Low Cost Airlines: A Brief History
Although low cost airlines might seem like a fairly recent development, the concept was actually developed in the US as far back in 1971, by Southwest Airlines. The idea behind Southwest was simple: it would offer a no-frills service in order to give customers the lowest possible prices on flights. This approach has seen low cost airlines in their many guises flourish throughout the world.
It wasn’t until the early 90’s, however, that the model of the low cost airline truly caught on in Europe and the UK. Airlines had traditionally focused on offering passengers luxury and plenty of little extras, but soon found out that many flyers would prefer to forgo the added extras and instead save money. By cutting out many of the extra costs, airlines were able to pass the savings on to the passenger and offer truly low cost flights. Following such success in the US and Europe, low cost airlines were developed in Asia and beyond, spreading to become a worldwide phenomenon.
More traditional airlines had reason to worry because they could not compete on price – the prime deciding factor among many consumers when selecting an airline. It has been shown however that, rather than take customers away from “full service” airlines, low cost airlines served to create a whole new market of customers. Those who could not afford to holiday abroad in the past could now jet off overseas as often as their more affluent counterparts – by taking advantage of low cost flights.
Traditional airlines saw the vast potential of the new market that the low cost airlines had created and so decided to get in on the action themselves. Big aviation names from nations around the globe launched their own versions of the no-frills airline, with varying degrees of success.
Cheap flights had of course previously been available, in the form of seat-only charter sales. But this method of budget flying was inflexible in comparison with the overall approach of the low cost airlines and so proved the less popular choice with consumers. All in all, the budget airline was here to stay and flyers have been taking advantage of this service consistently and in their droves ever since.
Jet2.com’s place in the history of the low cost airline began as recently as 2002 and its first flights departed in February 2003 from Leeds Bradford Airport. Jet2.com has since gone on to become one of the UK’s most successful low cost airlines and you can find out more About Jet2.com with our dedicated article. Then visit the main site to book low cost flights online.
Jet2.com offer cheap flights to popular ski and golfing destinations. Find more deatils on low cost ski flights and low cost flights for golfing holidays.