Ryanair (FR/RYR) are the largest Boeing 737 operator in Europe, and one of the largest in the world. We took a look at how new Boeing jets are delivered from Seattle to Ireland, and often onwards to new bases.
Ryanair’s new aircraft are typically flown from Boeing Field (BFI) in Seattle to Dublin Airport (DUB), passing over Canada, Greenland and Iceland on what is known as a ‘Great Circle route’, or the shortest direct routing between two points on the globe. Despite being an aircraft typically used on short and medium haul routes, the Boeing 737 is capable of making this journey in one go thanks to being essentially empty, and near or at its maximum fuel capacity.
Whilst the majority of these delivery flights end up in Dublin, the aircraft often proceed on to other Ryanair bases to commence operations, such as SP-RZU (in our video above) which continued its journey to Wroclaw (WRO).
ETOPS considerations
Ryanair does not have ETOPS (Extended Twin-Engine Operations) authorization. However, Ryanair is authorized to conduct MNPS (Minimum Navigation Performance Specifications) operations, which is related to ETOPS. All Ryanair LIDO (Low-Cost, Intricate, Discontinuous, Obstacle) flight plans are designed to stay within 60 minutes of a suitable airport, and all MNPS flight plans generate ETPs (En Route Transit Points). In short, this means that this routing keeps the aircraft near enough to a diversion airport throughout the journey to not require the airline to be ETOPS certified.
A constantly growing fleet
The Ryanair fleet consists of 579 aircraft as of late April 2025. Of those, 410 are Boeing 737 Next Generation aircraft (-700 and -800 series), and 162 are the high capacity Boeing 737 MAX 8200 aircraft). Ryanair even operate a fleet of 6 private jets.
Ryanair has a significant order backlog for Boeing 737 MAX family aircraft, including 150 firm orders for the larger upcoming Boeing 737 MAX 10 and options for 150 more. It’s no secret that aircraft deliveries across the board are happening slower than airlines and manufacturers alike would prefer. In addition to the existing challenges in global supply chains, Boeing are also experiencing the fallout of recent trade tariffs introduced by the Trump Administration. Some industry analysts have even predicted that Ryanair CEO Michael O’Leary may consider ordering the Chinese-built COMAC C919 aircraft should the situation not improve.
Would you want to fly on a Ryanair 737 delivery flight? Let us know in the comments.
41 Responses
Yes, it would make a great birthday present for me as I am eighty in a couple of month’s time. I would hope that I would have an opportunity to access the flight deck once out of US airspace, something that is practically impossible to achieve on normal commercial flights these days. My first-ever flight was on a Britannia Airways Boeing 737 flight out of LPL to IBZ. On subsequent flights I had opportunities to go onto the flight deck; it would be great to see how the flight deck has progressed from the original 737’s with their old-fashioned controls to the modern-day electronic displays.
Mike I do hope you can look at a new 737 cockpit. I am 70 years young. I have been lucky in my work as having flown a lot on a lot of different aircraft.
With no entertainment or screens and very upright seating it would be a very long and properly uncomfortable flight but if the price was super cheap them maybe
I use Ryanair regularly however I am very nervous about flying in the new Boeing Max aircraft. Boeing used to be synonymous with safety. Not now!
I agree with you! unfortunately i can’t trust Boeing at the moment due to all the incidents which have occurred lately. AIRBUS FOR ME AT THE MOMENT!
Personally, I can’t stand Ryanair at the best of times. The shoddy service, nauseating yellow and blue colour scheme, spine crushing landings and now to round it off, 737 Max’s.
I once had a tour of the Boeing factory, back in 2021. They had a slogan that said “I’m not going unless it’s a boeing”. My mantra now is, “I’m not going IF it’s a boeing”. Profit over safety? No thanks.
Yes, went with Emirates to Hanoi a few weeks ago, first leg to Dubai on an Airbus A380, wow, it was amazing. Dubai to Hanoi was on a Boeing 777, really uncomfortable seat and less legroom.
As an aerospace engineer and pilot who did contract work for Boeing (aircraft and missile component QA) more than 50 years ago, I agree they were, for a while, poorly led by bean counters. But the new CEO is an engineer driven by absolute dedication to product reliability. As for the 737MAX, it’s been through a rigorous review, with the MCAS system completely redesigned (and retrofitted to ALL aircraft previously built). It’s a very safe bird, which I now fly in a SIM and have high regard for.
Name one accident Ryanair have had?
I believe they’ve had only one hull loss accident, a 737-800 that suffered a very heavy landing at Rome Ciampino when it had a double engine bird strike on final approach. There may have been a few minor injuries but nothing life threatening as I recall.
How I agree Boeing have been to hasty to bring new aircraft to the market, thinking of the bottom line. Not safety first. I fly a lot as I am still working my usual route is MAN-DBX-RHD round trip.
I would. I have just returned from Malaga on a Ryanair to Cork. All was excellent and I always travel with Ryanair across the year. Flights are full and the service is always on schedule and superb.
from a young boy of 9years old I had a fascination for aeroplanes, every time I heard the sound of an aeroplane , I would run outside my house and look up in the sky to see it .when I was 9yrs old I told my mother am going to be an airline pilot. She laughed , but in 1979 when I was 19 yrs old I did manage to get a one hour flying lesson in a small twin seater cesena single engined aeroplane my first time ever in a aeroplane. On sunny warm days when there blue sky’s I still run outside to look up and see aeroplanes. sorry for the long text . Anyway that’s why I would love to be on a delivery flight .
19 in 1979? Youngsters! 🙂 I’m in my seventies and I still run outside just to watch contrails at 40,000 feet.
Would love to.
Nice article.
You might want to just check what LIDO stands for and also, in this case, I believe the ETPs are referring to Equal Time Points.
😀
It would be amazing to fly on a Ryanair 737 delivery flight what an amazing company
I for one would never fly in a Chinese designed and built China. If Ryanair decided to go down this route you can count me out. Fake parts are a Chinese nightmare and it doesn’t instill any confidence in Chinese aerospace products.
Oh, yes, very clever. You just forgot that the last planes that had serious, significant and repeated manufacturing problems were made in America by Boeing…
No problem, but only if I had a seat.With the
Fuel required for the journey I recon the seats would be left behind .
I certainly would love to fly on a Ryanair delivery flight to my home town Dublin…
I would like to travel on a delivery flight, please
In a heartbeat. What a great adventure.
I’d love to fly on a delivery flight, especially being present during the planning and briefing phases – as well as keeping an eye on the aircraft during the flight. Understanding the extra levels of checks they need to do given it is a new aircraft and the long duration – and the massive distance. Also would love to understand the navigational contingencies (yes, I know there is INS.. but still) over water given the problems with GPS jamming.
How much does Ryanair charges? 15£ maybe?
I live near Seattle and would love to take one of the delivery flights if the opportunity ever presented itself.
I’m 94 and I would absolutely love it. I’m an old-time pilot. It would be a great birthday present..
I used to live (for 7 years) literally down the street from the Renton 737 factory and airport (RNT) routinely watching planes take to the air for the very first time. It would be a dream to actually fly on the delivery flight.
Priority boarding, and a brand new aircraft to enjoy, destination Dublin. Sounds the trip of a lifetime, and I am not too heavy.!
There will be 50 part finished 737s available that are no longer wanted for China. I am sure RA would have them for a small fee.
I would love to fly a delivery flight, I actually flew on Ryanairs second ever commercial flight from Waterford to Luton. Always follow Ryanair and least I remind people they are still an Irish airline
I would love to fly on one these delivery flights, having flown often with Ryanair, I need to fly on a 737 Max 8. to alleviate my fears regarding this aircraft. Both my local airports now have the Max 8 on the routes I use regularly.
Yes please, how do you go about getting onto one of those delivery flight , wud be awesome… I am a flight simulation enthusiast… thank you
Regards
Paul
EGCC
Would love it, Worked for 34years as a firefighter and would love to be a pilot, I expect lots of pilots would love to be firefighters.
Please consider me
Regards
Wm Mc Cann
I understand your comment, but note that since the accidents that occurred back then there have been no more. I recently took a flight from São Paulo – Panama – Rio on Copa’s 737-900 Max, an excellent flight, without any problems.
I would not fly on a 737 Max unless it was an emergency. Certainly not for pleasure
I would love the chance to accompany the flight crew on a delivery ferry flight. I retired 6 years ago from the airline industry and miss it very much !
My 1st flight was when I was 5 years old
Next, I was an Air Cadet.
After that, I was in the RCAF as a reser est, working as Air Crew on a B25 until the base was closed down!
Then on to a brief skydiving career (400+ jumps)
After that I trained to be a Commercial Pilot, but never got to be one
Became a firefighter instead
Also spent years as a SAR pilot.
Now, I will be 80 in July, and fly no more!
I would love to fly to Ireland – the country of some of my ancestors.
I am available almo any time.
Delivery flights were part of my job. Boring and you have to make your own coffee.
Pity with all the money they cost to build why can’t they put in a more co comfortable seat in the Boeing 747 just a thought
I would like a flight on a delivery if possible, thank you
Anyone rembember a, in it’s time, a huge charter operator named Sterling Airways with a big numbers of Caravelle’s amongst others? I was onboard as CA and one of my best friends are, now adays, 2P at Ryanair. Check me in! No expectations…
73-years experienced Mats from Sweden.