Low-cost and traditional airlines

Low-cost airlines mainly handle short and medium hauls. It is rarely that an air connection realised by such a carrier exceeds the territory of our continent. However, the network of connections within New Zealand is quite well developed. You can easily travel between all airports. It often happens that during a stop-over, the passengers transit to the aircraft of another carrier. It’s a quite common phenomenon, and thanks to the cooperation of different airlines, their offer is even larger.

Low-cost airlines, as any other airline for that matter, are businesses that need to make profits to survive. Since the ticket itself is so cheap, it’s expected that additional services, like drinks and meals, or checked luggage, cost extra. However, with most connections of budget airlines being only around 3 hours long, this should not be a problem. It’s also worth noting that low-cost airlines often fly to airports located further away from cities than regular carriers. Even though they might not be as close, those airports are always well-connected with plenty of public transportation available.

The greatest air traffic can be observed on routes to seaside resorts and the most popular tourist destinations. Of course, the largest number of flights takes place during the holiday season. Low-cost airlines will often offer flights on such routes, because it is easy for them to fill their aircraft. Unfortunately, some airlines reduce the number of available flights on their routes when it’s not high season. The cause is usually that low-cost airlines are very careful with the profitability of flights, and a plane that is not full does not bring profit. This is worth remembering, as sometimes airlines will offer great discounts on last-minute flights.

No single low-cost airline will always be the cheapest option. Instead, you should always compare the ticket prices between different budget carriers and see which ones offer the best prices on given routes. It’s also worth noting that oftentimes with budget carriers the comfort of travel might be lower than regular airlines. However, for most people, the possibility of getting to their holiday destination for a price that might be several times lower will outweigh a complimentary drink or snack.

The distance of the airport to the city centre is another thing that should be taken into account when deciding on the purchase of cheap air tickets. If your hotel or another place of night’s lodging is close to the city centre, you have to add the cost of transfer from the airport.  You should also include the time you must spend on such a journey in the costs. Most low-cost airlines use airports that aren’t as close as those of regular carriers, so when calculating the cost and time of travel, remember to include the final airport transfer in your budget. Sometimes it might even be cheaper to choose a regular airline.

Another additional cost is also checked baggage. Keep in mind that low-cost air tickets do not include an extra unit of baggage. Basic tickets of low-cost airlines usually include one piece of carry-on baggage, most often of up to 10 kg. Every other extra suitcase raises the cost of your journey. This is why it is worthwhile to remember that you shouldn’t bring any unnecessary items. Sometimes it’s a better idea to buy toiletries or other items at your destination, rather than bringing them with you from home.