Travel

In a few weeks, a new low-cost airline called Skybus will start flying from east and west coast cities to Columbus, Ohio.

The big lure will be $10 airfares.

Skybus is trying to pattern itself after some very low cost European carriers like Ryanair. The company says, “We’ve developed a very simple operating model that produces a dramatically lower cost structure to fly people safely and reliably from where they are to where they want to go.”

What are their secrets for cutting costs?

*MOUSE PRINT:

1. They have no phone number! 

“Seriously. We’d love to chat, but those phone banks are expensive.”

2. They charge you for everything (except using the toilet):

– “The first two [checked] bags are 5 bucks apiece.”

– “That also goes for blankets and pillows–which, by the way, you get to keep if you buy.”

– Want a good seat?  “You can pay 10 bucks extra to board our brand-new A319 airplanes before anyone else.”

3. You must buy their food if you want to eat:  

“Hungry? Thirsty? Bring cash. Oh, and don’t sneak food onboard unless you brought enough for the whole plane.”

4. Don’t expect many employees:

 “… to keep our costs low, at most airports our agents serve “double duty”, moving from the check in counter to the gate when it’s time to board a flight. This means that if you arrive at the airport less than 30 minutes from your scheduled flight, there may not be agents available at the ticket counter to assist you.”

5. You won’t find Skybus at some of your favorite airports: They use less crowded, cheaper, and less convenient airports such as Portsmouth, NH (instead of Boston), and Bellingham (instead of Seattle).

6. Got a complaint?

“We can’t guarantee a personal response to your message…”

7. Fares “from” $10:

They may only have as few as 10 seats at that low price.

Despite these quirks and unexpected “features”, Skybus may revolutionize low-cost air travel in the US, and put pressure on other airlines to lower fares.