Coscan

Are Low-Cost Carriers Worth It?

Low-cost airlines have certainly changed the way budget travellers operate. The airline operations – some of which charge significantly less than competing bus and train services – can move travellers from point A to B for as little as £20. However, a number of travellers are finding that low-cost operators aren’t quite worth the savings.

European low-cost carrier Ryanair are certainly well-known for their thrifty corporate policies. The Irish budget airline has considered charging passengers to use on-plane toilets, and has generated a reputation for slightly courageous approaches to cutting costs and increasing revenue simultaneously.

Still, millions of travellers celebrate Ryanair’s thriftiness and cheap nature. The flights are far from luxurious and service is regarded as one step above ‘abysmal’, but the flights do what they’re supposed to: move passengers from point A to point B.

However, a number of passengers find that they’re not always moves all the way to point B. Ryanair, alongside a host of other low-cost airlines, have received criticism for their slightly deceptive ‘destination’ listings. Flights billed as going to Frankfurt, for example, may actually arrive at a small regional airport near Frankfurt, with guests expected to foot the bill for a lengthy bus ride to their planned destination.

While these annoyances can catch first-time travellers off guard, they’re far from surprising for frequent budget airline users. With low-cost travel becoming increasingly popular due to the recession, a number of travellers are planning ahead and incorporating these forced detours into their travel itineraries.

The value of low-cost airlines is, like many other travel related expenses, determined by two factors: time and money. It’s unlikely that many travelling businesspeople could see the value in a low-cost airline, especially when pressed with busy schedules and must-do appointments. However, for truly frugal travellers, budget airlines represent an option that wasn’t available before: the option to travel at all.