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~By Melissa Erskine
Do you ever wonder why some airlines’ tickets cost so much less than others, or why some charge more for baggage and seat selection? We are going to break down the 3 major types of airlines and what may or may not be included!
~Southwest, JetBlue, Flair, Swoop, Spirt~
A low-cost carrier is an airline that is classified as not offering the traditional services or amenities that you may find at a full service carrier. Their tickets can be described as “no frills” and things like bags, seat selection, and onboard food and drinks generally cost extra which as a result, lowers the cost of your airfare and seat price. These low cost airlines make their money by selling these ancillary products & services to passengers.
Another difference from full service carriers is the selection of aircraft used. A low-cost carrier may not need as many aircraft or as many large aircraft to operate effectively within their market. This can pose a problem when there is a mechanical issue as there is often no extra replacement aircraft available.
~Sunwing, Air Transat, Air Canada Rouge~
The second type of airline is a charter airline that works more on on an adhoc basis. A bit like a taxi service, charter airlines only operate when they are required. Many people who book an all-inclusive package holiday will travel to their destination via a charter airline.
Charter airlines will often change flight times or change the number of flights that they operate based on demand. An example of this is Sunwing initially offering 2 flight options on a specific date but then amalgamating them if they are only half full each.
Unfortunately, it may not be the time you chose or paid slightly higher premium for. Charter flights sometimes offer services such as free checked bags and food for purchase.
~Air Canada, Westjet, Delta, Air France, Lufthansa etc. ~
Major air carriers are the large, commercial passenger airlines that transport people all over the world and are the mega-brands that have been around in one form or another since the dawn of commercial aviation. A scheduled airline is an airline that works to a specific schedule. Just like a bus, a scheduled airline will work to a timetable. Seats will be sold to passengers and the flight should operate as planned regardless of how many seats are sold.
They carry a wide array of passengers, including leisure and business passengers traveling domestically or internationally. They have sophisticated products that cater to business and international travelers. First-class cabins, business class, economy cabins, club lounges, in-flight entertainment and Wi-Fi have become core products for this group of airlines. They’ll happily connect you to Florida for vacation, as well as long haul destinations such as London or Hong Kong.
An adventurous family member or friend may encourage you to take risks and try new experiences that you would have never done on your own. Maybe it’s a hot air balloon trip, a local cooking class or an ATV adventure. Whatever it is, these new experiences could end up being some of your favourite memories from your group vacation!
The airline industry is just like any other business, meaning that there are numerous types of airlines because their customers have different needs. If you are going overseas, you’re likely to use a major airline because it has more destinations overseas whereas going south to the Caribbean means a charter flight is the fastest and most cost effective option.
It might be assumed that low-cost airlines offer better value for customers, but choosing between full service and low-cost carriers is likely to come down to the complete package of quality, service, and price.
But not all airlines are created equal, and it’s always good to understand your options. Just ask our team of experienced travel advisors and we can help you make your decision.
Vacations for Canadians
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289-812-2355
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