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| Ryanair launches corporate jet service | Ryanair launches corporate jet service |
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| Ryanair has taken its move upmarket to a whole new level by launching a corporate jet service. | Ryanair has taken its move upmarket to a whole new level by launching a corporate jet service. |
| The budget airline will offer fine dining on a Boeing 737-700 jet refitted to seat 60 passengers on reclining leather business class seats. A spokesman said the plane can be hired by the hour, with the “competitive” rate depending on the arrival and departure airports. | |
| The average Ryanair fare is €47, whereas a 60 seater private jet from London to Geneva costs about £33,000 – or £550 a head – for a return trip. | The average Ryanair fare is €47, whereas a 60 seater private jet from London to Geneva costs about £33,000 – or £550 a head – for a return trip. |
| Ryanair said the jet would be “ideal for private corporate, sports team or group travel”. Asked if Ryanair would accept bookings from stag and hen parties, a spokesperson said the carrier was “happy to provide quotes for any groups”. The service can operate flights of up to six hours duration, which puts it within reach of north Africa, Turkey and Israel. | Ryanair said the jet would be “ideal for private corporate, sports team or group travel”. Asked if Ryanair would accept bookings from stag and hen parties, a spokesperson said the carrier was “happy to provide quotes for any groups”. The service can operate flights of up to six hours duration, which puts it within reach of north Africa, Turkey and Israel. |
| A Ryanair spokesman said: “More than 25 million business travellers fly with Ryanair every year ... Now, business and group travellers can also enjoy the benefits of Ryanair’s corporate jet service, as we offer a customised Ryanair Boeing 737-700 for private charter.” | A Ryanair spokesman said: “More than 25 million business travellers fly with Ryanair every year ... Now, business and group travellers can also enjoy the benefits of Ryanair’s corporate jet service, as we offer a customised Ryanair Boeing 737-700 for private charter.” |
| Carol Cork, sales and marketing director at private jet hire firm PrivateFly, said Ryanair would be able to undercut other private jet operators as it has stronger buying power on fuel and fees. But, she added: “Perception is going to be the biggest hurdle, not pricing. How will they handle services on the ground and catering?” | Carol Cork, sales and marketing director at private jet hire firm PrivateFly, said Ryanair would be able to undercut other private jet operators as it has stronger buying power on fuel and fees. But, she added: “Perception is going to be the biggest hurdle, not pricing. How will they handle services on the ground and catering?” |
| She said Ryanair had got the timing right, with the Euro football championship in the summer coming up. “This is where you would see much more demand,” she said – from sports teams and corporate clients, and maybe even heads of state. | She said Ryanair had got the timing right, with the Euro football championship in the summer coming up. “This is where you would see much more demand,” she said – from sports teams and corporate clients, and maybe even heads of state. |
| She added that Ryanair could decide to configure its aircraft to tap into the VVIP market, by adding fish tanks and grand pianos. | |
| The move is Ryanair’s latest attempt to revamp its image and move more upmarket. The Irish carrier was slower than its rival easyJet in launching a business service. It launched “business plus” fares in mid-2014 which offer flexible tickets, more check-in baggage, priority boarding and “premium” seats for quick boarding or with extra legroom. | The move is Ryanair’s latest attempt to revamp its image and move more upmarket. The Irish carrier was slower than its rival easyJet in launching a business service. It launched “business plus” fares in mid-2014 which offer flexible tickets, more check-in baggage, priority boarding and “premium” seats for quick boarding or with extra legroom. |
| The airline has also introduced allocated seating and relaxed cabin bag restrictions for all passengers, after its chief executive, Michael O’Leary, realised that being “nice” to customers would pay off. | The airline has also introduced allocated seating and relaxed cabin bag restrictions for all passengers, after its chief executive, Michael O’Leary, realised that being “nice” to customers would pay off. |
| Cork noted that Ryanair has a newer fleet of Boeing 737-700 jets than other private jet operators. She said the cost per flying hour was £8,000 to £9,000 for, plus landing and handling fees, while smaller private jets cost from £1,500 an hour to hire. | |
| David Doughty, sales director at Private Jet Charter, said the pricing would depend on the aircraft – as some private jets have bathrooms with showers and bedrooms. | David Doughty, sales director at Private Jet Charter, said the pricing would depend on the aircraft – as some private jets have bathrooms with showers and bedrooms. |
| Among the more memorable trips he recalled was flying a dog to Jersey from Bournemouth for a boy for Christmas, whose “dog had died and whose best friend had died from leukaemia, so his mother tried to cheer him up”. That trip cost £8,500. | Among the more memorable trips he recalled was flying a dog to Jersey from Bournemouth for a boy for Christmas, whose “dog had died and whose best friend had died from leukaemia, so his mother tried to cheer him up”. That trip cost £8,500. |