The fine imposed by the Ministry of Social Rights and Consumer Affairs on five ‘low cost’ airlines for charging their passengers extra for hand luggage or for printing boarding passes is yet another of the companies’ maneuvers airlines to increase the price of airline tickets “from 0 euros” that some of these companies advertise endlessly to capture our attention.
The fine opens Pandora’s box of the complex process that is established when purchasing a good, beautiful and, above all, economical airline ticket. To the initial cost, with which airlines manage to attract our attention, a whole series of concepts are added that aggravate the final amount to be paid. And, in some cases, they do so with marketing strategies that encourage us to choose more expensive options when, in reality, that shouldn’t be the case. Let’s see in which cases these strategies occur and how we can act.
Airlines use casual seating as a business opportunity, with many passengers willing to pay extra to travel with family or friends. However, these practices have been called into question for their use of algorithms to separate groups and apply additional fees. For those who want a specific seat without additional costs, there are tricks that can help you get closer to the desired row without paying extra. One of them is checking in at the last minute, as the best seats are usually given last. Companies usually assign seats from back to front, leaving window seats free. Therefore, waiting until the last minute to check in online increases your chances of getting a window seat and a front row seat.
The random assignment of seats carried out by airlines is a real business because many passengers are willing to pay extra to travel next to family or friends. Now, these practices have gotten to the point where they are being investigated by the UK government due to the use of algorithms specifically responsible for separating groups in order to apply additional fees to them. In fact, several studies conducted by consultancy companies show how, in reality, a good part of companies – not all – end up placing all travelers who are making the same purchase in adjacent seats. That is, they take advantage of the lure of the separate seating notice so that the customer pays the price to sit next to his companions, when in reality they were already about to assign them adjacent seats.
There is a method of purchasing cheap flights that has gained a lot of popularity in recent times: the so-called ‘skiplagging’. It consists of purchasing an indirect ticket at a lower cost than the direct one and not actually making the connection. For example, you book a flight from Madrid to Paris with a connection to Amsterdam, but you only make the first part of the journey, abandoning the flight in the Spanish capital, thus obtaining an approximate average saving of 20%.
The best day to buy cheap flights is usually Tuesday. This is because airlines update price databases and over the course of Wednesday, with the “parity price” (the price a buyer pays or can expect to pay for imported goods), prices change and need to be leveraged for highest bidder. And there is also a better time to buy tickets. Normally, people tend to search for flights on the Internet during the day, and the vast majority in the afternoon and evening, when you have more free time, but… what about early in the morning? Few people can afford to look for flights early in the morning.
How can passengers effectively navigate additional fees when booking flights with low-cost airlines?
Interview Between Time.news Editor and Airline Industry Expert
Editor: Welcome to Time.news! Today we have an exciting discussion lined up about the airline industry’s pricing strategies, especially in light of recent fines imposed on low-cost airlines. Joining us is Dr. Elena Torres, an expert in consumer rights and the aviation industry. Thank you for being here, Dr. Torres!
Dr. Torres: Thank you for having me! I’m excited to delve into this important topic.
Editor: Let’s start with the recent fines imposed by the Ministry of Social Rights and Consumer Affairs on low-cost airlines. What do you think this signifies for the airline industry?
Dr. Torres: This fine is symbolic, signaling that regulatory bodies are starting to take a closer look at these pricing strategies that can seem misleading. The low-cost model, which advertises tickets from “0 euros,” has often obscured the true cost of air travel. Passengers are frequently hit with additional fees for things like hand luggage and boarding passes. It’s a classic case of bait and switch.
Editor: Exactly! Many consumers feel frustrated when the final price is significantly higher than what was initially advertised. Can you elaborate on the psychological tactics airlines use to lure customers in?
Dr. Torres: Certainly! Airlines employ a range of marketing tactics designed to attract customers. They often advertise the base fare as incredibly low, but this is just the entry point. Once consumers begin the booking process, they encounter additional fees for services that used to be included in the ticket price—such as checked baggage and seat selection. This incremental pricing can manipulate consumer perceptions of value, leading them to spend more than they anticipated.
Editor: It seems almost deceptive. There’s also the issue of airlines using algorithms for seat assignments, right? Can you explain how this impacts passengers?
Dr. Torres: Yes! Airlines use sophisticated algorithms to manage seating. Unfortunately, these algorithms can separate groups of passengers intentionally, making it more likely that people will pay extra to sit together. This raises ethical concerns and could even lead to regulatory scrutiny, as we’ve seen with investigations in the UK. Passengers are being incentivized to pay more, even though they may not fully understand why they are being separated in the first place.
Editor: That’s quite troubling! For those who want to avoid extra charges, are there any tips or tricks you recommend?
Dr. Torres: Absolutely! One strategy is to check in at the last minute. Airlines usually assign seats from back to front, which often leaves desirable seats vacant until the end. By waiting, passengers increase their chances of snagging a window seat or being seated closer to the front without incurring an additional fee. Also, being flexible with travel dates and times can lead to savings as well.
Editor: That’s a helpful tip! Do you think consumer awareness and advocacy will lead to changes in these practices?
Dr. Torres: I absolutely believe so. As consumers become more informed about these tactics, there will be increased pressure on airlines to adopt more transparent pricing models. Advocacy and regulatory action, like the fines we’ve discussed, will be essential in holding companies accountable and driving change in the industry.
Editor: It sounds like we’re at a pivotal moment in the airline industry. Thank you so much for your insights today, Dr. Torres.
Dr. Torres: Thank you for having me! It was a pleasure discussing these critical issues.
Editor: And thank you to our readers for tuning in. Stay informed and safe travels!