Charging passengers to reserve their seat, asking up to R1000 for the privilege of sitting in an exit row and trimming baggage allowances… even perhaps charging to use the toilet! Airlines are responding to the economic downturn by squeezing every last drop of revenue out of travellers… here's what you had to say about...

Economy class on most airlines is already a "cattle dip". Current ticket prices are already steep. I'm not in favour. Pay more for business class, fine. Surely one sacrifices enough 'at the back'?
Dr. A.J.

It certainly seems as if airlines are fleecing passengers when they charge exorbitant prices for passengers asking for a specific seat number or aisle seat! Before I fly overseas again, I will certainly make enquiries as to which airline is doing this and book with someone else!
Glynis

I just read your newsletter and am flying to the UK in December on Virgin — guess I’m going to have to buy a bigger suitcase to avoid taking more than one bag?!? As for paying for the emergency aisle seat — my husband is 6'4" — I think if he knew he was guaranteed that seat he would happily pay the £50.
Simonne

Whilst I am just over 5 ft and can curl up anywhere I really feel for the tallies — I think it is a bit unreasonable as height is something that is not within a persons power to change… unlike weight, that I would imagine only in a small percentage of cases is due to genuine medical conditions. Before penalising height, the overweight should be looked at as there is nothing worse than a long haul flight (or any flight for that matter) with someone else’s stomach creeping onto your lap!
Kate

To add insult to financial injury these ridiculous new charges, the worst being the proposal (now shelved) for passengers to pay to use the toilet, is their smarmy justification. Their kind intention to offer passengers "seating options" or "control over their flying experience" does not sit well. Unfortunately, it is the counter staff who will suffer the anger of families or friends denied the option of being seated together, particularly over long flights.
E.A.M.

I flew Delta Airlines to NYC in April, and they don’t reveal the best thing about flying with them (although I’m not sure if this still applies) — even in economy, you’re allowed 50kg luggage! I went mad and bought the oddest and heaviest things while I was there!
Nadia

I agree — legroom seats should be allocated for exactly what it says — if you really need the space. On the contrary; my experience is of 'businessmen' taking up these 'company' legroom seats (maybe because they use the airline regularly) and irrespective of their need! Paying an extra charge of a R1000 sounds to me a bit heavy — I doubt if this is good, fair business.
Helene

Absolute farce. When passengers book their seats early the airlines then know where they stand in respect to passenger numbers, so surely this insurance by passengers is an asset they (airline) are now throwing away, thus these passengers should be entitled to have choice of seat. What we then as passengers now will do is book late which will leave flights uncertain as to whether they will be economic of not — so I say stuff them we will just fly with the airlines that accommodate us better.
Len

This is just plain extortion. I will check in advance what charges the various airlines have next time I need to book. Last year we flew on Delta and although I booked in both my daughter and myself simultaneously, we could still not get seats together. We had to wangle with our fellow passengers to get seated next to each other. The airlines should consider their passengers, since ticket prices are fairly steep.
Elizabeth

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