Sunday, 6th September 2009
Low cost airline myths exposed
Ryanair fares can be beaten
Ryanair and other no-frills airlines are more expensive on some short-haul flights than Air Malta and other carriers, an exercise carried out by The Sunday Times shows.
In a survey yesterday of 28 return flights from Malta to seven destinations between September and March, Ryanair was the cheapest option overall, but proved to be more expensive than Air Malta for five flights, and British Midland Airways (BMI) for two flights, even before 'optional' charges were added.
The highly successful Irish airline was also more expensive than Air Malta and Scandinavian Airlines (SAS) for another two flights when optional charges were added for services which the other airlines included as standard.
The Sunday Times compared prices of return flights by selecting seven routes from Malta, selecting the lowest fare on the day of travel, and adding the cost of checking-in hold luggage if not included in the price.
Ryanair is known for enticing customers with well-publicised eye-catching deals - last week it offered one million free tickets to 500 European destinations.
However, the price can increase dramatically when extra fees are taken into account - the airline charges each passenger booking online an extra €10 per one-way flight to check in one piece of hold luggage weighing up to 15kg, and €5 per one-way flight unless Visa Electron is used.
For new bookings, Ryanair now also charges a compulsory fee of €5 per passenger, per one-way flight to check-in online, following its decision to phase out all airport check-in desks by October 1.
If passengers fail to check-in online they will be charged a further €40 to have a boarding pass reissued at the airport.
An example of the impact of Ryanair's additional charges is a return flight to Trapani, Sicily, departing on September 13 and returning on September 20, for a family of two adults and two children.
The initial seat price shown on the Ryanair website was €14.99 per person going out and €5.99 per person coming back, making a total of €295.80 with compulsory taxes and fees.
However, if each family member checked in one piece of hold luggage and paid with a card other than Visa Electron, the total cost was €415.80.
The family could have booked to fly with Air Malta to Palermo, Sicily, on the same dates for €234.76.
Among the other four instances when Ryanair was beaten outright by Air Malta was a flight to London (Luton) for two adults departing on October 21 and returning October 24.
The cost of the Ryanair flights was initially €452.66 including taxes and online check-in, but this rose to €512.66 after cash-handling fees and charges for checking-in hold luggage. On the same dates, the two adults could have booked flights with Air Malta to London Gatwick for €350.02. They could also have booked return flights with BMI to London Gatwick for €374.
SAS proved to be competitive on the Stockholm route. A family of two adults and two children wishing to take a late summer break in Sweden could have booked return flights to Stockholm with SAS departing on September 20 and returning on September 27 for €981.60.
Flights on the same dates with Ryanair to Stockholm (Skavsta) could have cost the family €996.64 after payment fees and charges for checking-in one piece of hold luggage each.
No full-service carriers bettered Ryanair's fares on the Dublin, Edinburgh, Barcelona (Girona) or Madrid routes. Ryanair also proved to be cheaper overall than other budget carriers.
On the routes selected, it was only beaten once by Vueling - on return flights for two adults and two children to Madrid departing September 12/13 and returning September 19 - and once by Easyjet - on return flights to London for four adults departing September 21 and returning September 28. BMI and Air Malta also beat Ryanair's return prices to London on these dates.
A spokesman for Ryanair said the airline refuses to believe it has ever had a basic fare more expensive than Air Malta.
"If passengers ever achieve the impossible and find a fare lower than Ryanair's, they should use our low fares guarantee which pledges to provide them with double the difference," he said.
However, the low fares guarantee excludes credit/debit card fees, baggage fees, web check-in, priority boarding and any other optional fees. Air Malta said customers were not always aware of the hidden costs of budget airlines. A spokesman for the national carrier cited an EU Commission report published last May on airline ticket selling websites across Europe in terms of compliance with consumer protection rules.
Air Malta's website was one of the few to meet all the standards required, including clear pricing, availability of offers and fair contract terms, he said.
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Comments
And even with luggage, if you want you can fish for great deals, I just returned yesterday, and 3 adults and a child cost me only 158euro inclusive off all expenses
luton and gatwick are both on the same train line with similar journey times to london, including stopping at st pancras for the eurostar, and frequent trains run almost 24 hours (just not between 3am and 6am).
with ryanair the tricks are look for flights showing free online check-in (these are the special offers without taxes etc), pay with visa electron, and take hand luggage only (checking the size especially if you're likely to make shorter trips on ryanair) - remember to select no insurance as well (assuming you have this already)
1) AirMalta website does not work properly. Always call them and they give you a better price than the website.
2) The writer did not mention and I don't think it was taken in consideration, that every flight starts with cheap seats, and then the price increase considerably as more bookings are confirmed. So in the case of Palermo for example, this is probably the case, Ryan Air was 3/4 already full, while AirMalta is still filling the seats. Of course in this case you would fly AirMalta but this does not mean that AirMalta has always the cheapest flight to Palermo. A friend just came from Trapani and 2 tickets costed him 120Euros - all charges including.
So this comparison has no basis at all. And everyone knows that booking early means you get cheaper flights.
3) Since eFly started operating, AirMalta launched some cheap seats to Catania. This is why competition is healthy. I said 'some' because not all seats were cheap, but only 7 seats per flight are available at this price.
Ryan Air is also unreliable. Ryan Air flights can be cancelled if the flight is not completely booked out. Air Malta always flies even with only 40 ppl on board. That is why we have to pay more sometimes...for a good service. Air Malta also covers plenty of destinations unlike Ryan Air who use unusual ie. cheaper airports. For example Ryan air does not even offer flights to germany...it used to fly to Bremen...but how often do Maltese fly to Bremen??? What about Berlin, Frankfurt, Cologne, Dresden, Dusseldorf, Hamburg, Munich, Leipzig, Stuttgart (and Bremen too)? All destinations covered by Airmalta at (not cheap) but surely reasonable prices.
When comparing flights for Dublin, please note that there is a stopover in London and hence the price increases so much with AirMalta. I live there and unfortunately I have to travel RyanAir as it is the only airline to fly direct. I cannot tell you the hassle for getting home at times like Christmas when your luggage will weigh more than 15 kg with presents etc (winter shoes are heavier!) and have to pay an additional EUR 15 for every kilo on top of what I paid on my ticket. It's true that you have 10kg hand luggage but that also has to fit into specific measurements and some things like a toilet bag cannot be carried on board because of liquids. So I would gladly pay AM any time because as someone who flew them before from Dublin the price of the ticket was nearly the same without any problems of overweight etc. The confort of the seat (which I have to sit in for nearly 4 hours) is much more comfortable. At least it can go down ! And the service is much much better.
My relative is terrified of flying (cries, is upset, etc..) - she has flown both RA and AirMalta, and has come to admit that there is no difference when it comes to safety.
yeah exactly. i;ve often thought of doing that and am considering doing so for xmas to come visit the family but i've still go to try it. with a group its different cos it's an adventure in itself. on your own u just want to get there to see everybody
@ andreana attard
there is a minimum of servicing and standard an airline has to keep. there are international air laws, safetly laws and quality standards airlines have to keep. so they might not be be the examply aircrafts for safety but the basic standard that is needed is there.
there are lists of airlines that are black listed (by the EU) if any1 wants to check them. rest assured ryanair is not on there, none of the european low cost airlines that service malta are on it
so dont worry too much. when's the last time a ryanair aircraft crashed?
I acknowledge that Ryanair is not for everyone. One must be flexible with the dates, must not be burdened with excessive luggage and must be independent in his travels and not rely on other people. The latter including organising transport for airport transfers etc. For example from both PISA and Luton one can take the Terranova bus (about 7 euros) for more central cities.
Now I'm an avid RA traveller. I just graduated from a university in Scotland, and therefore flew many times a year to visit family back home. Normally, flying AirMalta (or any other airline) resulted in my flights being £200+. At the beginning of this year, AirMalta also cancelled my flights as they were getting rid of some of their Glasgow routes.
Ever since RA started flying the Edinburgh-Malta route, it has been much cheaper for me to visit. £140 for a return flight is the most I paid, and yes, that includes luggage. I don't really care for a "free" newspaper/film/meal when the price difference is £60+! Use that money to buy a newspaper before you leave, a packet of crisps, and water post-security!
And re: "lies" - I managed to fly RyanAir from Glasgow to Paris for 4p inc. all taxes. That's value!
May I point out respectfully that Dublin is not in the UK.
This beautiful city is the capital of Ireland.
(posted by a brit with a lot of respect for Ireland)
It is of no harm to be able to compare different airlines and get the best deal possible. Let there be competition. We used to pay much more to travel with Airmalta 2 years ago, rather than doing the same route now.
I think the government was very wise to invest in Ryanair coming here and it will work out well for the future.
Do you have an actual breakdown of these Subsidies by airlines?
Just referencing an Item from times of Malta: Quote: Air Malta saw its passenger numbers drop by 6.9 percent in June as the airline industry battled the fallout of the recession.
Figures issued today by the Association of European Airlines show that Air Malta carried 143,700 passengers in June with a load factor of 63.6 percent.
It is not possible to fly profitable with a load factor of 63.6 %, unless you charge high fares. I would say this load factor is a definite loss. And who will pick up the bill for this?
All things added, the difference with Real Airlines is most often negligible, especially if with these Airlines you get treated like a passenger not cattle, or a moron waiting to be milked
beam me up Scotty......
Not knocking Air Malta,had some good deals with them,and the cabin crew always polite,helpful Just a shame its so expensive,the only day they can fly
Where Air Malta competes head on with Ryan Air ie flying to the SAME airport or airports that are close (Rome and Pisa are different parts of a big country for example) I am sure you will AM to be always competitive. But you and others who clearly believe AM is constantly overspriced and is fleecing her customers do not realise that you live in a TINY island that has to maintain a national airline to service the destinations low cost airlines will not touch because of insufficient business. This is essential for our tourism industry, which employs one in four. Ryannair suspends services at the drop of a hat and does not give a hoot about being an essential part of Malta's communication network. Lose AM and you wiull quickly realise the pleasures of living on a small island fellow islanders. Most routes will be open only in summer and Maltese will gave to get used to hub travel - flying to one of the few cities that remain served and connecting from there to get to their destination. Unlike London, Malta does not have the market to provide the cheap travel you want. Period.
Malta-Pisa-Malta Mid October Euro 44 for 3 persons including 2 checked in luggages and 3 free hand luggages. Flown at the same price to Girona last May.
Beat that Airmalta - your fuel surcharge for one person exceeds all this.
No wonder the tourists are not coming to Malta
I wear normal clothes which fit easily in my hand luggage. Are you trying to tell me that in 10kg you don't fit 3 changes for least? Anyways, if you prefer a baggage do not remove it ux?!! Do you need a portable internet connection to do the online boarding?!! Tghaggibomx.
@SMifsud
I am not comparing online with offline. I am comparing 2 flights to Northern italy or UK. Cannot compare same destination since Airmalta does not fly to same destinations. Obviously, if I were to travel to Milan I would travel via Airmalta as it is the only option.
@SMifsud & S. Camilleri
If you are willing to pay over €200 for a meal & a newspaper then you definitely have a different budget than mine. Good Luck to you ;)
@Ryanair
Thank you
Beat that Air Malta!
Sure we consider travelling with only handluggage.. Oh and whilst at it, lets all pay cash on the net or try and get Visa electron,... and of course, just take one change of clothing when going on a week's holiday...Mmm now that I think about it, we'd all need to get a portable internet connection when travelling so as to check in online.. otherwise I'm out by Euro40.. Pretty soon if Ryan air have it their way, I'd need to make sure to use the toilet before boarding and maybe even take on my own portable chair (at a charge of course :) ). Who knows maybe to save weight, they'll encourage clothing optional flights .........
I'm glad my (and your) taxes are subsidising my holidays! At least I'm getting something back :) Before, our taxes were simply subsidising the overemployment at AirMalta.
True Air Malta leg space is better, and food is served but the difference in price makes more than up for it!
It is a myth that you can travel for free or a couple of euros. You can never operate a flight with such prices so money must come from somewhere. Ryanair idea is to have add ons for this and that including credit card fees, excess weight, secondry airports, no service, check-in fees, you name it. As announced we would soon have to pay to go the toilet.
People now have realised that there is no free lunch on Ryanair (excuse the pun).
Have flown both Ryanair and Air Malta recently on all counts Air Malta surpassed my expectations while Ryanir almost ruined my holiday at the airport.
IMO Ryan beat Airmalta by faaaaaar. You might also consider travelling with only 1 baggage or only hand luggage and thus saving an extra Eur20 or Eur40 from the rates quoted above.
This is a simple exercise I have done in a couple of minues:
Let's assume that we will be asking for a quote for 2 adult persons flying with 2 hand luggages & 2 baggages. We wil be paying online with Visa Electron which we got free from BOV.
With RyanAir we are carrying 2 x 10kg handluggages & 2 x 15kg baggages = Total of 50kg
With Airmalta we are carrying 2 x 8kg handluggages & 2 x 20kg baggages - Total of 56kg
Prices below are obtained from their web portals and are flights for October. I chose the cheapest rates for both airlines.
Flying to Central Italy:
RyanAir
Malta – Pisa : 2 pax – Total of 50kg
Eur80
Airmalta
Malta – Rome: 2 pax – Total of 52kg
Eur338
North Italy:
RyanAir
Malta– Treviso (Venice)
Eur177
Airmalta
Malta – Milan
Eur352
UK:
RyanAir
Malta – Dublin
Eur450
Airmalta
Malta – Dublin
Eur1086
RyanAir
Malta – Luton
Eur130
Airmalta
Malta – Gatwick
Eur454
Spain:
RyanAir
Malta – Barcellona
Eur60
Airmalta
Malta – Barcellona
Eur617
Ryan Air target what I call the vulnerable sector of the flying public. These are those that don't travel frequently, know little about the market for air travel and are easily taken in by the hype of Ryan Air's deceptive (and sometimes alot worse) marketing tactics.
It's a shame that many in Malta do not realise that they themselves are subsidising Ryan Air through their own taxes in order that the government can give in to the demands of the airline.
Ryan Air cannot compete on a level basis with most other airlines and hence why they use their blackmailing tactics to persuade governments to give them a subsidy which other airlines do not get.
For example, why don't Ryan Air fly out of any major airports such as Heathrow, Frankfurt Main, Schipol, Munich etc? Because they can't compete with other airlines at those airports. They have to resort to airports in the middle of nowhere or bully governments into giving them unfair subsidies.
a) No worries that you will be charged credit card fees or online check-in fees. Even mobile check-in is free.
b) Always select the option that you are flexible in dates. Air Malta offers you the calendar option for both the outward and inward flight and you can select the cheaper dates.
c) If you are booking more than 2 passengers you can opt to make seperate bookings and benefit from the best fares. There is no booking charge.
d) Checked-in Luggage is 20kilos and hand luggage is 8 kilos i.e. total of 28 kilos. Even when travelling with a child you have the same allocation even though paying for the child fare whilst for an infant - paying just 10% of the fare - you have 15 kilos of checked-in luggage.
e)if you need to change your ticket you can do so at a fee but at least you do not throw it away like you do with a Ryan Air ticket
No other airline is as arrogant and without any business ethic - ask the airports of Valencia and Manchester. They expect everything for free.
With regards the European Union funds - from where do the local councils and local governments get the money - Most of the funds are generated from EU funds.
a) Book extras like luggage, priority boarding etc. just a day before departure. This way in case of cancellation you dont loose that money. You can decide how many bags you really need.
b) Luggage: Do you really need any? with 10kg hand luggage I would say that most people can do without it.
c) Find cheaper fares. Assuming you want to book for 3 people on a promotional route, but you can not get the fare. Try to book it with 2 and with one. The problem is if only 2 seats are still there the system will revert to the next booking class. I have found a few times that I could still book the promotional fare for 2, and booked only 1 person for the higher fare.
d) Return flights - book separately. In my experience it happended several time that the return fare displyed was more xpensive, as if I would have booked it separately from the countries website.
e) Use Electron Cards - I believe there is still no fee for those.
a message to HSBC: When do you come with the Electron Card. Deliver!
On the matter of Airmalta being cheaper - good. If they are I fly with them , if not I fly with someone else. I tnink the Majority of people compares prices on the web before a booking takes place. I use the cheapest and most convenient.
Sorry, I forgot one thing: Your question was "Have you ever asked why other airlines including other Low cost airlines do not do this practive. "
Do you really believe that they don't? Every single carrier is trying to get somthing out of the airports and other parties concerned when they start a new route or maintaining a route. The only difference is that Ryanair is rather transparent and never tried to hide the fact that they are getting financial support. Frankly speaking I would sack the person in charge at Air Malta if they would not try to get the best deal for every route they fly to.
Once could ask the question the other way around, if they would not get any subsidies, not ask for any and be so inexpensive all the time, what do you think would happen ? The government would have to step in to subsidies them, as they would not be able to survive. I would be interested to know how much money is pumped into Air Malta every year already ?
When one considers what one has to pay for a imple shorthaul to Catania, Air malta are way expensive.
Air Malta had been used to a Monopoly wherby its profits were guaranteed by exploiting Maltese travellers for lack of choice. Air Malta employees were pampered with perks such as free flights which were accelerating its costs and made to be included in the price travellers.
The airline was overburdened with overheads and before these flaws are addressed, Air malta will not recover .
If you plan your trip properly and buy flights with Ryan air in advance then you can even get return flights for as cheap at 30 euro...and paying without a visa electron is just 10 euro or more
if people need last minute flights then air malta, even if the same price, would be a better option due to comfort, more baggage allowances and having a free meal as opposed to the overpriced snacks on ryan air flights.
i would like to see air malta offer flights for 10 euro 1 way! until then....there is no myth....ryan air is cheaper
Hope we have journalists that challenge this practice both at government and at European Union level
Mind you, I have nothing against Air Malta or any flag airline. I've travelled with all of them, Air Malta, Alitalia, British Airways etc. Yet I tend to compare and contrast and choose the cheapest route. I dont care taking 4 baggages to fill them with souvenirs for my nanna, her sister, her cousin etc. I don't care about being fed on the plane either (I prefer good food in a restaurant rather then the cheap food given on EVERY Plane). So such type of luxury does not add any value for me
Yes this may be but Gatwick is on the other side of Greater London, and Luton is closer to the Midlands so if you want to add another 2-3 hrs driving (M25-ouch!!) / rail (train tickets - ouch!!) to travel northwards, the cost will be considerably higher, using the Gatwick option. Remember the UK is not London only!!! Somehow there is always the assumption that people travelling to the UK are just going to London .... very wrong!! Low cost airlines are almost always the cheaper option for UK (non-London) travellers!
I've just booked a trip to Manchester and yes Airmalta did work out slightly cheaper, however in the week since I booked the same flights have gone up by Eur52.
I would prefer Airmalta anyday yet have used both Ryanair and Easyjet and have had good service on both. I'm sure today most people compare before booking and consider one's options. If you're not tied to specific dates, can fly out or back a day before or after it does sometimes make a Eur100 of a difference!!!
75% of the time I have found Air Malta to be roughly the same or only slightly more expensive than Easy Jet or Ryanair.
Air Malta tries harder; Ryanair are just arrogant when it comes to how they treat their customers.
Except that it does not contain a version in Maltese. The Germans, French, Italians and British are given information in their national tongue, whilst the Maltese are treated as second class citizens.
Veru każ ta' "il-ħmar tiegħi, u nirkeb wara".