The Low Cost Airline Story

Tonight, 9pm, BBC2. Except Wales.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b02yyqrc

"As the cost of flying keeps increasing, how much further can these companies grow? Stelios, EasyJet's biggest shareholder, is trying to halt its expansion, while O'Leary has just placed a massive order for new planes."

Why does that Fascinating Aida song 'Cheap Flights' come to mind ??

Why does that Fascinating Aida song 'Cheap Flights' come to mind ??

Coz there's no ___ thing as a ___ flight fer 50 p

It's making for very interesting watching. I personally think Ryanair is a terrible airline and will never fly with them again, but I have to admire his approach.

This article on the BBC News website is an interesting read.

As St Simon of Calder says

'Low-cost airline' means an airline whose costs are low, not necessarily an airline whose fares are low,

This article on the BBC News website is an interesting read.

As St Simon of Calder says

'Low-cost airline' means an airline whose costs are low, not necessarily an airline whose fares are low,

Absolutely. A friend of ours has invited us to Ibiza in July and I looked up the options, EasyJet the most expensive, then BA, then Iberia ...

I don't mind EasyJet - used to fly on them a lot to AMS because the BA flights are poorly timed for morning meetings. I have never flown Ryanair because I detest the language and ethics of MOL to much.

I do however take issue with "St" Simon.

That was an interesting read.
I wonder sometimes if getting a cheap fare is sometimes down to luck. Unless you can be really flexible and are happy to risk not getting the class/fare code you want.
I won't fly Ryanair. Easy jet are ok, as I always say "you get what you pay for"
Just an after thought but as the quote referred to "an airline with low costs" I'm not overly keen on that because where/how are they cutting costs?

Just an after thought but as the quote referred to "an airline with low costs" I'm not overly keen on that because where/how are they cutting costs?

They normally have minimum headcount in the back office support staff functions, drive the hardest possible deals with suppliers and things like that.

Although they'll outsource maintenance to a third party, they won't be cutting corners as for example Easyjet is still regulated by the CAA to the same extent as BA.

I think a large majority of the growth can also be attributed to the fact that the low cost fly direct as versus hub to hub and again a large number of the destinations have not always been served by a major. However at my local airport ALC BA have now added a minimum twice daily service to LGW with additionally flights at weekends including to LHR. These flights are proving very popular especially with the 23kg hand luggage plus full on board service. The local forums are full off praise and I believe that on the right routes the big boys can still compete as passengers can see the value of being treated as a valued customer and not herded like cattle as my only Ryan Air experience felt like. Plus ice booked my daughters family in October for £30 return including hold luggage. Who says they can't compete

My son/husband go to many of the european games with Man-Utd and i always book Ryanair. I always book in advance, and get cheap fares. They dont mind because it keeps the cost down.Dont ever buy any snacks/drinks its very dear, take your own. What we save goes towards there season tickets. ): Only take a small holdall and wear the rest if staying over.

Just an after thought but as the quote referred to "an airline with low costs" I'm not overly keen on that because where/how are they cutting costs?

They normally have minimum headcount in the back office support staff functions, drive the hardest possible deals with suppliers and things like that.

Although they'll outsource maintenance to a third party, they won't be cutting corners as for example Easyjet is still regulated by the CAA to the same extent as BA.

That's reassuring to know
Thanks
I'm amazed by the fountain of knowledge on v-flyer

[honey lamb]

For all of you who say that you will never fly Ryanair, some of us have very little choice on routes that have no competition. Like slinky, I detest MOL and his tactics. Having said that down through the years I can honestly say that I haven't had a bad flight with Ryanair simply because I just ignore the blatant marketing. I don't even have a G&T :0

On routes where I DO have a choice such as ORK-LON, I generally find that though the base fare might be slightly lower on Ryanair compared to Aer Lingus, when you add on other factors such as baggage (and Ryanair's one carry-on bag policy is a total pain to us ladies) and transport to and from the airport, Aer Lingus frequently works out cheaper even though it uses LHR as a destination

For all of you who say that you will never fly Ryanair, some of us have very little choice on routes that have no competition. Like slinky, I detest MOL and his tactics. Having said that down through the years I can honestly say that I haven't had a bad flight with Ryanair simply because I just ignore the blatant marketing. I don't even have a G&T :0

On routes where I DO have a choice such as ORK-LON, I generally find that though the base fare might be slightly lower on Ryanair compared to Aer Lingus, when you add on other factors such as baggage (and Ryanair's one carry-on bag policy is a total pain to us ladies) and transport to and from the airport, Aer Lingus frequently works out cheaper even though it uses LHR as a destination

Ryanair are like a bus service. Boringly reliable, but if things go wrong you could be stuck. But like honeylamb, I have had some lovely flights with Ryanair.

This seems like a good opportunity for some self promotion...

Ryanair to Limoges

Ryanair to Oslo

Ryanair from Oslo

I recently flew BA to Catania, Sicily. I chose BA because they were cheaper than Easyjet. However I wish I'd stuck to EZY - my airline of choice for European travel.

BA are consistently late on their European short hauls. Their clapped out twenty-three year old 737's are a disgrace. We were delayed an hour & half both ways with the usual apology about aircraft being late inbound to Gatwick. Hardly surprising when they try to run the flight in question flight on a 15 min turnaround - in from Pisa at 14:15 and push back to Catania due 14:30!

With EZY we have never had a delay, the planes are sparkling new & the crew are happy & proud to be working for them, unlike both BA crews we had!

I think a large majority of the growth can also be attributed to the fact that the low cost fly direct as versus hub to hub and again a large number of the destinations have not always been served by a major. However at my local airport ALC BA have now added a minimum twice daily service to LGW with additionally flights at weekends including to LHR. These flights are proving very popular especially with the 23kg hand luggage plus full on board service. The local forums are full off praise and I believe that on the right routes the big boys can still compete as passengers can see the value of being treated as a valued customer and not herded like cattle as my only Ryan Air experience felt like. Plus ice booked my daughters family in October for £30 return including hold luggage. Who says they can't compete

If there wasn't the competition from the LCC would BA be offering £30 returns? Love them or loathe them, the LCC have forced the legacy carriers to respond.

Sealink's comparison with public transport is apt. I spent three years shuttling between STN and EDI on EZY and it was very similar to the nature of the my current daily commute on the rail into London (except that the planes are cleaner and no one has to stand); not exciting but functional. And, as Vegascrazy says, BA flights from EDI on a Friday seemed to be delayed / cancelled far more frequently than my EZY flights, though that is just an impression rather than a scientifically verifiable truth.

I've flown on EasyJet occasionally and thought it was OK. However, like others I resolved a while ago never to fly on Ryanair, and have managed to keep my side of that bargain.

I would choose Easyjet over Ryanair every day of the week. I think Ryanair treat its customers with contempt, and after one terrible flight to Spain I vowed never to use them again.

Me too
I wouldn't use Ryanair either.
I have used easy jet and they were ok.