It's amazing how much the LoCo's seem to create extremes of opinion.
There are folks who don't like LoCo's because of a "bad" experience; there are folks who don't mind LoCo's because they accept what they pay for; there are some folks who just don't like LoCo's for no apparent reason (some just don't like MOL so their angst is generally aimed at FR).
I fall into the category of not minding, which I honestly think most folks do: I actually don't see much difference on the service side between LoCo's and legacy carriers anyway. Some thoughts...
- On short haul flights I don't generally have anything to eat or drink anyway, so paying or otherwise makes no difference (I am not sure why it is necessary to have something to eat or drink in any given two hour period) and I also have noted that some of the so called legacy carriers charge for refreshments.
- The service offered by the CC varies wildly and is not a LoCo issue - it is an industry issue: sometimes you are lucky and have nice friendly helpful CC, sometimes less so. (The only airline that I try to avoid because of consitently rude and unhelpful staff - not always CC - is actually a legacy carrier).
- I once was forced to check a bag into the hold from BRS-DUB (flying FR), whereas on the return leg the exact same bag and contents were accepted as hand luggage. Again, this is not a LoCo issue, this is a lack of consistency that is industry wide and I find extremely frustrating, but equally likely to happen at any airline.
- EZ cancelled a flight BRS-MAD (French ATC strike) and of course I am left to my own devices then - but I knew that when I booked the ticket. Had to pay way over the odds for an IB flight from LHR, but that was my look-out when I booked a very inexpensive EZ ticket. Refund was back on my credit card within two days of telling EZ I wanted one.
- FR were not quite as helpful as I wanted them to be when I had "lost" luggage, but neither were KLM or Aer Lingus when I had similar situations, and in fairness to FR it was the baggage handlers at CWL who had misplaced my bag (Aviance or ServisAir, forget which)
- One point that I do criticise them - there should be transparency on price from the outset. Whilst most airlines internet sites do the same thing as the LoCo's (advertise a great price but of course you have to add taxes, charges, fees, etc), when your raison d'etre is price then this should be the most clearly visible aspect. For the most part, prices are still competitive.
- Flew with EZ BRS-NCE, expensive ticket and a very similar price to flying with BA (might actually have been more expensive than BA if I recall correctly), however, the BA flight was ex- BHX or LHR and I am closer to BRS so easier for me to fly with EZ. It is rare for me to have a flight where there is genuine direct competition between a LoCo and a legacy, and I do think that the low cost aspect is not quite as low as is sometimes thought, certainly with some of the EZ flights I have been on. But I choose flights based upon my required route first, if there are options then I will look at other issues (flight times; price; loyalty program; etc).
- FR have a nice shiny new fleet!
I wandered a bit, but I guess I am saying I don't think there is anything wrong with the LoCo's; sure - we would all love to fly first class everywhere, but until that happens we just get on with it. You can have a bad experience with any airline, equally you can have a great experience with any airline.