The term "low cost" originated in the United States decades ago with airlines offering cheap flights at half the price of traditional carriers. Later, the low cost craze spread to other industries, not just flights, but to low cost holidays, hotels, car rental, clothing, and even to the automotive industry, just to name a few.
What are low cost flights?
In Australia, low cost flights are well known because of the various budget carriers that offer cheaper Australia domestic and international flights. These airlines are specifically referred to as "low cost airlines", but the term can also be used for cheap flights with traditional airlines. When assessing the price of a flight with a low cost airline compared to a traditional airline, we recommend you compare prices, flight schedules, to which airport the airline operates, especially the distance from the city centre and ground transport prices. It's also important to take into account any additional fees like extra costs to check luggage. Keep reading for more tips for flying with budget carriers.