EasyJet is about to give its customers a bit more freedom: The low-cost carrier has announced a new booking program allowing travelers to connect with other low-fare airlines. The initial project is based at London’s Gatwick Airport, and is focused on connecting EasyJet European flights with long-haul ones, like Norwegian and WestJet routes across the Atlantic, and Loganair flights to Scotland. EasyJet plans to expand the program quickly to some of its larger hubs around Europe, and to add new partnered airlines, including some based in Asia. But the program already has its limits.
Pros of EasyJet’s Low-Fare Connections
Starting immediately, the new program allows you to check schedules and book tickets on a Worldwide by EasyJet website for low-fare flights that connect over Gatwick. The minimum connection time is two and a half hours, which should provide a reasonable amount of schedule slack. Airlines will presumably coordinate schedules, at least to some degree—but that’s about the extent of the necessary changes on the buying side.
You’ll still be purchasing separate tickets on two different airlines, without the benefit of any through fares—but you’ll get a little bit extra protection than you would have before. The main operational difference is that, at Gatwick, if your incoming flight is delayed and you miss the connecting flight, you’ll be put on the next available flight without any ticket change or no-show penalties. Before now, those multi-airline trips weren’t protected for rebooking by either operator.
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A second element of added convenience is that when you arrive at Gatwick, you can claim your checked bag and immediately re-check it at a special facility directly in the arrivals area. There’s no need to schlep a bag back to the departures area to re-check it.
Cons of EasyJet’s Low-Fare Connections
This system is still a lot less “seamless” than a connection on legacy lines. With those carriers, you have the advantage of through fares, and you can check baggage through to your destination without having to claim it at the connecting airport. Also, at most European hub airports, you can remain airside through your connection process, without the need for additional security screening.
Another problem: You’ll have to pay the onerous British “air passenger duty” on any connecting flight out of Gatwick. That typically amounts to about $17 (or £13) on a connecting flight to most European countries, and about $100 on transatlantic flights (or £75). And those fees cover only the lowest class of service. If you fly in a premium option, they double. Conventional through-ticket connecting flights at U.K. airports on legacy lines are not subject to those
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Plane food is a topic that has been debated by travelers for as long as meal services have been available on flights. As the price of flights continues to rise sky-high, many airlines have become known for squeezing passengers for all they’re worth—be it extra luggage fees or in-flight amenity requests. When it comes to snacks, however, some airlines go the extra mile to provide passengers with excellent nibbles throughout their journey. Below, we take a look at the airlines with the best free in-flight snacks this summer.
With their chic cities, dramatic landscapes and high quality of life, the countries of Scandinavia remain objects of worldwide fascination. Yet if you’re looking to dip your toe into Nordic waters, where do you begin?
Alaska Airlines is justly lauded for its Mileage Plan loyalty program, which among other features boasts 17 airline partners, allowing program members to earn and redeem miles for flights throughout the world.
By traditional measures, Alaska Airlines is a carrier of decidedly modest size, even after its acquisition of Virgin America. Its own flight network is small, compared to those of American, Delta, and United. And it’s not a member of one of the three global airline alliances.
North American travelers looking for bargain transatlantic fares will have lots more options this summer, as European-based low-fare lines expand their reach. Three lines have announced aggressive moves:
It’s no secret that it’s been a year of ups and downs—but one silver lining is the affordable travel possibilities it’s opened up for American travelers. Thanks to expanding air routes, a strong U.S. dollar, and tour companies catering to younger, more frugal tourists, the world is now more accessible than ever.
I recently dubbed Alaska Airlines’ loyalty program, Mileage Plan, the “Best Mileage Program for Average Travelers.” It’s a hard-won honor, awarded for two principal reasons. First, Alaska has chosen to retain Mileage Plan’s distance-based earning scheme, even as most other airlines have adopted less generous spend-based earning. And second, Alaska has cobbled together a roster of earning and redemption partners that rivals those of the world’s largest airlines.
There’s no shortage of new airlines servicing North America right now: Norwegian, WOW, Primera, XL Airways, Level, Flair, and Joon have recently sprung up or expanded. But none of these new carriers is based in the U.S.
Low-cost carrier Norwegian Air will introduce new direct service from Boston’s Logan International Airport to Copenhagen, Oslo, and London (Gatwick) this May, making it Boston’s largest international airline. Norwegian joins other low-cost carriers like WOW Air in targeting Boston as its gateway to Europe.