Low-budget airline eyeing stand-up seats
Posted Jul 06 2009, 10:26 AM by Kim Peterson
You thought Southwest (LUV) was a no-frills airline? Try flying Ryanair, which already makes customers carry their own luggage directly to planes for loading.
Now, Ryanair wants people to stand up or sit on stools during flights so it can pack more flyers into its planes, reports The Daily Mail. Its chief executive, Michael O'Leary, says he's already talking with Boeing (BA) about designing standing-room-only planes.
It may also ask Boeing to put coin-slots on the lavatory doors, and could charge customers £1 to use its restrooms during flight.
"We are all about finding ways of raising discretionary revenue so we can keep lowering costs of air travel," O'Leary said in an interview.
Which raises the question: Would you fly an airline like Ryanair if its tickets were cheaper than the competition? The airline says its costs will come down by 20%, which will lead to discounts for customers.
Ryanair is already removing its check-in counters from airports. Customers will have to check in online and bring their luggage directly to airplanes for loading.
The airline's new thriftiness is potentially good for Boeing. If the Irish Aviation Authority approves Ryanair's plans, it may order new jets or make over its existing planes.
Posted Jul 06 2009, 10:26 AM by Kim Peterson
You thought Southwest (LUV) was a no-frills airline? Try flying Ryanair, which already makes customers carry their own luggage directly to planes for loading.
Now, Ryanair wants people to stand up or sit on stools during flights so it can pack more flyers into its planes, reports The Daily Mail. Its chief executive, Michael O'Leary, says he's already talking with Boeing (BA) about designing standing-room-only planes.
It may also ask Boeing to put coin-slots on the lavatory doors, and could charge customers £1 to use its restrooms during flight.
"We are all about finding ways of raising discretionary revenue so we can keep lowering costs of air travel," O'Leary said in an interview.
Which raises the question: Would you fly an airline like Ryanair if its tickets were cheaper than the competition? The airline says its costs will come down by 20%, which will lead to discounts for customers.
Ryanair is already removing its check-in counters from airports. Customers will have to check in online and bring their luggage directly to airplanes for loading.
The airline's new thriftiness is potentially good for Boeing. If the Irish Aviation Authority approves Ryanair's plans, it may order new jets or make over its existing planes.