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Ryanair Contemplating Charging for Toilet Use

Airlines & Airports — on February 27, 2009 1:22 pm

Toilets signIn an interview with the BBC this morning, Michael O’Leary, the CEO of low-budget carrier Ryanair, floated the idea of making passengers pay to use toilets on planes.

“One thing we’ve looked at in the past and are looking at again is the possibility of maybe putting a coin slot on the toilet door,” O’Leary said during a conversation about how the company is trying to lower the cost of airfare by finding new sources of discretionary revenue.

O’Leary’s comments immediately provoked a strong reaction from consumer groups, pilots, the media, and even Ryanair itself.

British consumer advocacy group Which? immediately criticized the airline for putting profits before passengers.

Ryanair’s own pilots are reportedly none too pleased about the idea, and told The Times of London that they were worried about how many free toilet tokens they’d receive.

The company defended its strategy of charging for à la carte items, claiming that it makes flying more affordable.

“We’re all about finding ways of raising discretionary revenue so we can keep lowering the cost of air travel,” O’Leary said in the BBC interview.

But is Ryanair really serious about charging customers a pound to “spend a penny” (a British euphemism for relieving oneself)?

Stephen McNamara, a spokesman for Ryanair, distanced himself somewhat from O’Leary’s comments, saying that the CEO often “makes stuff up as he goes along.”

McNamara added that the idea of pay toilets had been discussed within the company but there were no firm plans to introduce it.

The backtracking makes one wonder if perhaps the airline was floating the concept of pay toilets in the media in order to test the public’s tolerance for the idea.

Ryanair LogoIf that is indeed the case, it seems that Ryanair resoundingly flunked the test, considering the overwhelmingly negative reaction.

Furthermore, it seems somewhat disingenuous for any airline to claim that raising fees would somehow lower prices, considering that any “discretionary” revenue comes directly out of passengers’ own pockets.

The catch-22 is that it is nearly impossible for Ryanair passengers to avoid paying at least some kind of fee, whether it be to check bags at the airport (versus online), buy drinks on the plane, use a credit or debit card to book a ticket—or even to check in.

Last week Ryanair became the first airline to announce its intention to get rid of check-in counters. The company’s goal is to trim staff by having passengers check in online at home, and simply drop their bag at a luggage drop point when they arrive at the airport.

Some critics of the pay-toilet idea have questioned whether it is even legal to charge to use a toilet in a plane, the way that train and bus stations do.

The British Civil Aviation Authority says yes, but others argue even if it is legal, is it not ethical. Fees for meals, drinks and baggage can be avoided by choosing to bring your own food or pack more lightly, whereas some people have no control over when they have to answer a call of nature.

Related links: BBC Interview, Bloomberg, USA Today, Associated Press, Times of London

By Karen Elowitt for PeterGreenberg.com.

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  • http://petergreenburg vs

    I believe all parents should take their children aboard, let them soil themselves and rub it all over the seats, floors, etc. In this manner, the Irish potatoe rebellion would again start … only this time in the knickers would be found the lump :)

  • Roger A.C. Williams

    Railway stations in England already charge for use–a turnstile at the entrance. Pay toilets in the US went out years ago-dime-operated locks on the stalls, though there was often a free one. However it is frustratingly difficult to find a “public convenience”, the UK term, over here. I went through Boston’s N. Station once and the bathrooms were closed, while Park’n'Rides at Denver’s RTD transit agency don’t have bathrooms (just a booth with a lock on the door for drivers). Charging to go on a plane is outrageous.

  • Nedra Saucier

    As a former American Airlines Flight Attendant, I am appalled by this move to further revenue. What it’s going to be accomplished is to further enraging the flying pulbic. And, to retaliate they will find an inventive way to use the facilities (lav) without paying. I have watched my fair share of the parade, and their lines during flights. Rarely will the entire plane visit the lav during the flight. And, when they do so, as one passenger is leaving the lav, the next person in line is holding the door open for their entrance. And, consider the worse case senario. If no one has the correct change, the seat or aisle can become soiled due to a personal accident.
    I once joked about this happening with my fellow former airline crew as the airlines found ways to nickel-and-dime their passengers…but seeing this possibly become a reality is totally idiotic. This makes one question…when does the madness stop, and where is the line is drawn.??

  • S Mesirow

    Absolutely incredible–was this guy drunk or worse? With an ageing population and more people in Europe and the US (including myself) with diabetes, this is an outrageous idea. Further, though I often travel business class these days, has I can’t remember which craft it was, but I counted 166 seats in coach with only two toilets for them at the very back of the plane! Not only do I have to relieve myself regularly but I need to use the toilets for medical reasons not the least of which are insulin injections. O’Leary should not be allowed to use the facilities on ANY flight he uses himself, and certainly if this is characteristic of his judgment, I would be suspicious of Ryanair in general and and Ryanair!

  • Shelley Mesirow

    Absolutely incredible–was this guy drunk or worse? With an ageing population and more people in Europe and the US (including myself) with diabetes, this is an outrageous idea. Further, though I often travel business class these days, I can’t remember which craft it was but I counted 166 seats in coach with only two toilets for those passengers and at the very back of the plane! Not only do I have to relieve myself regularly particularly on the long haul flights, but I need to use the toilets for medical reasons not the least of which are for insulin injections. O’Leary should not be allowed to use the facilities on ANY flight he uses himself, and certainly if this is characteristic of his judgment, I would be suspicious of Ryanair in general and their cost-saving measures. including plane maintenance.. Shame on them!

  • Marco A. Sandoval

    If any airline charges me to use the restroom, then I will bring a Glad freezer bag, and leave it for the cleaning crew in the magazine pouch in front of me. On the bag it will read, “This Is Not Aunt Bee’s Lemonade!”

  • D. Bokr

    When you book a flight on Ryanairs website, you will be asked such questions as whether you wish to board first, do your require travel insurance, are you checking in bags, do you require airport check in etc etc. These requests all cost extra in addition to your original fare.
    I wouldnt be suprised when I one day read:
    Do you wish to use the bathroom during the flight. Yes? How many times?
    Ryanairs profits on selling beverages on board will plummet when passenger dont dare to use the toilet during the duration of the flight.
    Did you you take this in to account Mr O Leary?

  • http://twitter.com/nickbrandtfr Nick Brandt

    We were just talking on Toby Quitter about how Ryanair want to sell electronic cigarettes on their flights and now this…

    The passengers are in your care and they are locked up in the plane, what if somebody forgot their wallet, do they need to beg, sing or use the sick bag? Hey, there is an idea, a pound for a sick bag?