Ryanair and Aer Lingus engage in Twitter war

It’s a bit more than banter!

The rivalry between Irish airlines Aer Lingus and Ryanair has now spilled onto social media.

Never a pair to resist a dig at each other - the airlines took to Twitter to trade shots this evening.

Having been the target of several Ryanair takeover bids, Aer Lingus got the ball rolling by claiming the aircraft featured on the revamped Ryanair website was in fact an older Aer Lingus plane.

Epic #photobomb by EI-DVM on Ryanair's website! Even they know we're Best for Business 😀 pic.twitter.com/mYgDFbpg6P

— Aer Lingus (@AerLingus) January 15, 2015

Ryanair would say Aer Lingus had their head up in the clouds on that claim!

Even @AerLingus is talking about @Ryanair Business Plus. FYI, he's smiling cos he saved a fortune & avoided another late @AerLingus arrival!

— Ryanair (@Ryanair) January 15, 2015

Okay, it may have been a bit of banter up to that point and Twitter user Des Foley tried to step in and defuse the growing tension.

@AerLingus @Ryanair is this all friendly banter between marketing teams or do you actually hate each other? ✈️😜

— Des Foley (@ReallyDes) January 15, 2015

Aer Lingus then looked to step away from the conversation at that point.

@ReallyDes Just some healthy rivalry, Des. Isn't that right, @Ryanair

— Aer Lingus (@AerLingus) January 15, 2015

However, Ryanair - as always - was determined to have the last word!

We stopped being rivals in the 90s @AerLingus @ReallyDes. We'd have to treble our fares & lose 81m customers to be your rival #EuropesNo1

— Ryanair (@Ryanair) January 15, 2015

CEO Michael O’Leary talked about a new “cuddly” Ryanair on last Friday’s Late Late Show, however it seems there is still some teeth in the airline yet!

Who do you think won this round?