Air New Zealand Lets Passengers Pay Something For Nothing

Posted December 19, 2008 by BookingBuddy

The recent slump in air travel has forced airlines to be increasingly inventive when it comes to raking it in. Sure, they’re mostly just finding different methods to make passengers part with their money, but some of those methods are just so entertaining. Take Air New Zealand, for instance. The antipodean carrier has been experiencing falling passenger numbers, and, in a bid to boost revenue, they’ve hit upon the idea of making something out of nothing. Those crazy Kiwis are currently selling off the unoccupied seats on their planes—passengers can now have an empty seat beside them if they part with NZ$75.

The deal is available on long-haul flights to the U.S., and has proved surprisingly popular, with up to 10 passengers per flight opting to pay for the extra seat. With carriers such as Singapore Airlines already charging more for passengers who opt for a more spacious seat, paying slightly more for a spare seat beside you doesn’t seem like such a bad deal. Think of the advantages—no more passive-aggressive wrestling for elbow inches on the shared armrest, for instance?

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(Photo: HoboTraveler.com)

Categories: Air New Zealand