Random info
Low-cost airline principles[edit source]
Low-cost airlines all differ in their service offerings but by definition feature some or most of the following principles:
Standardized fleet (lower training, maintenance costs; purchasing aircraft in bulk)
Remove non-essential features (non-reclining seats, no pilot autothrottle, no frequent flyer schemes)
Use of secondary airports (lower landing fees, marketing support)
Rapid turnaround (less time on the ground, more flights per day)
Online ticket sales (no call centres or agents)
Online check-in (fewer check-in desks)
Impose baggage charges (fewer bags mean faster loading of aircraft and allow for extra revenue for checked bags)
Do not use jet-ways (avoiding extra airport charges)
Have staff do multiple jobs (cabin crew also check tickets at the gate, clean aircraft)
Hedge fuel costs (buying fuel in advance when it is cheaper)
Charge for all services (including on-board services, reserved seating, and extra baggage)
Do not use reserved seating (which slows down the loading of the aircraft)
Charge for checked bags (which slows down loading of the aircraft)
Charge for last minute baggage check-in (which slows down loading of the aircraft)
Fly point to point (passenger transfers to other flights are not accommodated)
Keep aircraft on the ground for very short time (lower airport charges)
Carry very little extra fuel (reducing the weight of the aircraft)
Have the plane outfitted with cost-cutting modifications as winglets[4][5][6]
Route planning before aircraft arrives at airport (saving time on the ground)
Innovative practices[edit source]
Some airlines resort to very innovative practices. While many airlines these days are working with aircraft manufacturers, AirAsia for example goes a step further, working with airports to develop specially designedlow cost terminals that require far less maintenance and overhead. The lower maintenance cost for the airport is passed on to the airline, and in turn to
Low-cost airlines all differ in their service offerings but by definition feature some or most of the following principles:
Standardized fleet (lower training, maintenance costs; purchasing aircraft in bulk)
Remove non-essential features (non-reclining seats, no pilot autothrottle, no frequent flyer schemes)
Use of secondary airports (lower landing fees, marketing support)
Rapid turnaround (less time on the ground, more flights per day)
Online ticket sales (no call centres or agents)
Online check-in (fewer check-in desks)
Impose baggage charges (fewer bags mean faster loading of aircraft and allow for extra revenue for checked bags)
Do not use jet-ways (avoiding extra airport charges)
Have staff do multiple jobs (cabin crew also check tickets at the gate, clean aircraft)
Hedge fuel costs (buying fuel in advance when it is cheaper)
Charge for all services (including on-board services, reserved seating, and extra baggage)
Do not use reserved seating (which slows down the loading of the aircraft)
Charge for checked bags (which slows down loading of the aircraft)
Charge for last minute baggage check-in (which slows down loading of the aircraft)
Fly point to point (passenger transfers to other flights are not accommodated)
Keep aircraft on the ground for very short time (lower airport charges)
Carry very little extra fuel (reducing the weight of the aircraft)
Have the plane outfitted with cost-cutting modifications as winglets[4][5][6]
Route planning before aircraft arrives at airport (saving time on the ground)
Innovative practices[edit source]
Some airlines resort to very innovative practices. While many airlines these days are working with aircraft manufacturers, AirAsia for example goes a step further, working with airports to develop specially designedlow cost terminals that require far less maintenance and overhead. The lower maintenance cost for the airport is passed on to the airline, and in turn to