Ryanair is set to compete in the accommodation market, launching "Ryanair Rooms" as it seeks to become "the Amazon of air travel".
The airline already offers customers the chance to book hotel rooms when they buy flights, but the new service will expand this to include hostels, B&B, holiday villas and homestay options. The current hotel booking is provided in partnership with accommodation site Booking.com.
“Ryanair Rooms” is expected to launch on October 1st. The company is now seeking submissions from firms who want to partner with Ryanair to provide accommodation through the new service.
Ryanair's Kenny Jacobs said the airline was planning to transform accommodation booking.
“More and more customers are looking to Ryanair for products other than flights, and we see this as a natural progression towards Ryanair.com becoming the Amazon of air travel,” he said.
“It also echoes the change in demand from customers for different types of accommodation, which in turn will be reflected by the varied range ‘Ryanair Rooms’ will offer – from five-star hotel rooms to independent homestay.”
Ryanair said the move was part of its “Always getting better” programme that it began three years ago in an attempt to improve its customer care. Among the improvements were the overhaul of its website, the addition of mobile boarding cards, and a reduction in the fees charged for checked bags.
The company has also implemented a package aimed at business travellers and another for families, introduced reserved seating and unveiled a new app with a “My Ryanair” service intended to offer a more personalised service to those who sign up heading up its new digital-focused strategy.
