Ryanair boss Michael O’Leary is still considering introducing standing seats on the airline’s aircraft and has reiterated his commitment to introducing coin-operated toilets.
Speaking in a television programme ‘How to Beat the Budget Airlines’ which will be shown at 7.30pm this evening on ITV, O’Leary said: “The other change we’ve been looking at is taking out the last 10 rows of seats so we will have 15 rows of seats and the equivalent of 10 rows of standing area.”
A spokesman has since confirmed Boeing has been consulted over fitting the seats, which would cost between £4 and £8 per person, while safety tests have been scheduled for next year.
However, a CAA spokesman said the seats would struggle to meet safety requirements, adding: “It’s aviation law that people have to have a seat-belt on from take-off and landing so they would have to be in a seat. I don’t know how Mr O’Leary would get around that one.
“During turbulence passengers also have to have a seat-belt on.”
O’Leary also reaffirmed his desire to charge customers £1 to use the toilets on the fleet’s aircraft, adding this would encourage passengers to use airport toilets before and after their flights.
O’Leary’s comments come on the day that Ryanair increases its £15 per bag check-in fee to £20. The increase will remain throughout this month and next, coinciding with travel’s peak demand period over the school summer holidays.