Airlines Fees For Toilet Use + More

March 3, 2009 by Gennaro  
Filed under Travel News

This week, two budget airlines are in discussions with regard to unprecedented fees for their customers. Ryanair’s Michael O’Leary has admitted to pondering coin-operated toilets on their airplanes. Spirit Airlines, who recently had an issue with their employees over aprons with advertising, has proposed a special passenger usage fee for buying tickets. This fee would be accessed for consumers who purchase their Spirit tickets anywhere except the Spirit ticket counters.
ryanair500scot_w_9.jpg Ryanair © Scott_W_9

It’s difficult to believe that Ryanair will actually go through with charging their clients to use in-flight toilets. While airlines have the right to make a profit, this measure challenges basic decency. What if a customer doesn’t have the correct change?

Spirit Airlines, on the other hand, already has a track record for initiating special fees in order to maintain their low-ticket costs. They claim that an agreement has already been reached with the U.S. Department of Transportation. While it’s an inconvenience to loyal Spirit passengers, it’s still part of the overall cost comparison for ticket buyers.

Read about bus traveling taking off in the United States.

Read about Delta’s decision to charge overweight passengers double the fare.

 

Sign up to receive our free content RSS or travel updates by e-mail.

Spirit Airlines Faces Employee Revolt

January 29, 2009 by Gennaro  
Filed under Travel News

Spirit Airlines hits the headlines with another controversy. Their employees are urging the discount airline to discontinue a new policy that requires fight attendants to wear aprons with beer logos. A spokeswomen for the Association of Flight Attendants called the aprons “demeaning.” Read more on Yahoo! News.
apronnormanack.jpg Apron © Normanack

This isn’t the first problem Spirit has faced. They were also criticised for using sexually-explicit advertising in connection with their MILF: Many Islands, Low Fares (below) marketing campaign. This refers to an explicit term that was popularized by the film American Pie. Spirit executives deny the connection. The racy advertisements were mentioned along with the aprons as a pattern of behavior from the company. Read more on ABC News.
spiritadtifotter.jpg Spirit Advertisement © Tifotter

Spirit Airlines continues to walk a thin line. Their earlier advertising campaign was successful in that it brought the company into the spotlight without consequences. The latest gimmick, however, has the potential to lead to press attention that may hurt the airline. With words like “demeaning” being flung, it may be a campaign that they regret.

Has Spirit Airlines crossed the line?

Read more about issues with Spirit Airlines or Delta’s decision to charge overweight passengers double the fare.

 

Sign up to receive our free content RSS or travel updates by e-mail.