Ryanair likely to operate transatlantic flights within 5-10 years

Leading low-cost carrier Ryanair is readying itself to follow in the footsteps of Norwegian and is aiming to operate low-cost flights on transatlantic routes within next 5 to 10 years.

Michael O’Leary, Chief Executive of Ryanair, recently indicated that the airline is harboring ambitions to begin flights to North America within 5 years. However, the non availability of long-haul aircrafts has put the airline’s plans on hold. The airline is unlikely to get a long-haul aircraft in the next four years.

O’Leary hoped that the Irish budget carrier would be able to gain entry into the transatlantic market in the next 10 years. He said that the business plan is already there to be implemented for a new transatlantic low-fares airline as a subsidiary of Ryanair. But with the long-haul aircrafts not available for another 4 or 5 years is a major concern.

He said that this could only become possible only when the airline acquires a fleet of low-cost aircrafts. This is absolutely necessary for the business to get going effectively.

Norwegian had in summer indicated that it is committed to end the unreasonably high airfares on transatlantic routes and fulfilled its commitment by launching first flights between the United States and London Gatwick this year.

To see its plans through, Ryanair has placed orders for 100 new Boeing 737 Max 200 aircrafts. O’Leary said that the passengers would be offered more legroom as well as slimline seats in the new aircrafts. There would be a total of 197 slimline seats with over 30 inches of average legroom in each of the aircraft.