Low-cost airlines have disrupted the aviation sector by making flying affordable for millions of travellers. Mentioned in this post are a few pros and cons of choosing a low-cost airline for your travel. Read to know more.

A significant portion of budget flyers prefers low-cost airlines. They give a lot of flexibility in choosing amenities and avoiding overhead prices to get an affordable deal. However, they come with certain drawbacks as well. So, how to make the most out of choosing a low-cost airline? 

Here are a few advantages and disadvantages to choosing a low cost-airline. First the disadvantages. 

Disadvantages:

  • Distant Terminals: Often to minimise operating costs, low-cost airlines choose terminals located further-off from the main airport terminal catering to international flights or full-service airlines. These terminals are specially designed for budget airlines, so their infrastructure is minimal. For instance, they use airport buses instead of jet bridges or moving walkways.  Moreover, this can cause you to spend some extra time reaching the terminal. It may also not be the best option in case you are in a rush.
  • Additional Charges: A traditional or full-service airline covers all essentials like beverages, meals, or utilities in their airfare. But with low-cost airlines, you receive only those amenities that you pay for.  Ensure you add meals during your reservation because most low-cost airlines stock pre-ordered food. In case you want a meal immediately on the flight that depends on availability. Every additional service comes with a price, even beverages and water, may cost extra.
  • Low-Quality Service: This is again tied to the first disadvantage. To reduce their overheads, these airlines often hire freshers as cabin-crew or on-ground staff. Thus, you cannot expect the same level of service that you would get from a full-service airline. Nonetheless, the services provided are the bare minimum to give you a comfortable journey.

Now some advantages. 

Advantages:

  • Helps You Save: You can get the cheapest air tickets and still get the facilities you like. They help you save a great deal on your airfare. You don’t have to compromise on the comfort a lot and can still enjoy the affordability.
  • Customise Your Package: Now the flip side of the second disadvantage mentioned above, with low-cost carriers, you can personalise and prioritise the facilities you want. Mark the add-ons you need and remove those you think are unnecessary. For instance, waive-off that extra fee of priority boarding (when you have the time), instead, opt for more essential services. This will help you arrive at a reasonable price.
  • Wide Range of Options: The popularity of low-cost airlines has been on the rise. They not only operate domestically but are expanding their budget services internationally. You can make the most out of your air-travels with prominent airlines such as GoAir, AirAsia, Indigo, Tigerair, EasyJet, SpiceJet, Ryanair, and the list goes on. The secret is to identify the top low-cost airline to get the best offer possible. It is always good to look for cheap flight booking websites to cut down the cost. You’ll have the added benefit of earning rewards and redeeming them at the check-out stage.

The bottom line is whether you want to cut down on the travel expenditure or forgo certain amenities. A low-cost airline is best suited for you if you do not mind travelling light. However, you may need to spend some extra bucks to customise your travel as per your choice. Make sure you calculate the overall cost of travel before you choose a low-cost airline.