Indian fliers mind leg room, baggage allowance cuts: Expedia

NEW DELHI: Fliers on low-cost airlines in India may not mind lack of an in-flight entertainment system, free meals or pillows, but they are loath to accept absence of free checked-in baggage, reduction of leg room and bathroom privileges, shows a survey by online travel agency Expedia.

“Indian fliers are least willing to sacrifice bathroom privileges, legroom and free-checked luggage, while flying a low-cost carrier. Indian travelers are most willing to sacrifice in-flight entertainment, full meal service, pillows and blankets, being able to choose seat in advance and snacks and beverages,” the survey said.

The Expedia 2015 Asia-Pacific LCC Airline Index polled about 3,200 travellers in India, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, South Korea, Hong Kong, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Taiwan, the company said in a statement. The survey also showed that Indians express equally strong safety concerns about full-service as well as low-cost carriers. The survey also showed that women express greater safety concerns about low-cost and full-service airlines than men.