How Ryanair's 40-year push to make flying as uncomfortable as possible transformed how we fly - and how little we pay

Ryanair is renowned for being one of the world's cheapest airlines, offering rock-bottom prices for flights across Europe and other destinations.

But at what cost do these low pricetags come?  

Since launching over 40 years ago in 1984, the carrier has continued to gain popularity, occasionally spark controversy and find different ways to save money along the way.

From blue seats with no reclining manoeuvrability to the airline's speedy turnaround on the tarmac between departures, it's fair to say Ryanair is blatant with its cost-cutting techniques.

There are no frills and very few freebies for passengers – they are simply transported from A to B - a system which very much seems to work. 

The budget airline has fared reasonably well in the jet fuel cost spikes as a result of the Iran war compared to other carriers, some of whom have gone bust this year, due to its well-hedged business plan. 

At the time of writing, it's possible to bag a one-way flight to Valencia for as little as £15 from London Stansted in October.

But just how has Ryanair transformed how we fly and how little we spend? 

Techniques like having seats that can't recline and strict baggage requirements helps to keep costs low for Ryanair

Chairs

Unlike other airlines such as British Airways and Virgin Atlantic who offer passengers the chance to recline back and relax, Ryanair's seats have no such option. 

The lack of movement means there are fewer parts to break down and fewer issues to fix – cutting costs as a result, Simple Flying reports. 

It's usually a 'high-frequency' failure point on planes, according to the publication, so eliminating it from the seats immediately saves on cash. 

The seats are also lightweight, which helps to cut back on the aircraft's overall weight and fuel usage. 

David Martin, Managing Director at specialist tooling supplier Heamar, told the Daily Mail: 'When passengers think about low-cost airlines, they tend to notice the obvious changes, more basic seating, fewer complimentary extras and a more stripped-back cabin. But some of the most important cost savings happen behind the scenes.'

He added: 'Low-cost carriers can opt for simpler seat designs, removing unnecessary features and using lightweight materials to reduce both the weight of the aircraft and the amount of maintenance required. 

'Even details such as fewer moving parts or simpler fittings can make seats easier to maintain and clean, helping reduce costs and supporting the quick turnaround times that low-cost airlines rely on.

'For a low-cost airline operating thousands of flights, efficiencies that appear tiny on a single journey can become significant savings across the lifetime of an aircraft.

'It's this relentless focus on efficiency, from the cabin through to the tools, components and maintenance processes behind it, that has helped make the low-cost airline model possible.'

Hand luggage and baggage charges 

Some carriers such as British Airways and Jet2 allow passengers to bring a free carry-on plus an extra bag.

With Ryanair however, there's no such thing.

Each traveller is permitted to bring along a free under seat bag measuring no more than 40 x 30 x 20cm – and an additional centimetre could lead to an extra charge. 

Staff are paid €2.50 (£2.16) per bag they catch out at the boarding gate, and Ryanair boss Michael O'Leary shared last year that he makes 'absolutely no apology' for catching people who are 'scamming the system'.

Any extra baggage, such as a 10kg carry-on bag or checked baggage, are charged for too, which Chronicle Live reports could deter passengers from paying for and ultimately reducing the weight of the plane. 

The airline is also known for its fast turnaround once the plane lands

Aircraft type 

Instead of boasting a range of different types of planes for various journeys and uses, Ryanair has a fairly standardised fleet of mostly Boeing 737s. 

This makes repairs and keeping stock of parts much easier and more cost-effective than if they had to source for multiple models.   

According to its site, the airline has a fleet of 647 planes and states: 'As Europe’s largest airline group we’re investing $22bn in 210 new Boeing 737-8200 ‘Gamechanger’ aircraft: 4 per cent more guests, 16 per cent less fuel burn and 40 per cent less noise emissions'.

It's also set to get a further 300 new Boeing 737-MAX 10 aircraft, which will be even more fuel efficient and carry 20 per cent more passengers.  

What's more, the airline's planes boast built-in stairs, according to These Gold Wings, which means it doesn't have to cough up for renting gates that have jetways at airports. 

Instead, passengers have to carry their bags down the stairs and be ferried by a bus to the terminal – much less luxurious but more cost effective.

Airport choice

Ryanair's choice of airports also plays a part in cutting the costs for itself and passengers. 

It often lands at hubs that aren't considered the major airport for the destination, dodging high fees and charges in the process.

For example, you can't catch a Ryanair flight from London Heathrow - but you could opt for a smaller London hub, such as Luton, and fly on to multiple destinations. 

And its choice of airport - often not the major hub for a destination - helps reduce prices too

Quick tarmac turnaround

Famous for its 25-minute turnaround time once the plane has landed, this is done to save on money and, as a result, keep fares low. 

From the moment passengers disembark, Ryanair cabin crew get to work with their security sweeps and tidying. 

The plane's design, such as no storage nets on the back of seats to hold clutter, make the process almost seamless. 

In-flight perks 

Hop on a short-haul British Airways flight and you'll be treated to a bottle of water and snack. Fly with KLM and you'll get a complimentary treat. 

Travel with Ryanair, and you'll get no such a thing - but that's just another way the airline cuts its costs and keeps prices low, and most passengers certainly aren't complaining. 

Ryanair themselves tell the Daily Mail that any claims that the airline makes flying purposefully uncomfortable to keep costs low are entirely 'false'.  

Instead, they pride themselves on being: 'Europe’s most reliable and operationally efficient airline, providing customers with the lowest fares and most extensive network in Europe.

'That is why over 214m passengers choose to fly with Ryanair in 2026, rather than flying with higher-cost, less-efficient airlines.'