General Chat

Ryanair passengers could soon fly for free - if they want to stand for their journey.

Ryanair boss Michael O'Leary told Sky News the low-cost airline was considering ripping out the back few rows of seats on some flights.

Passengers would be able to sit on bar stools, similar to the buffet carriage on trains, or stand up for flights lasting less than an hour and a half.

"We might take out the last five or six rows and say to passengers 'Do you want to stand up? If you do you can travel for free'," Mr O'Leary said.

The company has asked Boeing to look at the possibility of converting its planes or delivering a new fleet with "vertical seating".

A Ryanair spokesman stressed the non-seating plan would have to be given the OK by the Irish Aviation Authority.

But Mr O'Leary shrugged off suggestions the move was a cost-cut too far.

"Why is this any different to what happens on trains where you see thousands of people who cannot get a seat standing in the aisles, and it happens regularly on the Underground," he said.

Mr O'Leary said he got the idea from the Chinese airline Spring, which said it could squeeze 50% more passengers on board and cut costs by 20%.

http://uk.news.yahoo.com/5/20090706/tbs-ryanair-fly-for-free-if-you-stand-up-327c223.html

would you stand up ?

No, I don't think I would.

How will they wear their seat belts when the light comes on lol

Well I often have to stand on the Underground or buses, so no problem. I usually go to Ireland and it's only an hour. I will draw the line, though, when Mr O'Leary wants me to strap to the roof. That man must lie awake at night thinking how he can torture his passengers! lol BCXX

Has he forgotten te wings? There must be standing room for a few there LOL

Thing is trains create a lot less force when they stop and start, you'd have to have something to lean against and hold onto.

The other thing is more people equals more hand luggage (no matter hold luaggue), if your standing there's no seat to tuck it under so were would it all go?

Will say O'Leary is a genuis, how much free publicity has his recent flood of interesting ideas got the airline.

Surely this must be some kind of ""Irish"" April Fool joke?

"Strap-Hangers United Airlines"
Hee Heee

"Fly for free"!!! but we wont let you off the Aircraft unless you pay for the privelige!!


" Method, in the Madness, Eh?"
Bob

When hearing this on Sky News last night my hubby said he is joking but getting free advertising at the same time.
Love Mary xx

You are so right Mary,

Mr O'Leary is a true Irishman, he has the gift of the gab and a natural instinct on how to get the most publicity for his, (in my opinion excellent) airline.
Ryanair has had a lot of knocks from many quarters, mostly from people who fly business or first class courtesy of an expense account. However most of us mere mortals are prepared to put up with the lack of frills in order to travel abroad several times a year.
I know that the extras add up and a £5 flight eventually becomes considerably higher but it is still much more affordable than a similar BA flight. At the present time It is possible to book a Ryanair return flight from East Midlands to Berlin in September for £40, which includes the online check-in fee. Add on £10 payment handling fee; £20 for 1 bag (£10 each way) and the total return cost is still only £70 return for a round trip of 1200 miles. In comparison, a return rail ticket from Derby to London is £138, for a round trip of 256 miles.
BA do not fly from East Midlands but their price for a London to Berlin return is £154.60, more than double Ryanair's fare.

Thank you Mr O'Leary, long may you keep the ordinary public flying, Freddy Laker tried it in the 70's but the big boys beat him. I have a feeling that this time you will come out on top.

They,re thinking of putting a piece of the Blarney stone on each of his aircraft,just so the passengers can kissit "At a Small Fee" to ensure they arrive on the same planet as the rest of us.**M**.

Bernie, I fly with Ryanair about four or five times a year, and have just come back from Dublin where the flight cost me £2, everything included. BUT it doesn't mean I have to admire Mr O'Leary or his principles or his staff. I have seen his staff's callous treatment of old people and children, at first hand!

Cheap, no frills flights yes, but come on Mr O'Leary, a bit of respect for the punters who keep you going, wouldn't go amiss.

BC.

Agreed Buttercup, but if you want to go abroad 4 or 5 times a year, as my wife and I do, then you have to have a no-frills airline. Tough I know but its the way of the world.

My daughter and her husband flew with Ryanair a month ago to France. They have two children, one age 8 has Downs Syndrome. She said they had great treatment from all the staff she met on both out and home journeys. I can only suppose it depends on the staff on the day.

In the meantime I stand by what I said - its a great value deal.

*panics*

I grudgingly agree, Bernie, it's great value. but I still don't like Mr O'Leary and his staff and I put that down to the atrocious treatment my family, with two babies, had with Ryanair. So I suppose like everything else, it is all down to personal experiences.... BC

I suppose you get good and bad stories from all airlines and you, usually, get what you pay for. However, no way would I stand on any flight, nor would I travel on a flight with standing unsecured passengers. In turbulence if they had no straps to secure them they could become human missiles.

ann
glos

It has been rumoured that Ryan Air will pay you money to fly with them,
if you sit on the outside. !!!

This would not be allowed to happen, due to air turbulence, passengers must be able to be securely fastened with a seat belt. It is a safety issue and would not get past the first hurdle.

LOL

only people with integral wings are allowed on the outside of aircraft in flight........ either that, or a date with Destiny!!

mynameised.............wow free weightless flights, now THATs a Gimmick!!!

talking of seat belts, did you know that MANY Many people are UNABLE to unlock their seat belts in an emergency?

they naturally try to unlock them as if in a car..........by pressing a button that isnt there!!

*gulps.....thanks for that bit of information Bob...I shall think of you every time I fasten my seat belt...pmsl...BCXX