All this talk about Southend is nonsense! The simple reason that Ryanair aren't flying there is because the 737-800 can't with any meaningful load. The Landing distance available according to the SEN website is: RWY 06 1285m & RWY 24 1399m. After public transport landing factors are applied you would be left with zero payload and in the wet or snow fuggedaboutit! I am not familiar with the Airbus but it obviously has far superior stopping abilities. Comparing the 733 and 738 is comparing chalk and cheese.