Ryanair considering pay toilets in planes

DUBLIN, Ireland, Feb. 27 (UPI) -- Consumer groups have criticized Irish budget airline Ryanair after the chief executive said the carrier is considering a $1.50 charge to use airplane toilets.

Ryanair chief Michael O'Leary said the airline has been looking into installing coin slots on the doors of the airplane lavatories to allow planes to charge for toilet use, The Times of London reported Friday.

"One thing we have looked at in the past and are looking at again is the possibility of maybe putting a coin slot on the toilet door so that people might actually have to spend a pound to spend a penny in future," O'Leary said. "We are always at Ryanair looking at ways of constantly lowering the cost of air travel to make it affordable and easier for all passengers to fly with us."

Rochelle Turner, head of research for consumer group Which? Holiday, sharply criticized Ryanair for even considering pay toilets.

"It seems Ryanair is prepared to plumb any depth to make a fast buck and, once again, is putting profit before the comfort of its customers," she said. "Charging people to go to the toilet might result in fewer people buying overpriced drinks on board, though -- that would serve Ryanair right."