Have you ever wondered what happens with a Ryanair plane in a single day? The answer: a lot. A Boeing 737, the airline’s workhorse, can fly up to 8 flights a day for Ryanair.
Read on to discover what goes on behind the scenes of this logistical operation.
Boarding via the built-in staircase
While other airlines use an external mobile staircase or an airbridge, Ryanair’s 737s have their own built-in stair that folds out from the fuselage. Convenient, as they don’t rely on airport staff to bring a staircase to the plane. Drawback: passengers get to climb aboard in the rain or heat. But it saves time, and time equals money.
Catering: barely noticeable
With full-service airlines, you often see catering trucks arriving after 1, 2, or even 3 flights with fresh meals and drinks. Ryanair does this minimally: in the morning, a basic stock of snacks and drinks is loaded to last several flights. There’s no time lost on replenishing between flights. No fresh meals, only pre-packaged products, which avoids extra delays.
Turnaround time: 25 minutes
Turnaround time is the time a plane needs to be ready to take off again after landing. Ryanair regularly achieves turnaround times of 25 minutes (!), among the fastest in the aviation industry. How is this possible?
1. Built-in staircase: Ryanair’s 737s don’t wait for a staircase to be driven up; the built-in stairs deploy and passengers start deplaning immediately.
2. Boarding while deplaning: While passengers from the previous flight disembark, new passengers for the next flight are already being brought to the aircraft.
3. No seat pockets: Those small storage pockets by your knees? Ryanair deliberately avoids them. Passengers often leave trash there, which takes time for staff to clean. Without them, the aircraft can be cleared in minutes.
4. Rapid refueling: A 25-minute turnaround means refueling often happens simultaneously with boarding. While passengers find their seats, a fuel truck refuels the other side of the plane for the next flight.
These factors save Ryanair considerable time, allowing the plane to be ready for takeoff almost immediately after landing.
“A grounded plane costs money”
In one week, a Ryanair plane averages 35 flights, sometimes up to 8 flights per day. Below is the schedule of one Ryanair 737-800, registration 9H-QAB, on a single day (30/08/2025):
Turnaround time = tijd op de grond in de desbetreffende luchthaven.
- 8 flights
- up to 1512 passengers
- thousands of liters of kerosene
This in only one day, all with minimal delay. The plane operates practically non-stop.
Safety: many flights, no crashes
Remarkably, even with such an intense schedule, safety remains intact. Ryanair operates tens of thousands of flights annually, and despite the high rotation, the airline has never experienced a fatal accident.
Its safety record is comparable to, or even better than, many traditional carriers. Strict European regulations, a standardized fleet (all Boeing 737s), and well-trained crews ensure that speed and efficiency never compromise safety.
In short: The Ryanair Formula
A day in the life of a Ryanair plane is all about speed and efficiency. For travelers, this means lower prices, slightly less comfort, but uncompromised safety.
By: Rico Valkenborgh | September 25, 2025
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