Who doesn’t enjoy a vacation? Better yet, who doesn’t enjoy a cheap vacation? We would all love to go away without having to break the bank. Choosing a budget airline could be a great way to save some money, but is flying cheap the right choice for your next holiday? What’s the truth about budget airlines and can they be trusted? In this video, we’ll go over some facts about these cheaper flying options that can help you when planning your next trip. Stick around until the end of the video because we will be revealing our top tip for booking with low-budget airlines.

 

Truth #1: Budget airlines are just as safe as regular airlines.

Some people may think that low-budget airlines are cheaper due to cutting corners when it comes to safety, but this is simply not true. If budget airlines were not concerned with their passengers’ well-being, they would have gone out of business a long time ago. Transport Analyst Max Leitschuh sums it up well stating, “Airline crashes or a reputation for poor safety is bad for business. That airline would lose far more money than it would (gain) cutting corners on safety.”

Of course, all airlines want to turn a profit, however, making money by sacrificing passenger safety is just not going to ‘fly’ with airline regulators. Pun intended. Budget airlines offer the same level of safety that all other airlines have to abide by. The International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) has established regulatory arrangements and regulations that all airlines must adhere to in order to be deemed safe to operate.

Ten of the biggest aviation crashes in Europe and North America involved non-budget airlines. Statistics show that you are no more at risk choosing to fly with a budget airline than you are with any other airline. So next time you’re debating over whether on not to choose that budget flight, don’t let safety concerns be your deciding factor.

 

Truth #2: You’ll likely need to pay extra for baggage.

It’s true that you may be hit with some pesky hidden costs when traveling with a low-budget airline. It may be difficult to clearly understand all of the fees associated with the trip when booking with some airlines. Although they are obligated to state their fees, sometimes it can get confusing. This may result in some unexpected payments required when you reach the airport, and they may be higher than they would have been online. Most likely, this extra cost will come in the form of baggage.

A typical travel allowance for a passenger on a flight is oftentimes 20kg (or 44Ibs) for a checked bag, along with a 7-10kg (or 15-22Ibs) carry-on bag. Budget airlines are often quite strict with these numbers, and higher weights can result in hidden fees. Some airlines may refuse to take bags that exceed the weight regulations, and others may charge up to double to price for baggage when it is paid for in the airport, rather than online.

The reality is that luggage weight equals fuel consumption. Restricting the amount of weight passengers are allowed to bring as carry-on is a simple tactic to burn less fuel. To be safe, when booking with a budget airline, be sure to pay for your luggage online and check your baggage weight before heading to the airport.

 

Truth #3: In-flight food and drink are often extra.

Low budget airlines may offer great overall flight prices, but you’ll probably have to sacrifice the bells and whistles offered by normal airlines, and this may include food and drinks.

There are many different budget airlines, and they all differ in their offerings; however, food, drink and snack options are likely to be very limited compared to other airlines, especially on shorter flights. Usually, budget airlines will offer simple snacks, bottled drinks and maybe sandwiches once in the air. Flight attendants will go around and take payments for these items, or you may be able to order them from your seat.

This may be a bit of an inconvenience and options may be limited, but it is a common practice with budget airlines. Remember to purchase some of your own snacks before boarding the plane, and fill your water bottle in the airport, too!

 

Truth #4: You may need to print your own ticket or check-in early.

Sometimes printing off your own ticket before boarding could save you some money. Some airlines have been known to charge printing costs, although this is now very rare due to e-tickets and QR codes on your smart phones. You will likely be able to load your ticket digitally, or receive your boarding pass to your flight yourself using a machine that prints your tickets for you in the airport.

It’s also important that you know when your airline requires you to check-in for your flight before boarding. You may have to check-in early using your smart phone somewhere between 3- 24 hours before your flight. Most airlines now have mobile booking systems, including their own apps. These apps allow you to easily check-in before your flight using your mobile phone or link from your conformation email when you purchased the tickets.

Don’t forget to research any necessary visa information or complete the passenger information form required by most airlines or you could run into some problems at the airport!

Have you heard anything that has surprised you so far? If you’ve seen something that will help you when booking your next budget airline flight, give this video a like. Don’t forget to subscribe to ViewCation for more travel content and tips for your next trip!

 

Truth #5: The airport could be outside a major city.

Some budget airlines may fly into airports that are further from your travel destination than you may have realized. These airports may be smaller, with less options for transportation to your desired location. This could result in high taxi costs, as well as added time and stress.

For example, in Paris the budget airline Ryanair offers cheap flights to the Beauvais airport. This airport is 1.5 hours away from the main city airport, Orly. This could be the case in many large cities where there are multiple airport options. It’s important to double check which airport you will be arriving in and coordinate your transportation accordingly to avoid any surprise fees.

Remember to do your research when booking with budget airlines! Always check Google Maps to be sure where the airport is. You can also use other useful websites such as Rome2Rio, which calculates and compares travel costs.

 

Truth #6: The customer service isn’t necessarily worse.

The customer service on your next flight with a budget airline could be better, worse or the same as other airlines. Just because you chose a budget airlines does not mean the customer service will be horrible; however, you must be aware that the customer service standards are not the same across all airlines.

Every airline represents a different brand with their own values, offerings and services. Some brands may prioritize comfort, amenities or effectiveness. Others consider customer service and passenger experience to be a top priority to their business model. Choosing a budget airline does not mean you have to sacrifice customer service, but you should be aware that the company’s priority may be low-cost and efficiency.

Personal preference will significantly impacts your opinion of customer service. What one passenger considers an excellent experience could be mediocre to the next. Take this into consideration when booking with a budget airline and consider what is most important to you when traveling.

 

Truth #7: The aircraft may have a more basic interior.

On a budget airline flight, you can expect some significant differences in the aircraft. If comfort is a top priority for you, choosing to fly budget may not be the best option. For the lower price tag, these flights do not offer the same amenities and perks of their competitors.

Usually, the space on these planes will be smaller. There may be less leg room and a tighter space between you and your neighbor. The overhead cabin may be smaller as well, so finding a comfortable space for your carry-on could be a challenge sometimes. The seats may be less comfortable, with less options to adjust your seat or head rest.

The amenity options on budget airlines are likely to be different as well. They may not offer a TV screen or free headphones. While more expensive airlines might provide a pillow or blanket for longer flights, this may not be included on budget planes.

These are all things to consider when booking a flight with a budget airline. If these conveniences make a world of difference to you throughout your flight, flying budget may not be for you.

 

Top Tip: Consider layovers and flight times.

Don’t forget to do your research when planning your next trip, especially when choosing to fly with a budget airlines. Visit Skyscanner.com to compare all your different flight options. Here you can filter flights by price, duration, date and layovers. Sometimes, budget airlines will include an extra layover, and it’s important that this stop works for your schedule. How long is the layover and how will it affect your flight time? Also, consider the departure and arrival time of budget airline flights. In order to save money, some budget airlines may travel at less-desirable times, so it’s important to coordinate your trip accordingly, including any transportation or accommodation.

Is flying budget for you? We hope this list of facts about budget airlines has helped you decide how you’ll be flying on your next vacation. Would you rather book a flight with a budget or full-service airline? Let us know in the comments below. And if you enjoyed this video, don’t forget to like and subscribe for more ViewCation content and travel tips!