THIS JUST IN Qantas introduces 11A Surcharge in latest move to maximise shareholder value
BY: Kartya Vucetic
Editor’s note: This piece is satirical. Qantas has not introduced any 11A surcharge or made any related public statement.
Qantas has today announced the introduction of a new surcharge for passengers selecting seat 11A, after the seat gained worldwide attention for its statistically improbable run of survival in recent aviation incidents.
The move comes in response to a wave of media coverage following the Air India Flight 171 crash last week, in which sole survivor Vishwash Kumar Ramesh walked away relatively unscathed, while seated in 11A. Aviation enthusiasts were quick to point out that this marked the second time seat 11A has been linked to a sole survivor, following Thai actor Ruangsak Loychusak’s survival of the 1998 Thai Airways Flight TG261 crash, also from 11A.
Ruangsak Loychusak was also once the seat 11A sole survivor | Image: Instagram
While aviation experts have stressed that the coincidence remains just that, a coincidence, Qantas executives appear less concerned with the science and more with the market opportunity.
“Passenger demand for 11A surged by 370% overnight,” a Qantas spokesperson said. “As an airline committed to responding dynamically to customer interest, we feel it’s only responsible to offer a premium seating option that reflects current sentiment.”
Sources close to the airline’s pricing team confirm that the surcharge will be “modest but reflective of the seat’s unique media profile.” Early reports suggest the fee may sit somewhere between the existing Extra Legroom option and full Business Class pricing, with further increases not ruled out depending on how many more international headlines the seat manages to generate.
These ladies might even just get a payrise! | Image: Qantas
Industry analysts have praised the move as an example of Qantas’ ongoing commitment to maximising shareholder returns in an increasingly competitive travel market.
“It’s simple supply and demand,” one analyst noted. “If customers are willing to pay a premium for what they perceive as the ‘lucky seat’, it would be fiscally irresponsible not to monetise it.”
At time of publishing, Qantas declined to comment on rumours the airline is exploring similar pricing structures for 12A, “just in case.”
