Comment by racked | Hacker News Reader

Comment by racked | Hacker News Reader

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I've recently realized that looking for the cheapest deal, unless short on cash, is a totally worthless endeavor because of the stress it adds to the whole process. In no particular order, various problems I've encountered with low-cost airlines:

  - Bad, buggy order flows
  - High fees for changing flights if you make a mistake
  - Impossibility of getting a cash refund
  - Lack of legroom
  - Frequent delays
  - Understaffed check-in desks
  - Lack of human customer service
  - Bad safety record

It's just. not. worth it.

I get all of these with major airlines now, they've adapted. Except for maybe the bad safety record.

Some of the biggest low cost airlines in the world (Ryanair, Southwest) have stellar safety records. Their model doesn't work if there are safety concerns - 40€ roundtrip to Ibiza makes the pain of the lack of legroom and luggage policies and shitty airports/terminals worth it for many, but not if they're known as unsafe.

Never checked those to be honest. But makes sense.

That's the point. It is a feature, not a bug. the extra pain and work allows airlines to sell to one person for 2X and another at 1X.

It is the same as coupons at grocery stores.

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