STEVE INSKEEP, Host: For today's last word in business, we'll follow up on what might be the latest in air travel. Last week, the CEO of the European discount carrier Ryanair said he might install coin slots on the doors of airline toilets and make passengers pay to go to the bathroom in flight.</s>LINDA WERTHEIMER, Host: Naturally, there was a big stink about this. The airline issued a statement assuring angry passengers, politicians and consumer advocates that while this plan has been discussed internally, there are no immediately to introduce it.</s>STEVE INSKEEP, Host: In a statement, the airline says the idea comes simply from its, quote, "obsession with cutting costs. Charging for the toilet might lower ticket prices for everybody, including those who don't have to use the facilities." Ryanair is often on the cutting edge of airline cost-saving techniques. In fact, it's planning to eliminate check-in counters.</s>LINDA WERTHEIMER, Host: From now on, all passengers would check in online, at home, where the bathroom is free. That's the business news for MORNING EDITION on NPR News. I'm Linda Wertheimer.</s>STEVE INSKEEP, Host: And I'm Steve Inskeep.
The head of Ryanair has suggested the idea of pay toilets. Michael O'Leary said future passengers on his European no-frills airline might be obliged to insert a British pound coin before using the restroom. The airline's staff wasn't sure if he was joking. O'Leary pioneered charging airline customers to check bags, to use a check-in desk and to use a credit or debit card to make an on-line booking.