Depending on where you’re headed, holidays can either be really expensive or a satisfying steal. Flights can have a big impact on this and many of the countries that are cheaper to be in are pretty pricey to get to. For this reason, finding flights that will save the pennies is the first concern for many holidaymakers. But, when does low-cost travel actually end up burning a major hole in your pocket? Is there a case for paying more for an inclusive service?
When low-cost travel is best
We’ve all heard stories about bad experiences with low-cost flights, but these are in the minority. Flights from budget airlines get you from A to B reliably and in one piece. When all is said and done, that’s the most important thing, so why spend more than you have to?
Minimising the cost of travel is a priority for many when planning a holiday. Your holiday doesn’t even start until you get off the plane, so an expensive journey can make the difference between going or not going on holiday at all. However, when you’re paying less, you do often compromise on comfort and convenience, which can be a deal breaker on a long-haul trip. But, if you’re flying for a short period of time and are prepared to compromise, then low-cost travel from a budget airline can be a fantastic option.
Cutting the cost of your flights frees up your budget to spend on accommodation and experiences. Yet, while the flight may seem cheap on the surface, budget airlines can charge for things you might consider a flying essential. This can really bump up the cost of your flight. So, when is low-cost travel not as cheap as you might think?
Remember to pack light!
It’s rare for budget airlines to include hold luggage in the price of your ticket. You’ll usually get one, or at most two pieces of carry-on luggage included. If you need to take any more baggage, you’ll have to pay extra. For most airlines, your carry on must also meet certain size limits so that it can be stored in the overhead lockers. This is in addition to the normal weight restrictions on luggage you’ll face when flying. If you’re travelling for a long weekend, then a small bag is fine, but it can quickly get problematic if you have dependents, are taking a longer holiday or need to pack bulky items. Some airlines even demand that everything you’re carrying on board, including duty-free purchases, your purse and selfie stick, all fit into your hand luggage, with nothing in your hands!
Ensure you check your airline’s hand luggage guidelines before arriving at the airport so you don’t end up trying to stuff a week’s worth of clothes into your handbag at the boarding gate…!
Come fly with me
Another cost to look out for when booking with cheaper airlines is the extra charge to choose seats in advance. Premium airlines usually offer this as part of the service but with most low-cost airlines you’ll be assigned any available seat. Usually, parties are seated together, but this isn’t guaranteed. If you don’t stump up, there is a chance that you could end up separated from your travelling partner or party.
If you have children, sitting separately on the plane is obviously less than ideal and could make travelling unfeasible. To avoid this without paying for assigned seats, you have to be the early bird at the airport. Arrive early for your flight and get queuing before anyone else. This will give you a better chance of being seated next to travelling companions and plenty of time in the airport to get excited about your holiday.
The last thing to look out for when booking your flight is that many low-cost airlines serve airports that are a little less convenient for your travels. These often smaller airports can sometimes be a considerable distance from the place you’re trying to get to. So, although you may save money on the flight, transfers to your end destination may not only cost you more than you’d bargained for, but be trickier to navigate in an unfamiliar location, too.
Plan ahead and map out how you would get from the airport to your accommodation and consider the total cost of travel, rather than your flight in isolation.
Sky-high service?
A cheap flight doesn’t have to mean poor service. Notoriety for running behind schedule puts people off budget airlines, but is this rumour true?
Ryanair are so confident with their punctuality that they publish their results every single month. They claim that ‘These stats show that Ryanair continues to beat EasyJet (and every other airline in Europe) for punctuality’. And, if you’ve been on a Ryanair flight, you’ll probably be familiar with the fanfare salute when you land, signalling another flight arriving on time.
While their punctuality may be up there with the best, the same can’t necessarily be said for the facilities and comfort on their flights. One of the reasons budget airlines can afford to fly you so cheaply is because they cut out certain non-essentials to fit more people on the plane. After all, the cost of running the aircraft is the same irrespective of how many people are on it. By cramming more seats in, you can offer more tickets for less money! This is why many budget airlines don’t have an abundance of toilets, legroom or storage. While most people can cope without plentiful facilities on a short flight, these things can become uncomfortable and annoying on a long journey or if you need more space.
One easy way to check what the flight facilities will be like before you travel is by checking reviews. Visit SKYTRAX for real customer insights on everything from legroom to in-flight meals. It pays to be in the know!
Read more: Flying Hacks: Is The Closest Airport Always Better?
How airline loyalty can benefit you
If you’re a frequent flyer, then sticking with a preferred airline could benefit you in the long run. The flight itself may initially be more expensive, but the long-term benefits of air miles mean that eventually, you’ll be able to redeem miles for free flights.
As explained by Nomadic Matt, if you fly often or fly long distance then it’s well worth joining a frequent flyer program. Such programs often come with varied benefits including complimentary upgrades, quicker security screening, check-in and boarding and no baggage fees. As well as this, you can get access to airline lounges which have complimentary refreshments and internet. However, the best reward comes from the air miles you’ll gain, which could eventually end up paying for a flight. To find out more, see here for a detailed breakdown of how to gain air miles when you’re based in the UK.
Related: How To Earn Air Miles Without Flying Anywhere
Other tips for budget flying
It’s easy to avoid added costs and charges, you just have to make sure you plan in advance!
These days, most airlines require you to check in beforehand and often print your own boarding passes. With budget airlines, though, forgetting to do this could leave you forking out at the airport. For example, Ryanair charge £20 to print your boarding pass for you! Many airlines now also support electronic boarding passes kept on your phone. Doing this not only saves paper, but reduces the chance of you losing or damaging it before your flight, too.
Check how much you’re allowed to bring on board and what the airline provide. You can bring refreshments and entertainment if you think you’ll need them. Remember there are restrictions on liquids in airports. Bring an empty water bottle to fill up after security from one of the free drinking water fountains.
Interested in more travel tips? Take a look at our Life Hacks section to see where else you could save!
