Budget Airlines - Operational Detail
Posted by neptune2304@reddit | aviation | View on Reddit | 5 comments
I understand that on budget airlines there are differences which are overt/ obvious compared to premium airlines e.g no in flight entertainment, no meal included, no check in luggage included
However, to any pilots or anyone in aviation industry what are some operational differences which differ that may not be well known about. For example, do budget airlines traditionally get worse gates to taxi from?
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Apprehensive_Cost937@reddit
At a lot of European airports, LCCs use remote stands, while full fare carriers would use a jetbridge. It's not uncommon for LCCs to park to use an older or terminal instead of a brand new one, where airports have two or more.
Short turnarounds mean aircraft just get a quick clean of by the cabin crew during the day, unless passengers have made a big mess, or someone vomited, etc.
One of the big differences here is also that most LCCs tend to operate P2P flights, meaning you can't book a connecting flight or check your luggage as a connecting flight, which saves on complexity and cost. It also means most aircraft (and crews) get to spend the nights in home base rather than in outstations, reducing the cost (crew hotels and transport, aircraft parking, maintenance, etc.) even further.
Operating single fleets means there are lower maintenance costs, because you can keep more spare parts in stock, as you can fit them onto almost any aircraft in the fleet (small differences always exist). This means less downtime, higher utilisation and less exposure to EU261 compensation claims, which are something LCCs try to avoid much more - if you're selling tickets at €500, and have to pay €400 in compensation for a late flight, that's unfortunate. When you're selling them at €50, it can wipe an unreliable airline out pretty quickly.
neptune2304@reddit (OP)
The single fleet strategy makes sense e.g scoot having all their 787s. But isn’t that also a huge liability if 787s are grounded, their ability to deliver to customers is halted?
redcremesoda@reddit
That’s what happened to Spirit and it’s new a320neo aircraft, which were grounded due to issues with their engines. Larger LCCs have multiple types and iterations of the same aircraft, though, which cuts down on this risk significantly.
Scoot is owned by Singapore Airlines, which has a massive fleet that could help it mitigate risk caused by aircraft issues.
ContributionEasy6513@reddit
Planes make money when they are in the air.
Fly the most fuel efficient aircraft, fill them up to 100%, and turn them around as frequently as you can.
Usually stands (air-stairs) instead of gates/jet-bridges. Both cheaper and faster. Less desirable 'budget' terminals.
Other things:
- Point to Point
- Focus to do everything via an App: Check-in staff and bags are expensive.
- No commissions to travel agents as some legacy carriers may offer.
- Fly 1 type of aircraft, usually an A320 or 737, 1 pool of pilots and crew
- Pay for everything: Food, seats, luggage, Priority
Have worked for multiple ULCC's around the world.