With all the amazing technological changes happening to the airline industry these days, we can't help wonder what will be next.
Sure, the geek friendly Qantas A380 has those awesome high-tech seats with USB and in-flight SMS functionality, and more airlines are getting into the entertainment groove with some incredible video on demand (VOD) services listing hundreds of your favourite flicks and TV shows on large LCD 10" monitors.
Indeed, the Boeing 787 Dreamliner , with its incredible long-haul fuel capacity, is due to make its maiden test flight soon, making the future of high tech air travel appear rather rosy. Better still, American Airlines now boast speedy on-board internet.
But there's one high-tech airline addition we're not so sure about - it's a credit card operated toilet.
A News Limited report claims that Europe's largest budget airline, Ryanair, hopes to up their cash coffers with the introduction of a credit card slot so you can pay to well, you know.
We assume that the credit card slot would be implemented into the side of the toilet door, in much the same way you can already can swipe your card to buy in-flight food.
Ryanair, known for introducing strict rules for luggage weights (15kg) in order to keep fares low, are apparently trying to convince Boeing to install the toilet gadgets across their fleet.
For instance, the next time you find yourself busting and trying to break down the toilet door on your 14 hour flight from Sydney to L.A, let's hop the following sequence doesn't happen:
- 1) Join toilet line.
- 2) Have credit card ready
- 3) Swipe credit card
- 4) Have credit card rejected.
- 5) Try alternative card.
- 6) Have alternative card rejected.
- 7) Go back to seat
- 8) Sit tight and wait for the next 12 hours before landing.
