Budget flight providers have grown in popularity in the UK over recent years, as the lower costs offered have made foreign holidays accessible to a higher number of consumers. In fact, even throughout the recession, well-known companies such as Ryanair and easyJet have been able to achieve enviable annual profits and launch takeover bids for less successful airlines – with the result that British consumers now have a greater choice of budget flights than ever before.
However, there are downsides to travelling with a no-frills airline, such as the extra charges piled on for luggage, less legroom on many of their planes and, of course, the crowds at the boarding gate due to the fact that the majority of budget airlines do not offer the option of reserving a seat before boarding.
Yet this will no longer be an issue for easyJet passengers, as the airline has announced plans to deliver free allocated seating on all of its commercial aircraft. From the 13th November, passengers will be given seat numbers when they check in when flying from airports such as Glasgow, Bristol, Luton, Gatwick South, Southend and Stansted, following a successful trial of the scheme during the summer.
However, for some passengers this news will come at a cost, as in order to pre-book seats, perhaps for extra legroom or to be located nearer an exit an additional charge will apply. The most expensive seats – those in the front row of the aircraft and next to exits – will cost £12 per person, while the privilege of sitting in the front rows of seats excluding the first will cost £8. Booking any other seat on the aeroplane will cost £3 on top of the ticket fee.
For those who do not wish to choose their own seat, no extra fee will apply as easyJet staff members at the check in desk will simply allocate their seating arrangements upon arrival at the airport.
Yet this new seating arrangement does bring up a certain troublesome issue for passengers travelling in a group or with children – the cost of being able to sit together. For a family of four, booking four standard seats together will cost £12 on top of the existing fee on a one way journey, becoming £24 for a return. In a country recovering from recession, this may be just enough to put families off travelling with this particular budget airline.
Despite this problem, easyJet claims that the trial of allocated seating proved to be exceptionally popular. In fact, 70 per cent of passengers on participating flights preferred to be given a seat when checking in as it made the boarding process much more efficient.
Furthermore, more than 60 per cent of passengers who were given allocated seats as part of the trial said the method had made it more likely that they would travel with easyJet again in the future.
EasyJet added that, for families concerned about being sat together, the majority of passengers during the trial period did not pre-book a seat, and were simply sat with the group they checked in with at the airport – thus saving £3 per person on early booking.
Chief executive of easyJet, Carolyn McCall, said; “Allocated seating gives all our passengers a better boarding experience and offers the choice of selecting a seat to those who want to.
“On trial flights the majority of passengers were simply allocated seats when they checked in.
“Some passengers chose particular seats with bestselling seats usually those near the front, for those who wish to get off the aircraft quickly at their destinations, and exit row seats with their extra legroom.”
Would you consider paying an additional fee for a seat with extra legroom or one which would allow you to exit the plane more quickly, or do you think that a further cost on top of the tickets and taxes would be a bridge too far for the majority of passengers? Do you think allocated seating is the most efficient way of cutting down the crowds at the boarding gate, or do you think seating on an easyJet aeroplane should still be on a first come, first served basis?
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