Flight prices are as low now as they have ever been, thanks in no small part to the rise of budget airlines. In the word's of a former British Prime Minister, we've "never had it so good".
We may think of budget airlines as being a new concept but they've actually been around for quite some time. Southwest Airlines offered a ticketless operation back in the early 1970s and that is an approach that will be familiar to millions of customers who have used the likes of Ryanair, Easyjet and Flybe in recent years.
Airlines
The secret to success of the largest budget airlines has been their ability to cut costs and hence reduce prices for those of us who wish to travel.
As well as avoiding the need to print tickets, these airlines often try to encourage customers to book their flights as early as possible. Indeed, the best deals are often found by booking at the earliest opportunity.
The internet has also been a key driver in the rise of the budget airlines. It has allowed the operators to greatly reduce their costs, while also ensuring that potential customers have wide access to the latest pricing information.
Since it's become increasingly easy for the consumer to track down the cheapest deals online, so the airlines have had to become more competitive and reduce prices.
Many travellers on traditional airlines were fond of complaining about the quality of food on offer during their flights. The budget airlines have managed to avoid this issue and have been able to cut costs by removing the provision of in-flight refreshments.
They've done so without any public backlash - we are, after all, happy with the cheaper prices that are now on offer.
The Rise of Budget Airlines
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