Full Service v’s Low Cost Airlines – a 40Plus Travelers Perspective
Over the last few years the proliferation of Low Cost Airlines around the world has massively decreased the costs of international and long distance travel. These airlines have opened up travel to many who could never have afforded it, as well as increased the amount many of the rest of us are able to fly. Another major achievement of low cost airlines that we don’t always think about , has been to force down the price of Full Service Airlines! I think some of the worlds stodgy old, national carriers where bloated and unresponsive to customers, which is often the case in a monopoly or duopoly situation.
So along came the Low Cost Carriers, and these airlines started offering fares for $150 dollars, that the old airlines were charging $1200 for. And as a result, a good portion of their “customers” moved to the new carriers.
Now, finally, Some full services airlines, national carriers or not, have woken up and are sometimes offering some great pricing, working on the strategy of the new airlines – fill the seats!
This is a long introduction (or boring modern history lesson!), to get to the subject I want to discuss -
Are Full Service Airlines Deals now Better the Low Cost Carriers?
My case study for this article, is my recent flight (holiday) from Perth, Western Australia, to Bali, Indonesia. This route is one that is services by at least 4 low costs carriers, and only one major Full service Airline, being Indonesia’s national carrier – Garuda International.
So comparing the Garuda best price v the low cost airline best price
Garuda – $ 386.00 AUD return v’s Air Asia – $220.00 AUD return
But then, when you add the services that are included with full service -
20 kg luggage each way - $50.00
1 meal each way, 1 bottle of water each way - $40.00
Seat allocation – $20.00
Comfort kit – $11.00.
Theses extras then make the comparison, as follows -
Garuda – $ 386.00 AUD return v’s Air Asia – $341.00 AUD return.
If you then add the cost of a beer or wine with your meal ( not available on Air Asia, even at a cost), and in-flight entertainment service, and added those on at an extra $25.00, comparisons become -
Garuda – $ 386.00 AUD return v’s Air Asia – $366.00 AUD return.
So, then you need to decide if the full service Garuda flight is worth an extra $20.00? (if you consume any extra alcohol on full service, or if you are likely to buy more food than just the one meal on the Low cost airline, this changes the equation again).
In my opinion, the full service flight is worth the few extra dollars, for a couple of reasons.
- The seats are bigger, and the leg room is greater.
- The quality of passenger is better!
- Seat-back entertainment system help pass the time
Now, I am not saying Full Service will always be a cheaper option, usually it is not. I do recommend doing the math, and allowing for all the add-ons and if the difference is not much, it might be a good idea to opt for the Full Service option.
I would be interested in any other comparisons, any of you out there may have done. Quick $ comparison would be great. send them in!
Hi,
I do not agree with your statement following you example between Garuda and Air Asia, people will pay $220+$40 (bags) and that’s it!!!! the idea of travelling with a low cost is NOT to buy any of the stuff on board, so forget the seat allocation,confort kit, water…etc…..drinks and food CAN BE BOUGHT before boarding. have you seen how the food businesses have grown at airports these days? have you ask yourself the question why?
Cheers
Patrick
Fair call Patrick. In my real-case example, I felt the difference in $ between the two was minimal enough to offer a comparison, when using the services offered by the low cost airlines. A canny fly-er, I acknowledge, may not use all these options. However, you must have never flown with my wife!
One point, however, is that you cannot take drinks on-board. So if you get thirsty, you must buy a drink – be it water or soft drink.
I’ve never flown with a low cost that doesn’t allow drinks or food to be taken on board….even shitty low cost like Ryanair in EU allow it.
Unfortunatly the customers are asking to pay less and less for airfares so airlines (even major) have no choice but to move toward the low cost model.
For employees of those airlines it’s a modern way of slavery not to forget the reduced salary and social benefits that comes with it.
Patrick
I haven’t flown on an airline for the last 3 years that allows passengers to take any water or other liquids over 100 ml into the cabin. It is a security issue.
I get what you are saying about the public and their demands for low cost. In some ways that is the reasoning behind my original post. To run low cost, they then need to add extras back in to make profit, and , in the end, perhaps Full Service is better value (not necessarily cheaper, but better value).
Look I think I will end my comments here, you are mixing the 100ml rules that is not allow trough SECURITY and on board.
I was saying that PASSED SECURITY, shops and restaurant are allowed, they DO SALE food and drinks and Airlines (even low cost) ALLOWS IT to be taken on board.
I am an Airline employee, I fly long and short haul, I do at times even use Low cost Airline to travel but never came accross the issue you were mentionning above. my advice to you would be to check the facts before you publish it on the web because people reading it would beleive it and that’s not good….