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The Real Cost of Budget Airlines

by Melissa Atienza-Petri on July 18th, 2007

We all know that budget airlines can afford to lower the cost because all the basic comforts have been taken out. And if you require other services — like if you need to eat, get priority seating or bring extra luggage –you need to pay extra.

For the past years, we have been seeing more and more costs passed on to passengers. Anything that could make passengers feel more comfortable or pleasant has a Euro or Pound sign attached to it.

Here’s an interesting example…

If you fly with Thomsonfly and you feel a bit chilly, expect to be charged £4, if you ask for a blanket. When Maureen Taylor asked about this, Thomson answered,

“If customers find the cabin too hot or too cold, they can alert a member of staff who can use their discretion as to whether a change in temperature will be in the interest of all passengers. Thomsonfly made the decision to remove free blankets as one of the environmental initiatives to reduce the weight of the aircraft and, therefore, reduce the amount of carbon dioxide produced.“

So… the next time you, dear budget travelers, click on that BOOK sign for a bargain ticket on a budget airline, it might do you good if you check other sites thoroughly. You might want to check if traditional carriers have offers which could be more of a bargain, minus the hidden costs.

That 29€+ flight may seem like the best deal there is. But that dubious + sign could mean paying for a lot more.

Of course, you still can get great deals if you fly budget but, as I mentioned, it’s better to do your research before you book.  Or, you can always just bring a sweater, eat before you fly and do not expect any comfort at all.

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POSTED IN: Transportation in Europe, Travel Trivia