27 February 2009

Ã&#pound;1 for an in-flight pee?

Consumer body Which? Holiday has lambasted suggestions that Ryanair might start charging passenger for the use of in-flight toilets.

The budget carrier’s chief executive Michael O’Leary raised the possibility during BBC TV interview this morning.

"One thing we have looked at in the past and are looking at again is the possibility of maybe putting a coin slot on the toilet door so that people might actually have to spend a pound ($1.43) to spend a penny in future," he said.

This would not inconvenience passengers travelling without cash, he claimed

"I don't think there is anybody in history that has got on board a Ryanair aircraft with less than a pound."

Ryanair last week said it was to shut all check-in desks at airports and have passengers check in online instead as part of ongoing cuts to customer services. It is also to increase ancillary revenue by through an in-flight mobile phone service.

But Rochelle Turner, head of research at Which? Holiday, said: "It seems Ryanair is prepared to plumb any depth to make a fast buck and, once again, is putting profit before the comfort of its customers.

"Charging people to go to the toilet might result in fewer people buying overpriced drinks on board, though - that would serve Ryanair right."

A spokesman for rival Easyjet ruled out following suit, saying: "Inflation appears to have gone crazy, it now is going to cost £1 to spend a penny."

by Phil Davies

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Your Comments (21)

how many coin slots?

So not many passengers travel without a pound coin? What about the europeans who have Euros, and the Eastern Europeans who are outside the Eurozone? Will they have to exchange currency onboard to put the right coin in the slot or will there be multiple slots? And as we all know from the vending machines which go wrong, what will happen when the toilet coin slot jams up? Or that coin won't get accepted unless you spin it as you push it in?!!!

By Milind Puri, Tuesday, March 3, 2009
It gets better!

Micheal will be "flush" with money after this!!

By Margaret Brown, Tuesday, March 3, 2009
Surprised?

Why the surprise. We all know that Ryanair doesn't give a s**t about anyone!

By David Buse, Monday, March 2, 2009
Just a joke

Michael is making a joke on this one to see how people react and gain extra publicity for himself and Ryanair. As Max Clifford might say any news is good news.

By ben newsam, Monday, March 2, 2009
POOR POOR COSTA

THE BOSSES AT COSTA MUST BE RUEING THE DAY THAEY SIGNED WITH RYANAIR,MORE MISERY FOR COSTA PASSENGERS

By KELVIN SEXTON, Monday, March 2, 2009
Poor, poor Costa

THE BOSSES AT COSTA MUST BE RUING THE DAY THEY SIGNED WITH RYANAIR. MORE MISERY FOR COSTA PASSENGERS

By Nick Chaple, Monday, March 2, 2009
We're on a roll now

Oh yeah, I never thought about the oxygen mask & emergency evacuation slides. What about coin slots on the overhead lockers, the same on the sest back trays and the toilet soap despensers (assumming of course you can afford to have a pee). Extra charges for cabin crew that speak English 'clearly' or even for cabin crew at all! of course, self-service flights - brilliant. Extra charges for taking off on time, extra's for taking off at all! Oh god, somebody stop me!! Hey Michael, I'm quite good at this, any chance of a job, I'll pay you obviously.

By Keith Standen, Monday, March 2, 2009
We're on a roll now

Oh yeah, I never thought about the oxygen mask & emergency evacuation slides. What about coin slots on the overhead lockers, the same on the seat back trays and the toilet soap despensers (assumming of course you can afford to have a pee). Extra charges for cabin crew that speak English 'clearly' or even for cabin crew at all! of course, self-service flights - brilliant. Extra charges for taking off on time, extra's for taking off at all! Oh god, somebody stop me!! Hey Michael, I'm quite good at this, any chance of a job, I'll pay you obviously.

By Richard Fellner, Monday, March 2, 2009
Michael taking the michael

Yep, he's a good marketing man alright, he's got everyone rattled and talking,11 comments so far already, (never seen so many before). Anyway, using the loo's no good without paper! "how many sheets would you like to buy madam?" In-flight drink sales could become history me thinks!

By Keith Standen, Saturday, February 28, 2009
switch sell

Wizz air. Say no more!

By kennedy cree, Saturday, February 28, 2009
Even more charges on the way!!

Not only have Ryanair considered charging its customers to use the toilets, but they are also considering charging customers if they have to use the oxygen mask & emergency evacuation slides. It is not known whether the cabin crew will have to ask for tips from customers to pay their wages.

By NEIL WAINWRIGHT-FARRAR, Saturday, February 28, 2009
Yet another smart marketing scam

I don~´t think Mr O~´Leary is serious about this.What~´s next ? Charge for the volume of Oxygen breathed on board? Or is it simply a smart marketing action designed to create free publicity for Ryanair and get every one including the press to talk about them? Are we all that naive?

By Iain Webster, Friday, February 27, 2009
Yet another smart marketing scam

I don~´t think Mr O~´leary is serious about this.What~´s next ? charge for the volume of Oxygen breathed on board? Or is it simply a smart marketing action designed to create free publicity for Ryanair and get every one including the press to talk about them? are we all that naive?

By Patrick Coulomb, Friday, February 27, 2009
Drinks Too Expensive Anyway

Having just paid &#pound;7.50 for a Bacardi & Coke recently, I doubt anyone will have the need to go the loo, as the majority refused to buy a drink at these extortionate rates. Real Holiday Reports.Com

By gary hewitt, Friday, February 27, 2009
Taking the P...

Once again the Master of Publicity strikes - its nice to see Easyjet joining in and getting a bit for themselves with a jolly riposte and not a slanging match!

By Ian Wiseman, Friday, February 27, 2009
Taking the P...

Once again the Master of Publicity strikes - it's nice to see Easyjet joining in and getting a bit for themselves with a jolly riposte and not a slanging match!

By Andy Jarosz, Friday, February 27, 2009
They fell for it at Which?!!!

I saw the interview and thought Michael O'Leary was in playful mood! That had to be an early April Fool's prank? That's what I want to believe anyway!Very entertaining at 8am, especially in comparison to blood-boiling pension stories dominating the news!

By Clive Jewell, Friday, February 27, 2009
April Fools Day?

This is gold dust, you couldn't make this up if you tried, I am waiting for the day when Michael O'Leary will make a proper Gerald Ratner comment.

By David Jackson, Friday, February 27, 2009
I want to do my number 2!

Will we be charged an extra &#pound;1 for our number 2 -or will it be a weight in situation!!

By Margaret Brown, Friday, February 27, 2009
Just brilliant. It's win, win for ryanair!

Think about it (after you've stopped laughing). It will reduce the queues for the WCs. And less aisle-congestion means it's easier to push the trolley selling food, drink, duty free and scratchcards through the cabin. So Michael O'Leary makes money from people going to the WC; and sells more ancilliaries from the trolleys. It's just brilliant!

By paul rickard, Friday, February 27, 2009
Surely he's pulling our legs

Maybe they should charge &#pound;2 for pooing customers

By Alan Stevens, Friday, February 27, 2009