Airlines starting to charge for hand luggage

The American budget airline, Spirit Airlines, has introduced a charge for hand luggage, ranging from $20 to $45.  Admittedly, they offer airfares starting at 1 cent!! 

However, this will be closely watched by other operators, thinking of Ryanair and easyJet in particular, and may change the charging structure in the UK.

Add to this the threat of paying for toilets or having standing only "seats" and it is clear that air travel will never be the same again.  I guess you get what you pay for, but with BA struggling with its "luxury" business model, it appears passengers are no longer prepared to pay for all the extras.

I quite like the cost of Ryanair and am quite prepared to put up with the spartan conditions for short haul flights.  I would not want to fly Ryanair to Florida however!!

Flying long haul, I would much rather have an all inclusive price, where meals drinks etc are included.  The seats on standard class are a tight enough squeeze as it is without continually having to fiddle about looking for money to pay for the next coffee.

Also, the price you pay for in flight drinks and snacks is extortinate.  It is something like £5 for a slice of pizza on Ryanair.  The charter companies are also in on the act, with carriers like Monarch asking £12 for inflight meals, served in tinfoil with plastic knives and forks that snap at the slightest provacation.

How do you see it?  Everything paid for individually or an all in price that everyone pays?  Soon you may not have the choice.
 
Posted by: MyGuide2 Admin on 06 April 2010