Everybody knows of Ryanair’s Boeing 737-800s, which wear the carrier’s distinctive yellow and blue livery. However, did you know that Ryanair also operates one Boeing 737-700? This aircraft is unique to the airline in more ways than one!
If you hear the name Ryanair, a corporate jet’s luxury is probably the last thing that comes to mind. However, the airline does indeed operate one single Boeing 737 fitted out as a corporate jet. When the aircraft is not in use, it is often used for staff training as it cannot be used for regularly scheduled flights.
Let’s look inside
Ryanair’s corporate jet seats up to 60 passengers. The aircraft has 15 rows of 2-2 seating, a massive step in luxury from the traditional layout. The rows are fairly generously laid out too. Ryanair typically offers a pitch of 30 inches onboard its aircraft. However, on its corporate jet, this stretches to 48 inches of seat pitch.
Ryanair describes the seats as being “business class.” They are made from leather and recline, unlike Ryanair’s typical seating. However, they are more akin to the premium economy one would find on a long haul flight. The pilots and cabin crew onboard the aircraft are not specific to the aircraft. Instead, they are drawn from Ryanair’s general pool of staff.
Catering
The Irish low-cost airline offers three different catering packages for those who choose to book the corporate jet experience with Ryanair. These range from €15-€45 per passenger.
The Ryanair Bronze package provides each passenger with hot drinks and snacks. This package comes in at €15. Jumping up €10 to €25 is the Silver package. This sees passengers being able to take advantage of a hot breakfast or a cold meal. Additionally, non-alcoholic drinks are provided.
Ryanair’s final catering package comes in at a sweet €45 per person, more than some have paid for most of their Ryanair flights. For €45, passengers can choose from a range of hot and cold meals. Additionally, a complimentary drink (including spirits) is included in the price.
What is the aircraft used for?
Ryanair’s corporate Boeing 737-700 can be used by anybody willing to pay for the privilege. However, when it is chartered, it will be used by big groups looking to travel privately, such as football teams. On November 16th, the aircraft flew the Benetton Rugby team from Italy to Cardiff ahead of a match.
Look who we’ve just had on board 👀
Delighted to fly Italian rugby team Benetton to Cardiff this morning for their Pro14 Monday Night Rugby clash with the Cardiff Blues 🙌 pic.twitter.com/NDdTDoNquB
— Ryanair (@Ryanair) November 16, 2020
The aircraft had to reposition from the airline’s Stansted home to Venice to pick up the team. The flight from Venice to Cardiff took two hours and ten minutes, departing at 09:21, and landing at 10:31. Having spent the night in Cardiff, the aircraft returned to Venice with the rugby team today before returning to the airline’s Stansted hub.
However, when the aircraft isn’t whizzing VIPs around Europe, Ryanair keeps it busy. The Boeing 737-700 can often be found operating training flights around the UK and Europe. In October, the airline completed ten flights, including a handful of flights to nowhere from London Stansted Airport.
How does the 737-700 differ from Ryanair’s 737-800s?
The difference between EI-SEV and Ryanair’s Boeing 737-800 fleet doesn’t end with the 2-2 premium interior. The aircraft is also shorter than the -800. The 737-700 clocks in at 33.6 meters long, compared to 39.5 for the 737-800. While six meters doesn’t sound like much of a difference, it is noticeable with EI-SEV being noticeably smaller.
However, if you cannot tell the corporate jet from the size, there is one other giveaway. The aircraft is the only one in the Ryanair fleet to have a number written on its body below the registration. A subtle ‘-700’ in white on the blue body indicates that this 737 is one of a kind in the Ryanair livery.
About the aircraft
The aircraft which Ryanair uses for shuttling VIPs around is the airline’s sole Boeing 737-700. The aircraft is registered as EI-SEV and is approaching 21 years of age. According to Planespotters.net, the aircraft has had a reasonably varied ownership history. The aircraft was initially delivered with an Irish registration to Azzurra Air in 1999. In May 2002, it was transferred to Rio Sul, before joining Maersk Air in June 2004.
The aircraft then flew for Sterling Airlines, Aires, and LAN Colombia before passing into the hands of Wells Fargo Bank in June of 2014. A little under a year later, in May 2015, the aircraft joined Ryanair, becoming Irish once more.
Have you flown on Ryanair’s corporate jet? Would you like to? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!