Ryanair's Secret 737-700: The Anomaly in the Fleet

Ryanair's fleet of over 650 aircraft may look like a sea of identical Boeing 737s, but one plane stands out as an anomaly. The Boeing 737-700, with registration SP-RUM, is the only 737-700 in Ryanair's massive fleet, and it has a unique history that sets it apart from its brethren.

The aircraft was originally acquired by Ryanair in 2015 and was used for crew training and corporate charters. It even had a stint as a premium business-class charter service, with 60 reclining leather seats in a 2-2 layout. However, this experiment did not last long, and the plane was eventually returned to its standard configuration of 148 seats.

So why does Ryanair still keep this unusual aircraft in its fleet? According to aviation experts, it's because the Boeing 737-700 provides flexibility for special missions that require a smaller capacity. Its unique physical characteristics also make it ideal for training and reserve operations.