For me, the latter would be if an airline was EXPLICITLY saying that the upfront price IS the cost knowing full well that it would then be lumping the customer with a whole bunch of extra costs afterwards. As far as I know, they make no such statement.

Indeed, while I do not have an advertisement to hand, I imagine that there is a “terms and conditions apply” worked in somewhere. The standard catch-all CYA!

Yes, some clarification. The staff I have dealt with at Aer Lingus are generally very helpful – man I don’t want to hurt myself on that one – that includes booking in and on the plane.

Scumbag refers to the people who make these stupid decisions about not being transparent about pricing. Is it not better public relations to stand up saying we want everyone to publish the full cost of flying on a route? Be the one leading the pack instead they resort to underhand selling practices.

As for the pricing – it is lying – and I am in good company with the EU trying to force transparent pricing.

(1) This system has been in place for quite some time now alright. I remember being somewhat cross about it when it was first brought in, but it came as no surprise at the same time.

(2) If you check in online, you can book your seat for free (!) then. This is what I do.

(3) My experience is that only the first 8-10 rows or so tend to be pre-booked by business people travelling without bags in the hold, etc. and just wanting to get off quickly. If your concern is simply a question of sitting beside your travel partner(s), I have never found this to be a problem, unless you turn up really late to check in.

(4) While I fully agree that the pricing of tickets has become quite far-fetched in terms of initial pricing / ultimate pricing, Aer Lingus staff on the craft / ground remain some of the nicest people that you meet when flying. I think that this represents a company ethos that has survived all of the turmoil of the past decade. Consequently, I would not call them a scumbag company without clarifying that remark somewhat.

(5) You presumably mean “in your opinion, the approach of Aer Lingus when it comes to advertising, could be considered a form of lying”?

Ok – they add insurance automatically. It’s a lousy move, but not a rip off.

They made choosing your seat a paid service – so what? Lousy move again, but this has nothing to do with life, rip offs or whatever.

They lie in ads. And? Don’t fly with them, if you want to punish them.

Regards

Just make the price transparent is all I ask for and stop lying in the adverts.

You are paying for the convince and piece of mind, knowing that you will be sitting beside your partner, being at the top of the plane, or having an exit row.

paul