Business Opinion:It is the year 2010 and we are at an airport. A plane is moving away from the terminal and will shortly take off.

Stewardess (over the public address); Ladies and gentlemen welcome aboard the inaugural Ryanair . . . sorry . . . Aeroleary flight from Frankfurt-Hahn airport to New York-Buffalo international airport. My name is Svetlana and I will be looking after you during this flight. Please fasten your seat belts and make sure your seats are in the upright position.

First passenger (turning to his companion): This is great isn't it? I can't believe it! New York for €12 one way. You have to hand it to that O'Leary fellow, he has wiped the big airline's eye once again and we are all winners!

Second passenger: Did you say €12? I paid a good bit more than that I must say. When did you book?

First passenger: On the internet . . . December 2007 if memory serves me.

Second passenger: Oh, that explains it. I only booked last week. Cost me €120.

First passenger: Bad luck. Anyway, these are great seats. Only 40 rows from the front and on the top deck. These Airbus A380s are big planes. Very impressive.

Second passenger: Yes. Aeroleary got them for a steal when all the launch customers cancelled over delays. Quite a feat getting three decks into them.

First Passenger: Great seats all the same. Well worth the €30 charge to book a seat.

Second passenger: Would not mind a bit more legroom to be honest. I am petrified of this deep vein thrombosis thing.

First Passenger: Did you not book your slot on the running machine? Big mistake. Its only €10 for five minutes if you do it over the internet when you buy your ticket. Cost double that if you want to do it now.

Second Passenger: Didn't know about that. But at least I had the sense to pre-pay to watch the movie. A snip at €20.

First Passenger: Pay €20 to watch a movie. Not me. I have brought my laptop and have downloaded some of my favourite shows. (Proceeds to get out his laptop).

Stewardess (as if from out of nowhere): I see you are using your own electronic entertainment device. Can I get your docket?

First Passenger (in surprised tone): My docket?

Stewardess: Yes, when you booked, did you not see the section of the site on entertainment? If you want to use your own laptop you must pay a €20 handling fee.

First Passenger (outrage creeping into his voice): That's preposterous. I refuse to pay it. I shall read my book.

Stewardess: Good idea. The handling charge for a book is only €5.

Second passenger (interjecting): Do you mean to say that you have to pay if you want to do anything other than just sit here?.

Stewardess: Well . . . you can read the menu printed on the seat in front of you. I recommend the Aeroleary all day breakfast; a snip at €30.

Second passenger: But that is the only thing on the menu.

Stewardess: That is why I am recommending it. Don't forget there is a €20 waste disposal charge if you want to eat your own sandwiches.

Second passenger: Alright. I will have the breakfast.

Stewardess: Great. I will be back in two hours.

Second passenger: Two hours?

Stewardess: Yes, that's right. There is one of me and 700 passengers. You will have to take your turn.

First passenger: You know. I am not sure that this really was such a good idea. When you add up all the charges this is quite expensive.

Second passenger: And don't forget the cost of getting to Frankfurt from Dublin on Ryanair and hanging around that draughty cow shed they call a terminal for four hours.

First passenger: Ah well. Just think. Tonight you will be in New York.

Second passenger: Tonight! I don't think so. By the time we have cleared immigration and taken the bus from Buffalo, it will be tomorrow morning.

First passenger: I had forgotten the bus.

Second Passenger: You probably forgot the cabin baggage charges as well. You know when I add it all up this is going to cost me the best part of €400. And it's miserable.

First passenger: You are right. I kind of wish I had flown Aer Denis direct from Dublin to JFK, Could have had a swim in the rooftop pool in the new terminal and everything.

Second passenger (somewhat wistfully): Ah . . . Aer Denis. Letting him change the name was small price to pay for Denis O'Brien rescuing Aer Lingus after the open skies catastrophe. They really got stuffed by the American airlines didn't they?

First passenger: At least he kept the shamrocks.

Second passenger: How much does Aer Denis charge one-way to New York these days?

First passenger: I think its €650.

Second passenger (after a pause): You know, I have always wanted to see Buffalo. They have some very nice museums . . .