Air passengers could soon be slapped with charges to use the loo as carriers ponder extreme revenue-raising to counter flagging profits. Other options being considered by low-cost carriers include fines for overweight passengers and steps to make people carry their own luggage to the plane. Passengers already cop extra fees for everything from luggage to meals, seats with extra leg room and in-flight entertainment.
But now cost-cutting is hitting brutal levels.

The UK’s Ryanair last week announced its intention to eliminate check-in desks and possibly baggage handlers. It has also asked Boeing to design credit card-operated toilets. "Most people would go to the loo before they get on the plane, or they hold it until they land. You would only have to deal with the people who absolutely have to go," Ryanair Chief Executive Michael O’Leary said of the toilet fee. Ryanair also considered a “fat tax” – a policy already implemented by United Airlines; charging extra for toilet paper and fees for smoking in a converted toilet cubicle.

Even the simplest comforts are being taken away from flyers, with American Airlines pulling pillows off most of its domestic routes in a move expected to save the airline $500,000. The constant drive to reduce prices is benefiting travellers, but while airfares may seem cheap consumer watchdog CHOICE warns people to watch out for extra fees that may push up the cost of travel substantially. “The cost of flying is lower than it was a year ago due to competition and the downturn,” CHOICE spokesman Christopher Zinn said.

“People have more choice which is generally a good thing but there is no doubt that things bundled into flights before have gone. “Consumers need to be aware of optional extra charges as they can add significantly to the cost of the flight. It can end up being more expensive flying on budget airlines adding in optional extras than a standard packaged airfare,” he said. So how does Australia fare in this environment, and what extra fees do our airlines impose?

Extra baggage will cost you

Australian passengers face many different fees when booking airline tickets and it can be difficult to determine the total cost or extra fees, especially when it comes to luggage.
“All the airlines currently have different policies in regard to what you have to pay and some of the airfares don’t have any allowance for luggage so you have to be careful,” Mr Zinn said. Tiger Airways charges check-in baggage fees, and if you want to take your surfboard or clubs with you, it will cost an extra $30. Their luggage upsize option offers passengers the chance to pay for the amount of luggage they travel with. Prices range from $5 for 15kg to $40 for 40kg. However it is excess baggage fees that can sting unsuspecting passengers most. Fees vary enormously.

“There has been a big change in luggage. It used to be everyone had the same fares and if you were a bit over the luggage limit the check-in staff would let you in with a wink and a nudge," Mr Zinn said. "However the charges if you’re a bit over can be very hefty now.
“There’s no doubt there are people who turn up at airport with excess luggage and are charged hefty fees who are far from happy, and they’re the victims in this.” Qantas calculates excess luggage charges based on a zone system ranging from $12 per kilogram to $48, while Jetstar charges customers an extra $10 if they want to travel with carry-on baggage up to 20kg. Going over Virgin Blue’s 20kg domestic baggage limit will set you back anything from $20 to $85.

However change is on its way. Mr Zinn said customers wouls be better informed of fees and charges from May 25, when the ACCC’s clarity in pricing, part of the Trade Practices Act, comes into place. Airlines will be obliged to make the total price clearer and show prominently the total cost of the fare on all promotions.

Booking charges

All bookings come with a fee, especially if you want to change the date you fly or cancel it altogether. Tiger Airways charges travellers a $5 convenience fee on all bookings made via electronic payment, while Virgin Blue includes a $3 surcharge to domestic and $5 for international flights booked using a credit or debit card. All Qantas domestic and international bookings paid by credit or charge card will attract a fee ranging from $6.60 to $18, while bookings over the phone can cost anything from $27.50 to $45.

Jetstar charges customers $3 for changing domestic flights or $5 internationally.
Cancelling or changing your Virgin Blue booking can incur costs ranging from $35-$60, while over-the-phone cancellations with Qantas start from $10 domestic flights, to $100 international. Jetstar charges up to $50, and Virgin Blue up to $60.

Special requests

Fancy more leg room or proximity to an emergency exit, or perhaps you want to watch a movie while having a snack? It’ll cost you. Airlines such as Singapore Airlines charge at least $50 for passengers who want a seat besides an emergency exit. Similar fees are charged closer to home. Passengers who want extra leg room on a Virgin Blue flight you can book an over-wing exit row seat, or Blue Zone, for an additional $25 to $45. You can also purchase extra leg room seating in exit room seats on Jetstar planes.

Entertainment

The nature of inflight entertainment has changed dramatically, from watching one large screen towards the front of the aircraft, to having small screens on the back of the seat, to portable devices. If you want entertainment on a Jetstar flight, it will cost you $15 for a portable video unit. On Virgin Blue you can purchase LiveAir, which plays Foxtel and costs $5 on short flights and $10 on longer flights, or for $20 you want an inflight Digeplayer entertainment unit with music, TV and movies. Mr Zinn says the most important thing is for consumers to be aware of these charges and consider which airline has the best offer.

source: news.com.au