until 2001 i was surely amongst the most frequent flyers with easy.
Seems like the hole idea was to use the low cost as a weapon against competition on a particular route.
Example: for two years there were 7 operators between LON and ATH. What easy was doing was matching EXACTLY the fares of the 3-4 cheapest airlines on the route, although the competition was flying to more expensive airports, having 5-6 cabin crew in a 734 (!) and a fantastic drinks-meals service. After two years the competition lost badly and had to abandon the route leaving now only 3 airlines on the route, BA, Olympic and....easyjet.
So what easy did right away was to RAISE the prices all the way to just below what the two flag carriers were charging. If you book late you'll find easy is more expensive than both!
Low cost operation gives you the luxury to "loose" money until the competition is totally wiped out, THEN you cash in. Its an attrition war.
THAT WILL NOT LAST LONG
People are begining to realise whats going on.
Apologies for the lengthy reply, it wasn't me typing but the big hole easyjet made in my pocket !