Breaking news: United Airlines is stupid. Well, it’s stupid according to Michael O’Leary, anyway. But then again, it’s never a surprise when Ryanair’s cantankerous chief executive hurls an insult.
Ryanair has its problems, but it is doing much better than most. As the Irish low-cost giant posts its latest earnings, Gordon Smith and Jay Shabat pick through the numbers and assess what the future could hold for the airline.
The two low-cost carrier mavericks, Ryanair and Southwest, are pursuing different distribution strategies with online travel agencies. Ryanair is seeking direct agreements, and Southwest just sues those that gain unauthorized access.
Michael O’Leary has delivered a rousing endorsement of the beleaguered planemaker’s products. After last week’s public criticism from some U.S. airline chiefs, his intervention will be warmly welcomed by Boeing.
The ferocity of the storm meant planes had to travel much further than usual to find a safe diversion airport to land, with some domestic flights being rerouted internationally.