Quantcast

Ryanair's cost-cutting seat features explained

Southwest's layoffs dent its worker-first culture
Hong Kong Airlines launches daily Sydney flights
Airline to launch new bunk beds in economy on long-haul flights next year
How Airline Employees Are Coping After Deadly Washington Crash
Major airline reverses in-flight menu change amid outcry
British Airways frequent flyer scheme changes: everything you need to know
Airline introduces world-first hand luggage ban on popular travel gadget
Air Canada Delays Boeing 767 Reentry
Flight Centre tips ‘price war’ as first direct Melbourne to LA Delta flights go on sale
FAA reverses course on meeting prohibition, blaming rogue employee
British Airways tweaks frequent flyer scheme after backlash
Delta flight from New York to Florida diverted to North Carolina due to ‘odor in the cabin’
EASA Certifies Safran’s First Electric Motor
US court blocks Biden administration's airline fee disclosure rule
JetBlue Issues Dim Outlook But Execs Remain Confident in Turnaround Plan
Delta to Resume Tel Aviv Flights April 1
Boeing CEO Ortberg outlines 2025 priorities after heavy losses
Storm Eowyn: Thousands of trains, flights and ferries cancelled as 100mph wind batters UK
Indian carrier long haul: IndiGo returns to profitability, plans long haul flights
These Frequent Fliers Are Done With Loyalty Programs
JetBlue accepting Venmo as payment method for flights purchased through mobile app
United Airlines stock rallies on results, as growing demand wasn’t just about premium seats
Delta Adds Another Alaska Route
Southwest to Reduce Pilot Head Count at Several Bases
Dublin Airport savings boost for holidaymakers – but passengers need to be quick
American Halts CRJ-200 Operations
Shanghai Airlines to Launch Casablanca Route
Delta employees to receive an average five weeks of pay in annual profit sharing
Akasa Air faces DGCA heat for lapses; warning letter issued to airline's accountable manager
Indigo Eyes European Market Amid Intensifying Competition with Air India
Ryanair's cost-cutting seat features explained
Policy
Webp received 9401777339881998
Neil Sorahan Ryanair's Group Chief Financial Officer | Ryanair Group

Ryanair, a pioneer of the ultra-low-cost airline model, focuses on reducing operational costs to offer significantly cheaper fares than full-service carriers. While low-cost carriers in the United States might provide tickets that are 10-20% less expensive than their full-service counterparts, Ryanair routinely offers prices at less than a third of those charged by network carriers.

The airline achieves this cost advantage through meticulous evaluation of each route and careful management of all operational elements. This approach has made Ryanair a model for others worldwide to replicate.

One well-known strategy is Ryanair's preference for smaller tertiary and secondary airports located far from city centers, which typically have lower operating costs. For instance, instead of using London City Airport (LCY) or London Heathrow Airport (LHR), Ryanair operates out of London Stansted Airport (STN).

Get the Newsletter
Sign-up to receive weekly round up of news from Sky Industry News
By submitting, you agree to our Privacy Policy and Terms of Service. By providing your phone number you are opting in and consenting to receive recurring SMS/MMS messages, including automated texts, to that number from our short code. Msg & data rates may apply. Reply HELP for help, STOP to end. SMS opt-in will not be sold, rented, or shared.

There are also several less obvious methods Ryanair employs to reduce costs. The carrier makes bulk purchases to secure discounts and hires pilots and flight attendants early in their careers who command lower wages. Additionally, it limits passenger baggage by charging high fees for anything beyond a small personal item.

Within the aircraft cabins themselves, there are subtle features designed to cut costs:

1. **Non-reclining seats**: Ryanair's seats do not recline, which reduces manufacturing and maintenance costs due to fewer moving parts.

2. **No seatback pockets**: Eliminating seatback pockets simplifies cleaning and lowers installation costs for new aircraft seats.

3. **Safety information on seats**: Instead of traditional leaflets, safety information is displayed directly on the back of seats, eliminating printing and replacement expenses.

4. **Fixed armrests**: Non-movable armrests reduce manufacturing costs and allow for maximum seating capacity within the aircraft.

5. **Non-adjustable headrests**: By removing adjustable headrests, Ryanair further cuts down on purchase and maintenance expenses.

Organizations Included in this History
More News

Ethiopian Airlines has announced the launch of a new daily passenger service to Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.

Jul 16, 2025

Etihad Airways has announced the launch of services to seven new destinations—Almaty, Baku, Bucharest, Medina, Tashkent, Tbilisi, and Yerevan—beginning in November 2025.

Jul 16, 2025

Airlines for America has emphasized the need for increased funding from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to hire more air traffic controllers, update infrastructure, and build on the One Big Beautiful Bill down payment.

Jul 16, 2025

Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) has announced a complete closure of Aviation Boulevard between Arbor Vitae Street and Century Boulevard from July 14 at 9 a.m. to July 21 at 6 a.m. Shuttle access to the LAX/Metro Transit Center will remain...

Jul 16, 2025

Avianca has announced the launch of a social media thread on X, inviting travelers to explore Dallas as a new destination.

Jul 16, 2025

Finnair announced that Palta and the Finnish Transport Workers’ Union (IAU) have reached a negotiation result, leading to the cancellation of all previously announced strikes and the resumption of normal flight operations.

Jul 16, 2025