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Low-cost airline pricing clarity
The emotional impact of low-cost pricing
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Jasper Kelly Friday 23 April 2010 |
Interestingly, the American aviation market, which probably started the low-cost travel initiative, is now looking to the UK and Europe for guidance on price clarity and transparency of airfares. That the US is playing catch-up demonstrates just how far and how fast we have come with low-cost travel. It also indicates how far we still have to go.
Apparently, current EU regulations require that the total online price is clear and includes all obligatory or foreseeable taxes, fees and charges.
Well so what? that is not where the problem lies. The complaints arise because the airline and the passengers disagree over what should be classified as extras or optional cost items. Many passengers argue that taking a suitcase is not (for them) an optional extra.
It is very easy to go around and around this point. I fully understand the airlines’ argument that the cost of checking and loading baggage has to be paid for by someone. They say they charge passengers with baggage and do not charge those that travel light. I cannot argue with the logic, nor can I find fault with the idea that if you want a drink or a meal then you pay for it and do not expect the cost to be shared by all the passengers.
So, why is there such a fuss about these charges? We are not being overcharged and we are getting access to some of the lowest fares in the world. Why are we grumbling?
I do not know the answer. But I do know that I share the same feelings of annoyance when the price adds up to, say, £150 having started off at £50. I am sure the £150 is a reasonable price but I am still left wondering. Would I have been happier if the £50 had never been mentioned?
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Chris Jenkins, London 28 April 2010, 07:37PM | |
They try and make it sound like an amazing bargain. It is good value and I have been places that I would not have gone before Ryanair and Easyjet but they do bring all this trouble on themselves. If you tell me it is £150 then I can decide if I want to go. Tell me it is £50 and then when I look at the bill it is more then I get upset. | |
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Dave Kingdom, Luton 28 April 2010, 08:17PM | |
I'm a business studies student and get time off to travel and so I go with Easyjet on their really last minute deals because I live close to the airport. They are just great and I go for £5 and it works. I don't take a case but just a duffle bag and there is no problem. You meet people that you can doss with and so you get to live cheap for a weekend. More money for beer ! | |
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Jenny Hadden, Bristol, UK 29 April 2010, 04:16AM | |
These airlines make me laugh - do they think they are kidding us with these prices? They put low prices on the adverts to get us to buy and then charge extra for everything that they can think of. And, if they have not thought of it yet they will by next week. | |
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I still cannot understand how they justify charging for hold luggage. Travellers going on holiday have always packed a suitcase to take with them - have'nt they ? | |
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Mary Bush, London 1 May 2010, 12:44PM | |
Reading what Turkeyhols said, we ought to have a deal whereby we pay for the combined weight of the passenger and his luggage. That would give the proper weight for fuel cost calculations. | |
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Mrs Lambeth, Southend on Sea 1 May 2010, 07:26PM | |
Yes please to clear pricing. Just tell me how much and I can decide if we can afford to go. The current pricing sucks you in to spend more than you intended, It starts off cheap and you thing great but then it adds £10 here and £20 there and when there are two tickets you suddenly find it is another £100 that you were not expecting. | |
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Mrs Williamson, Cheltenham 4 May 2010, 12:33PM | |
Ryanair and Easyjet are great but why do they have to make it so hard to like them. Ideas like charing for toilets ( have they ever had children? ) are just stupid and annoy people. | |
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George, Suffolk 5 May 2010, 05:51PM | |
I would to love see a ruling on clear pricing, there current model is just too deceptive. I would happily pay £150 for a flight if it meant no hidden charges. | |
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John Daniels, Sidcup 6 May 2010, 04:59PM | |
Suitcases should not be classed as an 'optional extra'. The vast majority of long haul travellers are not the business types who can afford to travel light, they are families who carry 2/3 20kilo suitcases containing the bare minimum for their holiday. | |
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