In a hilarious turn of events, Gemma Collins was seen ‘checking in’ for a flight donning a specially-designed coat with 23 pockets.
The TV star’s outfit was packed to the brim with travel essentials such as must-have minis in a waterproof-lined pocket, t-shirts, a beach towel, flip-flops, her phone and multiple charging devices.
The practical coat, designed specifically for frequent flyers, features 23 pockets as a tribute to the standard 23kg luggage allowance. The coat, dubbed the ‘Roam Free Robe’, was commissioned by SMARTY Mobile.
This follows a study of 2,000 flyers, also commissioned by the SIM only provider, which revealed the top 20 annoyances when it comes to air travel and airports.
These include unexpected charges for overweight or oversized baggage, drop off car park fees and surprise charges for using your phone.
The most significant grievance was the exorbitant cost of airport refreshments. Other issues on the list included those who over-pack causing delays in the queue to sort their bags and people who queue at gates hours before necessary.
(Image: PinPep)
Gemma Collins commented: “I love flying abroad but let’s face it, before you get to enjoy that first cocktail on the beach it can be a right pain.”
“As a girl who loves her clothes, you can imagine I don’t pack light. So for me, it’s always tricky to avoid paying excess baggage fees. So the Roam Free Robe is a no-brainer if you’re trying to get as much on the plane as you possibly can.”
The research disclosed that jet-setters, who typically take to the skies three times a year, will shell out an average of £78 annually on hidden charges, inflated prices and unforeseen fees.
Air travel isn’t without its irritations, with nearly a quarter (24%) of passengers being hit with extra costs due to overweight luggage, leaving them feeling irked (54%), exasperated (42%) and downright furious (24%).
An additional 22% have endured the mortifying ordeal of repacking their suitcase at the airport because their luggage was too heavy.
However, almost half (49%) of smart travellers sidestep these hassles by always weighing their luggage at home before jetting off to the airport, thereby avoiding any extra fees.
(Image: PinPep)
EU roaming charges and phone usage fees while abroad are considered the most unfair hidden charges by 39% of those flying overseas. These charges frustrate 31% of travellers and cause worry for 59% before they even set off.
And it’s a justified concern – the average additional charge for mobile phone data usage abroad is a hefty £43.
Yet, more than two fifths (43%) of those surveyed, via OnePoll.com, are blissfully unaware of what their network provider charges for roaming while abroad.
A representative for SMARTY Mobile, which includes up to 12GB of EU roaming in all its SIM plans as standard, stated: “When you travel abroad to enjoy your holidays, the last thing you want to be worrying about is the fear of being stung by hidden charges along the way.”
“While it might be challenging for everyone to find a 23 pocket coat to help them at the airport, we’re here to help savvy travel goers navigate those sneaky hidden charges.”
“Interestingly, just 43% of people know what they’re charged for using their phone abroad – we want to save people bother while travelling, and maybe even a bob or two, so it’s worth finding this out before you travel.”
The top 20 airport and air travel annoyances:
- Overpriced food and drink at the airport.
- Fees for choosing your seat.
- Passengers who recline their seat just as meals and beverages are served.
- People taking too long to stow their luggage in the overhead compartments.
- Passengers who unbuckle and stand up before the plane has fully stopped.
- Short stay car park charges.
- High prices at airport shops for last-minute travel necessities.
- People who over-pack and delay the queue while rearranging their bags.
- The 100ml liquid rule.
- Parents not lowering the volume on their children’s iPads.
- People only retrieving their passports when they reach the front of the passport control queue.
- The requirement to remove electronics at security (where applicable as some airports have advanced scanners).
- Fees for checking-in at the airport.
- Charges for overweight or oversized baggage.
- People lining up at gates hours before necessary.
- ATM withdrawal charges.
- Higher than anticipated currency exchange fees.
- Additional charges for using your mobile phone.
- WiFi fees at airports.
- Mobile phone charging stations that are out of order.
Source: Celebrities - dailystar.co.uk
