Cheapflights.co.uk predicts the future of airline hidden extras
Cheapflights.co.uk reveals the top 10 current hidden extras while its viewers predict the extras of the future. A recent poll asking users what low cost airlines would charge for next revealed that 51% believe they’ll soon be charged for using the loo, 12% believe they’ll be charged for looking out the window and 7% believe they’ll be charged for sick bags. Additional responses included oxygen, membership to the mile high club, sleeping and speaking to cabin crew.
The top 10 charges imposed on travellers currently include:
- Excess Baggage
- Airport Taxes & Fees including Air Passenger Duty
- Credit Card Payments
- Priority Boarding
- Airport Check-in vs. Online Check-in
- Meals
- Checked Luggage
- Fuel Tax Charge
- Carrying Infants
- Travel Insurance
Recent reports have shown that Cheapflights’ viewers’ predictions of being charged for using the lavatory could become a reality. For example, China Southern Airlines have already started saving on the cost of fuel by requesting that passengers use the loo prior to boarding the plane.
Future cost saving measures planned by the airline include cutting back on items like blankets, pillows, magazines and water. So the idea that travellers may one day be charged for these creature comforts doesn’t seem far fetched.
Nadine Hallak, Travel Expert for Cheapflights.co.uk says,
“Customers are often confused that prices listed don’t correspond to the cost quoted once they’ve completed their booking. This is because the imposed costs are often auto-checked without the customer noticing it and can add anywhere from £5 up to £50 on the final ticket price. So when you’re booking look out for pre-ticked boxes showing checked baggage charges, infant fees, sports equipment, musical instruments and so on.”
Travel insurance and baggage charges are two of the most commonly ‘hidden’ costs within the booking process. Insurance is often automatically added and unless the traveller knows to click the button that says ‘remove’, he or she will incur the cost involuntarily. Although baggage charges are incurred slightly differently, they still cause confusion as different airlines have different rules and travellers can end up paying all the way up to £300 in excess.
Vicky Karantzavelou
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Tuesday, January 06, 2009