Take into the account how far we are from the rest of the world and how expensive fares can be from our big island, and it shouldn’t come as a surprise that we are a little tight with air travel.
A new study conducted by Expedia found that Australians are the most reluctant nationality to pay for added extras, making us wonder how budget airlines such as Jetstar and Tigerair are keeping afloat Down Under.
Two in five (43 percent) of Australians would rather suffer in silence than fork over cash for amenities such as headphones on a short-haul flight. This is around 20 percent more than the global average of one in four travellers unwilling to pay for any added extras.
Aussies would rather suffer in silence than fork over cash for amenities such as headphones.
It’s no different on long haul flights, with Australians and Canadians topping the list of countries most reluctant to pay for in-flight extras.
Airlines listen up, because the study found that items Australians are most likely to pay for on short-haul services include extra leg room, a full meal and a wider seat. Long haul was very similar, but they’d also be willing to pay for extra in-flight entertainment.
“Satisfied with the basic comforts on a flight, Aussies could be choosing to maximise their hard-earned dollars on-the-ground rather than spending money on additional comforts in the air.”
Kelly Cull, Expedia Travel Expert
Aussies aren’t only the flyers turning down amenities, they’re also the ones most casually dressed.
Around 91 percent of respondents said they dress for comfort and don’t care how they look on a plane.
In their casual wear, eight in ten Aussies said they like to sleep to pass the time during a flight, followed by 61 percent who said they like to spend their time in the air eating.
Only 18 percent of Aussies will talk to the person next to them.
More than half said they utilise inflight entertainment during longer services and around 58 percent like to read a book.
Unsurprisingly the on-land trend of anti-social behaviour continues at 32,000 feet, with only 18 percent saying they would strike up a conversation with the passenger next to them to keep occupied.
