Ryanair

Ryanair leads Europe in passenger volume yet also tops complaint lists, with a 2024 on-time performance of just 65%—10 percentage points worse than the continent's average. The airline's hidden fees add an average of €40 per booking, making its base fare often 50% cheaper than competitors but total cost unpredictably higher. The seat pitch of 29 inches is among the most cramped in the industry, and CEO Michael O'Leary's past proposal of standing-room flights underscores a relentless cost-cutting that prioritizes profits over passenger comfort.