By Fiona James
MSN NZ Travel writer
Budget airlines offer a truly amazing service making air travel accessible to more people. Gone are the days of saving for years to take a flight. Today, flying can be cheaper than taking the the train.
But low prices come at a price, so to speak. You need to be aware of what's included in your fare, and be sure to check the terms and conditions.
Follow these tips and you should have yourself a pleasant flight.
Double-check your destination
It's pretty disconcerting when you can't locate your friends even though they assure you they're at the arrivals gate; or when all you can see is paddocks and sheep, when you thought you were bound for London.
Many airlines will advertise flights to major cities, but actually fly to regional towns close to those cities.
For example, European carrier EasyJet flies from Turin in Italy to London (Luton). But Luton airport is around 50km from London central, so make sure you check the name of the airport and confirm exactly how far it is from the city centre.
Do your taxes
Always check whether your fare includes taxes. You might see a really cheap deal, but add taxes and the deal isn't as good.
A flight within Europe might be just £5 ($11), but the taxes will be £30 ($64), whereas another airline could offer the same flight for £25 ($53) all up. It pays to do your research on taxes.
For shopaholics
Be realistic — if you're travelling to New York for the first time, you'll want to leave a little shopping space. But do budget for additional weight when you consider ticket options.
A lot of cheaper airlines quote fares based on "carry-on" only, and the charge for checking luggage can be very expensive. It's sometimes more than the price of you ticket.
But if you can resist temptation and want to avoid the additional cost, pack light and consider the carry-on specifications. These tend to vary between airlines. If in doubt, weigh and measure your bags at home. You'll also find many hotels have scales for just this purpose.
The extras
Check, and recheck the terms and conditions of your ticket. There can be other costs charged on top of the standard price, which can include anything from administration fees to infant fees.
Also consider whether your tickets are transferable or refundable. Many cheap tickets have very restrictive terms and conditions, so you'll need to be very certain about your travel details.
Jumping the queue
Find out in advance how to check in. Most airlines should have an airport check-in, but many also offer an online service. There are often benefits associated with the online method such as priority seating and avoiding the queue.
Some airlines don't assign seating at all, so there can be a bit of a stampede when it comes to boarding.
If you want to avoid the screaming kids (and there'll always be some), get to the airport early.
All aboard
Don't expect a complimentary three-course meal or state-of-the-art entertainment systems.
Most budget airlines offer a food service, but at an additional cost with a very limited selection. It might be worth taking your own food (as long as you comply with the customs and security regulations).
It's also a good idea to bring your own music, books and other entertainment. Otherwise you'll want to hope you're sitting next to a cool cat.
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