$10 fee for baby-free zone? Don't believe the rumours, WestJet says
Last Updated: Wednesday, November 12, 2008 | 12:46 PM MT
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Calgary-based WestJet is debunking rumours circulating online that the airline is considering introducing new $10 fees for options including being seated in a separate area from infants and priority disembarking.
"The notion of priority disembarking is ridiculous," said Richard Bartram, a company spokesman. "Not only would we not consider it, we wouldn't even consider putting it in front of the guests to ask them would you consider that.
"The idea of segregating children on board a flight is something that we wouldn't ask either and wouldn't be interested in doing," he said.
On Monday, the travel website Elliott.org published a survey purportedly issued by WestJet, asking travellers if they would be willing to pay a $10 fee for a host of services, including priority boarding, expedited baggage delivery and freshly laundered pillows and blankets.
The story was picked up by other sites, including Boston.com and the Consumerist.
Bartram said that while WestJet does send out surveys, they ask travellers about issues such as advertising and the types of food offered on aircraft. The questions posed in the phoney survey contradict the airline's overall philosophy, he said.
"From an overall caring about our guests perspective that is probably the polar opposite of what we do to demonstrate that we actually care for the people that fly with us," he said.
In recent months, many airlines have introduced a series of à la carte fees for options including checked luggage, additional legroom, flying standby and booking over the phone.
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