A global survey of members of the International Airline Passengers Association (IAPA) reveals that airline fees on items and services once considered part of the fare are the least popular charges, while fees for added amenities such as Internet access are looked upon more favorably.

Baggage Fees Remain Unpopular

More than 1300 individuals took the survey this past March and the results uncovered a similar attitude toward fees that surveys in Europe and the United States have recently revealed. Charges for a first checked bag were among the least popular fees of all. 81% of IAPA members surveyed stated that there should not be an additional charge for a first bag that is within an airline's size and weight limits. Only 2% felt this was a fair fee.

Passenger attitudes did vary depending on geography. For instance, none of the respondents from Asia, Australia, the South Pacific, Africa and South America felt that it was fair to pay for a first checked bag. As far as paying for a second checked bag, only 10% in Asia felt that it was a fair fee to pay. This sentiment was shared by members in all other regions except for Europe, North America and Australia where roughly one quarter considered it fair for an airline to charge for a second bag.

For members in the Caribbean, Central America and South America, the fees were most palatable for a third checked bag or more, with over half of the responses finding such charges acceptable. 66% of members residing in African countries rejected baggage fees altogether, a striking difference from the 37% representing all IAPA members who took the survey.

What if an airline offered a money-back guarantee for getting a bag to its owner in a timely fashion? This did not change the attitudes of most survey takers. Nearly 60% of members surveyed said they would not be more inclined to pay a checked bag fee if the airline guaranteed to return the money if the luggage did not arrive on time or ever. This differed from the respondents in the Caribbean and Central America where over half said they would consider paying such a fee with a guarantee.

Paying for Other Amenities

Europe was the only region where more than half of those surveyed felt it was acceptable to charge for food and snacks and for seats with more legroom in economy class. More than half of IAPA members in the Middle East who responded also favored extra charges for seats with more legroom in economy class but no region had a majority who felt it was acceptable to pay extra for an exit row seat, which typically has more legroom. 50% of IAPA respondents from the Middle East also said paying an extra fee to receive faster processing at security checkpoints was worthwhile. Only a third of IAPA survey takers in general felt this way.

Members were asked about various other airline fees and those that were deemed most acceptable were those that have been in place for many years. These included pet travel charges and fees to transport unaccompanied minors. Among the newer fees, only on-board Internet access scored favorably with 72% of respondents finding such fees acceptable.

The Most Annoying Fees of All

The least popular fees (outside of checked baggage) were those for purchasing tickets at the airport (76% against); fees for purchasing tickets by phone (83% against); and fees for checking in at the airport or online (a move initiated by Ryanair in 2009). Over 95% of IAPA members surveyed found this fee the most unacceptable.

Fees on Award Tickets

With respect to award tickets, 61% of those surveyed said a fee for purchasing additional miles to supplement award redemptions if miles fell short was an acceptable charge. Members were nearly split over fees for making changes to award tickets with 49% opposing such charges and 44% accepting them. Despite the aversion to most mileage-related fees, 48% said they would accept fees for earning full miles on fares that normally would not qualify.

I'd Rather Pay One Price

An overwhelming majority of survey takers indicated that they would prefer to pay one price that included all the once-complimentary amenities and services (67%) and even pay a higher price (73%) if it meant the end of "nickel-and-diming." IAPA members surveyed overwhelmingly seek out airlines that do not charge any (or as many) fees compared to its competitors. This suggests that these members have grown used to the amenities and services provided by larger, full-service carriers and generally disapprove of new service and amenity fees imposed by such carriers.

Most members indicated that they held some form of elite status with one or more airlines, though there was no discernable difference in responses between elite and non-elite members. There was one exception. More non-elite members (40%) found an early-boarding fee acceptable compared to elite members (29%) who already enjoy such privileges. Overall, a fee to board early was opposed by 61% of respondents.

Notes:

Many flyers expect to face add-on fees and other charges from budget airlines which are becoming more prominent in regions like North America and Europe, but may be lacking in great numbers in some other regions. Since most IAPA members say they fly established legacy carriers, the survey was conducted as a way to measure member sentiment toward the changes these carriers are imposing as opposed to what is normally expected of budget airlines.

Below are some of the most popular responses.

For which types of flight(s) would it be acceptable for an airline to charge for a first checked bag of permissible weight and size?





Most Acceptable



Least Acceptable

Do you actively seek an airline that does not charge any (or as many) fees compared to its competitors?
Region	Yes	No
Africa	76%	24%
Asia	76%	24%
Australia / Oceana / South Pacific	80%	20%
Caribbean	69%	31%
Central America	57%	43%
Europe	75%	25%
Middle East	87%	13%
North America (Canada, U.S., Mexico)	74%	26%
South America	79%	21%
Would you be more inclined to pay a checked bag fee if the airline guaranteed to return your fee if your bag were to be delayed, damaged or lost?
Region	Yes	No
Africa	39%	61%
Asia	33%	67%
Australia / Oceana / South Pacific	41%	59%
Caribbean	50%	50%
Central America	71%	29%
Europe	43%	57%
Middle East	45%	55%
North America (Canada, U.S., Mexico)	48%	52%
South America	47%	53%
I would rather pay a slightly higher price and not be "nickel and dimed" by add-on fees and services.
Region	Yes	No
Africa	72%	28%
Asia	71%	23%
Australia / Oceana / South Pacific	83%	7%
Caribbean	68%	27%
Central America	43%	43%
Europe	73%	21%
Middle East	73%	24%
North America (Canada, U.S., Mexico)	76%	21%
South America	62%	36%