6 Differences between Low Cost Carrier & Premium Airline

Oh yes, with the influx of low cost carriers or what we commonly call it as LCC, travelling is now more affordable just like AirAsia tagline goes:” Now everyone can fly”.

And true enough, the Asian travellers now able to have more frequent travel trips. If you are used to flying on low cost carriers, one may need to change mentality when travelling with full premium carriers such as Singapore Airlines, Cathay Pacific. Below are 6 main points that one may have to adapt his mindset:

1) Free meals are provided on board! 

I would rather put it as your fares are inclusive of the hot meals on board. Go on to sip the wine, try the beers, enjoy the meat that is lay in front of you. Enjoy your meal on board, above 25,000 meters sea level.  Unlike low cost carriers which charges everything on board from mineral water to miserable cup noodles that sometime cost as much as what one can pay for 2 bowls of hot noodles on land.

Even if it is on a short flight but one is travelling on full premium carrier, you can enjoy light snacks on board, feel like being served like a boss.

2) You can choose to check-in your luggage at no cost! 

If you are getting used to transfer your liquid items such as shower gel into 100ml transparent bottle before packing your vacation bag, it shows you have the Low Cost Carrier (LCC) syndrome. Due to strict security issues & extra charges impose by LCC should one purchase checked in luggage options,  one have to divide into many transparent containers with less than 100ml of liquid in each bottles during the trip. In short, you will have to pay more if you want to travel on LCC…

However, if you choose premium carriers,  rest assure to pack many items and that bulky teddy bear of yours during your trip simply because you are allow to check-in with free baggage allowance available. How much more depends on the class you are book into. . .

3) Charge your electronic gadgets on board!

 One may get used to bring your mobile charger on board in case electronic gadgets run out of battery! Fear not if you are travelling on premium carriers. Most carriers now provide USB port which allow you to charge as you fly.

4) More leg space and comfortable seats with cushions! 

Ever get sick of having cramped leg space on board and the feeling of squashing the neck of the passenger in front when they push back their seats? The seating space in LCC is often maximize to what an aircraft can take. LCC often uses A320 aircraft type which can typically accommodates up to 180 seats in a mono class setting. More often than not, that’s exactly the number of seats you can find on LCC. Thus, don’t blame them to maximize seats capacity since each seat can only yield them a tiny profit … You only have yourself to blame if you want to fly LCC…

5) In-flight entertainment on board to keep you busy~! 

Hey, in case you are getting dreaded for the flight to take, remember you will be travelling in premium carrier where you have tonnes of things to do on board! Unlike LCC which basically one sit on board, look at the watch and hope the plane would arrive at your destination the next minute.

6) Arrive on time at your destination

If you are expecting to arrive later than the expected landing time, you maybe in for a cultural shock to find yourself arriving pleasantly early or on time at your destination. Unlike LCC which at time land later than expected or worse case delay for hours. However, one need to note that due to LCC nature which require higher utilization of aircraft hours in order to carry more passengers and so as to enable fares are cheaper, they are often left with no choice. When a flight segment is late, it may result in a snowball effect whereby the subsequent flights the aircraft is serving would end up later.

Categories: Travel Tips