I'm sure there are managers who have had far greater financial success. But my companies such as easyJet have changed the lives of many people. We haven't just made flights affordable for a lot of people.

Unfortunately I have no rags-to-riches story to tell. Money never played a big role for me. My parents just had it.

Successes are always unique and hard to copy. The fact that easyJet became a success is due to a mixture of talent and luck.

People are grateful when you make a difference in their lives. That is the essence of any successful business

You can divide airlines into two camps: expensive and cheap. But I believe that we will only distinguish between long-haul and short-haul airlines in the future.

I didn't want people to say: Stelios does everything on the cheap at work, and in private he lives in the lap of luxury. That's not me. I don't need those status symbols. I don't need a private jet either when I can go everywhere with Easy.

America has its roots in a tradition of risk-taking pioneers. In more conservative Europe, if you fail in business or actually end up going to jail for it, you're finished as a businessman for good.