Low-cost Ryanair Steps Up to Private Charter Role

European low-cost carrier Ryanair last week made a surprise move into the private charter sector, announcing that it has reconfigured the cabin of its high-density Boeing 737-700 into a 60-seat format that will be offered for corporate or sports-team bookings. The aircraft in question is the airline’s only -700 model, and the 16-year-old aircraft, originally fitted with 148 seats, was acquired last year from LAN Colombia to be used for crew training. The rest of its fleet consists of -800 models, and the airline also has the new 737 Max on order.

The reconfigured -700 will offer two rows of two-abreast seating with a 48-inch seat pitch that Ryanair described as “business class.” The aircraft can make flights of up to six hours in duration, allowing it to operate almost anywhere in Europe and into Russia and some parts of the Middle East.