Ryanair to be bigger than BA in 3 years!

OKEYDOKEY HERE’S THE OTHER BIG NO NO WITH MINBUSES AND 737’S TRYING TO PUDDLE JUMP. A 757 can operate ETOPS due to having a much greater level of system redundancy (triplicated hydraulics, autopilots, etc) which the smaller craft don’t possess. These 737’s etc, will have to travel within 60 minutes of a suitable diversion if they are to be operated in a public transport role. They couldn’t make it accross with a full low cost config (with legal reserves) if they flew direct let alone with the 60 minute diversion requirement.

The only way they could do it is to do what Mongu says – pick up some of the cheap ($150,000 per month) 757’s that are available at the moment.

Well there are lots of 757s out there to be picked up cheaply. Plus, Ryanair seem to have very good relations with Boeing so it is perfectly conceivable they could obtain a handful of 757s for pond hops.

I honestly doubt they will go down this route. But if they did I think they would do it via a subsidiary (Ryan Atlantic anyone?). No doubt still on a LCC basis with economy-only no frills seating, no transfers etc. but purely because of the different type of aircraft involved it would be more efficient to have a purpose-formed business unit. I strongly predict some quite good IFE and a Connexion system as well, as there are some interesting value-added revenue generation possibilities there.

Okay…next step. Where from and where to? I would say Stansted to one of the East Coast airports.

STN-BWI
STN-Providence (PVD?)

Or something like that! Probably an airport with no (or not much) transatlantic service at the moment. Anyone got any alternatives?

No chance with Dublin. Absolutely not. Firstly, the Irish government would not let them (they would have to fly via Shannon – too inefficient). Secondly, although Ryanair do not offer connections and interlining, there is no doubt some passengers will connect anyway. And there is more scope for that at STN than at DUB.

Also no one has mentioned Easyjet. I accept the techincal verdict on these pages that the 737 does not have the legs. How about the A319? I think there is a long range version of it – the fuel option, or something like that. The shorter ranged A320 and A321 fly some bloody long routes for BA, such as LHR-THR. Would the Airbus be any more realistic? Would be quite something to see transatlantic links restored to Liverpool! (who am I kidding, Luton).

I wouldnt feel to comfortable, what if there were some complications, and then before you know it theres no more fuel, no thank you, i like the planes with long ranges for atlantic travel, like the A346!

I have to agree with wysi on this one.

The guys that are flying the 737 from germany to the states are bussiness class layout i.e.48 seats. Lots of room for fuel.

As for coming from Canada in a 737 well yes it can be done but you are travelling with the jetstream winds and it may have greater restrictions on the return leg.

Lo cost 737 across the pond, not for me.

Originally posted by wysiwyg
I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again. Fill a Ryanair (or similar) 737 up with passengers and head off transatlantic and you will be swimming the second half of the journey. It can only do it when near empty of passengers.

737 are more than capable of getting to the other side of the pond, when I came back from Canada at Christmas i was on a Air Canada 737 and had more leg room on it that on the Virgin A340 on the way out. Also the 737 was 80% full

Nikumba

I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again. Fill a Ryanair (or similar) 737 up with passengers and head off transatlantic and you will be swimming the second half of the journey. It can only do it when near empty of passengers.

Im Not saying dont do it because Id love them to do it but it would be cramped but i suppose people dont moan about 757s across the pond so go for it. I remember how shocked people were when airlines started using 757s across the pond.

Sure the 738s would be cramped, but, like Preston says, the charter configurations are tight and people are willing to go that route.

If the price is right, people will pay it, I’m certain.

I’d love to see them give it a go, it would really give BA/VS and the American’s a run for their money!

I say go for it Ryanair because if you don’t, someone else eventually will.

Oh, and, do it from Teesside. 😀

Yeah but a Lo/Co Airline with 737s.

enough people have done/do it in charter config B752s and B763s – heres thinking BAL, MYT (prior to A330), AMM etc to the US, Mexico, Kenya, Seyshells, Sri Lanka, Thailand – even as far as Aus!

Dont know where its via but I would hate spending that amount of time on a 737

via SNN, I take it? :S

well, I’ve said before, the 73G has the range, LH operate a BBJ/ACJ from DUS and MUC to EWR.

But the 737 is cramped enough on a one hour sector, IMO, so 7 hours would pretty much be my idea of hell.

Ive read on Airliners.net that they are competing to do trips across the Atlantic with their 737s!So they can compete with Aer Lingus. That would be somthing cut price trips on 737s across the Atlantic.Wouldnt like to be in them seats!

i can think of one market RYR should try and develop in – operating feeder services from UK airports to Stansted. ATM ther eisn’t really many UK airports served on this run. Even if FR just put on a once or twice daily flights from Leeds, Teeside, Manchester, Liverpool into Stansted (which would only tie up one or two a/c) they would provide a feeder market into it’s Hub and SPoke system of Stansted – they do it to Dublin, so why not via Stansted!