A dining establishment humorously tacked on a “priority seating charge” to the bill of the head of Ryanair after he visited the restaurant last week. Ryanair Group CEO Michael O’Leary visited Luvida Restaurant in Navan, County Meath, Ireland, and indulged in a meal featuring sea bass, prawns, and mushrooms. In a light-hearted jest, the restaurant playfully added various charges to the 64-year-old’s bill, mimicking the airline’s reputation for extra fees on flights. These included charges for extra leg space, priority booth seating, and a quiet area reservation, totaling €38 (£32).
O’Leary, sporting a smile, also took a photo with restaurant manager Marika Chocianwoicz, who thanked him for dining at Luvida and teased about the additional charges. Although the bill amounted to €142.30 (£188.98) for his food and a bottle of white wine, the restaurant ultimately waived the extra fees for O’Leary on this occasion. However, Chocianwoicz hinted that they might apply the charges in the future.
In other news, Ryanair recently introduced a new passenger discount program called ‘Prime’, designed to offer savings to frequent flyers. The scheme, costing £79 for a 12-month subscription, provides benefits such as reserved seats, travel insurance, and exclusive seat sales for members who fly 12 times a year. According to Ryanair, subscribers can save up to five times the subscription cost, with the service limited to 250,000 members on a first-come, first-served basis.
Ryanair’s Chief Marketing Officer, Dara Brady, highlighted the airline’s commitment to providing affordable fares and quality services, emphasizing the value of the new subscriber discount scheme, Ryanair Prime. The program aims to cater to regular flyers seeking savings and convenience, offering discounts and benefits that can lead to significant cost savings for members.