Low-cost airlines: features, secrets, chips

Low-cost airlines, low-cost airlines, low-cost airlines are all names of the same class of carriers that fly from point A to point B for a penny. Today I will tell you how it became possible at all, about the peculiarities of flights by low-cost airlines, as well as what pitfalls exist in this segment, how to avoid hidden payments, and much more.

Low-cost airlines: what are they all about?

The very name "low-cost" comes from the English "low-cost", which means low price (logical, right? ;-)). Previously, flying by plane was the privilege of the wealthy, but the world is rapidly changing before our eyes: now flights are available to everyone. To fly away at the price of 1 ruble per 1 km of travel is a reality. For example, you can take a flight in Europe for a couple of euros, in Asia for $ 3-5, in Russia for 999 rubles.

The bottom line is to reduce the cost by giving up some comfort and optional services, optimizing the route network and the work of all divisions of the airline.

And here are the lists:

How it works?

It's actually pretty simple. What is the cost of an air ticket? Directly payment for transportation (including food), airport, fuel surcharges and much, much more.

The more passengers, the cheaper

It is logical that the more passengers there are, the less cost will be for each of them. Therefore, low-cost aircraft have more seats, which means less distance between the rows. In addition, they leave a few "normal" seats and sell them for an increased fee.

Aircraft fleet

Surprisingly, low-cost airlines are much younger than traditional carriers. The fact is that after several years of operation of the aircraft, it begins to consume an increased amount of fuel. In addition, new cars do not require expensive repairs in the first couples.

I think this is a big plus, because, among other things being equal, flying on a new plane is safer than on an old one.

Asian low-cost airline Tiger Air

Arrival / departure airports

Low-cost airlines do not fly to main airports (with rare exceptions), but choose minor ones, often located very far from the city. Just imagine how many fees airlines have to pay: parking, maintenance, parking, and so on.

Old and remote airports set minimum fees, which is why low-cost airlines use them. Sometimes getting to the city center is more expensive than the air ticket itself! But this is not always the case. For example, Asia's largest low-cost airline Air Asia in Bangkok arrives at Don Muang Airport in the north of the city, and buses and taxis go between it and the main airport of Suvarnabhumi, and it is easy and cheap to get there.

Some companies fly specifically to major airports to differentiate themselves from competitors, such as Spain's Vueling.

It happens that passengers have to walk to the plane - this way the airline saves on the rental of buses or sleeves. We always got the bus.

Read also:

Baggage and carry-on baggage allowances.

What all low-cost airlines have for sure is strict restrictions on the weight of luggage and hand luggage. If regular airlines have one piece of baggage included in the norm (usually 23 kg, some have 46!), Then low-cost airlines carry all baggage only for an additional fee. Moreover, hand luggage is also limited not only in weight (usually 7-8 kg), but also in size (usually 55x40x20 cm). It is quite possible to take a small backpack.

And vice versa from the Russian low-cost airline Pobeda - you can take 10 kg of luggage, but only a handbag / umbrella / briefcase in the salon.

By the way, now many Russian airlines have also introduced cheap promotional fares without baggage and without the ability to return a ticket. For example, S7, Utair, Ural Airlines and many others - that's what the competition is doing!

There is only one way out: take as few things as possible and skillfully pack them into the space that is. You can put on all the bulky clothes on yourself, and stuff that is not included in the backpack in your pockets. Like in the picture ;-)

Photo from the site habrahabr.ru

But! Remember the norms for carrying liquids in hand luggage (no more than 1 liter, and each package is no more than 100 ml, all in a transparent bag), knives and piercing objects will also have to be put aside.

Sales method

As you might guess, maintaining a staff of cashiers is quite expensive, so often you can buy a ticket only on the Internet on the airline's website or on the websites of agents. In addition, you also need to pay the check-in staff, and if so, then check-in at boarding is paid, but on the website it is free. If you want to save money, check in online before leaving the airport.

Sale time

Low-cost airlines use all the marketing tricks to sell the ticket as early as possible. This is how sales and promotions appear that allow you to buy tickets for six months or more at a ridiculous price. Thus, they fill the plane as much as possible, in addition, they can use your money all this time.

Remember that tickets at the minimum fare are often non-refundable, or they can still be returned, but with a commission that will make this process meaningless. Many low-cost airlines have flexible tariff lines, where on premium tariffs you can change the departure date, surname or return a ticket. This is convenient if you don't have exact plans, although you will have to pay extra.

By the way, some still allow you to return a ticket, almost without losing anything, we wrote about such a case: , the best low-cost airline in the world.

By the way, we have a couple more posts about this airline, the tricks of all low-cost airlines are about the same:

Possibility to choose a place

By default, low-cost airlines do not allow you to choose your seat when checking in for a flight, only for an additional fee. If you want to sit next to a friend, pay. If you want to look out the window, pay too.

Nutrition

One of the most insignificant disadvantages of flying with discounter airlines, as for me. Yes, food is always for an additional fee, however, you can take dried fruit nuts with you to have a snack. I don’t know of low-cost airlines that make transatlantic flights, as a rule these are 2-3 hour flights. This time can be tolerated, unless you are flying with five transfers for the second day.

Where to buy low-cost airline tickets?

Flight search engines have long learned to include low-cost carrier tickets in search results. For reliability, check both on and on.

Low-cost airlines are by no means a panacea for expensive flights - weigh the pros and cons for yourself. If you are ready to give up a little comfort, endure a couple of hours without food and fly light, then low-cost airlines will be a good way to significantly save on your flight.

Your comments and questions are welcome! Ultra-cheap flights to all of us ;-)