Is low budget airlines the winner in the European air market? Well I have always doubt that. Thinking that people would be tired of bad service. Even if I do give credd to Ryan Air for its commercials at social media But then I read that Ryan Air makes profit again. While the traditional airlines copies more and more of Ryans and Wizz strategy I maybe need to rethink.
I still think that low budget airlines like Ryan and Wizz is bad at service. There aggressive extra sale at the booking makes me furious. But I do know what I get, a flying bus! A seat with no thrill, no internet and if worse happens no quick support. But what do I get if I fly with a traditional airline?
But when I compare it with more traditional airlines the differences ain’t so big anymore. Both SAS and Austrian Airlines that I booked flight with recently tries to get some extra sale. Yes they are not so aggressive. But the questions come. Do I not want an extra luggage, should I not pay extra to reserve the seat or why don’t I book business instead. The difference is less about strategy, just about aggression.
Let us compare low budget airlines with traditional.
At the airport, the check in is more or less the same. I suppose everyone who can check in from home and then just head to the luggage drop if necessary. The difference is that if you have Gold or higher at your chosen flight alliance you will get fast track and lounge for free. If you are status less you need to pay for that, just as at the low costs. The low budget airlines will probably also use gates further away from the security and on less popular times.
Well on board on a traditional carrier you get a little more leg space and at least I fly with SAS a cup of complementary coffee or tea while some other airlines gives you water or soft drinks,. As a Eurobonus Gold or higher you also get free wifi if available and if Diamond free drinks and many times an empty seat beside you if you fly SAS. But for the most passengers the only difference is the leg room.
When it comes to luggage, al the airlines cheapest tickets just aloud you a small personal items onboard. If you want a hand luggage or checked in luggage you need to pay extra or book a higher booking class. The exception is if your are a status passenger in the airlines alliance. Then you can take a hand luggage onboard and get at least one extra checked in bag if checked in bags are allowed i your ticket.
The real difference is maybe if the shit hit the fan. The traditional airlines are usually a part of an alliance giving them much better option to rebook you if the worst happens. My personal experience is that operators as SAS and Lufthansa are quick to rebook you. And if you are happy to get the right agent you can find really creative solutions. While the low budget airlines have less service and less possibilities to rebook you. They also usually flies to smaller airports that also decrease their options to get you home.
So are there any winners?
Well if we look onto profit it looks so and even from a passenger perspective they can be the best options. The price difference is in many cases so big that its not possible to argue against them. But you will most times pay for distance gates, bad arrival or departure times and minimum space. In my personal opinion, what makes it worth to fly the traditional airlines is the benefits you get as a status holder. If you don’t fly enough to get a status, then yes the low budget airlines are the winners.
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