Girls of Ryanair 2011 bikini calendar just out

If they gave out Academy Awards for the best airline flight attendant erotic bikini calendars, Ryanair would win hands down in all categories. The latest ultimate bikini calendar is now available.

The Dublin based Irish low fare airline, famous for creating controversial buzz, has just released its 2011 cabin crew charity calendar, "The Girls of Ryanair", which should fly off the shelves as fast as their fleet of 252 all Boeing 737-800 aircraft.

Other airlines, including Mexicana and VivaAerobus, have both recently also released calendars with glossy images of beautiful stewardesses. But Ryanair has pushed the envelope further than the rest, successfully competing with the best commercial erotic offerings of Playboy, Penthouse, Hustler, and FHM, without crossing the line into pornography.

Some of the women even "remove their kit", as the British like to call taking it all off. The photography, lighting, and location are all stunning. Last year's calendar photo shoot was done in Alicante, Spain and Gibraltar, as shown in the video which accompanies this report.

Not everyone is pleased with the controversial calendar, which was first published in 2008. The Woman's Institue of Spain sent an angry letter to Ryanair chief Michael O'Leary complaining about the sexual objectification of the flight attendants. The National Women's Council of Ireland (NWCI) has also strongly criticized the calendar. That's like sending the CEO a bowl of catnip. Mr. O'Leary craves controversy, and the publicity it creates for his no frills airline.

The airline says it aims to raise €100,000, about $132,390 for charity this year, bringing the total raised from its calendars to more than €400,000 or $529,560. Ryanair crew select a charity to support each year, with this year's beneficiary Germany's Tafel, who provide food to people in need. Charities from prior years have helped the homeless, and disabled children and their families.

Tafel of course is delighted. Its Chief Executive, Gerd Häuser praised the project, saying "We encourage German passengers to buy even more Ryanair cabin crew calendars this year in the knowledge that every €10 they spend on the cabin crew calendar goes straight to Tafel."

To produce even more revenue for the airline, Mr. O'Leary proposed pay toilets on all Ryanair flights, and vertical, stand up seating. Our suggestion is to instead print more calendars.

You can decide for yourself if these calendars are offensive.

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