Airline review: It has a bad rep, but I would definitely fly this again

The Airline: easyJet

• Route London Southend to Faro, Portugal
• Frequency Four times weekly
• Aircraft Airbus A319
• Class Economy-only on this flight; seat 9B
• Flight time Two hours, 30 minutes. The plane is delayed for 50 minutes due to the late arrival of the incoming flight.

No charging ports or entertainment on this all-economy easyJet service.

Checking in

This is a first for me: a check-in alert popping into my inbox before I’ve even left Sydney on the initial leg of my journey to London; passengers can check in up to 60 days ahead. The queue at the bag-drop/check-in counter is long but moves quickly, and I’m soon waved on my way by the affable ground staff.

Baggage

The airline’s standard fare allows for one carry-on item small enough to be placed beneath the seat in front of you (no bigger than 45 x 36 x 20 centimetres). Standard Plus fare holders can take an additional carry-on bag measuring up to 56 x 45 x 25cm. I’ve booked the Essentials fare, which includes the small carry-on item and check-in luggage of 20 kilograms. It costs significantly more than the standard fare; a rock bottom £17.99 ($35) flight, for example, spirals to £73.47 ($143) once the frills are added.

Loyalty scheme

Membership of the easyJet Flight Club is by invitation and applies only to frequent flyers. Benefits include price guarantees and free flight changes. An annual easyJet Plus membership is costly at £249 ($486), but frequent flyers might appreciate benefits like access to a dedicated bag drop, inclusive allocated seating and fast track security.

Seats are squeezy for tall passengers.

The seat

All seats are a uniform 18 inches (45.72cm) wide with a 29 inch (73.66cm) pitch – but they don’t recline on this flight. It’s roomy enough for me, but a squeeze for my 6 foot 3 inch-tall son; he’s seated on the aisle and is able to stretch out when the coast is clear. The Essentials fare allows me to pre-select any seat beyond row six, excluding exit rows. Those travelling on the Standard Plus fare are automatically assigned an Up Front seat (rows 2-6). The extra-legroom first row, exit rows and other priority seating attract an additional fee.

Entertainment + tech

There are no charging points and no onboard entertainment – passengers can use electronic devices. But it’s a comparatively short flight, and my Jamaican neighbour is such a skilled raconteur we’re still conversing in the immigration queue at Faro International Airport.

Service

Budget airlines sometimes adopt a serious demeanour in an effort to assert their credentials. The attendants on this flight are the opposite – lighthearted and chatty without shortchanging their passengers in the service department. The Portuguese attendants in the front section of the aircraft offer useful tips for my imminent visit.

Food

Food and drinks can be purchased with a credit card from a menu in the inflight magazine – snacks, lollies, muffins, sandwiches, hot meals like pizza and chicken korma and a good selection of hot drinks, beers, wine and spirits. I ate dinner before boarding, so settle back with a piccolo of Bottega Gold Prosecco in honour of my neighbour’s bubbly personality.

Carbon emissions

1.69 tonnes. The airline has committed to net zero by 2050 and has details of its plan to get there on its website.

One more thing

The outdoor ramp leading to the plane is rickety and the flight attendants don’t check our boarding passes, but somehow we’re all seated and ready to roll in record time.

The price

From $132 return for economy.*

The verdict

I was apprehensive about my first easyJet flight, given the prevailing tales of woe. Was it just my lucky day, or do the bad experiences receive more airtime? I’ll find out when next I fly easyJet – which I won’t hesitate to do.

Our rating out of five

★★★½

The writer flew at her own expense.

*Fares are based on those available for travel three months from the time of publication and subject to change.