Blog 62: The Noticeable Differences Between Low-cost Carriers & the Legacy/Flag Counterparts
Vueling, Spain’s Low-Cost Carrier, Boeing 787-8 after disembarkation at New York-JFK International Airport
Hi all, and welcome back to Brooke In The Air! Today, we're going to go over the observable differences between low-cost carriers and legacy carriers. I've reviewed the major differences in class fares and the actual seats in the past, but today I will go in-depth in my examination of the difference between low-cost carriers and legacy carriers.
INTRO & THE JETBLUE CONUNDRUM
Your health will thank you for making an informed decision on your travel plans. In this blog, I'm going to focus on American carriers to help this somewhat brief though European and Asian low-cost carriers have a lot of the same issues; notably Spirit Airlines, Frontier Airlines, Southwest, Allegiant Air, and JetBlue versus United, American, and Delta. You see, it's not just “a meal” that separates classes and airlines, but rather service entirely and overall what you pay for.
Some believe JetBlue Airlines is no longer a low-cost carrier and there is some merit to this argument. But JetBlue offers no groundside service, no lounge access, is not full service, and they offer mediocre in-flight service despite their new branded “Mint Suite” for transcontinental and transatlantic passage on their narrow-body aircraft, notably the Airtbus A321-XLR, or Xtra Long Range. JetBlue may be trying to play with the Big Dogs, but they aren't there yet, in my opinion. They have even pioneered the narrow-body long-haul flight concept. Fight me in the comments.
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JetBlue Airbus A321neo is new livery, seen here taxiing at its home base of New York - JFK International Airport
HUBS & GROUND SERVICE
Many low-cost carriers don't have hubs, but rather what they call “focus cities.” For example, Southwest Airlines, who pioneered the concept, uses Dallas - Love Field as it's focus city in addition to small locales (aerodromes) such as Houston - Hobby Airport and a number of other cities in the continental United States. The drawback is that these focus cities do not have dedicated gates or ground service or terminals. Compare this business model to legacy carriers such as United Airlines and Delta which have dedicated hubs and, for lack of a better term, almost own entire terminals of the airport. A good example of this is United Airlines utter dominion of Chicago-O’hare International Airport - their headquarters is nearby in central downtown Chicago (at Willis Tower) and their logos and signs are up everywhere in ORD or American Airlines domination of Dallas-Ft. Worth International Airport (IATA: DFW), or even Delta Airlines monopoly of Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (IATA: ATL).
Once you get to your choice airport, you'll notice the big differences. Ignoring the lack of hub system, the complete lack of any ground service is immediately obvious. Legacy carriers at least have in-person check in counters and an occasional concierges to direct you to security or your gate but low-cost carriers offer none of these “perks” and in fact, you would be hard-pressed to find any employee of the airline in question; most of the “budget” airlines use automated kiosks or expect you to print your ticket at home. Sadly, you are forced to simply follow the signs to security and your gate.
LOUNGE ACCESS
Scoot Airlines by Singapore Airlines, their wholly owned subsidiary low-cost carrier seen here on approach to Singapore - Changi International Airport.
The better question here is “what lounge access?” Your best bet is to find and pay for independent contract lounges as no budget low-cost carriers have their own lounges or lounge access. Actual lounges permit access if you're a member of their airline alliance, or have the right credit card - co-branded by the airline such as the Chase MileagePlus Explorer card offered by United Airlines (the basic card is the best option, they do offer multiple card options up to a cost of $700 per year with variable rewards, but the most basic option, the MileagePlus Explorer Card through Chase Bank {yes, the Chase Bank} is the most balanced and offers the best rate - 24% APR on average and the best, as the saying goes, bang for your buck) or the Aeroplan Card offered by Air Canada, any many others. Not so with low-cost carriers; Low-cost carriers have none of their own lounges and none or very few (none of the North American low-cost carriers at least) have co-branded or codeshare lounges. For example, JetBlue has no lounges, and no lounge access. A few have branded or shared credit cards but with limited earnings potentiality, what is really the point, unless you're a loyal passenger of that airline and at that point you might as well get a credit card for a legacy carrier and earn actual air miles.
BAGGAGE HANDLING / CLAIM
Legacy carrier United Airlines’ long haul 777-200 (retired) on approach to LAX, Los Angeles, California, USA.
You really end up taking your chances with your baggage when you fly with low-cost carriers. There is no option for priority baggage service or handling, and telling them to ‘handle with care’ gets you nowhere. Flying with a legacy carrier at least assures you that your baggage will be treated with some level of decorum, even if it's the bare minimum. Further, if you got business class, premium economy, or domestic first/first class, you will get priority baggage handling which assures you that your luggage will be among the first to arrive at your destination, and will do so reasonably unscathed.
SECURITY
Priority access is another perk, albeit a branded one, though most legacy carriers and airlines in general have this feature. Essentially, you are entitled to accelerated security clearance. Compare this to low-cost carriers, which have you wait in line like everyone else and go through a full TSA security screen which may include a pat-down.
BOARDING
If you choose to opt for priority access, you are also entitled and guaranteed to priority boarding in Zones 1 or 2. This is a nice perk to use of you like avoiding large throngs of people including masses of annoying children. Low-cost carriers have no such perks. “You board when you board” said one aviation analyst, of several budget carriers. Southwest Airlines has recently implemented a so-called “free for all” boarding system, where passengers like up, board by Zone, then pick any seat they want; front or back, window, middle, or aisle seat, the location doesn't matter. SWA’s boarding process has been described as utter chaos.
ACTUAL SEATING
Interior Economy class cabin of a long-haul Airbus A350-900XWB of Delta Airlines (early model)
The seating on these budget airlines is notoriously uncomfortable. These seats are often nothing more than plastic bucket-seats with thin fabric sewn over them, with a slight bit of padding added in for the general illusion of comfort. Southwest Airlines is a bit better, providing pleather (not a typo) and actual cushioning designed for the human body. Frontier and Spirit Airlines are undoubtedly the highest offenders of this seating catastrophe but all low-cost carriers do this to varying degrees. Legacy carriers may offer thin padding in their Economy seats (a significant and very substantial improvement can be found in Economy Plus or Premium Economy) but it is still a vastly more comfortable product overall than the low-cost equivalent.
FOOD
Granted the general differences in catering may not be substantial depending on the length of your flight. Most (if not all) legacy carriers offer full service meals on flights of longer than two hours or 5-600 miles for domestic flights, depending on the carrier. Soft drinks and juice plus water are typically free on all flights plus alcohol is generally reasonably priced. Low-cost carriers require you to purchase nearly every and anything if you want something to eat or drink. Frontier and Spirit both charge heavily for a basic cup of water.
Example of the full course meal served on United Airlines ‘ Domestic First Class flights. Sweet gouda cheeseburger, Whole wheat dinner roll with warm butter, vegetable spread, and hot chocolate cream cake, with mimosa to drink.
WIFI ACCESS
Nearly all airlines charge for Internet service. JetBlue, interestingly, does not. But Frontier, Spirit, Allegiant, Sun Wings and others, do. There's not a huge difference between budget low-cost carriers and legacy carriers when it comes to Internet access in the sky. Southwest allows free texting, and other very basic services, but browsing the net, etc. Requires you to pay either hourly or per flight, the choice is often yours. It is very much a niche to find an airline that does not charge for internet access.
IN-FLIGHT ENTERTAINMENT
Most legacy carriers provide (on longer domestic routes) in-flight entertainment. United is in the process of installing seat back entertainment screens on all short to medium haul domestic aircraft, for example. Other legacy carriers offer Stream to your Own Device (STYOD) entertainment. JetBlue is the only low-cost carrier that offers seat back IFE screens. All others offer either nothing or STYOD options, such as Southwest Airlines.
Exterior of a Southwest Airlines’ Boeing 737-800
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Thank you all for joining me this week, and I very much endorse flying onna legacy carrier such as United, American, or Delta Airlines. It might be a bit more expensive, but oftentimes your trip, your family, and your health is worth it.
