Patently incorrect. When I board a BA long-haul aircraft more than half the cabin space is laid out for premium classes. Where do those pax come from then ?
If everyone always went for the cheapest then the only supermarket chain in the UK that did well would be Asda. And there would be no hotels other than Holiday Inn Express
But that doesn't happen. Please explain why not.
But you could argue that business/first on long haul is a completely different product to short haul economy.
WHBM was probably a little over exaggarant in his assessment but he is quite right in saying that price is king for the overwhelming majority of short haul journeys.......and also on a hell of a lot of long haul flights. Hence the situation we find ourselves in today. Even many business class passengers shop for the best deals and service in these classes, some would say, has deterioated over the years.
As for the actual topic in hand...
I don't believe that low cost carriers are whiter than white. I don't agree with the card charges that these (and some legacies) charge though I admit that some are worse than others. I also think that extra charges to print off your boarding card or check in at the airport are fair either.
However, we quite often forget the positives that the LCC's bring. i.e direct flights from local airports on some routes that probably wouldn't be operated if it wasn't for the loco's. They have expanded the market whichever way you look at it and whilst I an dubious as to whether they have enabled the poorest to fly, they have certainly enabled those who could afford to fly..... to fly more. I also don't subscribe to the constant bleating on about how in actual fact, full service is cheaper. I conceed that legacies have become more competitive, a bi product of the LCC's in itself, but more often than not the low cost option is the cheapest.
The ultra low cost path that FR has followed is taking things too far IMO and the constant attention seeking is annoying. The unavoidable charges are just crass. However, not all LCC's are like this. Call me biased if you like but Easyjet has the balance about right. Don't get me wrong, they aren't perfect and they still charge aroung £8 for using a card but extra's are optional. Theres no charge for checking in, either online or at the airport, and the only extra's that come close to being a neccessity are hold baggage and drinks/snacks. They fly to primary airports etc etc.
Flying isn't what it used to be, this coming from a 28 year old, and it's not going to change unfortunately.....however much we dislike the fact. To add insult to injury, full service economy flying short haul is nothing like it used to be either. Even when i started flying 6 and half years ago the change in onboard service was noticable after a couple of years on the job. I think someone made a great point about young people these days...... complimentary meals in economy on short flights would probably amaze them because it is something they just aren't used to. But remember, back then we used to pay a hell of a lot more...... today we pay less in real terms and whichever way you look at it that is down to the passengers insatiable hunger for cheap airfares.