Ryanair Holdings Group operates one of the largest low-cost airline fleets in the world, with 610 aircraft. The majority are Boeing 737-800s and 737 MAX 8-200s, alongside a few Airbus A320ceos. However, there is one exception—a single Boeing 737-700, which stands out due to its unique history and role in the airline.
In this article, we explore why this aircraft is still in service, its history, its past VIP configuration, and how it currently operates under Ryanair’s Polish subsidiary, Buzz.
Ryanair’s Fleet Overview
As of early 2025, Ryanair’s fleet consists of:
- 410 Boeing 737-800s
- 173 Boeing 737 MAX 8-200s
- 26 Airbus A320ceos (primarily in use by Lauda Europe)
- 1 Boeing 737-700
Additionally, the airline operates Learjet 45s, but these are not used for regular passenger flights. Instead, they transport spare parts, maintenance crews, and senior management.
The Oldest Aircraft in Ryanair’s Fleet
The 737-700, now registered SP-RUM, is by far the oldest aircraft in Ryanair’s fleet.
- Age: 26.1 years (2.5 times the fleet’s average age)
- Oldest aircraft in Ryanair’s history
- 5.5 years older than the second-oldest plane in the fleet
Despite its age, Ryanair continues to use this aircraft due to its specialized role.
The History of Ryanair’s Only 737-700
This aircraft has had a long journey before joining Ryanair. It was among the first 737-700s built, with the line number 187, making it one of the 29 oldest active 737-700s in the world.
Timeline of Operators:
- 1999 – Delivered to Azzurra Air (Italy)
- 2002 – Returned to lessor
- 2002–2004 – Flew with Rio Sul (Brazil) before merging with Varig
- 2004–2009 – Joined Maersk Air and later Sterling Airlines (Denmark)
- 2009–2014 – Operated by AIRES Colombia, which became LAN Colombia
- 2015 – Acquired by Ryanair as EI-SEV
Initially, it was used as a training aircraft at Ryanair’s East Midlands base in the UK, but soon, its role changed dramatically.
The 737-700’s Brief VIP Experiment
In early 2016, Ryanair reconfigured the 737-700 into an all-business-class VIP jet. This move aimed to provide charter services for sports teams, corporate groups, and executives.
VIP Configuration Details:
- 60 leather seats (compared to 148 in a standard layout)
- 2-2 seating arrangement
- 48-inch seat pitch (more spacious than Ryanair’s usual 30-inch pitch)
- Basic food and drink packages available for purchase
Despite its premium configuration, the experiment was short-lived. By June 2016, just four months later, Ryanair abandoned the VIP project and reverted the aircraft back to a 148-seat layout.
The reason? Low demand and profitability—Ryanair’s ultra-low-cost business model thrives on high passenger volumes, and a 60-seat aircraft was not economically viable.
Why Doesn’t Ryanair Have More 737-700s?
Ryanair prefers larger aircraft because they offer better cost efficiency. The 737-800 (189 seats) and 737 MAX 8-200 (197 seats) allow the airline to transport more passengers, maximizing revenue from fares and add-ons (baggage, seat selection, food, etc.).
Key Reasons for Avoiding the 737-700:
- Higher Seat-Mile Costs – The 737-700 carries fewer passengers, making it less cost-effective.
- Lower Revenue Potential – Fewer seats mean less revenue from ticket sales and ancillary services.
- Fleet Consistency – Operating a uniform fleet of 737-800s and MAX 8-200s simplifies maintenance and training.
Instead of smaller aircraft, Ryanair focuses on high-capacity, fuel-efficient jets that fit its high-volume, low-cost model.
SP-RUM: Now Operating in Poland with Buzz
In May 2023, Ryanair re-registered the 737-700 as SP-RUM, transferring it to its Polish subsidiary, Buzz. It officially began scheduled services in October 2023, based at Katowice Airport.
Katowice: A Strategic Base
- Metro Population: ~2.3 million
- Catchment Area: 14+ million people (overlapping with Kraków)
SP-RUM operates six flights daily (three round trips), with an average flight duration of 1 hour 55 minutes.
Example Flight Schedule (January 27, 2025):
| Route | Departure | Arrival |
|---|---|---|
| Katowice → Oslo | 06:01 | 07:54 |
| Oslo → Katowice | 08:42 | 10:22 |
| Katowice → Dublin | 12:01 | 13:39 |
| Dublin → Katowice | 14:43 | 17:59 |
| Katowice → Dortmund | 18:47 | 20:04 |
| Dortmund → Katowice | 20:46 | 21:58 |
Despite being an older aircraft, SP-RUM continues to serve efficiently on high-demand European routes.
Ryanair’s sole Boeing 737-700, SP-RUM, is a unique exception in the airline’s otherwise standardized fleet. Originally acquired for training purposes, it briefly served as a VIP jet before returning to a standard configuration. Now, it operates regular commercial flights under Buzz from Katowice, Poland.
While Ryanair does not plan to acquire more 737-700s, this particular aircraft remains in operation, showcasing the airline’s ability to repurpose assets efficiently. For now, SP-RUM continues to fly across Europe, offering a glimpse into Ryanair’s evolving strategy.
