Are Budget Airlines Really Cheap?

Auntiescarf, I just cannot say more here but I have to disagree with these low cost airlines' principles at the end of the day. For one, I suppose the saying that says "There's no such thing as a free lunch" and how true! Honestly, I just feel that these price hikes are just pathetic, pretentious and simply very wrong in principle. I can understand the keen competition, cost of operation and everything about running a business - so, what's wrong with raising the fare to stay viable, in the first place? Oh yes, I forgot...by the time they can actually settle down with the ideal fare, they will be looking no further or much different from their predecessors a.k.a. full cost airlines. You see, all these hikes and cutting corners with hiring skeletal ground crews are just very telling and indicative that there's no such thing as a low cost airline. I don't like a single bit what I am seeing and reading about these sheep clothed "wolves" which I am dejected with my anticipation that they will eventually be another full cost airline at the end of the day!

Hi Iriene88, It's been sometime - how's things with your family and you? I am just not agreeable with these price hikes especially with the implementation of a chargeable toilet onboard. If this is not enough, there's another company that is charging passengers per way for carry on luggage that needs to be stored in the overhead compartment. I mean, can you believe this? Ref: http://travel.yahoo.com/p-interests-33623430 Take care, too.

Iriene88, If the schools are being closed then it would indicate some severity of it. So, if the trip can be postponed please do it as it is just not worth the risk. I hope that the trip itself is not so important as to allow a postponement. I am sure all parties should be able to understand under such circumstances. As for me, I had to skip Bangkok this week due to the ongoing Red Shirt protest. So, try and skip yours if you can. Take care.

Dear skysuccess, We are fine, thanks. I am in a dilemma as whether to go to Langkawi this weekend or not because there are schools closed due to suspected H1N1. Yes, talking about the ridiculous charges on low-cost flight, it is unbelieveable! Therefore, one have to really consider the cost before booking the tickets, lest being charge more than what it is worth. Thanks for sharing and have a great weekend :)

zed_k4, I cannot help but wonder if there's such a thing as a low cost airline, for a start. These companies by far is just a living joke since they came into the scene cutting corners on staffing, air crews and airport conveyancing. I mean look or rather read about the accounts of their passengers being abandoned when their flights are delayed or canceled. Then, there are the fees like leveraging a charge for credit card payments, hold luggage, online and airport check-in. Not forgetting the astronomical sky high prices for their meals, snacks and refreshments. If you think that's all, then you are going to be disappointed - you will find that there will be the leveraged fuel surcharges, security taxes and airport taxes - which are more than what you might pay for a full cost airline. And, now imposing a fee for using their flight toilets? This is just pathetic and outright outrageous, not forgetting unbecoming. If you think this is the last you hear, I bet you've not heard of the latest about another low cost airline charging a fee for carry on baggage where the charge will apply to bags in the overhead bin each way. Going at their present rate, I am not surprise of more hikes at the end of the day. Who's going to stop them?

AndrewFreyne, Let me assure you that Ryanair isn't the only rogue. No offense, but I am sure you would have read about accounts of abandonment when these so called low cost airlines have an inoperable flight. If you consider charging for the use of the cabin toilet a shame, I wonder what are your views of another airline charging for carry on baggage and mind you it is not check in baggage, we are familiar with. Have a nice day. Ref: http://travel.yahoo.com/p-interests-33623430

Porcospino, Well, here's the thing, just don't be too contended because coming from another airline they are charging passengers per way for carry on baggage that is stored in the overhead compartment. More to come? Why not? Who's going to stop them, at the end of the day? Ref: http://travel.yahoo.com/p-interests-33623430

Leanna86, Out of interest, how much did you have to pay in addition to the airfare for taxes? How much in total did you have to pay eventually for the airfare? Also, how far advance did you have to book to get that £103 pp return? I am sure you will need to prebook and pay well in advance to have that fare. Now, it is a fact that the taxes that these low cost airlines are collecting are actually leveraged as well. Believe me, I have traveled on almost all of them and I did my homework on the taxes I had paid with other airlines (full cost) plying on the same route. It is unfair and totally disrespectful, considering some of them are actually using other airport terminals from the normal well facilitated ones. Next, you come across to me as a young working adult and I am really glad that your holiday especially your flight came off without a hitch. Else, I just cannot imagine what it would be like when your return flight was to be unduly delayed or worst canceled due to unforeseen circumstances. Your budget ticket will not allow you to be transferred onto another available airline without paying full cost. No meals or overnight accommodations will be provided for and again, without paying for it. Most of all, no partial refund for that return leg if the delayed flight option offered is unacceptable to you and you had to pay for another airline full cost. Not forgetting, these delays are most of the time indefinite. I just cannot imagine and it is a fact that there had been individuals loosing their jobs due to their inability to report back to work on time after their permitted holiday leave, and for this to befall on you. Now, how CHEAP is it? When you loose your job? I can understand the part where we try to adapt and overcome shortcomings, however, I just do not see the point of implementing chargeable and worse, coin operated toilets. You and I may hold it in but try telling pregnant women, children or pre-existing condition individuals. Even I can have my off days! Or, try boarding with a bout of diarrhea - with 2 coin operated cubicles serving 168 passengers and both of these cubicles' slots had a "hold it in"! Then what? Buy a quadrupled sky high priced she wee? Lady, you just have not seen what's coming when this implementation might pose here. I can go with the fact that the airlines may find ways to earn money like inflight duty free sales, meals, refreshments and even inflight entertainment. But, to commercialize basic human facilities such as the use of the toilet is just unbecoming and wrong in principle.

Hello again :D I believe the flights themselves were £25 each way and then £15 baggage each way and £20 administration, and then a charge for using my debit card to make the transaction so probably just under the £103 each. I didn't really book to far in advance only 2 months which I can't really see affecting the price. But I do agree with you on the whole charging customers to use the toilet, and if I am honest I would probably still go through the cheap flight option again and pay the £1 to use the loo if needed, it still saves costs compared to the doubled price using top airlines. In regards to your comment about delays, no transfers etc. then I would also say that I always make sure I purchase good travel insurance which covers these unforseen circumstances, which when you go with a top airline they charge you for this option so i feel im not really loosing out either way... Well apart from the additional 5cm's of bum space and 15 cm's of leg room! But yes I am a young working adult and costs are a big thing in my mind and I feel that I get the exact same service regardless of operator, and especially at a time when money is worth hardly anything, the cheapest option will always be the first choice I go to :D

Sandra1952, I do catch your drift about short haul flights but I must remind you that there will be travelers who will need to carry their luggages for their trip or to have a bite or drink and certainly the use of the loo. Overall, I can understand about price hikes when situations calls for it but to take it out on things like using the loo in the cabin during a flight?? This is just pathetic and wrong in principle.