Spirit to levy fee for carryon bags; Ryanair pressing forward on pay toilets

Two of the airline industry's ancillary revenue pioneers are attempting to see how far the fee-for-service concept can be pushed, with Spirit Airlines announcing that it will charge passengers up to $45 for carryon bags and Ryanair revealing that it is continuing to pursue its pay-per-use toilet idea.

Spirit, which was the first US carrier to impose checked baggage fees, said yesterday that it will begin charging passengers for bags that are stowed in overhead bins. The fee will be $30 if paid in advance online and $45 if paid at the airport, with frequent-flyer members charged $20. It will apply for flights booked going forward for travel starting Aug. 1.

The Florida LCC said the fees will allow it to keep fares low, acknowledging that a cabin baggage charge is an "unprecedented move." Personal items that can fit under seats, such as laptop computer bags and purses, will remain free. Other items, such as umbrellas, "reading material for flight," diaper bags and "food for immediate consumption" also will be free, it said.

Its checked baggage fees will remain $15 for a first bag and $25 for a second on domestic flights and $20 and $30 on international flights/ All checked bag fees must be paid in advance.

COO Ken McKenzie said the new fees will reduce "fares even further ... [and] reduce the number of carryon bags, which will improve inflight safety and efficiency by speeding up the boarding and deplaning process." He added, "Bring less, pay less. It's simple."

Meanwhile, Ryanair appears to be moving ahead with plans to charge customers to use toilets on short-haul flights. According to its inflight magazine, it is working with Boeing to develop a coin-operated door-release mechanism and plans to charge passengers €1/£1 to use restrooms on flights of 1 hr. or less.

Yesterday the airline said it will increase checked baggage fees from €15/£15 to €20/£20 per first bag (weighing a maximum 15 kg and booked online) in July and August for all bookings made beginning today. Checked bag fees remain €15/£15 for passengers traveling outside of the two peak summer months. It did not mention the charge for a second bag, which currently is €35/£35 when booked online. The charges double when paid at the airport.