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Whilst some low cost carriers in
less regulated environments skimp on crew and pilots in other parts of the
world you end up paying for everything.
An
ABC USA report says that
just
in time for the US summer flying season, it looks like airlines and airports
have found new ways to squeeze some more money out of us.
The
latest fee is dropping somebody off at the terminal curb, with drivers at
UK’s Luton Airport, north of London, England and favoured by discount
airlines now charging pay to drop off travellers. That's right, the
airport is charging motorists roughly $A2:00 just to pull up to the curb and
let grandma out to catch her flight.
Have
the airlines simply gone too far? Well, love them or hate them - and we
guess most folks hate them -- these add-on fees look like they are here to
stay.
So,
buckle up, put your seatbacks and tray tables in an upright position and get
ready for ABC News' list of the nine most outrageous flying fees....and
don't fret, we're sure there will be plenty of more fees coming soon to an
airport near you.
Paying to Pee:
Don't laugh too hard (especially if you had that extra cup of coffee before
boarding your flight.) Discount European airline Ryanair is actually
considering charging passengers about $A2:00 for each use of the on-board
toilets. No word on when and if this will actually happen, but just a few
years ago, nobody would seriously talk such a fee.
A
Place to Rest Your Head:
It's one thing to remove pillows and blankets from planes to save weight
and, therefore, fuel., but US carrier JetBlue took things one step further
selling pillows for $7. The airline says this isn't your father's pillow
but a high-quality pillow and blanket kit, customized for the airline by
CleanBrands. JetBlue is calling it the world's cleanest pillow and blanket
travel kit.
The
$US2 [nearly $A3] Soda:
US
Airways gave up on this fee earlier this year but it still makes our list
just for the outrage factor. We just hope they didn't drop the fee to get
people to drink more water and soda in hopes that they will someday charge
for the bathrooms.
Booking Over the Phone:
Most of the major U.S. airlines charge $A20 to $A48 to book your flight
over the phone. We all know that in this do-it-yourself age, booking over
the Internet is cheaper and sometimes easier. But every once in a while it
is reassuring to hear a human voice on the other end of the phone. And
besides, do we get to charge them for being forced to listen to that
horrible hold music?
Checking Bags:
This is probably one of the most frustrating and hated fees out there.
Every major airline except Alaska, JetBlue and Southwest charge to check
luggage. Airlines typically charge $A20 to check that first bag and another
$A35 for that second bag -- each way. That could be an extra over $A100 for
a roundtrip flight.
Airport Check-In: We
once again hop across the pond and back to Ryanair for another outrageous
fee. The airline now charges people to actually check-in at the airport
instead of online. Fees can be as high as $A20 to see that smiling desk
agent print your boarding pass for you.
Kerbside Check-In
Back
in the United States, United, US Airways, Alaska, JetBlue and Spirit charge
nearly $A3 to drop your bags off kerbside instead of at the main check-in
desk. Yes, it's a nice convenience but this is on top of the $20 to $48
that passengers are already paying to check their bags. And finally, you are
expected to tip.
Seat
Assignments:
Discount airline Spirit started charging passengers last year just to
reserve a seat assignment in advance. It now costs passengers $A20 for an
exit row seat on Spirit, $A14 for an aisle or a window and $A7 for that
dreaded middle seat. And that is one-way.
Drop
Off Fee
Finally, we come back to Luton Airport's new fee for motorists who want to
drop off or pickup passengers at the terminal. All we ask is: after paying
all the other fees, who is going to have any cash left to pay to exit the
airport? |
