Airlines are constantly looking for ways to raise revenue with extra costs and fees. They charge for everything from in-flight meals to entertainment to certain seats. However it is rare for them to ask customer what they would be willing to pay extra for.
Go Airport Express, a company that provides airport shuttles to and from Chicago O'Hare International Airport and Midway Airport asked travelers what it is that they would be willing to pay more for. They polled travelers from around the country and 360 responded.
The survey found that 48 percent of travelers would be most willing to pay for more leg room. Thirty-three percent would pay for a flight that offers Wi-Fi and 30 percent would pay extra to sit in a child-free area of a plane.
As airlines already charge for extras, 17 percent of respondents said that things like meals, entertainment, and pillows should be included with the airfare as many are unhappy that they now have to pay for these services which were once free. However, some don't mind having to pay for these extras. Twenty-one percent said they're willing to pay extra for meals, nine percent don't mind the extra fee for movies and five percent are willing to pay more for blankets and pillows.
Another scheme that some airplanes have at play is having to pay extra for a desired seat like a window or aisle seat. Of those surveyed, 13 percent said they'd be willing to pay extra for aisle seats, while 6 percent would rather pay for a window seat.
Choosing a seatmate while traveling alone is another thing people would be willing to pay for as 11 percent resoponded. Nine percent want extra overhead bins so they'd pay to use larger ones. Only four perfect of respondents said they would pay extra to sit in a child-friendly area of a plane.
"Controlling their level of comfort seems to be the top priorities that airline travelers would be willing to pay for," says John McCarthy, president, GO Airport Express. "Airlines may benefit by focusing on these areas."
Go Airport Express is one of the oldest companies in Chicago, dating back to 1853. It is a founding member of The GO Group LLC, the nation's largest airport transportation provider, which provides transportations to over 60 airports in North America, Mexico, the Caribbean and Europe.
This article is copyrighted by Travelers Today, the travel news leader
