Irish budget airline Ryanair is typically a popular choice for those seeking a European getaway or travelling domestically within Ireland and the UK. While countless passengers applaud the airline’s low fares, which frequently undercut rival carriers, these bargain prices come with trade-offs, including fewer of the common comforts travellers might expect from other airlines. Among these drawbacks are the absence of on-board Wi-Fi and seating that is notably narrower and more cramped, with legroom sacrificed in order to accommodate greater numbers of passengers.
While many travellers are perfectly happy to accept this in exchange for lower costs, others have voiced their frustration, urging Ryanair to improve its onboard experience. Appearing to have taken note of passenger feedback, Ryanair took to its TikTok account on May 27 to apparently unveil a brand-new first class offering, promising to make journeys considerably more comfortable.
“Welcome to Ryanair first class – coming this year, we’re switching to a luxury experience,” the video clip announced. The clip went on to showcase the proposed new features, including larger, more plush-looking seats, as well as reclining beds – a staple of first class cabins on many rival airlines. Some images even appeared comparable to those seen aboard private jets.
A finger then appeared on screen, pausing the first class video, before a voice declared: “Yeah, no. Enjoy the view”, revealing the airline’s notorious window seat without a window.
Viewers were far from amused, with scores of TikTok users flocking to the comment section to vent their frustration at being pranked by the budget carrier. “Go Ryanair give us nothing,” one viewer commented. Meanwhile, someone else said: “Really Ryanair?”
“Bro why you pranking us,” a third person wrote. Other viewers also took the opportunity to question whatever became of the ‘standing seats’ previously teased by Ryanair chief executive Michael O’Leary. Both Ryanair and aviation regulators have since dismissed the concept as a ‘PR stunt’.
This is far from the first occasion the Irish carrier has caught its social media followers off guard. The airline previously hinted at introducing a ‘toilet fee’ for passengers needing to use the lavatories mid-flight.
The stunt swiftly backfired, however, with numerous passengers threatening they’d simply ‘go in their seats’ should such a charge ever be introduced.
This story originally appeared on Express.co.uk
