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Ryanair passengers will soon be able to watch films during flights....for free
In 2014, Ryanair CEO Michael O'Leary landed at Dublin airport with the first of Ryanair's new Boeing 737-800 NG aircraft from Seattle. Ryanair celebrated its 30th birthday in 2015.
Ryanair passengers will soon be able to watch movies and tv shows on their mobile devices during flights, with the airline planning to trial an onboard streaming service this summer.
The airline - which operates about 1,600 flights a day - will also start trialling a wifi service later this year, as it tries to boost its credentials with business passengers.
Ryanair chief technology officer John Hurley said this morning that the on-board movie and TV show service will be free to passengers, and paid for by advertising. It won't be installing seat back screens on its aircraft though.
The streaming service is likely to be trialled on a few holiday routes during the summer. If it's received well by customers, it could be rolled out across its fleet of more than 300 aircraft.
If wifi is made available in key Ryanair routes, it could be free for business travellers. It's not clear yet what the pricing structure might be for passengers, however.
Ryanair is also hoping that the planned introduction of more sophisticated on-board electronic point of sale devices by cabin crew could help it increase its in-flight ancillary sales.
Ryanair chief marketing officer Kenny Jacobs also said the airlie remains open to selling its near 30pc stake in Aer Lingus. British Airways owner IAG has made two indicative offers since before Christmas to buy Aer Lingus.
Mr Jacobs initially ruled out Ryanair ever flying to London Heathrow, but added that if IAG relinquished some takeoff and landing slots at the airport as part of a deal to buy Aer Lingus, then Ryanair would look at options. However, he said securing a 25 minute aircraft turnaround time at Heathrow would be challenging.
He also said Ryanair has tested turnaround times at Amsterdam's Schiphol Airport, and would consider flying to Paris Orly.
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