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Customers would like to see me dead, says Ryanair boss O’Leary

Monday, 4 January 2010

OFT attacks Ryanair for ‘almost taunting’ fliers with extra fees

Ryanair boss Michael O'Leary claims he has become so unpopular with the airline's passengers that half would be happy to see him dead.

He said many more would rejoice when he finally steps down in around two years' time after more than 17 years at the helm.

“I think there will be great joy, I think there will be dancing in the street at the idea of O'Leary leaving Ryanair,” he said.

“It will be a nicer, warmer, caring airline with me gone. I think half our passengers would like to see me dead and buried, actually, and eventually they'll get what they want. Frankly, I couldn't care less as long as they fly with us.”

Mr O'Leary (48), who recently announced he is considering ripping out seats on some services to take standing passengers, admitted he had done little to improve his image but said he was unconcerned about what people thought of him.

He predicted that once he had gone, the public perception of Ryanair would improve.

“I don't think I've done a very good job on the whole customer image of Ryanair,” he said.

“Actually the service is phenomenal in terms of fares and our performance on punctuality, lost bags, and cancellations. One way or another we're going to change come 2012.”

Asked about the qualities his successor would require he said: “All the qualities that I don't have — sensitivity, passenger care, environmentally sensitive — all that kind of good, warm crap. They'd need to make up for 20 years of my mis-management in the areas that I don't manage well.”

Mr O'Leary recently described ex-Taoiseach Bertie Ahern as a “feckless ditherer.”

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21 Comments

I love ryanair - I have used them for years with no problems - I have tried the other airlines and they cannot beat Ryanair - all the complaints against them with hidden charges are exactly the same as the other low cost airlines. Long may he stay - Ryanair will be nothing without him !! What exactly is there to complain about?

Posted by keiththehat | 09.01.10, 08:01 GMT

Makes me laugh when people complain about the extra charges, they're all linked from the home page, and unlike the Easyjet site it's clear and easy to read.

Over the past ten years I've had around 80 Ryanair flights around many parts of Europe for prices from 2p to 20 pounds max, and only had one 2 hour delay!

Some folks just love to whinge even when getting an absolute bargain.

If you don't like them it's simple, go somewhere else!

Posted by Stuart Wilson | 07.01.10, 20:34 GMT

Michael O'Leary did what he had to do to make the business a success and yes there are no frills but on what "Bus" service do you get frills? All UK flights are about an hour, same as Enniskillen to Belfast by Bus - what frills are there on that service? If people want to fly with frills then go long- haul with JAL, as for Ryanair it is just a bus service and the sooner people accept that the better off they will be. The hassle is not caused by Ryanair but by security at the Airports.

Eugene

Posted by Eugene Morgan | 05.01.10, 11:23 GMT

Unusual PR!

Posted by Gusty | 04.01.10, 23:49 GMT

How on earht a board can allow him to remain at the helm is more than I know. One of my life's worst experiences was down to Ryainair. I still fly with them, but if I had a choice...

Posted by dreamonic | 04.01.10, 22:34 GMT

Dry your eyes you whiners

I loved his comment that, in the main, swine flu was nothing that couldn't be sorted by a good wash and a couple of strepsils.

Did anyone else avail of the 2p, all in, return flights from Belfast to Bristol?

Posted by Blootered | 04.01.10, 20:52 GMT

You could fly to his funeral for £1, plus £40 for car parking plus £30 for a bus to the actual city, £12 for your suitcase and £10 for using the Electron card you only got for booking Ryanair flights!
I know he thinks he's funny but..... lol

Stephen

Posted by Stephen | 04.01.10, 18:50 GMT

He certainly shows great self-awareness!

Posted by donegore | 04.01.10, 17:47 GMT

At the end of the day Ryanair is still by far the cheapest means of my family and I flying to Belgium. Follow their rules and it is usually fine. So what if there is a few pounds charge for a Mastercard Prepaid card. If people are so offended by the service and/or Michael O'leary they can fly with someone else.

Posted by Stephen | 04.01.10, 17:22 GMT

The big thing that O'Leary has mastered is getting free publicity - standing room, pay for toilets, carry your own luggage etc etc - none had ever a chance of happening, but Michael got free front page headlines for his "cheap" service.

Posted by Realist | 04.01.10, 17:19 GMT

i suspect he'd sort our high levels of absence from work and idiots running the executive.

this place would be running like a well oiled machine within five yrs, as opposed to being the 'laughing stock' of europe.

Posted by Peter McGuinness | 04.01.10, 17:04 GMT

On another website today, Ryanair's reaction to the OFT verdict was this statement - "Perhaps Mr Fingleton’s comments are designed to cover over the OFT’s failure to take any action against BA’s unfair fuel surcharges,".

What makes BA's fuel surcharges unfair when FR charge £5 pp per flight, to use a credit and esp a debit card.

FR said they didn't rip off the public, how can they justify the charge should you wish to pay with a debit card

Posted by Naomh | 04.01.10, 16:43 GMT

The customer is always right Michael.

Posted by New Lodge Terry | 04.01.10, 16:40 GMT

Question is: how much would he charge for us to see him dead?

Also would you be going to his funeral or to somewhere vaguely near the country of the funeral?

Posted by ATM | 04.01.10, 13:55 GMT

Belfast4 ... I think you need to go back and read the ryanair website again; since Jan 01 2010 a charge was introduced for the use of the electron card.

The prepay Mastercard is what you have to use now but that incurs a set up fee.

Posted by Wesley | 04.01.10, 12:24 GMT

"Isn't he great !" - No..

"and pay them with the electron card you can have a very cheap fare" - Not any more, as that was becoming a little too Convenient. Now you need a prepaid mastercard.

Posted by Fiona | 04.01.10, 12:15 GMT

Ryanair's performance on cancellations has indeed been great with O'Leary at the helm: I flew to Spain and back with them last year and the flight was cancelled and replaced for both ways!

Posted by Liz | 04.01.10, 12:00 GMT