Low-cost airlines: what to know before booking

The real price of the ticket

Hold luggage, seat selection and boarding priority are almost always extra charges: calculating the total cost by adding what you actually need often reveals a final price quite different from the initial one. The dimensions of carry-on luggage allowed free are also often smaller than expected, and it's common for only one item per passenger to be allowed even for those with separate bag and backpack: measuring it with a tape measure before departure prevents an unexpected surcharge at the gate. Those who don't pay to choose their seat are often distributed far from the rest of their group in the cabin, an indirect incentive to purchase the supplement to stay together.

Secondary airports and less convenient times

Many low-cost carriers operate from secondary airports located at considerable distance from the city center: always verify the exact location before confirming purchase to avoid an additional transfer that's long and costly to add to the ticket price. The lowest fares also tend to concentrate on less requested times, such as very early morning or late evening.

Flexibility and support

Change policies are generally more rigid: many basic fares don't allow any free modification, and for those without absolute certainty about dates a slightly more flexible fare can be worthwhile compared to the risk of high penalties. In case of cancellation by the company, some offer only a travel voucher to be used by a deadline, others a cash refund according to applicable regulations: it's worth verifying this before booking. Customer support wait times also tend to be longer compared to traditional carriers.

Practical details at the time of purchase

Some companies apply a surcharge for credit card payment, avoidable by choosing an alternative method among those offered. Others require independent printing of the boarding pass, with penalties for those presenting only the digital version not printed: a detail that varies from carrier to carrier and should be verified before departure. Onboard service is also reduced to essentials - meals and entertainment are often paid or absent - and bringing personal snacks and entertainment compensates for this difference.

Before confirming purchase, add to the ticket price hold luggage, seat selection and transfer from any secondary airport: only then does comparison with a traditional carrier become truly correct.