Ryanair Adds Thousands of Extra Christmas Seats on Bournemouth Routes This Year

Ryanair has added more than 7,600 extra seats on flights to and from Bournemouth during Christmas week, responding to a clear rise in seasonal travel. The airline expects over 14,000 passengers to move through the airport during this period as people return home or plan festive breaks. These additional seats form part of Ryanair’s winter schedule, which has already seen strong bookings ahead of the holiday season.

The additional seats are concentrated around the days that usually see the biggest pressure on bookings - when people travel home, students return from universities, and holiday trips begin. Ryanair reports that demand across its winter schedule has grown steadily, and the Bournemouth increase comes as a direct response to routes filling earlier than expected. The airline aims to prevent last-minute shortages and offer more seats at steady prices rather than leaving passengers with only premium-fare options.

The rise in seasonal demand is also linked to Bournemouth’s role as a convenient airport for people returning to Dorset and Hampshire for the holidays. Many passengers choose it to avoid long journeys to larger hubs, especially during the busy Christmas period. With families reuniting, students travelling home, and winter breaks becoming more common, the airport sees a noticeable spike in December traffic every year. The town itself stays busy in winter thanks to its seafront walks, Christmas lights, and easy access to coastal attractions, which continue to draw visitors even outside the summer season.

For passengers, the additional seats make several destinations more accessible during one of the busiest times of the year. Popular winter city routes, regional airports close to family homes, and sun-seeking destinations on the airline’s network become easier to book. With Bournemouth often serving as a convenient starting point for people across Dorset and Hampshire, the extra availability reduces the need to travel to larger airports or rely on indirect routing at short notice.

The decision to expand Christmas services follows a clear rise in end-of-year travel. Many December flights are already close to selling out, so the extra seats give people more room to choose dates that suit them rather than switching to other airports. Those planning to fly during Christmas week still need to book early, but the added capacity makes finding a workable option noticeably easier during a period that usually fills up fast.