First for Ryanair as it launches first connecting flights on one booking

In its biggest departure in years, Ryanair has launched its own connecting flights as it looks to partner with Norwegian, Aer Lingus and other carriers to provide interlining services to long haul services.

The first connecting flights, starting initially out of Rome’s Fiumicino Airport, are available to book on www.ryanair.com for passengers who wish to book a Ryanair flight and transfer directly onto a connecting Ryanair service.

Kenny Jacobs, Chief Marketing Officer of Ryanair, announcing Ryanair’s connecting flights from Rome Fiumicino Airport

Kenny Jacobs, Chief Marketing Officer of Ryanair, announcing the Irish carrier’s connecting flights from Rome Fiumicino Airport

The services available for connection from Rome’s main airport are:

Alicante
Barcelona
Bari
Brussels
Catania
Comiso
Malta
Palermo

Passengers will be able to transfer ‘airside’ onto connecting flights without having to go ‘landside’ and have their checked-in baggage transferred through to the next flight to their final destination, with one booking reference for both flight bookings.

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Ryanair said it’s the “newest initiative delivered under Year 4 of Ryanair’s “Always Getting Better” programme, with more connecting flights services to be rolled out across the entire Ryanair network later this year as long as the Rome Fiumicino trial proves to be a success”.

Chief Commercial Officer David O’Brien said: “We are also continuing our discussions with Aer Lingus and Norwegian – and other potential partners – with a view to launching connections with third party airlines later this year.”