Ryan Air has decided to levy a ‘fat’ tax to passengers who will not be able to fit into the seat without removing separators and are not able to fit into the seat belt. When you first read it, it sounds funny. But Ryan Air says that it is passengers who want them to levy this tax on overweight passengers as it is uncomfortable for the fellow passengers. Fat passengers spill over to neighbor’s seat!
As it goes with customer feedback, you have to listen more than your ears. All customers are looking a comfortable ride irrespective of their size. Some customers feel uncomfortable if an overweight person is sitting by their side. This is not airlines fault. Adding extra tax may turn away many potential overweight customers. This 'fat' tax may turn out to be a 'hate' tax which could cause a potential damage to Ryan Air.
Most of the companies provide good service when customers do not have any specific need or want. True service skills are tested under conditions where customer is asking (or worse he could not articulate what he wants) something specific. And when you start addressing a particular need (said or unsaid), you start delighting your customers. You create zealots who will swear by your service and brand.
Ryan Air can make a separate sitting area with larger chairs especially for fat people. I do not know how many fat customers travel with Ryan Air. But I guess one or two rows of such seats should do. And charge extra for that seating area. Customers will readily pay if value is shown to them and might start loving it for taking good care of them. God knows, Ryan Air becomes a favorite airline for fat people.
Take away point: No extra tax will benefit you if you are not understanding the needs of your customer.
by rads , on April 24, 2009 10:35 PM
That was really horrible. Like you said, instead of tax mayb they should offer good seats and collect more money for the same. This tax thing will not b of ny use to them.
by Ramesh , on April 25, 2009 6:02 AM
Nice idea to have one or two special rows of seats (but I can bet that the fatso won't pay extra !)
I am a very thin guy having had the privilege of sitting next to extremely obese people in cramped seats. And obese is not just fat - imagine a guy who can't squeeze his bum inside his seat and removes the armrest.
I am all for levying a tax on such guys.
by Adesh Sidhu , on April 25, 2009 10:24 PM
@ Rads only time will tell whether is of any use or not but it does sound funny.
@Ramesh LOL. You should demand discount as you are occupying half of the seat only :-)
by mixedblessings89 , on April 25, 2009 10:45 PM
Ugh! Hate tax is right! It's really not the greatest of ideas, business wise, at least- if people have to pay an extra tax for being overweight, they'll just go to an airline that doesn't mind their size.
by Adesh Sidhu , on April 25, 2009 11:18 PM
Thanks for visiting my blog mixedbelssings89. I think overweight people definitely mind this.