At a New York press conference Monday morning, Ryanair and Boeing announced the European low cost carrier would be the launch airline for the 737 MAX 200 with 100 firm orders, along with an additional 100 options.
Set to have deliveries between 2019 and 2023, Ryanair is excited about the increase in passenger seat capacity in the new type, which offer 197 seats. “I feel like a child who has woken up on Christmas morning and gotten exactly what he had asked for from Santa,” said Ryanair CEO Michael O’Leary, who has been asking Boeing to squeeze more seats on an aircraft for years.
By modifying an exit row, removing some galley space in the front and rear, they were granted that additional seating. This will allow for an additional $1million in the pockets of Ryanair annually, which justifies the unit cost that was at a “modest premium,” which was said to be more expensive than what they’d typically pay. O’Leary explained, “We told them if they built it, we’d pay for it.”
Even with the seat-count increase, Ryanair was able to also increase their seat pitch, explaining that it will be over 30 inches, a jump from their current 29” on the rest of their 737-only fleet of 300 aircraft.
O’Leary explained that the dream of 200-seats is a sweet spot for the low cost market, whereas in the past, the industry thought Southwest’s model of 149-seat was the way to go. Ryaniar says they revolutionized the concept that larger ones can do the same, taking larger aircraft such as the 737-800 and showing that it can still offer short-haul, quick-turn flying. That idea will continue with 197 seats on the –MAX 200, which Boeing and Ryanair are calling, a “game changer.”
The new aircraft will be constructed with the Sky Interior and fitted with CFM LEAP-1B engines, offering increased passenger comfort and a range of 3,200 miles respectively, making the MAX 200 a prime candidate for future-planned destinations such as Russia and Israel. The type also affords 20% lower operating costs, a 30% reduction in fuel costs, 40% lower emissions, and helps Ryanair maintain the youngest fleet in Europe with all aircraft being less than 5 years of age.
Gaps left open by large European carriers are ripe for Ryanair to fill, and Michael O’Leary expects his airline to double in size over the next decade, and not only be the largest airline in Europe, but the dominant airline in the world.
Phil Derner founded NYCAviation in 2003. A lifetime aviation enthusiast that grew up across the water from La Guardia Airport, Phil has a background in online advertising and airline experience as a Loadmaster, Operations Controller and Flight Dispatcher. You can reach him by email or follow him on Twitter.
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