OxBowBusiness

Time to Test the Cheap/Low Cost Airlines

I know it's just about high summer but what better time to test the concepts of cheap and low cost as in cheap flights and low cost airline?

Do this now: try to fly to Rome this weekend ... next weekend ... the weekend after with easyJet, Ryanair and BMIBaby. Now define cheap and low cost having done the same when trying to book with, say, British Airways, Lufthansa, Alitalia. Spot the difference.

The big point that most people seem unaware of is that these cheap/low cost airlines are run by people who know that they cannot survive purely on give away seat prices ... so they don't. I have moaned about this before and have even flown on easyJet; but I just don't like their model. My dream of a real and genuine cheap/ow cost airline would be an airline that charges the same low price all of the time for all passengers. If I suddenly want to go to Rome with just a few days to spare or with just a week or so to spare, I don't want to find that I might even pay around about the same by using a cheap/low cost airline as by using a scheduled airline.

Moreover, these cheap/low cost airlines usually operate out of airports that are not always where passengers might think they are. The biggest point, of course, is that whatever fare we pay, a cheap/low cost airline remains no frills: there is no meal, no drink ... in some cases you even have to pay to put your luggage in the hold. And the rest.

So, let me laud the dream of the cheap/low cost aeroplane seat but let it be truly and consistently cheap or low cost.

In spite of all of that I've got my eye on a very cheap ticket to Rome in September, however. I will report back if I manage to go!!! Look at Ryanair's web site until 17th July where they are touting tickets at £0.19 per ticket plus taxes and other charges that should be no more than £15 or so.

Duncan Williamson

posted by Duncan Williamson @ 6:37 AM