Comments on: Do we expect too much from low cost airlines?

By: Scott

Scott — Fri, 18 Dec 2009 17:20:25 +0000

Yes, people expect too much from all airlines, relative to having sought out the lowest fare. It has a lot to do with airline history. At least in America, most people still remember a time when you got a meal on a flight, could pick your seat, and the airline provided staff you could interact with, in person or by phone. In many cases, this was less than 10 years ago. While the business model has had to change to maintain profitability, especially since 9/11 and with higher oil prices, the customer seldom cares about the airline’s financial health, and just wants the services they are used to. The history of consumer behavior is generally that consumers want more for their money, this is the message the media sends with respect to electronics, cars, etc. They don’t like being told that they are getting less, even though they are paying less. And they don’t like being told that they have to pay lots of extra fees for stuff that used to be included, even if it ends up costing less in total.

By: Graham Robertson

Graham Robertson — Mon, 14 Dec 2009 10:55:19 +0000

I thought you’d like that! I totally forgot about the lack of support LCC’s give to agents… I like to think that the wheelchair incident could have been avoided if an experience travel agent was involved. I don’t think disable travel is something someone should just book online and hope for the best.
I love watching Airways and laughing at the pax freaking out over a 29 dollar ticket… but at the same time, the lcc’s have opened up the market for some passengers that wouldnt have travelled at all.

By: Nick Bowditch Travel

Nick Bowditch Travel — Sun, 13 Dec 2009 23:11:53 +0000

Too right Graham. If you have ever seen the television show commissioned by Easyjet in the UK or the Aussie version that features Tiger Airways, you will see hundreds of people who have paid $29 for the flight going mental when the plane is delayed (or cancelled) or they rock up 29 minutes before the flight and check in closed 1 minute prior.

Never has the phrase “you get what you pay for” been more appropriate than when describing low cost carriers, whether in the UK, the States or Australia/Asia.

People need to be realistic – if you pay $29 for a flight that other full service carriers charge $129 for then you could probably expect the experience to be at least $100 crapper. I think sometimes it’s a case of people having ‘champagne tastes on a beer budget’ as my Mum used to say.

Personally, and from a professional point of view, I dont sell my clients tickets on low cost carriers anymore. If they are determined to buy a Jetstar, Virgin Blue or Tiger fare, they are most welcome to, but I just look after their land arrangements. Once (well about six times actually) bitten, twice shy.

By: Graham Robertson

Graham Robertson — Sun, 13 Dec 2009 22:18:42 +0000

I agree, but my problem is with passengers that have an air of entitlement when they’ve paid a fraction of what they would pay anywhere else. I think we’re much better off having LCC’s, but people need to remember what their purpose is and what the limitations are. If you want a specialized, custom service you will have to spend the money.

By: Darren Cronian

Darren Cronian — Sun, 13 Dec 2009 12:05:43 +0000

I haven’t read the story, but, airlines could certainly do more to assist passengers with disabilities. It’s a topic that I am actually writing a post on. As for low cost airlines, you get what you pay for, so your paying cheap, you can expect no frills, BUT, that does not mean that the airlines have the right to treat passengers like cattle, and delay and cancel their flights.

Ryanair as much as I dislike how they go about their business, tell their passenger exactly how it is. You want expensive you pay for a seat on the likes of British airways. You pay for a flight with us, you’ll get a seat and thats about it.