Ryanair wants to launch transatlantic flights ‘within ten years’
Ryanair’s boss Michael O’Leary has confirmed he wants to launch transatlantic flights by 2024.
The chief executive has already admitted that there’s no chance of the airline flying to the US imminently due to a lack of affordable aircraft, and when it does, it will offer flights under a sister brand.
However, he has told the Daily Mail he wants to offer low-cost, transatlantic flights within the next five to10 years.
He said he hopes that Ryanair will be able to fly to the US during his time at the helm.
"We’ve had a business plan ready to roll for a transatlantic, low-fares airline," he said.
O’Leary claimed in February he wanted to offer seats to the US from $10, but admitted the service would have to offer a high number of business fares and premium seats.
‘The difficulty is, I keep cautioning, is that there’s no availability of long-haul aircraft for another four or five years," he added.
"So unless we can secure a fleet of low-cost aircraft, frankly, the business doesn’t get off the ground.
‘The future is very hard to foretell, it certainly is unlikely to happen within the next five years, but I’d be disappointed if it doesn’t happen within the period, maybe, five to 10 years."
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
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