Ryanair v easyJet

Ryanair is asking the Advertising Standards Authority to ban easyJet adverts mocking Ryanair's tendency to fly into airports some distance from the destination city. This follows a recent libel action brought by easyJet founder Stelios Haji-Ioannou, after Ryanair ran ads portraying him as Pinocchio and citing his alleged reluctance to publish punctuality figures. Both airlines are synonymous with cheap and cheerless travel, but how do they actually compare? easyJet Founded 1995 Passengers 3 million in January 2010 Bombastic, outspoken figurehead with a penchant for publicity stunts Stelios Haji-Ioannou, known for fitting out his planes, cabin crew and HQ in sickly orange livery. Prices A last-minute, one-way ticket from Belfast to London costs £53.99. Actual prices after other fees are added Charges an extra £8 to use a credit card. Actual cost of Belfast-London flight £61.99. Deployment of money-grubbing additional charges £9 per checked-in bag, to a maximum total of 20kg, and £10/kg thereafter. It costs £25 just to change the name on a ticket. Do they charge for using the aeroplane toilet? No. Ryanair Founded 1985. Passengers 4.5 million in January 2010. Bombastic, outspoken figurehead with a penchant for publicity stunts Michael O'Leary, who recently challenged Stelios to a running race round Trafalgar Square to settle the Pinocchio libel action. Prices Last-minute Belfast to London one way costs £44.99. Actual prices after other fees are added With taxes, fees, online booking charge and credit card administration fee, Belfast-London flight costs £85.07. Deployment of money-grubbing additional charges £15 for first checked-in bag (max 15kg), £35 for second and £20/kg for any excess weight. It costs £100 just to change the name on a ticket. Do they charge for using the aeroplane toilet? Not yet, although O'Leary did hint last year that in future Ryanair passengers might "have to spend a pound to spend a penny".