Airline Eyes Charging for Toilets

Just when you thought the airlines had figured out how to wring every penny out of flyers, budget carrier Ryanair announced it was mulling a new fee: a $1.50 charge to use the toilets. The Irish airline's CEO said today he was considering "putting a coin slot on the toilet door," similar to facilities at train stations. The comments sparked immediate outrage, and the airline appeared to be backtracking.

A spokeswoman for Ryanair told the Times of London that the carrier had been investigating the toilet charge, noting that "there is no legal requirement for an aircraft to have a toilet onboard." But after consumer groups and airplane crew bridled at the idea, Ryanair said that "there are no immediate plans to introduce it." One consumer advocate said that the plan might backfire: "Fewer people might buy overpriced drinks on board, though—that would serve Ryanair right." (More Ryanair stories.)