Budget airlines have become popular for their rock-bottom fares. These airlines wow customers with one way tickets that can cost less than a tank of gas. They promise a no frills trip from Point A to Point B at a fraction of the price of premium airlines.
But are super cheap flights a good deal? Let’s compare budget vs premium airlines and uncover the hidden costs you pay when choosing a low-cost carrier over premium airlines.
Budget vs Premium Airlines: The Basics
At first glance, the difference between a $49 Spirit fare and a $149 Delta fare seems substantial. But that sticker price doesn’t tell the whole story. Premium airlines bundle more amenities into the ticket, whereas budget airlines charge more than the basic fare to get access.
Here’s a quick comparison below.
Premium Airlines
Ticket prices include a standard carry-on bag and a personal item. You get an assigned seat, though Basic Economy fares on some airlines might assign one at check-in. You also get complimentary soft drinks, a snack, and access to customer service via phone or in person at airports.
Flight changes or cancellations can be made with little or no fee since most mainline carriers eliminated change fees on standard economy tickets in recent years. Planes offer more legroom, reclining seats, and maybe in-flight entertainment or Wi-Fi.
The fare covers a complete experience, and you generally won’t have to pay extra unless you want upgrades like premium seats or additional checked bags.
Budget Airlines
The base fare covers only the ride itself, a seat on the plane, and one small personal item that fits under the seat. Everything else is unbundled and comes with a fee. Need to put a bag in the overhead bin? That’s extra. Want to choose your seat in advance, “say, to get a window or sit next to your travel partner ?.” That’s also extra.
Even basic amenities like a Sprite or Coke or printing your boarding pass at the airport can incur charges. The model is pay-as-you-go: you pay only for the services you use. This can be great for a backpack-toting solo traveler who doesn’t care where they sit. Still, it can be tricky and costly for families or anyone expecting a typical airline experience.
Legacy carriers bundle conveniences into a higher upfront price, while budget carriers strip the fare to “bare bones” and then make you pay piecemeal for any extras.
Baggage Fees: Paying For Every Bag
One of the biggest gotchas on ultra-low-cost carriers is baggage fees, especially for carry-on. Most premium airlines allow at least one carry-on bag for free, but budget airlines charge for both carry-on and checked luggage in almost all cases.
On airlines like Spirit, Frontier, or Allegiant, your fare includes one personal item: “a small backpack or purse that fits under the seat.” Any larger bag, whether it’s a rolling carry-on or a checked suitcase, will cost you more, and those fees can be substantial.
Carry-On Bag Fees
For example, if you’re flying Spirit, bringing a typical carry-on that fits the overhead bin might cost around $41 if paid during booking, $47 if added later online, and up to $65 at the gate.
Allegiant and others actively penalize last-minute baggage: showing up at the gate with an unpaid carry-on can incur a whopping fee (Allegiant charges $75 at the gate for a carry-on).
Checked Bag Fees
Want to check luggage instead? That will also cost you. On Spirit, a first checked bag might be around $30-$40 if paid upfront, climbing to $50 at the airport counter.
Frontier and Allegiant have similar tiered pricing: the earlier you pay, the lower the fee while paying at the airport can double the cost. Allegiant’s fee list notes that a checked bag bought at booking could be under $40. But if you wait until you’re at the airport, it’s a flat $50 each way.
Remember, these bag fees are per flight segment, a round trip means paying twice. That $35 carry-on each way is a $70 round trip, which on a $50 base fare can be a huge add-on.
Weight Limits and Overweight Fees
Budget airlines have lower weight limits for checked bags. For instance, Frontier’s checked bag weight limit is 40 pounds, not the standard 50 lbs that most airlines allow. Spirit has a 50-lb limit but recently also set 40 lbs as the standard checked baggage allowance.
If your suitcase weighs 45 lbs, you could be charged overweight baggage fees on Frontier or Spirit, even though that same bag flies free on United or for no fee on Delta. Overweight baggage fees on Spirit are about $79 extra for 41-50 lbs and $99 extra beyond that.
It pays to pack light in more ways than one.
Additional Fees
Beyond the major items, such as bags, seats, and changes, budget airlines have smaller fees that can nickel and dime any traveler in a rush. Here are some additional costs to keep you informed:
Boarding Pass Printing Fee:
If you don’t check in online and need an agent at the airport to print your boarding pass, some airlines charge you for it. Spirit charges a steep $10 to print a boarding pass at the airport.
“Convenience” or Booking Fees:
Believe it or not, you might be paying a fee to book your ticket online. Spirit and Allegiant include a Passenger Usage Charge (Spirit) or Electronic Carrier Usage Charge (Allegiant) in the cost of an online booking. It’s on the order of $18-$22 each way.
Food and Drink:
Don’t expect any free snacks or drinks on a budget airline. Nothing is complimentary, and even water or soda will cost you . Allegiant’s menu, for example, has beverages and snacks for around $2 to $7 minimum. This isn’t a huge cost, but compare that to getting a free Coke and pretzels on a legacy carrier. If you’re taking a four hour flight, you might want to buy a drink and a snack, which could be $10 per person. The workaround: bring your own snack and an empty water bottle to fill after security.
In-Flight Comforts
Budget airlines also save money by not offering the comforts you might expect. Don’t count on seat back entertainment screens: “most budget aircraft have none,” free Wi-Fi or non? Spirit has been installing Wi-Fi on some planes, but for a fee, and Frontier and Allegiant do not offer Wi-Fi on most flights. And you can forget about easy-to-access power outlets.
The lack of in-flight amenities might mean you spend money to prepare, like buying a portable charger or paying for Wi-Fi on Spirit’s portal. Be prepared to bring a book or download shows on your device beforehand.
Frequently asked questions
What are the hidden costs of budget airlines?
Budget airlines charge additional fees for luggage and seat assignments, have no complimentary food service, and do not eliminate charges when purchasing tickets via third-party services.
What is the concept of low-cost airlines?
Low-cost carrier’s reduced operating expenses make their flight fares affordable, while extra service fees compensate for revenue lost due to minimal costs.
What are the common problems of budget airlines?
Budget airlines lack strong in-house management and oversight, share hubs, and operate with hub-and-spoke systems. Such conditions result in suboptimal planning, hurried operations, and non-uniform protocol implementation.
Why do budget airlines charge for baggage?
Low-cost airlines recover their low-ticket prices by charging passengers for baggage, which allows travelers with small or no luggage to reduce flight costs.
Are seat selection fees part of the hidden costs of budget airlines?
Passengers usually find seat selection fees unnecessary since they are optional for seating preference yet become mandatory when passengers want to choose specific seats.
Key Takeaways
The low base fare is just the beginning of the booking process. By the time you add a carry-on bag, select seats, maybe a soda and snack, perhaps a $5 printed boarding pass because your phone died, you might be paying far more than you realized.
For some travelers, these inconveniences are a small price to pay for the savings. For others, they cancel out the savings entirely. The key is to know before you go. If you’re considering a budget flight, go prepared with knowledge: check the fees and calculate the total cost before you get to the airport.
If you do your homework and follow the tips in this guide, you can avoid most surprises. By the end, you’ll know that your $50 ticket will be $150, and you can decide if it’s still worth it.
