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