On top of all that, new ultra-low-cost airlines have entered the market, charging customers for just about anything imaginable. Further blurring the line are higher-end budget airlines that seem to have a foot in each camp, like JetBlue, which originally launched as a low-cost carrier but now features satellite TV, above-average legroom and complimentary snacks (and even business class on some routes), or Southwest, which has traditionally offered free carry-on bags and free changes or cancellations, two things most budget airlines charge hefty fees for. Meant to attract a thriftier traveler, this recent integration significantly blurs the line between true budget airlines and legacy airlines. These fare classes are designed to resemble the budget airline experience and generally don’t include things like free checked luggage, pre-assigned seats, priority boarding, upgrade eligibility, and other main cabin amenities. In an effort to compete with the proliferation of low-cost airlines, some legacy carriers like American, United, and Delta have begun offering a deeply discounted “basic economy” fare class on their regular flights. Between legacy airlines creating basic economy fares, traditional budget airlines with expanded seat choices and amenities, and new ultra-low-cost airlines that charge for just about anything you can imagine, things have gotten a lot more complicated. When planning your next flight, it might seem like you have two choices: Spending a little extra cash for a full-service experience on a big name carrier like American, Air France, or Singapore Airlines, or saving some money by going with a low-cost, bare-bones carrier designed to simply transport you from point A to point B.īut these days, it really isn’t that simple.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |