RyanAir

Europe Based Discount Carrier

Quick geography question: where on Earth is Bydgoszcz?

It is, of course (!), in Poland – one of 200 destinations in 26 countries served by Ryanair. Over 60m passengers a year take advantage of its excellent route network and ‘no frills’ cheap tickets. However, saving money can come at extra cost!

Alongside other European discount carriers, Ryanair sometimes uses airports serving a city in name only. Germany’s Frankfurt Hahn is a staggering 120km from the city centre, and Morocco’s Fez, although only 10km away, has no bus or rail links.

This keeps ticket prices down, though, as unpopular airports have much lower charges. Packing 189 passengers into a 737-800 and charging the earth for refreshments also helps. Other income-generating methods include in-flight cellphone use ($4/min), charging for checked baggage and check-in. However, rumours of coin-operated toilets were a publicity stunt, as was (hopefully) the CEO’s promise of free ‘oral pleasure’ in the new longhaul Business class! Search!