MSE News: Government to crackdown on airline charges

NandoDave

edgex wrote: »

surely its common sense / standard practice on every other service that when people book more than 1 ticket as part of a transaction, they get seats assigned next to each other?

if tis discretionary, will they release the figures that show how many people buy multiple tickets but dont then want to sit together?
those figures would then show that maybe 50% of people pay the charge.

But perhaps, just perhaps, there is a large majority of people who board (particularly short haul) flights and neither want nor don't want to sit together for the 2 hours of flying time. They are going to spend 2 weeks in the sun together, they don't see how 2 hours can really mean much of a problem. These people, opt to give the airline the flexibility to seat them where they like, or find a seat when they board the plane. Those that don't want this 'risk' of spending 2 hours apart need to pay extra for that service.

I would suppose you don't get on a bus or train and then get annoyed because you can't find 2 or 4 seats together, if you book in advance, you aren't guaranteed seats together - so there is very little difference really. Low cost airlines keep the base prices low this way. It's simple - if you want higher levels of what you term 'service', go to where that level of 'service' is paid for.

Besides.... all this going on about seating fee's, the OP is about the insurance that airlines are automatically adding to your flight itinerary without you noticing. I'll bet there will be enforced claims for refunds of these charges because it is entirely possible or the first time flyer, etc to be signed up to this insurance without ever realising it was, in fact, optional.

moonaikee

I still cant understand why you have these extortionate fares during peak periods. we are supposed to be in a recession, but the big airlines still insist on putting up fares during these times especially school holidays. its about time the government did something concrete about that

_Andy_

moonaikee wrote: »

I still cant understand why you have these extortionate fares during peak periods. we are supposed to be in a recession, but the big airlines still insist on putting up fares during these times especially school holidays. its about time the government did something concrete about that

So how would the airline then make profit?
With your proposal, there would be less revenue for the airline. As a result they would have to lay off staff and cancel flights.
Great plan.

Are you suggesting an airline (or any other company) shouldn't be allowed to make profit?

Inactive

moonaikee wrote: »

I still cant understand why you have these extortionate fares during peak periods. we are supposed to be in a recession, but the big airlines still insist on putting up fares during these times especially school holidays. its about time the government did something concrete about that

It is called running a business, of course any business will charge accordingly dependent on market forces.

Don't travel during " school holidays " if you don't want to pay a premium.

Innys

moonaikee wrote: »

I still cant understand why you have these extortionate fares during peak periods. we are supposed to be in a recession, but the big airlines still insist on putting up fares during these times especially school holidays. its about time the government did something concrete about that

It's called supply and demand.