European airline competition reaching the boiling point

by Scott Carmichael on

Even though the environment has changed dramatically, airlines in the US are a pretty calm and respectful bunch. New airlines come (and go), and their competition is limited to copying each others routes and prices. Very rarely will you hear airline A call airline B anything nasty.

In Europe, things are different – very different. Competition in Europe is cutthroat, and this doesn’t always end up benefiting travelers.

Take for example Ryanair – this airline has become one of the largest (and cheapest) in the world. The airline is rude, charges a fee for everything you do, and is proud of their lack of customer service. But when you can fly across Europe for $20, you forget all of that.

When Ryanair approached Manchester airport requesting they lower their airport passenger fees, the airport refused. Normally, this would be the end of the story, but Ryanair does not take too well to being told “no” to anything, so they are moving all their flights out of Manchester, and moving them to surrounding airports. The stubborn airport will now lose 40 flights a week, 600,000 paying passengers and most likely 600 jobs.

A similar situation is taking place in The Netherlands, but this one is between two airlines and an airport. EasyJet is furious that KLM cut a deal with Amsterdam airport to lower the airport passenger fees for transiting passengers.

Passengers on KLM flights arriving at Schiphol, and transiting to another KLM flight only pay $18. Passengers on EasyJet who arrive at Schiphol as their final destination, pay $40. Even though both passengers use the exact same facilities, the KLM passengers pay much less.

The two airlines and the airport will be facing each other in court, but it is going to be a tough battle, EasyJet is a foreign carrier, and KLM is the Dutch national pride. But once again, the airport better watch out, because after KLM, EasyJet is the largest airline at Schiphol, obviously giving them quite a bit of power. Losing all those flights would put a huge dent in their income.

Easyjet’s jilted in the sky

by Tom Johansmeyer on

easyJet was ready to help passengers walk down the aisle while walking down the aisle. The airlines plans to conduct mile-high marriage ceremonies, however, were stymied by local British bureaucrats who said they couldn’t give the airline permission. Under this unusual program, pilots – like captains at sea – would have facilitated the swapping of vows.

The relevant officials in Luton, which is north of London, has refused to extend these powers to the airline, claiming that it’s not permitted under the law. The airline, of course, is “very disappointed,” as are the imaginary masses ready to run the security gauntlet to seal the deal.

EasyJet tells six year old girl that her teddy bear has to travel as excess baggage

by Scott Carmichael on

It’s amazing what a total lack of common sense can do for your company.

Take for example the story of a check-in agent at Glasgow airport responsible for helping Easy Jet passengers. When 6 year old Amparo Peris-Bordes approched the desk with her mother, this EasyJet staffer told her that she’d have to pay 9 pounds, and send her teddy bear onto the conveyor belt, and into the hold as excess baggage.

For some reason, her mother refused to pay this, so they boxed the bear up, and sent it home with the mail.

EasyJet has of course announced that they’ll review their internal procedures, because nothing says “bad PR” like a smiling girl in the news reporting how mean your airline is.

Say “I do” at 30,000 feet – easyJet wants to get into the wedding business

by Scott Carmichael on

Desperate to generate some extra cash, every airline in the world is scrambling for ways to introduce new money making services. Some have considered paid bathrooms, others are going to double charge fatties. UK low cost carrier easyJet is in the lead at the moment in the creativity top 10.

The airline is planning to introduce in-flight weddings on their planes, allowing couples to tie the knot at 30,000 feet.

Imagine being able to get married on the plane that is taking you to your honeymoon destination.

Of course, it’ll still be on a tacky orange colored low cost carrier, and many of the passengers around you are probably already drunk from all the beer at the airport.

There is one minor issue they’ll need to work on first – UK law states that the place of marriage has to be a legal building, and that the building has to be permanent and “not moving”. Still, if they are able to work out the legal problems, they may be onto the next big aviation money maker.

Drunk flight attendant escorted off plane and arrested

by Jamie Rhein on

When Anthony Shlyshen showed up for work at Gatwick Airport he had had a few–actually several. According to this article, Shlyshen was more than three sheets to the wind when he thought he might be able to manage his easy Jet Airbus shift. Maybe he envisioned the plane’s narrow aisle would keep him from weaving too much, and holding onto the seats from time to time would keep him steady. The pilot thought otherwise and called the police who showed up to escort Shlyshen off the plane.

A breathalyser test showed that his alcohol level was 182 mcg, eight times over the legal alcohol limit for work. It was twice the level for driving. Given his age, 48, I’m wondering why he just didn’t call in sick. By 48, one would probably recognize what being schnockered looks like to other people, particularly those who are trained to notice.

Now Shlyshen could be facing jail time. A fine is guaranteed. Calling in sick would have definitely been the cheaper option.

More stories of booze gone bad in the skies