AmyHuang
The thing about low cost airlines....
I thought I'd share my point of view on low cost airlines, as I have just came back to Sydney from Adelaide on a JetStar flight, and not exactly had a bad time. Although, it makes me wonder. Are low cost really - LOW cost?
There are two types of people - those who would pick the airline by price, and those who have a preference to the airline they fly with and reluctant to change. I kind of fall in the middle of these types where I do have preferences to fly Qantas when I can (and always for business trips because they are naturally the company's preference as well) but I can do with low cost airlines when it means I can save a little.
However, if you are only saving less than AU$20, then you have to really assess if it really is worth the effort getting a low cost flight.
For example, Qantas, and other major international airlines will go on sale from time to time, especially during low season for international tourism the price is almost just the same as a low cost airfare, but you will be getting a better service, not to mention free refreshments on
domestic flights. JetStar's on board menu has a $10 deal where you get a sandwich, a can of Pepsi and a chocolate bar. If you are only saving $10 off the flight, you might as well fly a major airline.
Often, low cost airlines, that includes the new Tiger Airways, only fly into minor airports that are quite far from the city. (Due to being regulated by Qantas that owns most of the Australian airports) Melbourne for example, has Tullamarine and Avalon Airports. Miles apart. The money you had saved on your flight, should you find yourself flying into Avalon (and not really wanting to go near there), you'd be spending the savings in a cab anyway.
And then, you have the taxes and charges. Often the low cost airlines advertise their price based on the cost excluding taxes and airport charges. The unfortunate thing is, these charges are often more than you would pay for your ticket... you sometimes could end up paying just the same as an ordinary major airline, or even more.
Low cost airlines also usually have less baggage allowance, less availability and fly to less destinations. Sometimes it's just not worth it.
And it's not just Australian domestics - it's the same all over the world. RyanAir, the major low cost airline in Europe, flies mostly to smaller airports outside the cities they fly into. The only difference is, the flight was so cheap, that it all still works out great. My flight from Frankfurt to Stockholm found me in an airport still 2 hours bus drive away from the city centre. However for 13Euros return, I could hardly argue the value.
My surprise find of Air Asia, Malaysia's low cost airline in SE Asia is so far the best low cost airline I have been on. Not only the fares are good, they do fly into international airports and provide good service. Good news is they are now flying into the Gold Coast in Australia. However, as I said above, in off peak season you can fly to Kuala Lumpur for less than $1000 if you book through the right agents. I just ran a query on Air Asia and it was going to cost $890 return including taxes. Excluding food. For the 8 hour flights, food is essential, therefore, I still struggle to find a reason to fly them as I almost always travel during off peak seasons!
I have actually found something useful for travelling in Europe - They do have a large number of low cost airlines but not many of us know about it. The Low Cost Airline Guide can find you the airline that flies the routes you want to take while in Europe saving you time searching for the right connections. Extremely useful if you are looking at a trip in Europe and want to visit more than one country!
However, if you are only saving less than AU$20, then you have to really assess if it really is worth the effort getting a low cost flight.
For example, Qantas, and other major international airlines will go on sale from time to time, especially during low season for international tourism the price is almost just the same as a low cost airfare, but you will be getting a better service, not to mention free refreshments on
Often, low cost airlines, that includes the new Tiger Airways, only fly into minor airports that are quite far from the city. (Due to being regulated by Qantas that owns most of the Australian airports) Melbourne for example, has Tullamarine and Avalon Airports. Miles apart. The money you had saved on your flight, should you find yourself flying into Avalon (and not really wanting to go near there), you'd be spending the savings in a cab anyway.
And then, you have the taxes and charges. Often the low cost airlines advertise their price based on the cost excluding taxes and airport charges. The unfortunate thing is, these charges are often more than you would pay for your ticket... you sometimes could end up paying just the same as an ordinary major airline, or even more.
Low cost airlines also usually have less baggage allowance, less availability and fly to less destinations. Sometimes it's just not worth it.
And it's not just Australian domestics - it's the same all over the world. RyanAir, the major low cost airline in Europe, flies mostly to smaller airports outside the cities they fly into. The only difference is, the flight was so cheap, that it all still works out great. My flight from Frankfurt to Stockholm found me in an airport still 2 hours bus drive away from the city centre. However for 13Euros return, I could hardly argue the value.
I have actually found something useful for travelling in Europe - They do have a large number of low cost airlines but not many of us know about it. The Low Cost Airline Guide can find you the airline that flies the routes you want to take while in Europe saving you time searching for the right connections. Extremely useful if you are looking at a trip in Europe and want to visit more than one country!
Flick Wit
That said, I am willing to look into budget airlines on a case by case basis (lol), but only if I am not going to be inconvenienced and I'm going to save a substantial amount.
Michaelie
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Camel
However that said - if you are really really quick with booking deals, it is possible to get great deals!
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I should think Jet Star will more seats available after that fiasco in Sydney the other day. After the way I was treated in Moscow once when I was stranded there, I cannot believe those passengers were just tossed out into the street?
Since they arrived on the scene, I have always flown interstate on Virgin... I wait for their domestic sales or you can book on line at midday in the 'Happy hour' and get some fab deals. I just got two seats to Canberra for $150.
Nyehoo, the worst was Aeroflot in the early days. They were converted B52 bombers and had no ability to cope with the tropics of Singapore, but they were cheap and if you don;t mind being dripped on (from condensation) *laughs* then they're the plane for you!
Some fond memories in Moscow, where as I said I was stranded .. and if you have time for a fellow travellers travel journal, you can read about how Russia got this fleet started and my adventures upon them (and in Moscow) <<here>>
I think the increase in population has made travelling much cheaper now than say, 20 years ago... there are some fabulous international flight deals and the fares seem to me to be nearly as cheap as they were ten years ago... in a world of inflation, that's amazing?
I like going by train in Europe, there is just so much to see and you can get a Europass for so little and get on and off anywhere...
Thanks for the link to Low Cost Airlines link, I guess the next time I go, with children in tow (one probably in her wheelchair) flying may become a better option than the train.
Lilla ...
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I love the train too! And you are right, you get to see so much more on the train - just sometimes tight travelling schedules does force me to fly.