View Full Version : Ryanair to Fly to US For Just £7!
The main headline on one of the evening papers Stuart has brought home today has the above headline. Evidently Ryanair have announced plans to fly to the US for less than a £7 ticket. Michael O'Leary has said he will launch a new no-frills service linking Europe with the States. It says the airline will operate independently of Ryanair and have a fleet of up to 50 long haul planes. He would like the service to be up and running within 3 years. He hopes the cheapest fare will be approximately 10 euros £6.80. The flights will serve secondary airports (much like the existing Ryanair service). Mr O'Leary expects the planes 'to be full' and that people will switch from the main UK - US carriers. (He does not say what the price of meals and drinks will be.) He also wants a premium section again to compete against the main schedules.
It will be interesting to see what happens and how cheap the flights are especially as a large percentage of the cost is tax and fuel charge.
ShirleyD
13-04-2007, 03:19
I think it is a case of watch this space. Will be good for some if this happens. I'm not sure if I could go that far 'no frills'
Katys Grandad
13-04-2007, 06:22
<blockquote id="quote" class="ffs">quote:Originally posted by ShirleyD
I think it is a case of watch this space. Will be good for some if this happens. I'm not sure if I could go that far 'no frills'
[/quote]
I don't see many 'frills' with the present carriers Shirley. The past few years have shown that the key factor for most travellers is price and that's what's made Ryanair so successful.
<blockquote id="quote" class="ffs">quote:Originally posted by ShirleyD
I think it is a case of watch this space. Will be good for some if this happens. I'm not sure if I could go that far 'no frills'[/quote]For a tenner per flight, I could go no frills, eat at the airport, buy our own drinks, no problem. Depends on legroom for me at 6'2.
£10 a flight then the tax on top of course so looking at about £160ish.
We've just got a late deal and whilst the flight price is £53, the tax on top makes it about £200 a head (still pretty good).
Not sure I'd tackle a flight with the kids and no frills (the IFE specifically) but I think I'd quite happily fly with no frills if it was just me and the wife if the savings were considerable.
USA Today is saying Ryanair is considering starting up a second trans atlantic airline..........
Budget carrier Ryanair is considering launching a separate airline that would fly long-haul between Europe and the United States around the turn of the decade.
Ryanair on Thursday confirmed comments made in an interview by Chief Executive Michael O'Leary that he has already had speculative approaches from U.S. airports about setting up a service.
More competition is expected on trans-Atlantic routes after the European Union approved an aviation deal with the United States last month to open up the restricted routes to new rivals.
The "Open Skies" deal, which takes effect from the end of March 2008, will allow airlines to fly from anywhere in the EU to any point in the U.S., shedding limitations that also discourage them from charging what they like or combining with other carriers.
O'Leary told trade magazine Flight International that the new airline could fly to five or six U.S. cities from European bases and offer one-way fares as low as $12. It would serve secondary U.S. airports such as Baltimore and Providence in Rhode Island and would also have "premium class" seating.
"By mid-2009, we will be carrying 70 million passengers at 23 bases across Europe," he told the magazine. "It will be relatively straightforward for us to do a deal for 40 to 50 long-haul aircraft and connect these bases trans-Atlantically."
Ryanair is not the only airline to speculate on joining the trans-Atlantic route to the U.S. — Zoom Airlines Ltd., the U.K. unit of Canada's Zoom Airlines Inc., said separately it plans to start what it describes as low-cost flights between London's Gatwick Airport and New York beginning June 21.
Zoom airline said one-way fares will start from $254.90 including taxes and charges. It will offer economy and premium economy services with designated seating and a meals service.
CCollins
13-04-2007, 13:24
I could go no frills - I have done with charter to Florida before so I don't think that the Ryanair service will be any different if it gets off the ground - Pardon the pun[msnwink]
It would not be for me, I don't like Ryanair and would not fly with them however cheap[msnsmile]
I would never fly with Ryanair myself. However, if it opens up the market more and brings some of the higher flight charges down to more realistic levels eg during school holidays it will hopefully be good for business (including villa owners).
Zoom say they are going to charge a flat fare all year into New York - will be interesting to see what happens to fares on that route. However as already mentioned a large part of the fare is made up of taxes (green or otherwise) and fuel supplements which will still have to be factored in.
Lesley S
13-04-2007, 14:08
I would fly with them,.....give anything ago once.
Provided it is comfortable, I can do with no frills - gives me more money for more thrills when I get there.
abbeyvillas
13-04-2007, 15:46
Got to be a good thing if it opens up the competition. It might not be for everyone but if it means we can go to the U.S. more often I'll be watching this space! [msnsmile]
Jeanette
Yep anything that give the big people a shake is good, I would give them a try.
Realistically, there is likely to be only one seat, on each flight, available at £7, the rest somewhat more, I have no doubt.
For me to fly Ryan Air, the rest would need to be grounded.
Lynne
ncmurray
14-04-2007, 15:27
Our family flies regularly between Ireland and the UK on Ryanair, and I can honestly say that we have always found availability at the cheapest prices, which usually range from one cent to 10 euros. Now, there are all the extras on top of this, airport tax etc., so a one cent flight usually turns out at about 50euros, but I think this is fantastic value. If I could fly across the atlantic for £160, I would definitely take it!
Bottom line is, that Ryanair will make all the other carriers look at their prices, and introduce real competition. There will always be some passengers that would never dream of flying with Ryanair no matter how expensive the alternatives are, but there will be more than enough passengers to make cheap regular flights a viable option. Lets hope that Florida will be on their list of destinations.
florida4sun
14-04-2007, 16:29
5 have flown with Ryan Air a few times and found tehm to be fine. If you dont folow their rules then expect problems. They need to run atight ship and if your 30 secs late then you dont fly (which is fair enough).
<blockquote id="quote" class="ffs">quote:Originally posted by ncmurray
Our family flies regularly between Ireland and the UK on Ryanair, and I can honestly say that we have always found availability at the cheapest prices, which usually range from one cent to 10 euros. Now, there are all the extras on top of this, airport tax etc., so a one cent flight usually turns out at about 50euros, but I think this is fantastic value. If I could fly across the atlantic for £160, I would definitely take it!
Bottom line is, that Ryanair will make all the other carriers look at their prices, and introduce real competition. There will always be some passengers that would never dream of flying with Ryanair no matter how expensive the alternatives are, but there will be more than enough passengers to make cheap regular flights a viable option. Lets hope that Florida will be on their list of destinations.
[/quote]
I would doubt they would go to all out no frills like they do on the Euro routes. Imagine sitting on a small seat with not much food for 9 hours. If they can up the seating to make it more comfy they might do quite well on these routes. I think it will only help people get to Florida (that is if they start up this route).
Robert5988
16-04-2007, 12:59
I have flown on one of their longer European flights(to Rome) and the seat pitch was much the same as the standard 'cattle class' offerings of the major airlines.
As said above, if they do start flying to Florida it will make the other airlines and charter companies sit up and take notice.
I always find it annoying that you can usually find flights to West Coast USA(LA & SFO) considerably cheaper than to Orlando - a journey that is some 50% longer.
After flying with Monarch last June I don't think Ryanair can be much worse.
Charter = cheap and so does Ryanair.
If you want service and comfort pay more and go scheduled as far as I'm concerned.
Katys Grandad
17-04-2007, 00:07
<blockquote id="quote" class="ffs">quote:
If you want service and comfort pay more and go scheduled as far as I'm concerned.
TOM
[/quote]
Is there really much between the scheduled carriers and the better charters? If you take away the flexibility on dates, the product is very similar. In fact, the charters are leading the way in legroom in economy.
Robert5988
17-04-2007, 02:06
<blockquote id="quote" class="ffs">quote:Is there really much between the scheduled carriers and the better charters? If you take away the flexibility on dates, the product is very similar. In fact, the charters are leading the way in legroom in economy.[/quote]
Agree with that.
I would add one more advantage, the scheduled airlines, with lots more aircraft, have more flexibility in the event of mechanical/weather problems and delays tend to be shorter as they can re-route aircraft.
Some charter delays can be really lengthy!
Albert the Frog
17-04-2007, 03:10
Don't Ryan air charge for checked baggage-that might be something to watch on a two week family holiday
<blockquote id="quote" class="ffs">quote:Originally posted by Katys Grandad
<blockquote id="quote" class="ffs">quote:
If you want service and comfort pay more and go scheduled as far as I'm concerned.
TOM
[/quote]
Is there really much between the scheduled carriers and the better charters? If you take away the flexibility on dates, the product is very similar. In fact, the charters are leading the way in legroom in economy.
[/quote]
Many charter airlines include the seat pad in their seat pitch measurment whereas scheduled airlines do not[msnwink] Hence the seat pitch would in reality still be a good few inches less on a charter than on a schedlued flight[msnwink]
Julie,
BA is 31 inches, Virgin 31 Inches, First choice is 33 inches and Mytravel 31 inches (possible upgrade later in the year). So Scheduled in my view is not a clear cut option. The only benefit they have in my view is they fly daily.
If you upgrade on the charter airline and fly premium it increases to 38 inches. I have costed flights for Sept and can get a premium seat on Firstchoice airways for the same as economy Virgin. No brainer there!
<blockquote id="quote" class="ffs">quote:Originally posted by domster
Julie,
BA is 31 inches, Virgin 31 Inches, First choice is 33 inches and Mytravel 31 inches (possible upgrade later in the year). So Scheduled in my view is not a clear cut option. The only benefit they have in my view is they fly daily.
If you upgrade on the charter airline and fly premium it increases to 38 inches. I have costed flights for Sept and can get a premium seat on Firstchoice airways for the same as economy Virgin. No brainer there!
[/quote]
Dom 3 inches of that seat pitch published by FC could easily be seat padding[msnwink] This is common place on charters[msnwink]
Also, the baggage allowance is no more than 20kgs (44lbs) for each person. If you are a First Choice Premier, Eclipse Premier or Sovereign customer, or if you have upgraded to the Star Class Premier cabin on First Choice Airways, baggage allowance is 23kgs per person.
Virgin economy baggage allowance is for USA and Caribbean economy allowance is now 2 pieces of luggage at 23kg per piece.
As Robert rightly pointed out I would add one more advantage, the scheduled airlines, with lots more aircraft, have more flexibility in the event of mechanical/weather problems and delays tend to be shorter as they can re-route aircraft.
Some charter delays can be really lengthy!
One final thing for me personally is flying in to Sanford on a charter[sick]
You pays your money and you takes your choice, it may be a no brainer for you but not for me[msnwink]
Its all down to personal preference and for the whole experience mine is most definitely schedlued flights thank you very much[clap]
florida4sun
17-04-2007, 12:35
This is not true, seat pitch is measured by the CAA from the back of the head rest to the back of the rest. Padding does not come into it. If they added padding at this point in would make seat pitch less.
<blockquote id="quote" class="ffs">quote:[i]
Dom 3 inches of that seat pitch published by FC could easily be seat padding[msnwink] This is common place on charters[msnwink]
[/quote]
<blockquote id="quote" class="ffs">quote:Originally posted by florida4sun
This is not true, seat pitch is measured by the CAA from the back of the head rest to the back of the rest. Padding does not come into it. If they added padding at this point in would make seat pitch less.
<blockquote id="quote" class="ffs">quote:[i]
Dom 3 inches of that seat pitch published by FC could easily be seat padding[msnwink] This is common place on charters[msnwink]
[/quote]
[/quote]
Actually it is true, the CAA say the legal seat pitch min is 26 inches from the back of the head rest to the back of the rest in front which all airlines must and do comply with however the seat pitch they can advertise can include the seat padding because they can measure it from the back of the seat at the base (where your bottom hits the seat[msnwink]) and not the head rest[msnsmile2] whilst still complying with the legal min - the CAA have nothing to do with how airlines advertise space[msnwink] It has been know in the industry for years that charter airlines do this as a means to compete with scheduled airlines.
Robert5988
17-04-2007, 13:10
<blockquote id="quote" class="ffs">quote:This is not true, seat pitch is measured by the CAA from the back of the head rest to the back of the rest. Padding does not come into it. If they added padding at this point in would make seat pitch less.
quote:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
[i]
Dom 3 inches of that seat pitch published by FC could easily be seat padding This is common place on charters
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
[/quote]
Martin,
I believe Mach2 is correct in what she states.
As you say, Seat Pitch is (normally)taken from the back of the headrest to the back of the headrest.
However the amount of padding you put on the seat will alter the space available within that Seat Pitch(usually termed leg room)(but [u]not</u> make seat pitch less) - so padding is a very important factor. This is why some airlines introduce new seats with the claim that they are slimmer(but just as comfortable) and thus give more room.
Thus many of the airline websites are at pains to point out that seat pitch is not an indication of leg room - which is a more important factor for most people.
I must say if I can get cheaper flights with no food, 31 pitch seats, I would not mind if there was little service on board. I always take my own food to eat on the plane. I will give anybody a go once.
A premium seat on a charter airline (at the same cost as Economy scheduled) is much bigger and more comfy than any of the scheduled airlines economy seats. They also have less people crammed in the cabin at the front of the aircraft. Given the choice of 2 flights (at identical price) I would go for the charter airline.
I have quoted for Sept with Virgin (manchester) and First choice - Virgin Economy is 460 and First choice is 480 (premium service). The baggage limit is similar too. Premiumn service will get you priority disembarkation off the flight, priority baggage etc.
I like Sanford as an airport as we have had some good experiences getting through immigration and then onto the car rental (which is directly outside the terminal). It is also not as busy as Int.
At the end of the day which ever plane you get on, if it gets you to Orlando it gets my vote[msnsmile2]
CCollins
17-04-2007, 21:57
Well said Dom[clap][clap][clap]
Katys Grandad
17-04-2007, 22:27
<blockquote id="quote" class="ffs">quote:
At the end of the day which ever plane you get on, if it gets you to Orlando it gets my vote[msnsmile2]
[/quote]
That's fair comment. I would agree that if it's mainly about cost and you're not flying regularly then any plane will probably do you. If you have choices and fly more frequently, other factors come into play.
Each to his/her own I suppose.
<blockquote id="quote" class="ffs">quote:Originally posted by domster
A premium seat on a charter airline (at the same cost as Economy scheduled) is much bigger and more comfy than any of the scheduled airlines economy seats. They also have less people crammed in the cabin at the front of the aircraft. Given the choice of 2 flights (at identical price) I would go for the charter airline.
I have quoted for Sept with Virgin (manchester) and First choice - Virgin Economy is 460 and First choice is 480 (premium service). The baggage limit is similar too. Premiumn service will get you priority disembarkation off the flight, priority baggage etc.
I like Sanford as an airport as we have had some good experiences getting through immigration and then onto the car rental (which is directly outside the terminal). It is also not as busy as Int.
At the end of the day which ever plane you get on, if it gets you to Orlando it gets my vote[msnsmile2]
[/quote]
Dom its not a competition[msnwink][msnwink][msnwink][msnwink] There is no right or wrong way of going to Florida[msnwink] Its all down to our own personal preference[clap]
The forum is all about people giving their opinions, experiences, views, passing on valuable knowledge and advice, whether anyone chooses to listen is again a personal choice[msnsmile]
If you and others prefer to go with a charter airline into Sanford great! If I and others prefer to go scheduled into MCO then also great[clap][clap] Its not like we all have to travel together on the same flight[msnoo]
Happy Flying[msnwink]
ncmurray
25-04-2007, 14:29
We are flying to Orlando on 17th May. I have been chekcing our prices for a couple of weeks, and we eventually decided to fly with Monarch, and the reason was price.
For two adult flights with meals, and really convenient flying times, Monarch are charging £420 return. A similar flight with Virgin was £862. I know that Monarch hasn't got the same reputation as Virgin, and could have longer delays if anything goes wrong, but Virgin has nothing to offer me that would be worth the £442 difference. In my humble opinion, I would be just as uncomfortable and bored and fed up, and enjoy the airline food just as much, on the Monarch flight as the Virgin flight. But at least on the Monarch flight, I would have the comfort of knowing that I didn't have to pay over the odds for the questionable pleasure of flying with the "better" airline.
Overall, I would probably prefer to fly with Virgin, because the devil you know.....etc, but I would not be willing to pay £442 extra for it.
Hi,
I dont blame you Nuala. Thats a really big difference. Your better having it in your pocket for your holiday than giving it to virgin.
I on the other hand booked my flights ages ago and I have payed well over the odds. Im flying with airtours this year and upgraded to premier gold and payed [msnembarrased] £1230 Thats just for me and my ten year old daughter. Then to add insult to injury I had a letter yesterday two months before travel telling me I had to pay an extra £97 [msnmad] for increased tax[msncry]
Well one thing is for sure I wont be booking my flights twelve months in advance again.[msnembarrased]
ccarcher
26-04-2007, 15:14
Richard Bransonhit straight back at the Ryan Air suggestion of £7 per flight , saying that he would not be beaten on price and if Ryan Air charged £7 then he would charge £6
could be interesting
pieman790
26-04-2007, 16:55
We fly at least twice a year to Florida, mainly during the school holidays. We would love to fly direct with Virgin from Manchester but even with two flights a day now it would cost us £900 more per trip with Virgin than with other Airlines that fly indirect. We tend to fly with BMI via Chicago and IMHO they offer a similar level of service to Virgin. Yes it does put a further 4 hours onto the traveling but £900 goes a long way in Florida at the moment. I would love to see Mr Branson bring down his flight prices if Ryan air start a route to Florida.
<blockquote id="quote" class="ffs">quote:Originally posted by ccarcher
Richard Bransonhit straight back at the Ryan Air suggestion of £7 per flight , saying that he would not be beaten on price and if Ryan Air charged £7 then he would charge £6
could be interesting
[/quote]
ncmurray
26-04-2007, 17:56
Nikki,
£1230 seems really expensive. When are you flying? I hope it is in peak season!
Does that price include anything else?
I can't wait, if they do fly there
I will mean more people want to go to Florida for a holiday
[clap][clap][clap]
alastair
26-04-2007, 18:45
If Mr Branson thinks he can operate at £6 a ticket why does he not do it now.
Albert the Frog
26-04-2007, 18:55
<blockquote id="quote" class="ffs">quote:Originally posted by alastair
If Mr Branson thinks he can operate at £6 a ticket why does he not do it now.
[/quote]
It'll be £6 per ticket plus taxes and service charges=£350. It's all spin!![msnscared]
Hi Nuala were going 29.06.07 A few weeks before school finishes[msnembarrased] School gave me the thumbs up but I will not be taking Lucy out of school again.
The Price includes ( I wish I had a drum roll)
MEALS!!! and jolly well two of them to boot.
I wont ever book so early again. I was looking at first choice on the 22.06.07 and their price was £860 ish for premium servise. Oh and I can check in the day before with My travel. I feel embarrased for paying that price in fact I feel like a[:o)] but I payed through the nose last year too with Travel city[:o)]