On
some low-cost carriers, such as Virgin Blue, it is simply a case of having to
purchase meals and drinks as you go, while on others, you pay for absolutely everything, including checking in your luggage. Tiger Airways even prevents you from taking your own food and drinks with you.
The Sun Herald began by analysing one-way flights from Sydney to Melbourne on a given day. Jetstar was the cheapest, at $79, while Virgin Blue's fares started at $115 and Qantas's cheapest seat was $127.
On a one-hour flight, Qantas would serve a free snack and drink, so they added $5.50 (cheese and crackers and a coffee) to the Virgin Blue and Jetstar fares. Given that it was an hour-long flight and Virgin Blue and Jetstar have inflight magazines, they did not add any cost for inflight entertainment.
However, as Jetstar flies to Avalon Airport in Melbourne, rather than Tullamarine, they added the difference in the cost of a taxi fare, which is about $40 from Tullamarine and $80 from Avalon
After making these adjustments, the cost of the three journeys came within $7 of each other: $124.50 for Jetstar, $120.50 for Virgin Blue and $127 for Qantas. These results, however, are arguably a little artificial. The Qantas flight may have been leaving at 3am whilst the Jetstar flight may have left at a more sociable hour. Furthermore, for a one hour flight, food and drinks may not be an absolute necessity. The real value in budget air travel is being able to book the time and destination of choice at a convenient hour at lower cost. On this criteria, the budget- carriers deliver the goods. |