Why do low cost airlines allow check in much earlier than «full service» companies?
Ryanair allows check-ins 30 days before departure. Easyjet, Wizzair follow suit.
- British Airways - 24 hours before departure;
- KLM - 30 hours before departure;
- Lufthansa - 23 hours before departure.
Why is that? Could it be that low costers being relatively new have better IT systems?
Best Answer
"Historically" - meaning about 10-15 years ago, when mobile boarding passes weren't a thing - (european) LCCs required travellers to print the boarding pass before flying or pay extra for check-in at the airport. I can imagine that one reason for them to open online check-in rather early those days, was to allow the average "vacation traveller" to print both boarding passes for outgoing and return flight at home, before heading out on vacation.
Seeing how a lot of people still prefer printed boarding passes - because scanning a code off their smartphone never works, because they are afraid of the battery running low, because handling paper is less of a hassle, because they don't have a smartphone, ... - I think they just never changed that rule, though I have no sources to back up that assumption.
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How does a low cost carrier differentiate itself from a full service carrier?
While full-service airlines have a range of distribution channels (which is reflected in their ticket price), low-cost carriers usually sell their tickets only on their website. That not only gives them total control over fare pricing, but it also cuts the costs of selling a ticket.How does Budget airlines differ from other airlines?
Price. The ticket price has been and still is the most visible difference. While low cost carriers sell super-cheap tickets and often have sales, full service airlines have generally higher fares. That's exactly how low cost airlines attract their customers - with very low prices and frequent sales.What are the characteristics of a low cost carrier?
Low-cost carriers have a lower operating cost structure than other airlines. These companies offer decreased ticket prices to passengers, but recoup those losses by charging for a range of extras such as food, priority boarding, seat allocation, and baggage.What are the key characteristics of flying with a low cost airline like Easyjet?
The low-cost carrier is an airline that offers lower fares and fewer amenities and services to its passengers....The low-cost carrier business model- Priority boarding.
- Reserved seating/seat choice.
- Meal/snack/beverage services.
- Limited or no in-flight entertainment services.
- Few, if any, ticket refund options.
How Budget Airlines Work
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Answer 2
Ryanair actually allows 'check-in' 60 days in advance, but that option is only a way to lure more money from their customers. In reality, 'check-in' more than 24 hours before departure is only possible if you either have a flexi plus ticket (which includes this option) or pay extra to select a seat and does not mean anything more than that you can actually select which seat you will be sitting in.
Without having an expensive flexi plus ticket or paying a premium for seat selection, 'regular' travellers can also with Ryanair not check-in more than 24 hours before the flight and will in that case only be given a random seat. Passengers travelling together will not be assigned seats together unless they pay for the seat selection.
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