V-Flyer

Is there any reason why European airlines have not really touched the low cost practices of the Ryanair's of the world in their advertising?

For example, mention Ryanair to Mr Public and they will more than likely say "Oh, you have to spend a pound to spend a penny" or similar, because they think Ryanair charge you to use on board loos. They don't. Yet there's a perception that you will be nickel and dimed on low cost airlines, which I don't think BA, LH etc. have exploited. BA have a section on their website comparing their prices to FR and U2, yet you have to look for it. Shouldn't they be shouting that from the roof tops?

Could it be because they are watching low-cost procedures carefully, with an eye for copying them?

Why haven't they traded more on the hidden fees, airport scrums, penny pinching practices?

Sealink wrote:Could it be because they are watching low-cost procedures carefully, with an eye for copying them?

I think this is probably part of the story -- the news that they are trialling discounted fares for those without checked baggage at LGW suggests that they are learning from the low-cost carriers. (More's the pity.)

Sealink wrote:Could it be because they are watching low-cost procedures carefully, with an eye for copying them?

They'd be daft not to be watching those procedures and wondering what they could leverage. Airlines are a business, out to make profit and their shareholders happy. Either the public are very masochistic or there's something in the LCCs pricing model that they like, given the numbers that continue to fly with them, so anyone wondering how to make a bit more margin must be asking what's the secret. As you suggest they'll not be wanting to make themselves hostages to fortune by saying 'we will never charge extra for baggage'.

Sealink wrote:Why haven't they traded more on the hidden fees, airport scrums, penny pinching practices?

Pots and kettles?

There's also the question of routes.