• Home
  • Latest
  • Fortune 500
  • Finance
  • Tech
  • Leadership
  • Lifestyle
  • Rankings
  • Multimedia

Trendingnow

1

MacKenzie Scott alone accounted for one-third of America's $19.2 billion in megagifts last year

2

Elon Musk on MacKenzie Scott giving away $26 billion of her fortune: 'Sadly,' it makes the world a worse place

3

Philanthropy leader at Warren Buffett and Bill Gates’ Giving Pledge says children of billionaires are pushing them to give their wealth away faster

1

MacKenzie Scott alone accounted for one-third of America's $19.2 billion in megagifts last year

2

Elon Musk on MacKenzie Scott giving away $26 billion of her fortune: 'Sadly,' it makes the world a worse place

3

Philanthropy leader at Warren Buffett and Bill Gates’ Giving Pledge says children of billionaires are pushing them to give their wealth away faster
RetailBoeing

RyanAir CEO speaks out on 2 years of Boeing problems: ‘spanners under floorboards,’ ‘missing seat handles’ and ‘much-needed’ new management

Sunny Nagpaul
By
Sunny Nagpaul
Sunny Nagpaul
Down Arrow Button Icon
Sunny Nagpaul
By
Sunny Nagpaul
Sunny Nagpaul
Down Arrow Button Icon
March 27, 2024, 10:56 AM ET
RyanAir CEO Michael O'Leary with a model plane in Germany.
RyanAir CEO Michael O'Leary with a model plane in Germany.wolterfoto/ullstein bild
Add Fortune on Google for similar content.

Boeing’s ongoing plane malfunctions have been making people uneasy—from regulators to customers to the flying public. 

Recommended Video

Now Ryanair CEO (and longtime Boeing customer) Michael O’Leary is piling on the plane maker. The famously outspoken CEO has slammed Boeing’s construction malfunctions and management problems in several interviews.

For the last two years, “we were finding little things, like spanners under floorboards, in some cases, seat handles missing, things like that,” O’Leary told CNN on March 20. All of those incidents, he said, show “a lack of attention to detail” and “quality issues at Boeing.” 

O’Leary also unloaded to travel website Skift, saying Boeing needs someone dedicated to “fixing the supply chain” and needs to make smarter management decisions to ensure maintenance and safety aren’t overlooked.

Since a door blew off from a Boeing plane in early January (and was later discovered to be missing four bolts), the company has faced high-profile failure after failure. Earlier this month, flames from the engine of a Boeing 737-900, operated by United Airlines, streaked the sky; a tire fell off another Boeing plane operated by United; and a Boeing 787 Dreamliner, operated by Latam Airlines, injured dozens after suddenly dropping mid-flight.

The outcry and intense scrutiny over Boeing’s safety practices have now led to the departure of CEO David Calhoun as well as Boeing’s chairman, and the replacement of commercial division head Stan Deal with Stephanie Pope, who’s been with Boeing for nearly 30 years and is now chief operating officer. 

Boeing did not respond to Fortune’s request for comment. A Boeing spokesperson told Business Insider this week the company is “squarely focused on implementing changes to strengthen quality across our production system and taking the necessary time to deliver high-quality airplanes that meet all regulatory requirements.” 

In a statement on Monday, O’Leary wrote that “we welcome these much-needed management changes in Seattle.” But he’s been vocal about his concerns over other management decisions. 

In the Skift interview, O’Leary criticized how Boeing replaced Ed Clark, an employee of 18 years and the former head of its 737 Max program. Katie Ringgold, the former vice president of 737 Max deliveries, took on Clark’s role and the company created a new executive position for Elizabeth Lund, who used to be the senior vice president of commercial airplanes, to oversee quality of the planes. 

The managerial move, which puts “someone in charge of 737s and someone in charge of safety,” O’Leary said, “smacks of corporate bullshit.” 

“They’ve appointed two very good ladies there,” he said, but added, “why isn’t the person in charge of 737s in charge of the fucking safety as well?” He went further: “They have a leadership team of 3,500 people, but that’s a committee designing a fucking camel.”

O’Leary believes these setbacks, in addition to Boeing’s delayed plane deliveries, will strain his airline’s operations and prove a burden to customers. He expects Boeing to fall short on its promised shipments of 197-seat 737-2-200 models by the end of the year, and said the shipping delays will render his airline’s fleet about 10 planes short. The aircraft shortage, which will continue during busier summer months, could drive Ryanair to raise ticket prices about 10% higher than what it charged last summer. 

Of Ryanair’s 600 aircrafts, 95% are manufactured by Boeing. It’s a partnership meant to pioneer air travel on a budget, while also investing in greener technology. Ryanair is now one of Europe’s biggest airlines, and the partnership is going strong: last May, Ryanair announced it ordered 300 Max 10s from Boeing, which offer 21% more seats and promise to burn 20% less fuel while being just half as loud as other plane models. 

Despite all Boeing’s plane malfunctions, air travel remains one of the safest ways to travel—there have been just two fatal accidents on U.S airlines since 2009. There were 9.6 million U.S flights last year. But the plane maker’s faults have been alarming people around the world, including prominent politicians like France’s minister of economics and finance, Bruno Le Maire. 

“I’d rather fly Airbus than Boeing. My family too: they care about me,” Le Maire said. O’Leary’s response was dismissive. “We live in a world where we encourage free speech and Donald Trump is talking rubbish and so is Bruno Le Maire,” he said in an interview with Politico, adding that other prominent airline manufacturers in Europe, like Airbus, have malfunction issues too.

The Fortune 500 Innovation Forum will convene Fortune 500 executives, U.S. policy officials, top founders, and thought leaders to help define what’s next for the American economy, Nov. 16-17 in Detroit. Apply here.
About the Author
Sunny Nagpaul
By Sunny Nagpaul
LinkedIn icon
See full bioRight Arrow Button Icon
Add Fortune on Google for similar content.

Latest in Retail

Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025

Most Popular

Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Fortune Secondary Logo
Rankings
  • 100 Best Companies
  • Fortune 500
  • Global 500
  • Fortune 500 Europe
  • Most Powerful Women
  • World's Most Admired Companies
  • See All Rankings
  • Lists Calendar
Sections
  • Finance
  • Fortune Crypto
  • Features
  • Leadership
  • Health
  • Commentary
  • Success
  • Retail
  • Mpw
  • Tech
  • Lifestyle
  • CEO Initiative
  • Asia
  • Politics
  • Conferences
  • Europe
  • Newsletters
  • Personal Finance
  • Environment
  • Magazine
  • Education
Customer Support
  • Frequently Asked Questions
  • Customer Service Portal
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms Of Use
  • Single Issues For Purchase
  • International Print
Commercial Services
  • Advertising
  • Fortune Brand Studio
  • Fortune Analytics
  • Fortune Conferences
  • Business Development
  • Group Subscriptions
About Us
  • About Us
  • Press Center
  • Work At Fortune
  • Terms And Conditions
  • Site Map
  • About Us
  • Press Center
  • Work At Fortune
  • Terms And Conditions
  • Site Map
  • Facebook icon
  • Twitter icon
  • LinkedIn icon
  • Instagram icon
  • Pinterest icon

Latest in Retail

Nike’s earning numbers exceeded Wall Street’s expectations. But CEO Elliott Hill’s next test is the World Cup
RetailNike
Nike’s earning numbers exceeded Wall Street’s expectations. But CEO Elliott Hill’s next test is the World Cup
By Mia OsmonbekovJune 30, 2026
11 hours ago
Stripe CEO Patrick Collison gestures with his hands as he speaks into a microphone before a congressional committee hearing.
Cryptostablecoins
Stripe, Visa and over 140 other businesses to launch stablecoin to rival Tether and Circle
By Camila Grigera NaónJune 30, 2026
15 hours ago
Should you go to work during a heat wave? Your productivity suffers, and GDP tanks when it’s hot
Environmentclimate change
Should you go to work during a heat wave? Your productivity suffers, and GDP tanks when it’s hot
By Catherina GioinoJune 30, 2026
1 day ago
Target worker stocks shelves
SuccessJobs
Target is starting to track employees’ unexcused lateness and absences with a points system—and if they rack up 12, they’re fired
By Emma BurleighJune 29, 2026
2 days ago
a
Commentary250 Years of Innovation
Atomic Industries CEO: America spent 60 years retreating from manufacturing. The next 100 are about building it back
By Aaron SlodovJune 29, 2026
2 days ago
green
RetailWorld Cup
France wearing green for the Statue of Liberty: inside the unusual interpretation of ‘national pride’ that makes World Cup jerseys
By Claire Rush and The Associated PressJune 28, 2026
3 days ago

Most Popular

MacKenzie Scott alone accounted for one-third of America's $19.2 billion in megagifts last year
Success
MacKenzie Scott alone accounted for one-third of America's $19.2 billion in megagifts last year
By Sydney LakeJune 25, 2026
6 days ago
Elon Musk on MacKenzie Scott giving away $26 billion of her fortune: 'Sadly,' it makes the world a worse place
Success
Elon Musk on MacKenzie Scott giving away $26 billion of her fortune: 'Sadly,' it makes the world a worse place
By Sydney LakeJune 29, 2026
2 days ago
Philanthropy leader at Warren Buffett and Bill Gates’ Giving Pledge says children of billionaires are pushing them to give their wealth away faster
Success
Philanthropy leader at Warren Buffett and Bill Gates’ Giving Pledge says children of billionaires are pushing them to give their wealth away faster
By Preston ForeJune 27, 2026
4 days ago
'Humanity has chosen to become idiots': This Brown professor switched to take-home exams after a mass shooting and discovered mass cheating
AI
'Humanity has chosen to become idiots': This Brown professor switched to take-home exams after a mass shooting and discovered mass cheating
By Catherina GioinoJune 29, 2026
1 day ago
The U.S. Army is opening military bases to private billions — here's why that changes everything for the next 250 years
Commentary
The U.S. Army is opening military bases to private billions — here's why that changes everything for the next 250 years
By Marc AndersenJune 30, 2026
20 hours ago
The retired college professor fighting a $313 trespassing ticket in Wisconsin thinks he's part of a national struggle
Environment
The retired college professor fighting a $313 trespassing ticket in Wisconsin thinks he's part of a national struggle
By Catherina GioinoJune 28, 2026
3 days ago

© 2026 Fortune Media IP Limited. All Rights Reserved. Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy | CA Notice at Collection and Privacy Notice | Do Not Sell/Share My Personal Information
FORTUNE is a trademark of Fortune Media IP Limited, registered in the U.S. and other countries. FORTUNE may receive compensation for some links to products and services on this website. Offers may be subject to change without notice.