27/03/2012

Allocated Seating To Be Tested By EasyJet

A common sight of the budget airline, the scramble for a seat, could becoming a thing of the past as easyJet have announced they are set to test allocated seating for passengers.

The airline has said the plan to allow 40,000 passengers to pre-book their seats from today on a range of routes this summer was not motivated by squeezing more money out of customers but by a desire to reduce their stress.

Customers will be given the option of paying £12 for a premium place, front or exit rows, or £3 for any other chosen seat. They will also still have the free option of no allocation.

Carolyn McCall, easyJet chief executive, has said the allocation trial was not a money-spinner but “revenue neutral”.

"We've done a lot of research and found unreserved seating can stress people out a little bit, if they're not used to boarding that way," she said.

"Our surveys showed that it can be a barrier to people travelling with us."

With a fast turnaround at airports being a key element of the low-cost airline business model, unreserved seating was seen to be a faster, more efficient way to board aircraft.

McCall said that if the trials showed allocated seating slowed operation of the planes it would not be used further.

(H)


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