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Ryanair chief O'Leary furious over BBC 'hatchet job' in Panorama
Monday, 12 October 2009
enlargeMichael O'Leary has branded a BBC documentary on Ryanair to be aired tonight as "a hatchet job" and "rubbish-filled".
The airline's chief executive has refused to appear on BBC TV's 'Panorama' after a furious bust-up with the programme makers over his right to reply.
The Dublin-based airline is so angry with the 30-minute episode - even before it has been aired -- that it has published 25 pages of e-mail correspondence with programme makers on its website.
The breakdown in relations between Ryanair and 'Panorama' has generated huge interest on the internet, and is set to give the BBC One documentary a huge ratings boost both in Ireland and the UK.
Ryanair is particularly angry at claims in the programme that Michael O'Leary referred to his staff as "lemons".
He denied 'Panorama' allegations that he once said of his staff: "We cut them in half, we squeeze the juice and then we throw them away."
The furious chief executive fired off an angry reply to 'Panorama' reporter Vivian White, denying ever referring to Ryanair staff as lemons.
"Given that I am so widely reported, I think you will find that it doesn't exist," he said. "This and many of the other claims you make are simply manufactured and untrue."
The airline is also angry over BBC claims that it imposed "hidden charges" on customers and accused the programme of trying to create a row between it and aircraft maker Airbus.
Relations between the firm and 'Panorama' have broken down to the extent that when the reporter asked to attend last month's Ryanair AGM, the airline refused.
Source Irish Independent
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Ryanair’s website is known for not being user friendly and is designed to make it harder for the passenger to decline some of the extra charges. Ryanair carp on about passengers agreeing to the extra charges, but how many actually read all of it or just tick the read and understood box.
Posted by Kim | 15.10.09, 17:05 GMT
I thought the documentary was one of the worst pieces of investigative journalism I have ever seen. All it basically did was show O'Leary to be a very good businessman. I thik the only thing Ryanair should change is the way it shows the fees. It should show them right at the start.
Posted by Kevin | 13.10.09, 13:23 GMT
So - Who loves RyanAir then? Hands up?
Posted by Richard F | 13.10.09, 12:29 GMT
The programme was pretty lame in the end, nothing contentious as far as I could see. I was hoping for an expose!
Mr O'Leary is a pain in the proverbial, but it is clear that you can get a good deal. They play games like hiding the 'No, I don't want travel insurance' (Can you imagine trying to make a claim!!) which has now been cleared up according to the programme. It'll always be a case of cat and mouse with Ryanair and their tricks, but that's why people need to check out forums and see how to stay ahead of their game!
Posted by Patrick D | 13.10.09, 12:26 GMT
I had the great misfortune of recently booking a flight with Ryan Air. Unfortunately circumstances changed and I found that I had to cancel my flight.
Beware all...you cant cancel flights with Ryan Air!! There is not a single button on their website refering to canceling flights. Customer Services telephone number if you can find one charges huge amounts per minute and the links on their website dont work!!
Since this unfortunate situation I have spoke with several friends who have had the same problem. Dont book Ryan Air its not worth it!
Posted by Charles | 13.10.09, 09:46 GMT
There is no such thing as bad publicity.
As for the alleged ''lemons'' comment fair play to Mr O'Leary for saying exactly the way it is, & I'm speaking as a former lemon myself although not with Rynair I just wished I knew it years ago. Young employees please take note.
I won't see the programme as I live abroad but I'll look forward to the comments.
I fully agree with ''Quinny"'
Posted by Paul Devine | 13.10.09, 05:58 GMT
ryan air while offer cheap flights do so at a cost. There is an old saying we'll get them in the long grass and Ryanair are experts at this. For minor mistakes in the booking process they make you pay...big time.
Posted by sean from co down Ireland | 12.10.09, 18:45 GMT
Interesting about the credit / debit card charges..
MO'L famously lambasted the traditional airlines regarding fuel surcharges. When fuel prices declined and BA / Lufthansa continued to charge them, he stated Ryanair was the only carrier not to rip off the public
Fair enough, but how can you charge £5 per person per flight for visa charges, when visa charge Ryanair a percentage of the transaction? At £5pp per flight surely this is the biggest rip off
And I choose not to get an electron card
Posted by Fiona | 12.10.09, 16:27 GMT
So "Lippy 'God' O'Leary" cannot stand the heat in the kitchen...wel then got out or be thrown out. It is his opinion for whats its worth & its worth nothing to me or anyone else that we all must sing from "his Hymn sheet" or nothing at all...no way Lippy no way ever
Posted by Robert wesley huston | 12.10.09, 16:25 GMT
last thursday morning 8th oct my wife my daughter and myself, travelled with ryanair from belfast to stansted for a day trip to london. the total cost paid to ryanair was 6 pence. i paid with a visa electron card no charges i printed our boarding passes no charges. we were able to sit in the emergencey exit seats, plenty off room. i have done this many times. i can not see any problems with ryanair. most of the people that travelled on the flight had small suitcases with them, they fitted in the overhead lockers. if people would go to the bother of getting themselves a visa electron card they would not have the charges. i never had a visa electron card but i went and got one as soon as ryanair came to the city airport.
Posted by belfast4 | 12.10.09, 16:24 GMT
I'm very tempted to view the Panorama correspondence on the Ryanair web site, but I'm afraid they might charge me to do so!!
Posted by StephenM | 12.10.09, 15:15 GMT
Mr O'Leary seems to like the limelight whenever he is portrayed as a white knight in the airline business. He has been quite vocal in the past and keen to dismiss those who question his company's strapline as the low cost airline - Michael if you can't take it don't dish out the same diatribe that you are now complaining about!
With regard to his alleged commens about his staff, whether true or untrue, it cannot be disputed that his company treats it's customers very badly and expects them to endure appalling treatment without any recourse.
Posted by Tom | 12.10.09, 14:04 GMT
I hope that the panorama programme includes the charge of £10 per passenger, per booking made on one credit card, even if it is a debit card, therefore costing an extra £40 for a family of 4. Also the baggage limit of £15 per kilo over the 15 kilo allowance for a bag which has already cost you £30!
Posted by jane | 12.10.09, 13:53 GMT
Mr o'leary's performances in such issues as 'Wheelchair tax' mean that I look forward to this programme witith great glee!
Posted by Patrick D | 12.10.09, 13:08 GMT
I still dont see what the fuss is all about. How are the charges hidden? You get to the final booking page and when you click the submit button thats the price you pay. Nothing hidden about that. If its too expensive for some people then why not vote with your feet and go fly with some other airline.
Posted by quinny | 12.10.09, 13:02 GMT
No surprises there, the BBC has a tendency to decide on the outcome of its 'investigations' before they take place. It wouldn't make much viewing if they came out and said Ryanair is fantastic now would it? Fair play to Michael O'Leary for fighting back by publishing correspondence on his website. If Ryanair was so bad people wouldn't fly with them. The BBC should conduct an investigation into why it hates success stories.
Posted by Jennifer | 12.10.09, 12:12 GMT
The big problem with "Motor Mouth" O'Leary is he likes spouting about everyone else but gets the hump when being subjected to his own medicine
Posted by Ulsterman | 12.10.09, 11:51 GMT
About time that someone brought to the attention of the Public the hidden charges that ryanair put on after you have found the flight you want and then you are too far into the booking to look elsewhere. This is a ploy that they use as they know most people have entered the passenger names and have gone too far into the booking process to not then pay these charges. This is the only place where you have to pay £40 for a family of 4 just to use your credit card, so on my flight this came to 33.3% of the total charge for a return flight. Then to also charge you for booking online another joke, and as for the Chief Executive, Micheal O'Leary who is arrogant and treats his customers like fools. Hope that this will be the demise of the weasly man, who is also looking to charge you for using the tiolets next, he will probably add that cost just before you enter your card details as all the other hidden costs, To say that these costs are not hidden is a Joke.Ehere are OFT
Posted by arry worth | 12.10.09, 11:18 GMT
Does any right thinking person actually like Ryanair?
Yes, plenty may use them, but to actually like doing it, or doing it out of choice, as opposed to cost or increased convenience.
Many people shop in Lidl, but would they prefer to shop in Marks and Spencer?? Ryanair always assume that 60m folk they fly are content and happy.
If flight time were the same, same airports and same price, how many would still choose Ryanair over the competition?? Very few I'd reackon.
Posted by Padraig | 12.10.09, 10:51 GMT