Eight ways how Air Asia can charge travellers more

Oh no…Air Asia said it plans to increase non-ticket revenues by 20-30%. That means more bad news to consumers / budget travelers - very likely, we have to pay more for something, somehow.

When Air Asia first started, it only charged booking and administration fees. Now, AA charges for almost anything and everything that it can think of and justify for. AA customers now have to pay for more if they want:

• Priority boarding
• Counter check-ins
• Meals and drinks (during flight)
• To book seats
• To check-in their luggage
  
• To check-in their baggage
• Extra baggage
  
• To call AA's call centre and be assured that their calls are (promptly) attended to (calls are charged by the minute)
  
• To pay via credit cards (AA calls it convenience fees)
  

Are these justified? AA can argue that these are optional items and travelers need not pay anything more if they choose not to have these “extra” services

So what more can AA can offer us travelers and then charge us for them? A lot more!

Here are the eight ways AirAsia can increase their non-ticket revenues:

• Priority to alight from planes (when you arrived at your destination airport) – those who pay can alight first, need not queue like the rest

• Use of toilets /lavatories (either basic and premium) during flight – you know, like shopping malls

• To purchase toilet papers / hand-wash soap etc. – else, bring your own

• To re-heat meals - normal meals will be served cold/ at room-temperature

• Priority, home-like service (during flight) – you pay if you want better treatment from the flight stewards/stewardesses. They will greet you, smile more and attend to your needs promptly. If flights are canceled/delayed, you will be informed first

• Priority, home like service (ground) - pay if you want to be first to be informed about flight cancellations/delays via personal phone-calls (rather than cold, distant SMS), frequent timely flight updates, priority hotel accommodation (on AA) if flight's disrupted, request for any refund would be prioritised etc. -- essentially just better ground service
  

• Extra passenger weight – tickets bought are only valid for certain weight limit. If you are overweight, you will be charged extra. Self-weighing machines will be placed at waiting terminals, with date/time and weight stamps that will be checked upon prior to boarding

• To take photos of AA planes and stewardess/steward (or together with them)