Originally Posted by
EI-BUD
With regard to comments that Ryanair will never consider another type I would strongly disagree. Many would say it is conventional thinking that loco's typically dont operate more than 1 type.
Not so, certainly among the larger ones.
Southwest have a fleet of smaller and fully depreciated 737-500s that get used on startup routes or where there is a high business demand which needs frequency. AirTran have both 717s and 737-700s. Easy have had a range of types but are now building A320s to add to their smaller A319s.
Ryanair, having gone for a larger aircraft than any of these (so not following the "conventional" thinking) now need to fill them, which leads to lower frequency and that in turn puts off business travellers. An aircraft 2/3 the size would serve them well. There's not a huge scope left across Europe now for 189 seaters.