How to fly low-cost airlines?

What are the main differences between low-cost airlines and standard carriers?

Surprisingly, it is not always the lower flight ticket price, as you could think. Low-cost airlines change the price of their plane tickets according to the number of vacancies left on the particular plane. If you decide you would like to fly next week, you can pay for the low-cost airline's flight ticket even more than when flying normal airline. In case you plan your trip in advance, it is worth using low-cost carriers.

Low-cost airlines provide in the basic flight ticket price only services directly connected with the transportation. It means, that if you require for example refreshment on board, escort of a child, flight date change, you will have to pay additional fees for it. Moreover, low-cost carriers do usually not offer any discounts for students or children aged two and more. Low-cost airlines provide only direct flights without any changes.

How can I find out, which low-cost airlines fly to the chosen destinations?

Enter your departure and destination city or country in the appropriate boxes at the web pages www.flylowcostairlines.org. All possible low-cost airlines' connections will show up. When no airline offers a direct flight to the destination, you will see one-stop or two-stop flights. In this case every flight can be operated by another company and you will have to buy the plane ticket separately for each flight.

How to travel with low-cost airlines when changing planes?

You will buy the plane tickets separately for each flight. You have to collect your luggage at the airport, when you change the planes, and check-in again. Make sure you have enough time to change the planes, as it is only your responsibility when you miss the connecting flight because of the delay of the first plane. Take also into account that your luggage can be delayed or that you will have to go to another air terminal. When you miss your flight because of any reason, airlines will claim the fee from you for changing the flight date to the next day (usually 60 euros).

You can insure yourself against unforeseen circumstances connected with the change of planes.

How can I buy a flight ticket at the internet?

When you chose an airline, you want to fly, you will find the most suitable flight for you at the company's web pages. Click the Book button and proceed according to the instructions at the web pages.

You will have to pay for the flight ticket by your credit card. Most of the airlines accept only embossed credit cards such as Visa, Switch, Delta, MasterCard, American Express and Diners Club etc.

You will get a code instead of a paper plane ticket, which you will show at the check-in control together with your passport. The code will be displayed at the screen after payment and at the same time it will be sent to your e-mail address.

How can I pay for the flight ticket if I do not have a suitable credit card?

Check the web pages of the chosen airline to find out all possible ways of payment, as some airlines offer other possibilities how to pay for the flight ticket. Try to ask your family members or friends for help, or use services of companies, which purchase the ticket to you for a small fee.

What is the flight with low-cost airline like?

In the day of your departure, you will have to be at the airport usually at the latest 40 minutes before the plane departure time. Every company has different conditions and rules for this, so be sure to check the exact time at the airline's web pages. If you want to choose a good seat on the plane, it is usually worth coming in time, as people, who were first at the check-in, enter first the plane and they can choose the most suitable seat for them.

At the check-in counter you will prove your identity by your passport or ID, show the code of the flight ticket and check in your luggage. Check in advance what type of the luggage you can have on board and what the baggage allowance is. If your luggage weighs more than allowed, you will have to pay a fee for every kilogram of the excess baggage (usually about 5 to 7 euros per a kilogram).

You can buy refreshment as well as small presents on board of the plane. At some of the airlines' web pages you can look at the flight menu and pay for the refreshment in advance by your credit card.

At the arrival airport, you will only collect your baggage. In case you fly on to another destination, go again to the check-in counter of the appropriate airline.

We hope that this information will help to make your traveling with low-cost airlines easy and comfortable. The team from www.flylowcostairlines.org wishes you a pleasant flight.