It wasn’t long ago that Ryanair upset the in-flight applecart by announcing plans to introduce a passenger ‘fat tax’ and charge extra for toilet usage. However, in something of a radical about turn, the budget airline is now offering up completely free passage.
Free flights, no seats. Any takers? Image: bigpresh/Flickr.
Of course, there’s no such thing as ‘completely’ free in the world of business, and the caveat to this particular deal is that anyone willing to take advantage of free flights must also be willing to fly without a seat.
Speaking with Sky News, Ryanair CEO Michael O’Leary this week revealed that the company is considering the introduction of free flights on shuttle journeys of up to one and half hours – on the condition that passengers either stand or rest against specially fitted stools for the duration.
In order to gain adequate space for its cost-cutting ‘standing room only’ sections, O’Leary added that Ryanair aircraft offering the service would likely be deprived of their final five or six rows of passenger seats.
“Why is this any different to what happens on trains where you see thousands of people who cannot get a seat standing in the isles,” said O’Leary, “and it happens regularly on the [London] Underground.”
A spokesperson for Ryanair said that the budget airline’s non-seating plan is unlikely to become an official offer until the Irish Aviation Authority grants permission.
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