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Ryanair rules out 'fat tax' for passengers

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Published Date: 09 May 2009
By CLAIRE SMITH
BUDGET airline Ryanair has said it will not be implementing a "fat tax" for passengers who take up more than one seat – although a third of passengers who completed an online survey said they would support the extra charge.
The airline considered introducing the tax after 30,000 passengers said they believed the airline should follow the example set by some US airlines.

A spokesman said yesterday that weighing customers would lead to longer queues and check-in times, and confirmed the idea had been shelved.

Stephen McNamara of Ryanair said: "We are the first UK-based airline to consider such a charge, but as Europe becomes bigger, other airlines will undoubtedly have to think about it."

Charging more to larger customers has already been adopted by at least two American airlines after complaints from passengers forced to share a flight with someone too big to fit into an economy seat.

Ryanair chief executive Michael O'Leary recently caused controversy by suggesting his passengers might be charged for using the lavatories.

The no-frills airline has also asked passengers whether they would be prepared to pay extra for bikini clad cabin crew or for toilet paper with Mr O'Leary's face on it.





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  • Last Updated: 08 May 2009 9:46 PM
  • Source: The Scotsman
  • Location: Edinburgh
  • Related Topics: Budget airlines
 
1

Brodric,

09/05/2009 00:54:29
A third of passengers? Who are these people? We live in selfish uncaring times, folks. Beware if you are different from these holier-than-thou "normal' people, who want to impose their 'thin' uncaring, rude, xenophobic laws on you.
2

Jock's Away,

Africa 09/05/2009 07:00:11
Interesting options when I started flying in the 50's every thing (body) was weighed. However transport operator have redsigned seats and configurations to pack people in in the rush to bigger profit margins. Planes, trains and buses all have used this technique.
Totally ignoring the historic fact better fed people are being born and grow larger Not repeat Not necessarily obese though this is an added dimension.
The design of equipment are often predicated on profit and asthetic to attract rather than the utilies of the task it has to perform.
The management of these companies appear to be incapable of managing there companies challenged turning to milk the customer as an easy solution. Dog eat dog great social values.
3

long live the supermarkets,

every little hurts 09/05/2009 12:19:20
With my ever expanding waist line they should put in some extra large seats that don't cost that much extra and that might ease the problem.
4

sam the god,

09/05/2009 13:02:01
why should i have to share my seat with fat people will i get a rebate for not getting my full share of the seat allocated to me will the fat person compensate me. if they are bigger than the seat then yes they should pay more
5

Adamantium,

09/05/2009 20:42:41
Give everyone a total weight allowance for example 100kg combined body, hold baggage and hand luggage then if you're over that you pay extra. Simple.
6

truthsleuth,

22/05/2009 01:42:31
I hear that the next con is to declare the toilets 'business class'
7

Thrisey,

27/07/2009 15:40:20
I am 6' 2" I don't really fit in these super small airline seats anymore, they sqush us all up as close as possible to make as much money as possible, yes i know you can pre book seats at a now laughable added cost to you flight but why should I give them even more profit because I am slighly taller than joe average, passenger comfort is no longer a priority on airlines, cash is king, if you are not a 5ft, 10 stone person, then just suffer basically, some of the people I see shoe-horned into the seats now, they must be flying so close to H&S breaches!

 

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