FLY AWAY – GET AWAY THIS SUMMER WITH ONE OF THE REGIONS LOW COST AIRLINES

Despite the horrific weather that pounded the UAE this week, temperatures are already beginning to soar and summer is almost here. It’s that time of year again; time to start thinking about that summer vacation you know you should book. Getting away from the hustle and bustle of the city and the sweltering heat and taking a well deserved break is easier than you think. With a variety of low cost regional airlines, picking the perfect destination and favourable price is now just a click away.

With the number of low cost regional airlines offering multiple destinations and discounted fares; Jazeera Airways, Air Arabia, Fly Dubai, Air Arabia, Bahrain Air and Jet Airways, a week-end break in Qatar or sightseeing trip to the Levant seems a little more feasible.  And so it is. Low cost airlines are making their mark in the region and following in the footsteps of Europe’s Ryan Air and Easy Jet.  They are certainly not as glamorous as flying with a scheduled airline and there are often lots of additional costs but if you are prepared to grin and bear it for a few hours it is definitely worth it financially.

When I lived in Italy, prior to moving to Dubai, I was a regular flyer on Europe’s regional low cost airline Ryan Air, making the two hour trip from Ancona to London several times a year.  Given the price of scheduled flights, approximately 200 Euros and the thought of a 15 hour drive, flying with the low cost carrier that regularly charged 5 Euros plus 30 Euros tax was a blessing in disguise. After many ups and downs and learning things the hard way Ryan Air eventually became my favourite means of travel. I have to admit though it was not always easy sailing. So, to make your trip a little bit easier these are my top tips for travelling with a low cost airline.

	Always be on time - you might get away with being 5 or 10 minutes late if you are with a scheduled flight but not with a low cost carrier. Even if you are just a few minutes late, there is no lenience and staff can and will turn you away. This could then up costing you a lot in hotels and a new ticket. Leave in plenty of time.
	Don’t take too much stuff – if your baggage is overweight you will have to pay an extortionate fee, sometimes as much as 20 Euros per kilo. Low cost airlines charge more for extra kilos than scheduled flights as this is where they make up their money. I remember when my brother flew to Canada several years ago and was told his bags were overweight, he opened his suitcase took out 3 sweaters and a jacket and gave the case back to the lady behind the counter to re-weight. The weight was fine. My brother then picked up the clothes and one by one put them on; suddenly he went from a relatively slim guy to a macho guy who looked like he was 80 kilos. With sweat dripping off his brow he smiled at the lady at the desk and walked right through airport security.
	Don’t take too many bags – try and pack as much as you can into one case, without it bursting at the seams of course. Often low cost airlines charge extra if you check in more than 1 bag so check this out before you pack.
	Eat before you fly - Low cost airlines generally don’t serve free meals and what they do serve is seriously overpriced – so to save yourself money by eating before you leave.
	Don’t hang around – Seats on board low cost carriers are not pre-assigned so if you are travelling with family and friends and want to be sat together don’t hang around and make sure you are at the front of the queue. No pushing of course. Everyone hates people who push in front and jump the queue.
	Check the airport location before booking – many of the low cost airline flights fly into outskirts of the city, so make sure you are aware of this before you go. There is nothing worse than arriving in London with Ryan Air and considering taking a taxi to your hotel in London only to discover that Ryan Air flies into London Stanstead, a 1 ½ hour drive from central London
	And finally always double check your itinerary and documents before you leave – last year my future brother-in-law booked his ticket online but got the spelling wrong of the destination. He missed out two letters and instead of arriving in Cyprus to meet me, my fiancée and his mum for Christmas he got on the wrong flight and ended up going north to somewhere near Kazakhstan. Some destination names can be similar so check check check.
	Oh and don’t forget to label your luggage - if your case is black like most peoples, add some colour or something to distinguish it from the others. It will make your life so much easier.
	One last point – always read the small print – you never know what new and bizarre things an airline will implement – make sure you know the ins and outs before you even leave the house so that there are no major surprises at the airport.

Have a safe trip!