YYC F/A
23rd Jun 2003, 14:27
All your favourite quotes from Ryanair's Michael O'Leary, condensed!
I read an interesting article in the Financial Times today which focused on Ryanair, and it's infamous chairman Michael O Leary.
Hailed by some, Reviled by many, there is no doubt that nonetheless he has built Ryanair into one of the largest airlines in Europe, flying some 20 million people a year, and growing exponentially. The article highlighted Mr. O Leary’s views on customer service, and business strategy. Warning, MOL's quotes are unedited, so if you're averse to the odd swear word, LOOK AWAY NOW! ;)
On the subject of giving refunds to customers unable to fly: "We don't fall all over ourselves if they (passengers) say my granny fell ill. What part of no refund don't you understand? You are not getting a refund so just f**k off."
On the subject of selling air tickets through travel agents: "Screw the travel agent," he says, rolling his eyes and scratching his neck. "Take the f**kers out and shoot them. What have they done for passengers over the years?"
On the basic strategy of Ryanair; "Ryanair is doing in the airline industry in Europe what Ikea has done. We pile it high and sell it cheap."
On the subject of British Airways: "They have waterfalls in the headquarters out at Heathrow, they swan around sipping cappuccinos, thinking they are masters of the universe. But BA are stuck on the horns of a dilemma. Their costs are high, so they charge high prices, while we are going like gangbusters,"
and… "There is too much: 'we really admire our competitors'. All bollocks. Everyone wants to kick the **** out of everyone else. We want to beat the crap out of BA. They mean to kick the crap out of us."
On the subject of Lufthansa, the German national carrier, and their CEO Jurgen Weber: "Weber says Germans don't like low fares. How the f**k does he know? He's never offered them any. The Germans will crawl bollock-naked over broken glass to get them."
And finally, in closing: "For years flying has been the preserve of rich f**kers, now everyone can afford to fly."
The thing is, he’s right. With passengers sporting black bin bags for carry-ons, at prices as low as £5 + tax, it’s not just like taking the bus. It’s cheaper than the bus. And the ‘Walmart-isation’ of our industry goes to the next realm. Still, if Michael et al. weren’t around, I’d miss the ‘Leary-isms’. :\
Love him or hate him, he's here to stay!
Fly Safe!
I read an interesting article in the Financial Times today which focused on Ryanair, and it's infamous chairman Michael O Leary.
Hailed by some, Reviled by many, there is no doubt that nonetheless he has built Ryanair into one of the largest airlines in Europe, flying some 20 million people a year, and growing exponentially. The article highlighted Mr. O Leary’s views on customer service, and business strategy. Warning, MOL's quotes are unedited, so if you're averse to the odd swear word, LOOK AWAY NOW! ;)
On the subject of giving refunds to customers unable to fly: "We don't fall all over ourselves if they (passengers) say my granny fell ill. What part of no refund don't you understand? You are not getting a refund so just f**k off."
On the subject of selling air tickets through travel agents: "Screw the travel agent," he says, rolling his eyes and scratching his neck. "Take the f**kers out and shoot them. What have they done for passengers over the years?"
On the basic strategy of Ryanair; "Ryanair is doing in the airline industry in Europe what Ikea has done. We pile it high and sell it cheap."
On the subject of British Airways: "They have waterfalls in the headquarters out at Heathrow, they swan around sipping cappuccinos, thinking they are masters of the universe. But BA are stuck on the horns of a dilemma. Their costs are high, so they charge high prices, while we are going like gangbusters,"
and… "There is too much: 'we really admire our competitors'. All bollocks. Everyone wants to kick the **** out of everyone else. We want to beat the crap out of BA. They mean to kick the crap out of us."
On the subject of Lufthansa, the German national carrier, and their CEO Jurgen Weber: "Weber says Germans don't like low fares. How the f**k does he know? He's never offered them any. The Germans will crawl bollock-naked over broken glass to get them."
And finally, in closing: "For years flying has been the preserve of rich f**kers, now everyone can afford to fly."
The thing is, he’s right. With passengers sporting black bin bags for carry-ons, at prices as low as £5 + tax, it’s not just like taking the bus. It’s cheaper than the bus. And the ‘Walmart-isation’ of our industry goes to the next realm. Still, if Michael et al. weren’t around, I’d miss the ‘Leary-isms’. :\
Love him or hate him, he's here to stay!
Fly Safe!