BA often better value than Ryanair, says fares watchdog

http://portal.telegraph.co.uk/global.../30/nfly30.xml

BA often better value than Ryanair, says fares watchdog
By Paul Marston, Transport Correspondent
(Filed: 30/09/2003)


British Airways fares are frequently better value than those of
Ryanair, says a study published by the official air passenger watchdog
yesterday.

The report from the statutory Air Users' Council found that the
difference in prices between full service carriers and their no-frills
rivals was "often minimal" and more than compensated for by the older
airlines' use of conveniently located airports.

Analysis of 1,500 fares on nine short-haul routes showed that
operators such as BA and bmi British Midland sometimes offered the
cheapest fares, especially when booked well in advance.

Between Glasgow and Paris, British Airways had lower prices than
Ryanair for four of six booking periods assessed.

For departures on a Friday and return a week later, BA offered seats
for £133 from Glasgow International compared with Ryanair's £178 from
Prestwick, 32 miles out of the city centre.

For travel the week following the time of booking, the full-service
operator charged £107 against the budget airline's £118. The pattern
was the same for flights four weeks and 13 weeks after booking.

Ryanair came out on top only for travel the next day with a lowest
fare of £171 against BA's £263.

The study found that in general the difference in fares tended to
diminish the further in advance tickets were bought.

Unlike their low-cost competitors, BA and bmi would also offer
bookings 26 or more weeks in advance, usually at cheaper rates than
available 13 weeks before.

However, no-frills fares tended to rise less sharply as the travel
date approached.

A London-Venice return cost only £2 more with Easyjet if booked for
travel the next day rather than 13 weeks in advance. With Ryanair, the
increase was £15 but £102 with British Airways.

The council report also urged consumers to take the cost and time of
travel into account before making their choice.

It showed that while Ryanair's average London-Frankfurt fare (£86) was
almost £50 cheaper than BA's, the traveller to Frankfurt would find
the transfer journey from Hahn airport taking two hours and costing
£8.

Meanwhile, after landing at Frankfurt Main, the BA passenger would pay
£2 to reach the city centre in 11 minutes.

The study added that full-service carriers offered the additional
benefits of free refreshments on board and "more comprehensive
back-up" when flights were delayed or cancelled.

"It is not possible to conclude that one particular type of airline is
better than the other - each has advantages and disadvantages.

"With no-frills operators, passengers now have more choice than ever
before. Our advice is to book as early as possible, shop around and
find out which airport the airline uses."

"Jason Hobbs King" wrote in message
...

http://portal.telegraph.co.uk/global...03/09/30/nfly3
0.xml

BA often better value than Ryanair, says fares watchdog
By Paul Marston, Transport Correspondent
(Filed: 30/09/2003)


British Airways fares are frequently better value than those of
Ryanair, says a study published by the official air passenger watchdog
yesterday.

The report from the statutory Air Users' Council found that the
difference in prices between full service carriers and their no-frills
rivals was "often minimal" and more than compensated for by the older
airlines' use of conveniently located airports.


Surely that depends on where your final destination actually is. Not
everybody always wants to head for the nearest city centre.


Analysis of 1,500 fares on nine short-haul routes showed that
operators such as BA and bmi British Midland sometimes offered the
cheapest fares, especially when booked well in advance.


In my experiance, BA is usually cheaper when booking closer to the departure
time not when booking well in advance.


Between Glasgow and Paris, British Airways had lower prices than
Ryanair for four of six booking periods assessed.

For departures on a Friday and return a week later, BA offered seats
for £133 from Glasgow International compared with Ryanair's £178 from
Prestwick, 32 miles out of the city centre.

For travel the week following the time of booking, the full-service
operator charged £107 against the budget airline's £118. The pattern
was the same for flights four weeks and 13 weeks after booking.

Ryanair came out on top only for travel the next day with a lowest
fare of £171 against BA's £263.

The study found that in general the difference in fares tended to
diminish the further in advance tickets were bought.

Unlike their low-cost competitors, BA and bmi would also offer
bookings 26 or more weeks in advance, usually at cheaper rates than
available 13 weeks before.

However, no-frills fares tended to rise less sharply as the travel
date approached.

A London-Venice return cost only £2 more with Easyjet if booked for
travel the next day rather than 13 weeks in advance. With Ryanair, the
increase was £15 but £102 with British Airways.

The council report also urged consumers to take the cost and time of
travel into account before making their choice.


One should take all factors into account - including the fact the the
low-cost operators tickets can be change (for a fee), wheras the cheaper BA
tickets cant. And many other factors that work in both directions......


It showed that while Ryanair's average London-Frankfurt fare (£86) was
almost £50 cheaper than BA's, the traveller to Frankfurt would find
the transfer journey from Hahn airport taking two hours and costing
£8.

Meanwhile, after landing at Frankfurt Main, the BA passenger would pay
£2 to reach the city centre in 11 minutes.

The study added that full-service carriers offered the additional
benefits of free refreshments on board and "more comprehensive
back-up" when flights were delayed or cancelled.


But IME more chance of cancelled flights. (Still waiting for an official
source of number and reason of cancellations)


"It is not possible to conclude that one particular type of airline is
better than the other - each has advantages and disadvantages.

"With no-frills operators, passengers now have more choice than ever
before. Our advice is to book as early as possible, shop around and
find out which airport the airline uses."

"Miss L. Toe" wrote in message
...


But IME more chance of cancelled flights. (Still waiting for an official
source of number and reason of cancellations)



Problem here is also connectivity. Ryan Air is a strictly point to point
operator. You therefore have a HUGE problem if you'll need two legs in order
to get to your destination and the plane you are on is delayed. Ryan Air
specifically states that they can take no responsibility here what so ever
and their being late therefore would give you the same trouble as if you
were being late for the first flight. This is at least what they say in
their writings. Perhaps they are better in reality.

Nik

Nik.

On Wed, 01 Oct 2003 17:12:21 +0100, Jason Hobbs King wrote:

http://portal.telegraph.co.uk/global.../30/nfly30.xml

Between Glasgow and Paris, British Airways had lower prices than
Ryanair for four of six booking periods assessed.

For departures on a Friday and return a week later, BA offered seats
for £133 from Glasgow International compared with Ryanair's £178 from
Prestwick, 32 miles out of the city centre.

For travel the week following the time of booking, the full-service
operator charged £107 against the budget airline's £118. The pattern
was the same for flights four weeks and 13 weeks after booking.

I just tried looking up Ryanir prices for that route. Out on a Friday
and return 7 days later:

3/10: £122.16 (1 day in advance)
10/10: £122.16 (1 week in advance)
17/10: £52.16 (2 weeks in advance)
31/10: £52.16 (4 weeks in advance)

All including tax.

--
Don't be sorry to email me.