Flights

The expansion of LOWCOST airlines in recent years has increased the choice of flights to the consumer, particularly FROM and TO regional airports. Many traditional airlines have adopted similar low-fare structures but do not offer the wide selection of regional airport departures. Charter flights which are operated by major tour-operators provide seasonal departures for more popular destinations.

LOW COST AIRLINES
Ryanair and Easyjet have led the low-cost revolution which began in the late nineties. The airlines industry which was previously operated on a near cartel basis with low cost fares only available through specialist operators or 'bucket shops' has had to wake up to the realities of a new way of doing business. Empty seats don't make money so the priority is now to fill aircraft with passengers who can and will pay for EXTRAS and who will put up without SERVICE. Customers are encouraged to book early when fares are often offered at ridiculously low prices (plus!plus!plus!). Recent years have seen airlines come and go trying to compete with the major players; but only BMIBaby, Jet2, FlyBE, Monarch and Wizzair have shown any resilience as the market becomes more saturated, still finding niches to grow their market-share.
There is no doubt that low-cost-airlines have brought air-travel within the affordability of far more people and made the SHORT-BREAK fashionable for many; but at what cost to the level of service offered to the consumer and does stripping down the airfare to the bare bones necessarily make the end product less expensive that one offered by a traditional scheduled airline. Ultimately it is down to the consumer to choose but it is worth totting up all the extras before clicking on the PAY button as you may be surprised what extras have been added to your basket. Some check-boxes require un-checking such as INSURANCE which you more than likely already have – if not then shop around or at least check the details of the cover especially if you have a pre-existing medical condition, in which case you will more than likely not be covered by the policies offered by low-cost-airlines.
Check our individual reviews on this site for more information.
For low-cost airlines and charter flights check out SKYSCANNER which is an excellent tool with up to date information and details regarding prices and schedules. WhichBudget is another site which helps keep the consumer abreast with which routes are operated by which airlines.