Air travel today is cheaper than it has ever been with low cost airfares being offered by low cost operators and, on certain routes, the legacy
air carriers. But does a low cost airfare really mean low fares? Low cost airlines like JetBlue, Southwest and AirTran have brought low cost
airfares to many markets and created their reputation as discount airlines offering low cost fares. The problem is, low cost airlines do not always
offer the cheapest low cost airfare over a particular route. This is because many of the legacy air carriers, which have spent the last few years
in bankruptcy, have slashed their own expenses and are aggressively matching or undercutting their rival’s low cost airfares.
Further, fees and taxes are also a part of the ticket price, and sometimes these fees and taxes can more than double their low cost airfare.
In one case a $ 198 roundtrip ticket to London on Virgin Atlantic didn’t include $ 210 in additional taxes and fees. It is also a mistake to think
that you will get the same low cost airfare through the online travel services like Travelocity, Orbitz or Expedia. And you should always check out
the individual carriers web sites before purchasing your ticket because the difference may be much more than the $ 5 to $ 10 booking fee for that low cost airfare.
One other thing to remember as you shop the internet for the best low cost airfare. Most web sites use cookies, which are text file placed on your hard drive by a
server at sites you visit to remember the information you were provided when you last visited that page. It is important to clear out your cookies when you return
to a site in order to get a fresh look at the low cost airfare which may have changed since last you visited. Clearing out your cookies is easy to do by using the
tools provided on your browser.
Here are some tips for you when checking out a low cost airfare:
- Look for any hidden charges
- Book on the internet to cut out the broker commission
- Make sure you know where the airport you are going to is located
- Many low cost airfare deals will make you pay full price if you cancel
- Always check quoted prices often – that low cost airfare may change – and remember the cookies
- Look out for credit card surcharges
- Do not expect any frills like food if you purchase a low cost airfare
What determines a low cost airfare? In a word – competition. They determined by the particular market and how well it is served. Can you count on getting a low cost
airfare in the future, and are they here to stay, or will they disappear? My bet is they will. We have a saying in aviation when talking about costs – raise prices
and lose business? What, and give up aviation? The love of airplanes and aviation will keep those low cost airfare deals coming for a long time to come.
Crowded skies are coming! Have you heard the news?
You remember the dot com bust, right? Well, the newest version of the dot com craze are the Very Light Jet (VLJ) manufacturers. Depending upon who you listen to,
there will either be thousands of these very light jets in a very short time, or there will be few. Many people believe that they will drive airlines to provide low
cost airfare deals far into the future. However, the possibility of cheap rates to fly on a vlj air taxi operator’s aircraft is probably wishful thinking. The air taxi
operators using vljs will not be able to compete with cheap low cost airfare deals, and only the better off business travelers will be able to afford such flights.
Some say the very light jet manufacturing business will be a fun and exciting new way to lose money. Why? Because no on knows whether the manufacturers will sell enough
units to make money, and no one knows if the air tax business model using vlj aircraft will succeed. For sure the risks are great, and this may turn out to be the latest dot com bust.
To find more information on the vlj revolution take a look at the links on the left.
