Budget Airlines vs. Legacy Carriers: The Real Cost Comparison
Once you add bags, seat selection, food, and protection, the cheap fare often isn't cheap anymore. A practical comparison.
What's bundled vs. what's not
Legacy carriers usually include a carry-on, one checked bag (for international), seat selection, and a meal in the headline fare. Low-cost carriers price each of those separately.
On short-haul Europe and US-domestic routes, a budget fare can end up 5-15% more than the legacy fare once you add a checked bag, a seat assignment, and a snack.
The hidden costs that matter
Low-cost carriers often operate from secondary airports (BVA for Paris, STN for London) that are further from city centers. Factor in 30-60 extra minutes and the transfer cost both ways.
Schedule reliability matters too. If your itinerary involves multiple connections or you're on a tight schedule, the lower on-time performance of some ultra-low-cost carriers can ruin an entire trip.