Austria, Belgium, France, Germany, Greece, Italy, United Kingdom, Spain: Ryanair’s New Membership Aims to Revolutionize Budget Travel Across Top EU Tourist Corridors

Thursday, March 27, 2025

In a move that could reshape how budget-conscious travelers book flights in 2025, Ryanair has launched its brand-new Prime membership program, promising exclusive seat deals, travel insurance, and cost-saving perks for loyal passengers. The initiative, announced on March 24, 2025, aims to reward regular fliers by offering up to £420 in annual savings for those flying 12 times a year, or up to £105 in savings for travelers taking just three round trips.

For an annual fee of £79, members gain access to:

• 12 annual seat sale events exclusive to Prime members
• Free reserved seating on selected rows
• Free travel insurance (with certain conditions)
• The ability to add a Ryanair Prime Companion to share benefits

However, this deal comes with some eligibility caveats, regional restrictions, and fine print that international travelers should review closely before enrolling.

Eligibility Limited by Region and Age: Who Can Actually Join Ryanair Prime?

Ryanair’s new subscription service isn’t open to all flyers globally. Access to Ryanair Prime is capped at 250,000 members and is being offered on a first-come, first-served basis, meaning even eligible travelers may miss out if they don’t register quickly.

At launch, only travelers based in the following European countries can subscribe:

• Austria
• Belgium
• France
• Germany
• Greece
• Italy
• Ireland
• Netherlands
• United Kingdom
• Poland
• Portugal
• Spain

Travelers must hold a myRyanair account to subscribe. Without one, access to Prime is blocked. Additionally, age restrictions apply for travel insurance coverage: passengers aged 70 or above in the European Union—including those turning 70 during the contract year—are not eligible for full medical protection under the included insurance.

This geographic and demographic limitation means that while Ryanair serves numerous countries beyond Europe, the new Prime service is currently restricted to select EU and UK markets, with no immediate plans announced to expand it globally.

How the Benefits Work—and the Catch in the Fine Print

The benefits of Ryanair Prime sound enticing on the surface, but travelers should take note of a few fine print clauses:

• Free seats are limited to specific designated rows, and availability is not guaranteed. If no seats are open in designated zones, the system will apply random seat allocation.
• Member-exclusive seat sales are limited to once per calendar month during the membership year.
• Adding a companion to the Prime account comes at an additional voucher fee, and while companions can use most of the benefits, only the primary account holder can make bookings.
• The 12-month subscription is automatically renewed, unless canceled manually.
• Ryanair gift cards cannot be used to purchase Prime memberships.
• Travelers who wish to cancel can do so within 14 days, but only if no benefits have been redeemed.

For passengers who frequently fly Ryanair, especially for business or regular short-haul trips, the financial incentives may justify the membership. However, low-frequency travelers or those outside eligible regions may find limited value, especially given the access and seat limitations.

Ryanair’s Push Toward Loyalty in the European Travel Market

The Prime subscription is clearly part of a broader Ryanair strategy to increase repeat bookings, incentivize loyalty, and compete with other European budget carriers like easyJet and Wizz Air. With the return of high-volume air travel post-pandemic, airlines are increasingly looking for ways to lock in consumer loyalty, and subscription models have become a trending tool in the travel industry.

Ryanair CMO Dara Brady emphasized that for frequent flyers, the offer is a clear value proposition: “If you like flying regularly while also saving money, then Ryanair Prime is a no-brainer.” The airline hopes that bundling perks into one easy-to-manage subscription will streamline the user experience and reduce friction in the booking process.

Implications for Travel Planning Across Europe

For travelers planning trips across Europe in 2025, Ryanair Prime may offer a budget-friendly way to fly more while spending less—particularly for those who frequent city pairs like London–Barcelona, Dublin–Rome, or Berlin–Lisbon. The ability to include travel insurance and secure preferred seats adds appeal for families, couples, and small business travelers.

Still, with availability limits, age-based insurance restrictions, and country-specific access, many global travelers and older passengers may be excluded from this membership option altogether.

As the airline industry continues to test new monetization models, Ryanair’s Prime membership will be closely watched by both competitors and consumers. Whether it marks a revolution in budget air travel or a regionally confined value play remains to be seen.