When I became a Travel Agent 9 years ago now, if you had have told me that one day you would pay for your baggage on a flight, I would have fallen off my chair in laughter. I probably wouldn’t have been able to get up off the floor once you told me I also have to pay for my meal, my pillow and my blanket! But then, I also wouldn’t have believed you if you told me I could fly from Sydney to Brisbane for as little as $29, or even cheaper.

Virgin Blue was the first, followed closely by Jetstar – there have been others that tried and failed, but I believe these 2 airlines have hit the discount airfare market very successfully. They seem to have found a balance between cheap and ridiculously cheap that still allows them to operate without having to charge to use the bathroom.

Pay to use the bathroom, did you say? – you mean some airlines charge you to relieve your bladder? Yes, my friends – sad but true – and thankfully at this time “Only in Europe”!  Which brings me closer to my point

Europe – the home of ridiculously cheap flights. I have had many a friend or family tell me they flew from London to Timbuktu for ONE POUND! Sure, the taxes were another 50 pounds – but ‘I got a flight for One Pound’ they would say! All I had to do was get online at exactly 3:27am, press refresh 500 times while hopping on one foot and scratching my head. OK, I do exaggerate, but most of you would know – those cheap flights are almost impossible to come by. And at what price do they come these days? There truly is airlines charging you to use the toilet – on top of all the other extras we all like.

It seems that flight for One Pound, isn’t truly One Pound afterall!

I embrace the low cost carriers. They have opened up a world of travel for those who may not have previously been able to experience this vast land, the rest of the Pacific, or even further afar.

What I ask of you, is to not be disappointed that you missed out on that rare $1 seat celebrating one of our airline’s birthdays. While it might now cost you $100 instead to fly, including your taxes and baggage – possibly even your meal and movie – be thankful your “bill” doesn’t rack up like these ladies…

(You only need to watch about the first 4 minutes – the rest of the video is a preview for their DVD )

Fascinating Aida – incredibly talented and “fecking” hilarious! I love this video!

All jokes aside, you do get what you pay for in this day and age. I am sure I will write many posts about the benefits of using a Travel Agent – but remember, the crux of using one is that you are using a professional, who books flights every day. We know whether your bags, your meals, your blankets are included and you have someone – a real person, to ask these questions of to.
Don’t tear your hair out trying to get an internet fare, when using an agent may cost you the same amount of money! But more on that another time

I would love to hear your funny “cheap flight” stories. Was it funny at the time, or only now you look back?

Shell xox