Articles | Struggling airlines mull extras

Struggling airlines mull extras

Published: Wednesday, 24 September 2008, 7:25PM

ITV News has learnt that some airlines are planning to charge passengers for a host of new services, including using your mobile phone on board and upgrading in-flight food.

At a world airline congress in London, revenue raising was the central theme. We discovered that almost nothing is off limits when it comes to what will count as a chargeable extra in future.

While these have not been fully established, extras such as using your mobile on board could cost up to £2 per minute, food upgrades could be set at £10, it could be £25 for extra legroom and first-class style lounges could be sold to us for £20 a time.

They are ideas contained in documents seen by ITV News and being discussed by BA, Ryanair, BMI and Monarch, among others.

Tim Jeans, the managing director of Monarch Airlines, said: "Everything will be separate and extra for passengers in future.

"Whether they want fast track security, parking close to the airport terminal or to sit in an extra legroom seat those will be unbundled for the fare. Ultimately people always buy the lowest fare on the web."

Meanwhile, British Airways' boss said that while he is considering some charges for carrying sports equipment, he will resist the others.

Chief executive officer Willie Walsh said: "If you want to check in at the airport, you are going to have to pay. If you want to carry a bag, you will have to pay.

"I think you should look at anything you consider to be the norm and question if airlines will charge for it."