Things to Consider When Booking Cheap Flights

Flying has changed so much since I was a young girl. I remember my parents desperately trying to save up for flights that now cost a small fraction of the price that they did back then. These days you can fly to most places in Europe for less than a £100 and with flights being cheaper than catching a train cross-country in the UK, it's no wonder people are booking more holidays abroad. However, cheaper flights aren't always what they seem. Some flights may look like a good deal on first glance, but when you add up your extras such as baggage and seating arrangements, in some cases you would have been better off booking with the more premium airline.

Baggage Allowance

Many of the more affordable airlines recoup a lot of their costs by charging an extortionate amount for baggage and unless you're a hand luggage pro, this is what catches many travellers out. For example - I booked a flight with Ryanair from Manchester to Dublin for £9.99 which is cheaper than a train to my nearest city, however for a hold bag it was going to cost me £25 each way, adding an extra £50 to the total cost. In this instance it is still cheaper than Aerlingus and as I was only going away for two nights, I decided to take hand luggage only, however it is always worth checking because some premium airlines include baggage in their overall cost.

Flight Schedule

Another way budget airlines get away with charging less is due to their flight schedules. The cheaper the flight, the more anti-social the flight time will be and you check to see if this will dig into any of your holiday time. For example, some flights will be at 4 in the morning - will you be able to get the airport at that time? Also, is it going to cost you an extra night in a hotel you may not be using? If the flight is in the middle of the day - will it be cutting into your holiday time so much that you end up losing the day?

Seating Arrangements

There has been a lot of controversy in the news lately regarding seating arrangements on budget flights, particularly from parents who have been unable to be seated with their children. Budget airlines will often ask you to pay extra to guarantee a seat as a way of making money for busier flights. If you have a family of four and it's £10 a seat each way, that's £80 on top on your flights for the luxury of being able to sit next to each other.

Smaller airports

If you're travelling to a country which has several airports, it's always worth double checking to see which airport your flight will actually take you to. Oslo has several airports which Ryanair visits and the airports furthest away from the city are the cheapest. This may look like a good deal, but when you factor in airport transfers, it can add a large amount to your final costs.

I have travelled many places by budget airlines and have had no issues, but that was because I did extensive research and knew what I was getting. Always research your flights fully to ensure you are getting the best deal for your holiday.