Jaunted

The Travelzoo study was conducted last July (before Ryanair's controversial fee was introduced) and the wording of the question was:

“When flying, would you agree to not use the restroom if it meant you could save 50% off the ticket price?”

Interestingly, the survey was also broken down by geographical areas of the participants. So nearly half (46 percent) of Midwesterners said they would forfeit their bathroom access for a discount. Thirty-eight percent of Northeasterners would sacrifice the loo compared to 40 percent of Southerners and 42 percent of West Coast folk.

As if that wasn't disturbing enough, 28 percent of consumers surveyed would actually stand, rather than sit if it meant they could save fifty percent on an airline ticket. We would surely do this on shuttle/commuter flights like NYC to Boston or LA to Las Vegas. But NYC to LA? Heck no. And wait, isn't it illegal to stand when the "Fasten Seat Belt" sign is turned on?

Now going to back to the urination fee, we don't think Ryanair ever said it would lower its prices if it enacted this new fee. It was pretty much just another way to make more money off of its passengers. Like Spirit's random Passenger Usage Fee. Next thing you know, airlines will charge you for the privilege of taking off your shoes or maybe taking a nap, all without ever reducing your ticket price.

So now we have to ask: What would you rather pay? A $4.90 Passenger Usage Fee or a fee onboard to use the restroom? Drop your preferences in comments below.

Related Stories:
· Ryanair Coverage [Jaunted]
· Airline Fees [Jaunted]
· Travelzoo [Official Site]

[Photo: Roger Wendell]