Flying has come a long way from its exclusive and luxurious past that dominated the 50s. There are still many high-end airlines to choose from but now large parts of the industry are dominated by budget airlines. Discount airlines are low-cost carriers that offer no-frills transportation.
Many of the biggest budget airlines are household names throughout the world, think AirAsia, EasyJet, IndiGo, Jetstar, RyanAir, and Southwest Airlines. They have managed to strip down and simplify the flying process and offer customers heavily discounted prices.
Choosing a low-cost airline has some significant upsides. However, it doesn’t come without some restrictions. We’ve put together a list of pros and cons to help you decide whether to choose a budget airline the next time you fly.
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Benefits of discount airlines
Safety
Despite their cost, budget airlines are remarkably safe. There is no compromise on your welfare when you choose a low-cost airline. The aviation industry is highly regulated, and these rules keep all discount airlines in line. If you look at the list of budget airlines, they often rank at the top of the safety scale. Take Ryanair which has taken the title of the safest airline for over a decade.
Exploring different locations
Discount airlines offer a great way to explore various destinations across the globe because there is little or no difference in the destinations that they travel to compared to full-service airlines. In the US, for instance, low-cost airlines go to most major cities as well as many smaller, remote areas of the continent, so you do not have to take multiple connecting flights. Most Budget airlines also fly out of major hubs in the US, such as New York and Los Angeles so access is easy as well.
In Europe, many well-known discount airlines offer connectivity all over the continent. In some cases, flying is both a faster mode of transportation than the railway system and similarly priced. It is a similar case for low-cost airlines in other parts of the world, such as major travel destinations like India, Singapore, New Zealand, Jamaica and other countries, which have both the local, regional and international budget airlines operating over there.
Low cost
Choosing a budget airline is excellent for the budget traveller. While budget airlines might not offer the best in-flight luxury amenities, they are ideal for people who are on a budget.
For example, travelling a short distance can cost you over US$200 dollars a ticket on a full-service, but is easily less than US$100 on a budget airline. If you’re travelling in a group or as a family, these savings are multiplied accordingly.
Convenience
Taking short-haul flights is quick and easy. Besides, budget airlines are starting to offer more convenient options like self-service check-ins and ticket printing kiosks at airports. Overall, a budget airline gets you where you need to be, without enough hassle to make it not worthwhile.
Great customer service
Discount airlines offer great service. The budget airline industry is competitive, and they don’t want to risk losing customers. EasyJet, JetStar, and AirAsia are renowned for their exceptional service despite offering rock bottom prices. However, make sure to follow check-in and baggage procedures correctly. Otherwise, you risk an additional fee.
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Downsides to budget airlines
No Luxury
If you are someone who likes the finer things in life, low-cost airlines may not be the best option. You can forget the inclusion of things like food or drink and in-flight entertainment is rarely an option. Legroom is often at a premium on budget airlines, and they put less effort into making the chairs comfy. Unfortunately, your favourite morning newspaper also isn’t included. However, you can purchase these at an additional cost, so make sure to consider this.
Hidden Fees
One of the most common gripes of customers who choose a discount airline is hidden fees. To help you make an informed decision, we are enlisting some of the most common hidden fees:
- Check-in charges: For example, as of 13th June 2018, the online check-in time on Ryanair has gone down to between 48 hours and 2 hours before departure, and if you don’t check in within this reduced time window, you’ll be charged € 55 per person for the check-in at the airport. In addition, you’re also required to either print out your boarding pass or use the Ryanair app to check in. If you opt to print out your boarding pass and then forget it, you’ll be forced to pay a € 15 boarding pass reissue fee. And even if you have printed your boarding pass, you may still be fined if the printout is of bad quality, the page is damaged or if the part of the page is missing, including the advertisement.
- Spelling mistakes and name change- Spelling your name differently from how it appears on your passport might cost you a fine.
- Flight change fee- There can be extra costs when changing the dates, times or routes of flights with low-cost airlines.
- Overweight baggage- Discount airlines are also a lot more strict on luggage allowance, so be careful when packing your bags. Adding extra luggage at the airport costs far more than if you purchase it beforehand.
- You might also have to pay extra for in-flight food and drink.
- Paying for your booking using a credit card- Budget airlines generally charge a flat fee or percentage of the ticket cost for the use of a credit card for the purchase.
Distance from the city
Low-cost airlines may sometimes not operate out of the main airports. This is how they can save on the costs with lower rent or cheaper land. While this may result in a cheaper flight, you also need to take into consideration the cost of travelling from the airport to the city you are visiting. If the infrastructure isn’t good, you may have to rent a car. Always make sure to check the exact location of the airport you are flying to before booking anything.
Also, many budget flights are stationed at the last few gates at the airport terminal. While this may not impact your travel time to the airport, it can be an inconvenience, especially for large airports like Changi Airport in Singapore or Suvarnabhumi Airport in Bangkok, Thailand.
Travel time
Many discount airlines offer flights with unreasonable timing. It could be early in the morning or late at night, but either way, it might not be at a time that suits you best. Longer flights could include a colossal layover time, and sometimes in a less than desirable airport.
How do you choose to use a budget airline, or not
When deciding on whether you want to take the plunge with a budget airline, there are a few things that you should consider. First is the length of the journey. Low-cost airlines are perfect for short-distance travel. Next, consider time and money. Budget airlines are cheaper, but you might end up wasting more time travelling to the city and on layovers, so it depends if you are short on time or money. Overall, budget airlines are great for those who want to travel short distances in a cost-effective manner. Low-cost airlines have a bad reputation but they are safe and cheaper. Consider a mid-range carrier for longer flights to have some home comforts.
