Budget airlines can be a wise financial choice for a specific traveler. Betsy Ball, co-owner of Wisconsin-based Euro Travel Coach, said she often uses Ryanair and EasyJet to travel between European cities because those flights can sometimes be faster and cheaper than other means. transport.
“Depending on what you're trying to do, you can save a lot of time by taking a flight,” she said.
While it doesn't work as well for families or couples traveling with luggage and trying to seat together, budget airlines can make sense for the solo backpacker who wants to save money. Mike Heck, vice president of Fox World Travel, where he is responsible for liaison between Fox and its travel partners, said it depends on the type of traveler and the trip they are planning.
“If you're looking for the lowest ticket price – no seat assignments, no baggage, no amenities, no food or drink – budgeting is a good thing to do,” he said . “It's when you start to upgrade things – getting baggage, seat assignments, on-board snack, WiFi access – that the cost starts to increase and it's not as affordable as people think when 'They buy the ticket.'
It also helps if you are flexible. Low-cost flights, Heck said, “are generally not for business travelers and generally not for people who don't want the inconvenience” of having to reschedule a flight.
