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Comments (19)
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Save/ShareIrish-owned budget airline Ryanair will launch flights to the U.S. starting at about $13 plus taxes. Service may start within the next couple of months, says the BBC.
UPDATE Nov. 4. 11:30 a.m. The BBC and other news outlets got the story wrong when they predicted that Ryanair would create a transatlantic airline so soon. The company's CEO later said it is unlikely to happen until another 3 years from now. Sigh. *Headline of this blog post has been changed and republished.
The flights will probably connect London's Stansted Airport and Dublin's main airport to New York City, Orlando, L.A, San Francisco, and Boston.
Ryanair's plan is to launch a price war with major airlines like British Airways. Connecting service would feed American passengers into 800 routes in 26 countries.
The announcement was predicted a bit over a year ago by my colleague Brad Tuttle.
I flew Ryanair this past summer and was amused by the extent to which it is a cut-rate airline. They've even removed the seatback pockets, giving flight crews one less thing to clean. This means that they've had to print the emergency instructions on the seatbacks because there's no place to put the cards.
The airline is also notorious for fees, though we've noted strategies for avoiding those fees.
EARLIER
It's a low fare world
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Interesting! I wonder how much it would end up being with taxes the way those are these days? Interesting times in the airline biz!
Posted By Sam Daams on November 3, 2008, 1:10 PM
You get what you pay for on Ryanair...Nothing. Just imagine a 7-8 hr. flight with your knees in your chest, lousy food, no free baggage, no blanket, no pillow, and a cloth seat which has seen better days. NOW WAIT: Hold that thought as I just described my last trip to Europe!! Go Ryanair and bring down those ticket prices with competition. That's the American way...jolly good show.
Posted By Greg Robison on November 3, 2008, 3:47 PM
"We've eliminated the landing gear and are passing the savings on to you."
Posted By Cris Cohen on November 3, 2008, 4:09 PM
I have to admit, the thought of a transatlantic flight with Ryanair truly terrifies me.
@Sam, quick guess on taxes and fees: at least $200 each way. Seems like I always need to add ~$400 to published airfares when I book an international flight lately.
Posted By wandermom on November 4, 2008, 1:16 AM
I flew RyanAir in September for the first time. It wasn't that bad. The only thing is the cattle call boarding which is just like Southwest Airlines.
Posted By Marina Abell on November 4, 2008, 9:06 AM
Michael O'Leary yesterday said he was hoping to enter the transatlantic market in 2-3 years not months
Posted By DENNIS on November 4, 2008, 11:38 AM
Yes, it looks like the BBC and other publications got the story wrong.
Mr. O’Leary now says that creating a transatlantic airline is unlikely over the next 18 months.
Sigh.
Posted By Blog editor on November 4, 2008, 11:43 AM
@Sean, thanks for the early tip on this story. We made a few calls and just posted a follow-up that reviews the trajectory of this saga.
Now then, what ever happened to the rumors that Southwest might partner with a low-frills transatlantic carrier?
Posted By Andrew, Sr. Producer LA Times Travel on November 4, 2008, 4:54 PM
Regarding the "cattle call boarding" cited above: I used to be quite negative regarding this type of boarding, but after flying Southwest numerous times, I've changed my mind. Depending upon the length of the flight, I prefer either a window or an aisle seat. With Southwest, I'm nearly guaranteed to get my choice. With "assigned seat" airlines, I'm often in a situation where I want an aisle and none are available. Due to the number of short-notice trips I have to take, I find Southwest/Ryanair's method of boarding to be a lifesaver.
Posted By Dr. J on November 6, 2008, 12:31 PM
Bummer. Was all psyched to buy my family of five tickets to IRELAND or LONDON! Will go back to scouring bargain fares on other airlines...thanks for keeping us up-to-date.
Posted By Lisa Bergren on November 6, 2008, 12:46 PM
This was a tease. Saw the price and thought woohoo can go to Europe with the kids for less than a trip to the movies. keep us posted!!
Posted By carol on November 6, 2008, 2:22 PM
Just caught the update. Bummer!
Posted By poetloverrebelspy on November 6, 2008, 3:48 PM
This was a typical newsstory from Ryanair. What they did was create the rumor that they were going to announce the new service (which was famously announced months ago by their guy as saying Economy will be very cheap, but Business Class will be expensive, but you'll get free blow jobs. You'll have to pay extra for those in Economy".)
In fact it buried a bad news story for them because they aren't selling as much - surprise surprise. There is a recession on. Expect this story to surface every time they have bad news to hide.
Posted By Dan Ross on November 6, 2008, 6:31 PM
November6, 2008
I flew Ryanair a few weeks ago from Bournemouth, Hants to Dublin. I reserved the roundtrip flight on the Internet from the States and it was so cheap! Cheaper than the British/Irish trains! Both flights were on time and the plane wasn't too small; three seats either side of the aisle. I was expecting something much smaller. I liked the open seating arrangement - that way I could seat nearer the front. On the KLM flight from Detroit, even though I booked the flight back in June, I was given the back row until I requested a change. Keep up the good work Ryanair!
Posted By Helen McGillilcuddy on November 6, 2008, 8:45 PM
The seats are thin and the plane plastered with ads, but I will say I actually think ryanair tends to give more legroom than many regional jets US airlines use. It's fine for 2-3 hour flighst--7-8 may be a tough jumo
Posted By jt on November 7, 2008, 4:57 AM
The lack of food, drinks, blankets, reclining seats and advance seat reservations won't be so bad, but can you imagine 8-10 hours of them hawking their wares? Move over phone cards and lottery tickets, make room for...who knows what. The clapper? Chia heads? Maybe we'll even see the stewards and stewardesses modeling lingerie.
Posted By Becky B on November 7, 2008, 12:25 PM
Ryan air treats its employees poorly. On the verge and many times past ilegal labor habits. Just recently addressed by the European commission. Would highly recommend Easy jet, within europe, instead. Pillows and blankets are barely available in the US these days....and for those of you not employed by an airline: Pillows and blankets are never clean. About half a dozen folks or more, have used them before you. Think hair flakes, bugs skin cells, dandruff...What, did you think it was a cleaned just for you? haha. Legroom will soon be a thing of the past as well. No more spoiled passengers, finally. Let´s be real Air travel was never ment to be cheap, because it isn´t. European carriers have plenty more competition than low fare US carriers. Who soon enough will be adapting to the European model if they want to stay afloat
Posted By j bird on November 7, 2008, 9:52 PM
Just think of the drugs people will want to take before embarking on a transatlantic journey in order to pass out and avoid the discomfort, the sales pitches, etc. I probably would find more benefit and comfort in flying a full-fare flagship carrier. They will have to compete with Ryanair, but we can hope they also don't follow suit and squeeze in more seats, cut meals, charge for extra comfort, and turn their F/As into infomercial hosts.
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