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snuggels
960 Posts |
 Posted - 06 Aug 2011 : 01:54:12
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10 budget airlines that won’t stress you out
No credit card charges
Travel to South America is becoming a lot cheaper thanks to no-frills carriers and it doesn't necessarily have to be an ordeal. Latin American low-cost airline, Air Europa allows passengers - even those on short-haul flights - one piece of 23kg baggage per person for no extra cost and on long-haul, you can take two pieces. In fact, if you're flying to Salvador de Bahia, the allowance extends to two pieces of 32kg luggage. The airline has no credit charge charges and the planes' two-seat layout guarantees you window or aisle, neatly sidestepping middle-seat horror.
Cheap fares to Canada and champagne
Canada may sound far-off and expensive, but Air Transat, part of Thomas Cook Airlines, is a budget charter airline which flies there from Europe. You can check in 25kg luggage and flights from Europe to Canada also include a full meal with starter, wine and dessert. You can also upgrade to Option Plus as an economy passenger and get a 35kg-baggage allowance, priority boarding, seat selection and a 200ml bottle of champagne.
Allocated seats and 30-minute check-in
Low-cost carrier Aer Arann flies from Ireland and the Isle of Man flies to several locations in the UK and France - destinations include Dublin, Cork, Galway, London, Jersey and La Rochelle. In Ireland, check-in time is as little as 30 minutes before take-off on most routes. Fares include checked luggage up to 15kg and the airline also includes allocated seats in the ticket price. Take that, Easyjet!
Free Christmas tree check-in
A low-cost airline that includes 20kg luggage and food in the fare, Air Berlin provides free beverages (but not alcohol) and free snacks or sandwiches on short and medium-haul flights, with bagels, baguettes and chocolate bars on long-haul journeys. Kids get toy sets and, unbelievably, in the run-up to Christmas, the airline will check-in Christmas trees up to two metres for free...
Generous baggage allowance and in-flight food
If you're flying to Switzerland (which let's face it, isn't known for a particularly cheap cost of living), you can recoup the loss with budget airline SkyWork. Not only does it fly from London City Airport, which is as stress-free as flying gets with its neat, compact terminal, but the ticket price also includes in-flight food and 20kg baggage allowance. Extra charges apply to seat reservations but charges to change your ticket are relatively modest.
Low-cost long-haul flights
When budget airline AirAsia announced it was launching long-haul flights, the travel industry uttered a collective sigh, anticipating that it would simply be an extended version of the horrors of no-frills travel. It turns out we were being a touch uncharitable, as Malaysia's low-cost airline, which flies from Stansted to exotic spots like Thailand, Singapore, Bali and New Zealand, is good value. What it lacks in leg-room, it makes up for with decent food and pleasant staff. It's also great for internal flights once you're in Asia. You do pay extra for luggage and meals, but for a long-haul, low-cost carrier, it's hard to beat especially if you nab one of their frequent promotional deals.
Free ticket changes to Australia
Heading down under is always going to pinch the wallet, but ease the pain with Jetstar Airways, the Australian domestic and international low-cost airline under the Qantas umbrella. Although Jetstar's basic JetSaver Light fare is along the lines of standard no-frills carriers (extra for checked luggage), choose the standard JetSaver price and you'll get 20kg-checked baggage allowance included. It also flies to Asia, so it is ideal if you're putting together your own trip and booking internal flights. JetPlus fares on long-haul international flights include two meals, video-on-demand, a comfort pack, 20kg baggage and free ticket changes. Not too shabby for budget
Tiered ticket system
Germanwings' basic tariff resembles that of other budget airlines - you pay for all the predictable extras - but their new tiered ticket system makes the process much more palatable. Select the 'Best' tariff and you get a guaranteed seat reservation, one item of check-in luggage and an onboard snack and drink, which works out 25% cheaper than doing it separately on a 'Basic' booking and is very good value. Germanwings fly to several German destinations from the UK and to over 75 around Europe.
Extra legroom and unlimited donuts
Airlines are finally cottoning on that legroom is the key to winning passenger loyalty. JetBlue, an award-winning American budget airline is not only roomier, but the economy section also has leather seats and 22.75kg luggage included in the ticket price. You also get 40 free TV channels on individual screens and unlimited supply of snacks and drinks such as Dunkin' Donuts coffee and Doritos Munchies Mix. The more substantial boxed meals at $6 a pop aren't bad value either. The JetBlue's E190s planes have a two-seat layout so you're guaranteed one by a window or the aisle
Rent-a-computer
Low-cost carrier Iceland Express was one of the first European airlines to offer iPads on all transatlantic flights. Rental costs £9 and they plan to launch wi-fi in the future. In-flight food isn't included in the airfare (although the menu is better than most) but a big plus is ticket flexibility, with no length-of-stay restrictions and a 25% discount for children under 12. The airline plans to fly to New York from Gatwick and Edinburgh.
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toubab1020
12306 Posts |
Posted - 06 Aug 2011 : 12:41:18
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| The airlines you mentioned snuggles appear to offer very good value for their flights although you have given no comparison fares with "standard" airlines,(no don't bother ,I am sure that I can do the research myself,) some of the places "Salvador de Bahia,",where ? never heard of it but sounds exotic and a must see destination,thanks snuggles for this post showing that there are airlines out there that fill a neich market place in the airline rip off scheme of things (did I mention a budget Irish airline ) |
"Simple is good" & I strongly dislike politics. You cannot defend the indefensible.
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toubab1020
12306 Posts |
Posted - 06 Aug 2011 : 15:44:18
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OK, for those interested here is a link to a page about Salvador de Bahia,
http://www.bahia-online.net/GettingStarted.htm |
"Simple is good" & I strongly dislike politics. You cannot defend the indefensible.
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Edited by - toubab1020 on 06 Aug 2011 15:45:40 |
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snuggels
960 Posts |
Posted - 06 Aug 2011 : 16:11:47
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| Interesting Tobabe Maybe one day as I do want to venture further than Mexico this winter |
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toubab1020
12306 Posts |
Posted - 06 Aug 2011 : 17:10:42
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The world is your oyster,if you have the money and everything you want, spend your cash,  the way things are going,money is going to be worth nothing soon in UK and Europe, oh yes I forgot,the states as well, China is bleating now because their billion $Us is not worth so much now,and they want a different reserve currency.
quote:
Originally posted by snuggels
Interesting Tobabe Maybe one day as I do want to venture further than Mexico this winter
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"Simple is good" & I strongly dislike politics. You cannot defend the indefensible.
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