Passengers to be charged for extra legroom

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/34...a-legroom.html

Passengers to be charged for extra legroom
Tall airline passengers who ask for extra legroom when flying in
economy class will be charged £40 for the privilege.


By Peter Allen
Last Updated: 7:56AM GMT 08 Nov 2008

Air France has become the first airline to introduce a supplement for
the seats next to emergency exits or at the front of rows.

These are the ones without other seats immediately in front, meaning
long legs can be stretched out.

Until now, experienced passengers have often been able to reserve the
seats through nothing more than a polite request at check in.

Now, however, they will be sold, with surcharges payable online or in
phone bookings.

"It will be a small charge to have to pay for extra legroom," said an
Air France spokesman, adding that the £40 will first be applied to
long-haul flights.

Frequent fliers with the company's Flying Blue card will still get the
seats at standard price once they reach the firm's Gold or Platinum
status, the spokesman added.

The charge has already been levied on flights from France to Canada
and the United States, and will now be expanded to the rest of the
long-haul network.

The idea is likely to be copied by many other airlines, as their
industry struggles in the harsh economic climate.