Definition of low cost airline?

Show all answers

Yo!

A low-cost carrier or low-cost airline (also known as a no-frills or discount carrier / airline) is an airline that offers generally low fares in exchange for eliminating many traditional passenger services.

Typical low-cost carrier business model practices often (but not always) include:

a single passenger class
a single type of aeroplane (commonly the Airbus A320 or Boeing 737), reducing training and servicing costs
a minimum set of optional equipment on the aeroplane, often excluding modern conveniences such as ACARS, further reducing costs of acquisition and maintenance
a simple fare scheme, such as charging one-way tickets half that of round-trips (typically fares increase as the plane fills up, which rewards early reservations)
unreserved seating (encouraging passengers to board early and quickly)
flying to cheaper, less congested secondary airports[1] and flying early in the morning or late in the evening to avoid air traffic delays and take advantage of lower landing fees
fast turnaround times (allowing maximum utilization of aircraft)
simplified routes, emphasizing point-to-point transit instead of transfers at hubs (again enhancing aircraft utilization and eliminating disruption due to delayed passengers or luggage missing connecting flights)
generation of ancillary revenue from a variety of activities, such as a la carte features and commission-based products
emphasis on direct sales of tickets, especially over the Internet (avoiding fees and commissions paid to travel agents and computer reservations systems)
employees working in multiple roles, for instance flight attendants also cleaning the aircraft or working as gate agents (limiting personnel costs)
a disinclination to handle Special Service passengers, for instance by placing a higher age limit on unaccompanied minors than full service carriers
Aggressive fuel hedging programs
Not every low-cost carrier implements all of the above points (for example, some try to differentiate themselves with allocated seating, while others operate more than one aircraft type, still others will have relatively high operating costs but lower fares).

The following is a list of low cost carriers organized by home country
Air Deccan
Go Air
IndiGo
Indus Airways
Jagson Airlines
Paramount Airways
SpiceJet
MDLR Airlines
JetLite
Kingfisher Airlines

hope that helped!
cheers!!

vakayil k

A low-cost airline is an airline that offers generally low fares in exchange for eliminating many traditional passenger services like serving food on board etc.. The concept originated in the United States before spreading to Europe in the early 1990s and subsequently to much of the rest of the world. The term originated within the airline industry referring to airlines with a lower operating cost structure than their competitors.

For more details, please check the following link:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Low-cost_carrier

SouthIndian

There is no specific descriptions available to describe the so-called 'low cost airlines'

Normally the airlines are selling tickets thro' travel agents. So they have to pay them commission.

But these low-cost airlines are selling their tickets thro' their own channels (telephone/website) and thus the travel agents commission is not included in the ticket price.

Normal airlines prices are fixed for all seasons and they change the price once or twice a year. Some times they just adjust the taxes and other charges based on that current situation.

But low cost airlines are selling their tickets in many different price ranges. If you book & issue the ticket much ahead of ur journey you'll get much cheaper price.

And most of the low-cost airlines don't serve any complimentary drinks and/or food items.

swanjarvi

There is no definition as such! whatever is within reach for the middle class travelling public, should be low cost enough!

Madiraju

vishnu

low cost airlines=no food=only water=delayed flights=SPICE JET AIRLINES

Lilli

I think that would be that they dont serve food on the flight of low cost airlines. Only at extra cost.

Also, most low cost airlines fly into airports further away from main towns (I guess to keep the prices down as the taxes may be cheaper).

But the main difference is that low cost airlines use inflatable pilots. LOL

:)

Enter Your Message or Comment

User Name:
User Email:
Post a comment: