Airline might charge for bathroom use

by Karen Datko

Has this ever happened to you? You're boarding one of those small commuter planes that doesn't have a bathroom, and you're extremely nervous about your bladder. (We once sat next to an elderly lady in distress who was in tears by the time the plane landed.)

This comes to mind because the head of Ryanair, Europe's largest budget cheap airline, told the BBC that it may begin charging for in-flight use of toilets. Michael O'Leary, what are you thinking? Surely you jest.

That is a possibility. While his comments created a furor, no one knows if he's for real. "Nobody, even his own aides, seemed to be sure if he was serious or pursuing his well-documented penchant for making brazen declarations to win free advertising," an Associated Press story from Dublin said.

(An O'Leary spokesman confirmed that the toilet charge has been discussed. Remember, "budget" airline means the tickets are cheap but you pay for everything else.)

Here's more, according to AP:

"One thing we have looked at in the past, and are looking at again, is the possibility of maybe putting a coin slot on the toilet door, so that people might have to actually spend a pound to 'spend a penny' in future," O'Leary said, using a local euphemism for relieving one's self.

How droll.

Even worse, he suggested a charge of one British pound coin (about $1.40). What about the European customers of Ryanair who use euros, including the people of Ireland, where Ryanair is based? O'Leary said he didn't think that would be a problem.

We recall that during public discussions about changes in U.S. airlines -- like charging for pillows, baggage and drinks, and removing the movies -- some people joked that paying for the air your breathe or potty access could be next.

No one really thought that would happen. But, in the future, if you don't have a British pound coin aboard a Ryanair flight, you might want to skip the in-flight drink (which, of course, isn't free) -- or save the cup.