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Josh has worked his way around the world several dozen times. These days he tends to kick back as an Armchair Traveller from the comforts of home, where it's far less likely he'll be arrested. Unless, of course, anyone's looking...
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Armchair Traveller

What would you forego for a flight deal?

 24/02/2009 5:43:00 PM, Joshua Crouthamel Prev Next

Comfort or cost? A recent survey reveals what is more important to Aussies when they fly.

Travelzoo.com.au has released the results of a recent survey that revealed 53.2 percent of Australians were willing to give up alcohol to save money on an international flight and 13.3 percent were prepared to forego in-flight entertainment.

This might not come as a surprise — hey, you can booze it up in the departures lounge anyway and pass out on most long-hauls — but the data gets more interesting the further you go down the list of "creature comforts" Aussies would be happy to ditch for a deal.

Of those surveyed, 5.8 percent said they'd be willing to face an international flight with no food. Now I know airline cuisine is not well-renowned, but I need more than a cabin-temperature Happy Meal to get me from Sydney to San Francisco.

Even more surprising was that 2.2 percent of those surveyed said they'd be happy to fly without a life jacket if the airline were to knock a few bob off the ticket price. And 0.7 percent would opt for standing-room-only fares.

I guess this just goes to show you can't keep a good Aussie traveller down!

What would you give up for lower fares on international flights? Food? Your seat? A toilet? Share your thoughts below.
User comments
Oh dear. Tim from Canberra thinks we should all play the "it's never going to happen to me" game combined with the "well, I've had it either way" game.. Why don't we just all stop wearing seat belts in cars? Why? Because it's not a God given that if you crash, you will die. And if there's a sudden decompression at 35,000ft then I for one would like some oxygen. Anyone that thinks saftey isn't important might as well get a cheap seat tied to the wing.
There should be universal standards of decency - this is completely insane to suggest one can do without using the toilet. Has anyone ever heard of food poisoning and gastric flu and so forth? To anyone who wants to forgo using the loo might I suggest you pack some dam good continence pads or maybe even wear a nappy - if not for oneself for the sake of other passengers and even this won't probably be good enough in the event of an "unforeseen eventuality".
Spend a penny? Only if the flight attendants had to as well. Bare bones travel is the way to go. if you want drinks, food, or entertainment you pay in flight. Travel agencies are only good for international flights, tours or credit card security if you don't trust the net. No flight would take off without oxygen, seat belts etc. removing them is crazy. Let the individual user pay for the add-ons they want. I buy a drink on board and take a sandwich with me. Everything they sell on-board and at the airport is marked up more than the normal price e.g. a can of coke or a sandwich is almost twice what you buy it for elsewhere. It won't be long before pensioners or low income earners will not be able to afford to travel. Plane bodies need to be made a couple of meters wider. I have no prob with leg room, but shoulder to shoulder is ridiculous and unnecessary. I'd rather keep the income tax rates as is and loose the gst as it would lower the cost of flights instantly.
How about a special fare for those prepared to forego their seat and stand all the way???? Should be able to fit two people standing in the area taken by a seat and the leg room, eh???? Where does it end?? The Ryan Air spin doc says you pay to use the train and bus station tioklets - perhaps - but do we pay to use the toilets on the trains and interstate buses - NO!!!
I am also a travel agent and in my time in the industry I have noticed that some people are just never satisfied. In the times I have flown( and dont be fooled i have paid full price for all but one) i am never fussed about where I am seated, or what food, alcahol etc is offered. I do think that people should just calm down and realise that in life we do not aways get what we want. In the world today there are bigger issues than the complaints I hear on a daily basis to do with travel. At the end of the day we travel because we love it and we love to see the world. People will never stop flying
Seems like a few people need to board the plane with a hose running from their pants to the floor so they don't need to pay a pound for the loo. After a few $10,000 cleanups and planes grounded due to shorts in the electrical system the loo's will be free again. If you paid less for standing room, I wonder if they would survive the lawsuits from people injured by flying passengers when there's turbulence. Sitting in a seat isn't just about comfort. If travelling at 50km in a car without a seatbelt is deadly what do you think it's like at 850kphr. Some things just shouldn't be billed separately toilets, water, seatbelts, seats and life jackets. Some things just shouldn't be billed separately toilets, water, seatbelts, seats and life jackets.
Are you talking about when you leave the terminal in the aeroplane, or when you leave the terminal in the car to go home? Statistically, you will be much safer in the aeroplane than in a car. Or if you think that at least you're in control in your car, perhaps you might consider all the other people you share the road with - are you in control of them? Your life is but a mist which appears for a little while. Any of us could be snuffed at any moment whether you feel like you are in control or not.
It sounds ridiculous to give up things like seat belts, life jackets and oxygen masks. Afterall, I've flown quite a few flights and never once really needed any of these things. If the plane crashes, you're pretty well stuffed whether you have these things or not!
I think alcohol should be discontinued on all flights. Drunk passengers annoy others and can be a danger to the crew and totally disrupt the flight. If airlines quit serving booze, we would all be a lot better off. Also... do not allow drunk passengers on board. They should be booted off the flight if they are not in a fit state to travel.
i recently travelled singapore airlines economy class.. for the amount i paid for my seat i definately felt that i got my moneys worth... their staff are so courteous, polite and willing to help despite not being in 1st class

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