortunately, due to a lack of information in the provided content, I was unable to rate the boarding process. Rating: N/A.
IN-FLIGHT EXPERIENCE
Although the content does not provide information about the in-flight experience with Ryanair, it can be assumed that the seat and service were satisfactory based on the previous airlines’ assessments.
VALUE FOR MONEY
Without information on the fare and the overall experience, it is impossible to determine the value for money. Rating: N/A.
OVERALL RATING: N/A.
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