Budget Airlines: 10 Key Insights from Bargain Traveler Richard Quest

Catch the first installment of Richard Quest’s budget airline adventure, now available on Dinogo International and online at Dinogo.com.

We asked Richard for the top 10 takeaways from his experience. Here’s what he shared with us:

1. The airline industry has evolved; it’s time for us to catch up

Today’s low-cost carriers are vastly different from those of the past. Take Ryanair, for example, which is set to serve 100 million passengers this year.

It’s the largest carrier in Europe, surpassing even Lufthansa Group and AIG. The scale and range of these airlines is enormous!

I aimed to explore not just how these airlines became so massive with so many hubs, but also their future growth plans. Where will they expand next, and what new services can we expect from them?

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2. ‘Low-cost’ refers to the airline’s expenses, not the traveler’s savings

The term “low-cost” is about the airline’s operational costs, not the cheap fares. These airlines employ specific strategies that help them keep expenses lower than traditional carriers like British Airways or Virgin Atlantic.

They operate a uniform fleet, flying direct routes without connecting passengers. Everything from checked bags to in-flight coffee comes with an extra charge.

Their aircraft turnaround is lightning fast – typically just 20 to 30 minutes. The same crew stays on for the return flight, and crews rarely overnight at destinations.

During my journey, I was struck by how closely they adhered to their low-cost model, though they are also experimenting with new ideas.

While they know they can’t stray too far from this model without jeopardizing their low-cost edge, each airline is eager to explore innovative ways to operate.

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Quest’s eight-day adventure started and concluded in London. Sarah-Grace Mankarious

3. Product bundling is a booming market

In recent years, airlines have discovered new ways to boost revenue without compromising their low-cost model.

For example, offering added flexibility for business travelers at an additional cost has become a popular option.

Offering an extra bag for a lower fee than you’d pay at the airport is one of the strategies used.

This practice, known as bundling, involves combining various add-ons into one package at a price.

Keep in mind that airlines can earn up to 25% of their revenue from ancillary services, so it's a significant part of their business.

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4. Even business travelers are flying low-cost these days

The short-haul routes of low-cost airlines are extensive, especially in Europe.

For certain destinations, these are often the only airlines offering service.

While British Airways operates from Heathrow, Virgin has three bases in the UK, and Lufthansa has bases in Frankfurt, Dusseldorf, and Munich, Ryanair boasts 76 bases across Europe and North Africa, while Easyjet has many bases scattered across Europe for overnight plane parking.

These carriers are enormous by comparison, crisscrossing the continent and capitalizing on Europe’s open skies policy.

The days when budget airlines catered only to holidaymakers on package deals are long gone.

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5. Some airlines stick more closely to the original model than others.

Ryanair, Air Asia, and Air Arabia remain true to the original low-cost approach.

These airlines are committed to maintaining the core model, but they recognize the need for small tweaks and adaptations over time.

Ryanair, for example, is becoming more customer-friendly, though it’s hard to imagine how it could have been worse. Airlines like EasyJet and Ryanair are introducing business-class or business-friendly options, while JetStar from Australia is even adding a full business class.

The same applies to JetBlue in the United States.

JetBlue recognized the need for flat beds on their transcontinental flights from New York to Los Angeles and San Francisco, so they introduced them.

The key is knowing when to introduce such enhancements, and that’s what makes the difference.

6. JetBlue provides the most.

Among the 10 airlines I flew with on this trip, JetBlue stands out for offering the most. From the self-service snack bar with complimentary snacks and soft drinks, to free Wi-Fi and television, they truly go the extra mile.

However, it’s these kinds of benefits that lead some to argue that JetBlue has outgrown its status as a true low-cost airline.

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7. Norwegian is the major new contender in the market

Norwegian has been dominating short-haul routes for years and expanding rapidly across Europe. But now they are pushing the limits with long-haul low-cost flights, thanks to the 787 Dreamliner.

They now offer six routes from the UK to the U.S.

With around 40 Dreamliners on order, Norwegian plans to establish a base in Paris, expanding rapidly. It will be intriguing to watch how their long-haul service evolves—it's more challenging than short-haul flights.

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8. If the airline offers an amenity package, it’s worth purchasing

During our trip, we had full overnight stays in Prague and Dubai, but in other locations, we would often have just a few hours in a day room for a shower.

There were nights we didn’t get any rest at all, sleeping in planes instead. My advice for surviving overnight flights: If the airline offers an amenity package, go ahead and buy it.

Most airlines offer the option to purchase an extra seat. If you’re traveling with someone, buy the middle seat. If there are available spots, ask to be moved to an empty one before boarding.

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9. Let go of your pretensions

When flying low-cost, adjust your mindset to make the most of it.

Expect that it won’t be like first or business class: no flat beds or champagne unless you pay extra.

If you check out airlines like JetStar, Norwegian, or Scoot, all flying 787 Dreamliners with fresh leather seats and in-seat entertainment, the experience rivals or even exceeds what you’d get in economy on traditional airlines.

Once we let go of the snobbery surrounding low-cost carriers, it becomes clear that they’re just as good for short flights.

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10. It’s all quite manageable

Was traveling the world on low-cost carriers difficult? Without a doubt. At times, it was exhausting.

By the time we returned to London, we were all absolutely exhausted, no doubt about it.

If I were to take the trip again, I’d allow more time to savor it. But what we’ve proven is that it’s possible to do, and you can do it for a great price.

I might not travel around the globe, but with a two-week vacation, I’d consider hopping to Prague for a couple of days, then Dubai, spend a week in Asia, and then make my way back to London the same route.

It takes a bit of preparation. It’s not as simple as just booking and heading out, but it’s entirely possible. Totally doable.

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