US Fares Cheap - Article

[bambbbam2]

From:
Airline ticket: $10; pillow: $15 - Los Angeles Times

"How low can airfares go?

Try $10 for a one-way ticket from Burbank to Columbus, Ohio. Or $9 from Los Angeles International Airport to Ft. Lauderdale, Fla. Better yet, there is a 1-cent fare for flights from LAX to Guatemala.

Yes, those are actual fares offered by a new generation of carriers that are redefining budget travel by taking "low-cost, no-frills" service to new heights.

Such as $15 for a pillow. Or two bucks for water. Don't want a middle seat? You can pay $10 and you can jump ahead of the line to board a Skybus Airlines plane.

And the flight attendants are paid partly on commission based on in-flight sales.

"It's the extreme example of a la carte flying," said Michael Boyd, an airline industry consultant."

 

[straitman]

From:
Airline ticket: $10; pillow: $15 - Los Angeles Times

"How low can airfares go?

Try $10 for a one-way ticket from Burbank to Columbus, Ohio. Or $9 from Los Angeles International Airport to Ft. Lauderdale, Fla. Better yet, there is a 1-cent fare for flights from LAX to Guatemala.

Yes, those are actual fares offered by a new generation of carriers that are redefining budget travel by taking "low-cost, no-frills" service to new heights.

Such as $15 for a pillow. Or two bucks for water. Don't want a middle seat? You can pay $10 and you can jump ahead of the line to board a Skybus Airlines plane.

And the flight attendants are paid partly on commission based on in-flight sales.

"It's the extreme example of a la carte flying," said Michael Boyd, an airline industry consultant."

Doesn't do it for me I'm afraid :!:

 

[simongr]

I have a real problem with this - they say they are low cost airlines but they are structured so as to try and take as much cash out of the punter's pockets as possible. - its almost misleadiing - tell someone you are giving them a good deal and then convince them they need to spend more - people really are dim...

 

[JohnK]

Welcome to the future of air travel....

 

[trooper]

Not for me thanks.. I like my assigned seats.. decent baggage allowances, interlining, upgrade possibilities, alliance benefits, comprehensive route structure etc etc...

Just booked a package of flights across/around the US with UA/US... AUD $1000 for the lot... 9 flights in all.. ranging from LAS-LAX to PHL-PHX...

I got no complaints....

For those for whom these flights will work.... go for it!

 

[SeaWolf]

No, the drinks aren't free. Give us a break — some of you paid $10 for your seat.

I think that's a good thing to keep in mind. Even after you've paid for 'frills' like drinks, snacks, exit row seats, extra luggage etc. you generally still end up with more money in your pocket than if you'd flown a full service airline. For me, since I'm usually flying for lesuire and paying for it myself, I'll be keen on anything that leaves more money in my pocket to spend when I get there.

 

[oz_mark]

I think that's a good thing to keep in mind. Even after you've paid for 'frills' like drinks, snacks, exit row seats, extra luggage etc. you generally still end up with more money in your pocket than if you'd flown a full service airline. For me, since I'm usually flying for lesuire and paying for it myself, I'll be keen on anything that leaves more money in my pocket to spend when I get there.

Not always. Some alleged low cost carries (read jestar international), can cost more after all the bits and pieces are added on

 

[clifford]

I have a real problem with this - they say they are low cost airlines but they are structured so as to try and take as much cash out of the punter's pockets as possible. - its almost misleadiing - tell someone you are giving them a good deal and then convince them they need to spend more - people really are dim...

Well they do vote for Little J...

But seriously, I have no problem with very cheap airfares and expensive (optional) add-ons. You don't have to buy them...

 

[littl_flier]

I think that's a good thing to keep in mind. Even after you've paid for 'frills' like drinks, snacks, exit row seats, extra luggage etc. you generally still end up with more money in your pocket than if you'd flown a full service airline. For me, since I'm usually flying for lesuire and paying for it myself, I'll be keen on anything that leaves more money in my pocket to spend when I get there.

I'm a bit like SeaWolf in that my international travel is self-funded. Since joing AFF and becoming addicted , I have become a bit snobby and will probably have to do a DONE4 rather than a LONE4 next year to try out all the gimmicks I've heard about.

I do try and rough it, (as someone of my age should be) and did the JQi thing at Easter and it was ok, but this type of flying indicated in the article is pushing it too far. Fair enough, $10 bucks for BNE-SYD, I could hack it, but if there is anything less than $50 each way difference to Qantas, you know where I'll be. As for Singapore with these no-frills approach, and that snobby littl_flier part of me is starting to come out. Doooooooooooo! :shock: Definitely don't think the above is for me.