B2 – Upper Intermediate
Back in the days, check-in luggage, seat selection, and meals were free on commercial flights. That was until the UK low-cost carrier FlyBe started charging for check-in baggage. Then, the other airlines started doing the same thing.
Fast forward to today, Air Canada and Southwest added to the list of airlines that charge passengers for check-in luggage.
From extra fees including checked baggage, seat selection, wifi and lounge access, upgrades, and food and drink alone, airlines are expected to generate $145 billion this year. This constitutes to 14% of the sector’s total revenues.
Read the article about how airlines are now making billions from charging passengers for check-in luggage and other ancillary fees.
https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c0qg3ylx2g9o
Vocabulary Questions:
- What does “grey area” mean? “However, what determines “reasonable requirements” continues to be a grey area in need of an official ruling.” Use this expression in a sentence. Give a similar expression.
- What does “ancillary” mean? “With Air Canada and Southwest the latest airlines to charge passengers for check-in luggage, the ballooning cost of such ancillary fees is provoking anger among politicians and consumer groups.” Use this word in a sentence. Give 2 synonyms.
- What does “to follow suit” mean? “Other budget carriers then quickly followed suit, with the so-called flag carriers or established airlines then also doing so, at least on shorter flights.” Use this phrase in a sentence. Give a similar expression.
Discussion Questions:
- What is your reaction to and opinion to airlines charging passengers for check-in luggage? Also, share your opinion on airlines making billions from check-in baggage and other extra fees.
- Are junk fees from airlines also very common in your country? Talk about it.
- Share your thoughts on how the rise of the budget airlines contributed to the ballooning of junk fees from airlines.
- Do you think checked bags, seat selection, and meals should be for free on commercial flights? Explain.
- Share your opinion on the huge boom in the sales of carry-on luggage as a result of passengers’ refusal to pay for check-in bags.