myguideTravel Blog

The myth of Low Cost airlines

May 22nd, 2008

A recent article in The Independent in London described Ryanair’s low cost air-fares as ‘flights of fancy’.
“Buying a ticket from Ryanair’s website is an experience that leaves me enraged,” the journalist writes. “Although the front page flashes adverts about free or low-cost flights, the starting price no longer bears any resemblance to how much you’ll finally end up paying.”

I am a fan of Michael O’Leary and what he has achieved but at this stage I am coming to the conclusion that the notion of “low fares” with Ryanair is fast becoming no more than a myth.

I still believe there is a place for budget airlines like Ryanair but the time has come for them to drop the mantra of “low fares”.  An article today in the West Cork weekly, The Southern Star, outlines a classic Ryanair example where the price paid is almost thirty times the advertised fare. Yes they advertise low fares but they don’t deliver. Experience also shows that the compulsory extra fees and taxes are not consistent; The fees calculated for a flight from Cork Airport to Dublin can differ depending on the advertised price suggesting there are hidden unnecessary costs being added.

Michael O’Leary will recite his usual “xx million passengers who choose Ryanair can’t be wrong” in response to any criticism but the reality is that the published fares are never available when you get to the payment screen.

As airlines such as Ryanair scramble to make this business model survive, they increase charges on everything else other than the mythical headline fare. This allows them to continue to fly the “low fares” flag.

As Prionsias O’Mahony points out in the Skibbereen based Southern Star, Ryanair now charge €70 to take 2 bags on a return trip.

Only this week, Ryanair also announced that they are to begin charging for the online check-in option that is currently free of charge. From June, if you want to have priority boarding you will incur an additional charge. Families wishing to have a chance of sitting together now have no choice but to pay an additional charge per person.

Yes you have a choice to fly without baggage or insurance and take a chance on where you sit but even then you can still never fly for the advertised fare.

I repeat that there is a role for Ryanair and that I actually admire what they have achieved but the time has come to publish real fares that people can buy.

Entry Filed under: Travel