Dear Low-Cost Airlines: We Love To Hate You, but Please Don’t Go

I never thought in my wildest dreams that I’d spend my 21st birthday beneath the glittering Eiffel Tower in Paris, France. As a lowly college student studying abroad in Spain, I barely had enough cash for a few weekend beers or dinner with friends, let alone a plane ticket. But I somehow managed to travel to more than a dozen countries and numerous destinations across Spain during my stint abroad back in 2005.

The reason? Low-cost carriers Ryanair and easyJet.

The aforementioned plane ticket to Paris cost €18 ($21) on Ryanair. Yes, I stayed in the creepiest Parisian hostel in existence, came back sick, and somehow made my way from Paris Beauvais Airport to central Paris without a smartphone. But I still had the most incredible time.

As someone who didn’t have the opportunity to travel abroad as a kid or teen, flying with low-cost carriers changed my life and is part of the reason I now live in Europe. And I’m far from the only one.

Here’s how low-cost airlines have helped people travel and what might happen if they face a fate similar to that of recently shuttered Spirit Airlines.

What Are Low-Cost Airlines, Anyway?

Low-cost carriers use a different business model than full-fare carriers.

They usually cut costs by trimming services, debundling traditional airline fares that might include seat selection, onboard snacks and drinks, checked bags, carry-on bags, and so on. While you can pay more for extras, this allows budget travelers to pay as little as possible to get from Point A to Point B without any additional amenities.

Europe’s most famous low-cost carriers include Ryanair, easyJet, Vueling, and Wizz Air. In Asia, you’ll find Scoot, AirAsia, and IndiGo. Mexico has Volaris, and the United Arab Emirates has flydubai. Right now, the United States has low-cost carriers like Allegiant, Breeze, and Frontier, and one could argue that Southwest and JetBlue are, in some ways, low-cost carriers as well.

Unfortunately, low-cost carrier Spirit recently went out of business after fuel costs skyrocketed, leaving it unable to keep up.

How Low-Cost Airlines Serve the Market

Not only do low-cost airlines offer cheap fares, but they also keep overall airfare costs low through their competitive pricing.

If there aren’t any low-cost airlines, there is nothing that will suppress industry-wide airline fares, which are rapidly rising. The U.S. Department of Justice has referred to Spirit’s presence (or lack thereof) as the “Spirit effect,” noting that Spirit’s presence in the market led to a 17% drop in fares. Meanwhile, airfare is up at least 10% over last year, and could rise up to 30% or more now that the airline is gone.

And that’s why I really hope that no other low-cost carriers go.

Low-Cost Carriers: A Love-Hate Relationship

Don’t get me wrong. I definitely glamorized my Ryanair experience in Paris, leaving out the part about having to pay extra to print my boarding pass, trying to fit 5 days of belongings into a tiny carry-on (therefore leading to a cold, as I couldn’t bring enough warm clothes), and smushing myself into a non-reclining middle seat between 2 passengers eating stinky cheese and talking over me. Le sigh.

Low-cost carriers are notorious for charging outrageous fees for things like checked bags, carry-on bags, overweight bags, oversize bags — pretty much anything related to bags.

These days, low-cost carrier prices may not even be that cheap (I haven’t seen any €18 tickets to Paris in about a decade). And if you don’t read the fine print or mentally prepare for the complete opposite of a luxury experience, you might end up angry, disappointed, or out of cash thanks to extra fees.

I’m not romanticizing the experience of flying a low-cost carrier itself — after all, the flying experience today is anything but magical, even on a full-fare carrier or premium cabin. But it’s more about what low-cost carriers offer consumers: the opportunity to travel that many people otherwise couldn’t afford.

How Low-Cost Airlines Have Changed the Way People Travel

I asked everyone at Upgraded Points and frequent travelers how the presence of low-cost carriers has changed their travel, and I received some incredible responses.

They Help Budget Travelers

Flying is cost-prohibitive for many, but low-cost carriers help change that, as seen in my Ryanair experience. And you never know — you may just have a great flight.

Juan Ruiz, senior editor and content contributor at Upgraded Points, lamented the loss of Spirit Airlines, which helped him get to Colombia affordably and comfortably:

“I recently flew Spirit’s Big Front Seat from Fort Lauderdale to Bogotá with my family, and it may have been one of the most comfortable flights I’ve ever had to Colombia — and I’ve been traveling there regularly since childhood. For a fraction of what American Airlines or Avianca usually charge on the route, Spirit offered an incredibly compelling option out of South Florida, especially for families. Its disappearance from markets like Fort Lauderdale and Miami will absolutely reduce competition and likely push fares higher, because the legacy carriers simply never matched the value Spirit brought on these Colombia routes.”

Meanwhile, traveler Margaret was able to paddleboard in all 50 states thanks to Southwest and its former free checked bag policy (RIP).

“There’s no way I could have paid to haul my SUP all those places,” she said.

Southwest Airlines’ affordability and former baggage policy also helped traveler Sara see Hawaii for a summer.

“The interisland flights were super inexpensive, so we were able to see several places and work remotely for a few weeks. We checked our large bags for free so we could bring our portable monitors, keyboards, etc.,” she told us.

They Reunite Loved Ones

It’s not just about getting from A to B; it’s about reuniting families, partners, and loved ones.

I recall using Southwest’s deal where you could fly 8 flights (4 round-trip) and get 1 for free back in the early 2000s. I used it to shuttle back and forth between the University of Arizona and my family home in Chicago during college, which allowed me to reunite with family for Thanksgiving, Christmas, and summer.

Robin L. told Upgraded Points about how Frontier saved the day for a family trip:

“We were originally going to drive from Arizona to Austin to visit my brother and his family, but the price of gas increased tremendously overnight. So, I purchased flights for 3 people for $700 round trip on Frontier. Every other airline was $400-$500 per person! I had never flown Frontier and had heard horror stories about them but we had an excellent experience. I did my research about their luggage limitations and check in-requirements so we were fully prepared when we got to the airport. We allowed ourselves plenty of time and had a stress-free flight. I honestly would recommend Frontier to anyone.”

And over in Europe, I’m not alone in my love for Ryanair and easyjet. These airlines helped travel writer Laura Itzkowitz and her boyfriend (now husband) meet around Europe before they could finally settle in Rome together.

“In the early days of our long-distance relationship, my husband would fly Ryanair or easyJet to meet me around Europe. Without those affordable flights, we probably wouldn’t have been able to see each other. We’ve been together for 10 years and married for nearly 5 years now!”

Traveler Peter credits Frontier for helping him and his now-wife keep their long-distance relationship going between Detroit and Seattle, telling Upgraded Points, “I give Frontier at least a little credit for the fact that we’re still going strong 20 years later.”

It’s not just about reuniting partners. Low-cost carriers help people see families in the event of an emergency, as frequent traveler and finance writer Dawn explained:

“Years ago when my husband’s sister passed away unexpectedly, it wasn’t practical to fly the whole family out or pull the kids out of school. My husband was set to drive the 18 hours to Florida. But when you’re talking 1 person, a flight makes so much more sense. I booked him on Southwest and it was super affordable. Budget airlines bring families closer when it really matters.”

They Offer Underserved Nonstop Routes

Low-cost carriers often serve smaller airports, offering people unique nonstop routing options or alternatives to driving farther to reach larger airports.

I recall several summers ago wanting to fly directly from Spain to a Greek Island, but there weren’t many affordable options, or really any options at all, without having to first stop in Athens (ATH). I then realized easyJet flew to Crete (HER) from Madrid (MAD) at a super low price — and voila, my summer vacation was a go.

Frequent traveler Sam, normally a Star Alliance loyalist, flew with an LCC to Charleston (CHS), South Carolina, for work.

“Low-cost carriers often fly non-stop between key cities that the Big 3 in the U.S. don’t. For example, I need to fly to Charleston for work in August, and the only nonstop option is JetBlue from Fort Lauderdale. Similarly, JetBlue flies from many smaller Northeast airports to/from Florida. Similar to some of RyanAir’s unique routes in the EU, the LCC is actually the preferred option.”

And Robin T. explains her reasoning for abandoning full-fare carriers:

“Low prices weren’t the reason why I jumped ship from the big ‘n bougie carriers. Here’s why I finally gave Frontier and Spirit a try — after years of heeding other frequent fliers’ warnings. Too often the big carriers’ excessive and multiple ‘delays’ were causing me to miss connecting flights, wasting my time and causing sleepless nights in cities I hadn’t planned to overnight in. I prefer nonstops on Frontier and Spirit to getting free in-flight cookies.”

Not having to connect is a major reason people choose low-cost carriers. Chris Hassan, social media and brand manager at Upgraded Points, explains that he’s a big fan of Breeze, an airline that offers a solid product at low prices to underserved markets.

“I’ve flown them from BTV [Burlington, Vermont] to MCO [Orlando, Florida] a few times and loved it each time. My alternative would have been American, Delta, or United for 2x the price and connecting through a hub,” he said.

How To Fly Low-Cost Carriers Successfully

Although the future of low-cost carriers is largely out of our hands as consumers, we can do 1 simple thing to ensure they continue to serve the market: Fly them. If you love your local low-cost carrier, keep flying with them.

The most important thing to remember when flying low-cost carriers is to read the fine print and rules. This ensures you understand the baggage restrictions, are prepared to pay for any extras you might need, and can set expectations.

And if you do have a delay or issue? Contact the airline. You might be surprised by how well they handle your problem. For example, traveler Carrie booked a Spirit flight for 5 people that was canceled due to severe weather. After she called to rebook all 5, she later realized Spirit had rebooked only 1 of the 5.

“We ended up taking a refund for all 5 flights and renting a car to drive from Chicago to Florida. But after I sent Spirit a detailed complaint listing the expenses we incurred — rental car, meals, hotel, and gas — the airline investigated our claim. They went back and listened to the customer service audio and confirmed that we had been told all our flights were rebooked. Then they sent me a large check covering all our expenses as well as some miles for the trouble,” she said.

Hot Tip:

Certain luggage brands make suitcases specifically sized to fit the requirements of low-cost carriers. Make sure to check weight limits, as certain airlines could weigh your bags. And understand the difference between this lingo: a personal item fits under the seat, and a carry-on goes in the overhead bin.

Final Thoughts

Dear low-cost carriers, don’t leave us!

We promise to fly you more, complain less, and do our homework so we know what to expect. In return, please stick around and serve the market, keeping airfares low.

P.S. Southwest, bring back free checked bags!