Quote: "FairdealFrank not always
Norwegian are by any measure a low cost airline and they through ticket on many routes,even with hold luggage, in fact if you check out their website you will see that you can select either direct or connecting routes.
You of course pay for food and drink and they make big play that they don't need to give you a free newspaper because they provide free WiFi on board so you can surf/read what you want
They also shortly to start long haul flights, so the gap gets ever closer"
Hmm, must admit, wasn't aware of that one! No "no-frills" outfit has yet made long haul work, maybe they'll be the first. Are you sure that they are pure "no-frills"?
Would expect the blurring to continue as each type has to react to market conditions. It's the old adage: adapt and survive.
Quote: "A friend of mine works in a small, traditional travel agency. They are in the High Street of a prosperous town in the Home Counties where many commute to London. They continue to do great business - with the over 50s. They know they are in a terminal business."
The travel agent of the future will probably specialise in niche options and complicated trips, and providing visa services, etc.. Of course there are also those who will always want a personal touch.
Quote: "Some of the legacy airlines have what might be commonly referred to as "open jaw returns", namely fly out to one airport and fly back from another."
Some of the "legacies" have been doing open-jaw for quite a while, and airline online booking also allows for "multi-sector" flights to be booked. In addition there are various deals such as "round-the-world" options.
Last edited by Fairdealfrank; 4th April 2013 at 17:51.