Bad business It’s time someone called out the insidious trend of airlines charging extra for every little possible thing they can. Qatar Airways, for example, has a so-called “business class lite” fare which, unlike standard business class, doesn’t allow lounge access or seat selection without significant additional charge. If such perks are not included in a business class ticket one can only wonder what one does get for the nevertheless exorbitant fare, compared to economy.
Most airlines these days don’t even allow economy passengers to select a seat at all without paying extra. Qatar Airways’ ‘business class lite’ fares do not include seat selection. The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) should take a close look at such practices, which border on being misleading and deceptive.
Otherwise, I suspect it won’t be long before the cost of a basic airline ticket won’t guarantee you the right to even fly inside the aeroplane. And the right to choose between tea or coffee during meal service, or to use the toilet, will also come at a premium. Ross Duncan, Potts Point, NSW Black star We do not even consider flying Jetstar any more.
Of the six Jetstar flights that I have booked in the last five years, none have been without incident or inconvenience. Negative experiences include a delay which saw us stuck in Denpasar airport overnight with no information or updates; a lost booking only resolved by a caring Qantas agent who I engaged in despera.