OK, so flying isn’t the most positive of topics in the media this week (although for once an airline can’t be blamed). However, one comedy PR story is about our beloved Ryanair, or as they refer to themselves: ‘the world’s favourite airline’.
They threatened to seek possession of The Telegraph journalist Bryony Gordon’s ‘flat and contents’ after she wagered them in an article against anyone who could show that Ryanair passengers enjoyed their flights. “You never hear anybody casually mention that they have just flown with Ryanair and that they really enjoyed it. I am willing to bet my flat and its contents that nobody has ever said the words ‘Ryanair’, ‘marvellous’ and ‘service’ in the same sentence” said Bryony.
Having publically written to her asking for the keys, she’s responded – and that’s key and that’s what’s clever; she’s responded and it’s created debate – just what Ryanair love. And they’ll have been rubbing their hands together in glee as punters took it into their own hands, relaying their own experiences with Ryanair on Bryony’s page. And with their nonchalant ‘all PR is good PR’ approach whatever they’re saying, good and bad it doesn’t matter.
So not only does ‘the world’s favourite airline’ have an online debate, nicely focussed around words ‘marvellous’ and ‘service’ (words I would never have associated with the airline) they’ve also created the perfect platform upon which they’re able to tell us how much their customers love them.
Would love to be a fly on the wall in their office. Although adding my two pence worth though, I will never fly with them again after a hideous experience flying to Italy that cost us about £60 more in baggage/seats/seatbelts/flight attendants etc etc…