The Ryanair experience

For my travel to Madrid, I booked budget carried Ryanair. They have some extra cost-saving measures when compared to US budget carriers - most notably, no free beverages, ads on the seat backs, and a lack of seatback pocket. We also flew into Shönefeld, which doesn't have gates so we board and de-board via stairs.

And my flight included a guy in a hot dog suit (pictured below) and about 10 of his best friends.