Bridget Brown, a 48-year-old midwife from St Albans, Hertfordshire, recently shared her frustrating experience of planning what was supposed to be a delightful trip to the Christmas markets in Frankfurt, Germany. Instead of landing at Frankfurt Airport, she and her party were shocked to find themselves at Frankfurt-Hahn Airport, located nearly 100 miles away, effectively transforming their anticipated getaway to Christmas cheer and markets to disappointment and unexpected expenses.
The travel blunder came to light when Brown, along with her partner and two friends, flew from London Stansted Airport with Ryanair on December 7, excited about their one-night trip to experience the festive offerings of Frankfurt. A key detail they overlooked during their booking was the dual airport naming convention. According to Brown, the Ryanair ticket clearly stated “Frankfurt,” with “Frankfurt-Hahn” seemingly tacked on as secondary information—leading them to presume they were heading directly to the city.
“[When we were booking the flight] it really obviously said Frankfurt, then added at the side it said 'Frankfurt-Hahn'. We didn't think anything of it when we saw it. We just presumed it was Frankfurt,” Brown recounted. It wasn’t until they reached the airplane and began to notice the confusion among other passengers—many of whom were similarly unaware of the mix-up—that reality set in. Faced with the realization of heading not just to the wrong airport but one located over 80 miles from Frankfurt, they were left scrambling.
Upon arrival at the so-called airport, described by Brown as resembling “some little military base with old German war bunkers surrounding it,” they quickly confronted the practical challenges of getting to their destination. The airport provided limited options for transit to central Frankfurt. Brown explained, “The airport was like a shoebox. It just wasn't somewhere anyone would go to ever.” A train connection was available, but according to Brown, it would take over three hours, and car rentals were all booked up.
Compounded by their predicament, Brown and her group ended up sharing one of the few existing eight-seater taxis outside the terminal, each contributing to the €350 fare to reach the Christmas markets. “We mustered our funds to split the costs but ended up spending what we could have used on gifts,” she said. Overall, transport costs for the taxi rides to and from Frankfurt totaled around €700—a hefty sum for what had been advertised as a low-cost flight.
Brown was not alone in her discontent; she noted, “We felt stranded in the middle of nowhere. Dozens of people on the plane were completely unaware we were flying to the middle of nowhere.” This widespread misunderstanding has reignited discussions around Ryanair’s marketing strategies. Many travelers have expressed concerns over the labeling of Frankfurt-Hahn, arguing it is misleading for anyone hoping to visit the popular Christmas markets set within the city limits, just seven miles from the actual Frankfurt Airport.
When faced with the allegations of misrepresentation, Ryanair defended its position, insisting the ticketing process clearly states the intended destination. According to a spokesperson, “The claim... is false. This passenger booked... and was flown from London Stansted to Frankfurt Hahn as booked.” Ryanair pointed to its website, claiming it meets the requisite transparency about each departure-by-name, as well as the responsible nature of customers checking their chosen destination before finalizing their travel plans.
It’s worth noting the history of the airport name itself has been contentious. While previous legal rulings determined the designation Frankfurt-Hahn was misleading, Ryanair successfully fought for the use of the name, with the courts ruling they could advertise the airport this way since 2002. Now, the airport defaults to using merely “Hahn Airport.”
Despite the unexpected hassles, Bridget and her group finally arrived at the Frankfurt Christmas markets, albeit much poorer than they had intended. Reflecting on the ordeal, she remarked, “It’s inaccurate to have Frankfurt on the ticket. Ryanair should be saying Hahn, then in brackets Frankfurt.” Her comments resonate with many who fear being misled during their travel planning, especially during the holiday rush to festive destinations like Frankfurt. Brown’s story serves as both caution and commentary on the importance of consumer advocacy, particularly when low-cost options come with hidden costs and confusing details.
Time will tell whether such incidents will prompt Ryanair to make necessary changes to their booking disclosures, but one thing is certain: travelers like Bridget Brown will be more vigilant about the details before taking to the skies.
