Budget airline's in Europe

Jodie Humphries

For many, budget airline's in Europe is the gateway to enjoying other countries. For businesses it's the opportunity to get to other countries for a lower cost. Budget airline's offer huge competition to established airlines such as BA.

Europe has a number of low cost airlines. The largest and most established are Ryanair, easyJet, germanwings and Air Berlin. They have made their mark by dramatically cutting fares within Europe.

In 2005, easyJet carried 30.3 million passengers, making it slightly smaller than Ryanair, and the 7th busiest in Europe.

Ryanair is Europe's largest budget airline, with 49 million passengers in 2007, making them Europe's 3rd largest airline, and 14th in the world.

Booking

Most of the discount airlines in Europe sell their tickets exclusively from their website, or over the phone, with tickets not being available from travel agents. With most, you just turn up without a ticket at the check-in desk with your passport and confirmation number.

With most of these airline's, you can only book your ticket for single journey's.

When it comes to the price of the fares, they fluctuate depending on demand - at times this is on an hourly basis. For businesses they are handy as the cheapest flights tend to be mid-week, when you fly out early in the morning or late at night.

Service

Budget airlines tend to be more strict. With traditional airlines, they usually allow some baggage over the weight limit, yet budget airlines tend to have a lower baggage limit, and charge you extra if you go over - meaning the price of your ticket could double.

You can't expect food or entertainment on these flights either. Like other flights, you are able to take things such as your laptop to use during the flight, making it the perfect opportunity to get some work done during the flight.

The trouble with the flights, is where the airlines try to keep the cost down with lower airport fees, often the landing destinations are quite far away from the city they say they fly to.

You'll also find with these airlines that if you're late, the plane doesn't wait for you. Check-in desks will close at exactly the time advertised - if you're a minute late you'll find yourself unable to check in.

Travel

Air travel for business people in Europe is a lot more common that it was ten years ago, according to Business Travel Expert. Due to an increase in globalisation, there is a need for people to be flying all over the world. For some, budget airline's in Europe, makes it easier for business people to do this.

Yet for some, sticking to scheduled airlines is easier due to the restrictions. If they miss a flight and are travelling with a scheduled airline, they know they can change to another flight, if they were travelling on a budget airline, there is no such luxury, you have to buy yourself another ticket to get anywhere.

The issue of the airports being so far away from the intended destination also tends to be an issue for business people just flying within Europe for say a meeting, as they still have extra travel and cost when they reach their flight destination.

Competition

Yet do budget airlines still offer the cheapest fares? Back in May, the British newspaper The Times investigated and found that prices weren't actually that different on some fares.

Last-minute, midweek business trip to Scotland for one night

One adult travelling to Glasgow early on Tuesday, June 2, returning early the following day, June 3, with no bags in the hold.

British Airways (Gatwick to Glasgow International)

Cost with debit card: GBP£79
Cost with credit card: GBP£83

EasyJet (Gatwick to Glasgow International)

Cost with debit card: GBP£56
Cost with credit card: GBP£59

Ryanair (Stansted to Glasgow Prestwick)

Cost with debit card: GBP£55
Cost with credit card: GBP£55

With this example given from The Times, a flight to Scotland with easyJet and Ryanair is more than GBP£25 cheaper than a British Airways flight. The Ryanair outbound single fare actually costs nothing and the easyJet return flight GBP£19.99. But with third-party fees and booking charges, the headline rates rise quickly.

Yet the Ryanair flight will take you to Glasgow Prestwick airport, which is 32 miles from the centre of the city - so your GBP£25 saving will disappear on a taxi fare - all without your luxuries on the flight. And if you work in Central London, you will spend the additional GBP£25 getting to the airport - the Stansted Express will set you back at least that much.

So maybe budget airlines in Europe aren't all they're cracked up to be. Just make sure you do your research before you book your flight.

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