Ryanair launches new 'prime' subscription, includes free reserved seats and insurance

Ryanair is launching its new ‘prime’ subscription service. The new programme will allow members access to 12 annual — or once per month — member-exclusive seat sales. In addition, reserved seating fees are waivered as well as offering free travel insurance. 

“Ryanair has been delivering the lowest fares (and the best services) in Europe for the last four decades, and we’re now extending our price leadership with the launch of our exciting new subscriber discount scheme – Ryanair 'prime',” said Ryanair CMO Dara Brady. 

The membership costs £79 per year. The subscription service is markedly cheaper than Wizz Air's ‘all you can fly’ subscription service that launched in August last year at €499 a year. However, Wizz Air's membership allowed for unlimited access to its international flight network — with a few caveats, including bookings have to be made more than three days in advance and seat availability. Bookings with Wizz's subscription service were also subject to the number of other ‘all you can fly’ members on the same flight. 

Ryanair's own subscription model comes with its own limitation with it being limited to only 250,000 members on a first come, first served basis. According to its terms and conditions, the service is limited to residents in Austria, Belgium, France, Germany, Greece, Italy, Ireland, Netherlands, UK, Poland, Portugal, and Spain. Other countries are not able to sign up for the membership due to “limitations that may apply to travel insurance coverage”. In addition, the special discounted fares cannot be used in conjunction with any other special sales and offers from Ryanair. 

The annual insurance is provided by Xcover. The insurance does not cover Covid-19 related flight reimbursements or if it is related to a pre-existing medical condition. In addition, the insurance does not cover medical claims if the member is aged 70 or over.

Ryanair claimed that members who fly 12 times per year can save up to £420 and added that even just flying three times per year will save members £105.