Not Travelling Light? That's Your Problem.

With its plans to redefine the expression 'travelling light' with coin-operated toilets on its flights and higher baggage charges during the peak holiday season, Ryanair's finally done it. Not content with the vicious spiral after its "idiot blogger" incident, and the piss-taking after the last time it suggested charging for Nature's call, the airline has crossed the line from facilitator to institution - from service provider that exists to solve it's customers' problems (how to cut the cost of air travel) to one that is primarily motivated to solve it's own (how to increase profitability).

Revealingly, Ryanair explains both initiatives as it's own attempt to change customers' behaviour, rather than adapt to suit their needs. It explains the baggage charge as 'urging' people to travel light, and it's spokesman is reported to have blatantly justified its pay-for-a-leak strategy as enabling it to pack more people onto each flight:

'By charging for the toilets we are hoping to change passenger behaviour so that they use the bathroom before or after the flight. That will enable us to remove two out of three of the toilets and make way for at least six extra seats.'

Not much comfort in either explanation - especially for those travelling with kids. Maybe they won't?

Bon voyage, Ryanair. It doesn't matter how profitable you say you are. You're doomed to a lingering death.

STOP PRESS: And in breaking news, Ryanair declares its refusal to comply with regulations requiring payment of passengers' expenses incurred while being re-routed during the recent flying restrictions.