i think flying higher with the reduced buffet margin is and has been a less than perfect technique...I know about fuel consumption, routings and all that but having seen pictures of turbulence encounters (CAT) I think taking a giant step backwards from the edge is in order. I know nothing of ryanair, but is this as a result of the recent russian plane crash?
perhaps ryanair had an inflight upset which has stayed out of the news...if this is the response I think it is the proper one.
icarus learned that flying too high can be a bummer.
jon