Ryanair launches US site calling on tourists to trade Route 66 for Wild Atlantic Way

Ryanair has launched a new US website calling on American customers to "trade Route 66 for the Wild Atlantic Way".

The new website, which went live on Tuesday, aims to make it easier for US customers to book their European flights, according to Ryanair.

In a flashing banner across the top of the site’s homepage, Ryanair reminds US travellers “Uncle Sam says fly Ryanair”.

The airline says American tourists continue to travel to Europe every year with London, Dublin, Barcelona, Rome and Paris the top destinations for US customers. It adds that most of these visitors come from California, New York, Texas, Florida and New Jersey.

A statement from Ryanair reports US customers are now able to book their flights in dollars and are entitled to bring a free small second carry-on bag on board their flight.

The new site also features Ryanair’s “Fare Finder” which allows customers to find the lowest fares on offer through price point and by specifying their route and travel period.

Ryanair chief executive Michael O’Leary said in November he would like the airline to operate a low-cost transatlantic service from 15 European cities to about 12 US cities, but that sourcing the long-haul aircraft is a challenge.

“We would need a fleet of long haul aircraft. There is a historical shortage. We can’t get the aircraft we need for three or four years.”

Mr O’Leary also recently said he has learned humility and that he would have been nice to customers sooner, had he known it “would work so phenomenally well”.

"Being nice to people doesn't come naturally to me," he told the Deloitte Enterprise Ireland CEO Forum in Dublin in November. "I'd be more inclined to rob money out of people's pockets. Now I want to put money back in their pocket and help them save money."

“It’s not enough to be the cheapest anymore. We need to be the cheapest, the best and the friendliest.”