On Monday, a Ryanair spokesperson said 14 routes between Europe and the U.S. were in its future. On Thursday, the budget airline's board quashed the idea of ultra-cheap transatlantic flights, dashing the hopes of frugal travelers everywhere.
"In the light of recent press coverage, the Board of Ryanair Holdings Plc wishes to clarify that it has not considered or approved any transatlantic project, and does not intend to do so," Ryanair Holdings said Thursday in a statement.
Ryanair currently operates only Boeing 737-800s, which means the company would have to acquire additional aircraft designed for long-haul flights before offering transatlantic routes.
"We estimate that's four to five years away," a company spokesperson told the BBC on Monday, before the board issued its backtracking statement.
The flights would have supposedly gone for as little as £14 ($21) one way.