Ryanair TV ad was misleading, rules watchdog
Ryanair misled the public with a TV advertising campaign last year when it gave the impression that summer fares were included in a sale which actually only included departures up to March.
The TV ad in October advertised flights from £19.99 and while the small print on the screen stated that these fares were only valid for travel up to March 25, larger text stated "Summer 2017 on sale now".
A complainant said they had understood that the £19.99 offer applied to summer 2017 and challenged whether the ad was misleading.
In its defence, Ryanair said it believed the ad made a clear distinction between the two messages but the Advertising Standards Authority said the wording was ambigious and could be interpreted as meaning that the summer flights were ‘on sale’.
It upheld the complaint and ordered Ryanair not to repeat the ad again in its current form.
The ASA also upheld a complaint against an online lastminute.com advert, which advertised a package to New York for £569 but when a customer tried to book, they were told the price had increased by £70.
Lastninute.com argued its products were dynamic and subject to change at any time, including during the booking process, but the ASA said that as the package was not available at the advertised price lastminute.com had beached advertising codes of conduct.
It told lastminute.com not to repeat the ad in its current form.
Linsey McNeill
Editor Linsey McNeill has been writing about travel for more than three decades. Bylines include The Times, Telegraph, Observer, Guardian and Which? plus the South China Morning Post. She also shares insider tips on thetraveljournalist.co.uk
Vegas’s Billion-Dollar Secrets – What They Don’t Want Tourists to Know
Visit Florida’s New CEO Bryan Griffin Shares His Vision for State Tourism with Graham
Chicago’s Tourism Renaissance: Graham Interviews Kristin Reynolds of Choose Chicago
Graham Talks with Cassandra McCauley of MMGY NextFactor About the Latest Industry Research
Destination International’s Andreas Weissenborn: Research, Advocacy, and Destination Impact
Graham and Don Welsh Discuss the Success of Destinations International’s Annual Conference
Graham and CEO Andre Kiwitz on Ventura Travel’s UK Move and Recruitment for the Role
Brett Laiken and Graham Discuss Florida’s Tourism Momentum and Global Appeal
Graham and Elliot Ferguson on Positioning DC as a Cultural and Inclusive Global Destination
Graham Talks to Fraser Last About His England-to-Ireland Trek for Mental Health Awareness
Kathy Nelson Tells Graham About the Honour of Hosting the World Cup and Kansas City’s Future
Graham McKenzie on Sir Richie Richardson’s Dual Passion for Golf and His Homeland, Antigua
ADS PRO 
Airlines suspend Madagascar services following unrest and army revolt
Qatar Airways offers flexible payment options for European travellers
TAP Air Portugal to operate 29 flights due to strike on December 11
Air Mauritius reduces frequencies to Europe and Asia for the holiday season
Airbnb eyes a loyalty program but details remain under wraps