Cheaper fares over perks for LCC travellers in APAC: Expedia

ASIA-PACIFIC travellers are willing to sacrifice perks offered by LCCs to save more money, according to Expedia’s Low Cost Carrier Airline Index released yesterday.

The study polled about 3,200 travellers in Australia, New Zealand, Japan, South Korea, Hong Kong, India, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Taiwan, examining perceptions regarding customer service and perks between LCCs and traditional carriers.

Key findings include:

  • the most important deciding factor when choosing a carrier is the airline’s safety track record;
  • men are slightly more willing to sacrifice amenities such as pillows and blankets, free checked luggage and bathroom privileges to save on fares;
  • younger fliers (under 35 years) will give up legroom and carry-on luggage while fliers above 55 years old will forgo full-meal service;
  • over 56 per cent of respondents will give up in-flight entertainment to save money, followed closely by full-meal service (49 per cent) and pillows and blankets (48 per cent). They are least likely to sacrifice legroom, bathroom privileges and carry-on items;
  • 76 per cent will accept a slightly lower level of customer service;
  • 51 per cent will consider an LCC for a weekend getaway, slightly more than a third for a flight up to three hours, 23 per cent for five hours, seven per cent for eight hours, and only one per cent for 16 hours; and
  • 46 per cent spend more money on a hotel when booking a flight on a LCC.

LCC growth and supply in Asia-Pacific is expected to increase 9.5 per cent year-on-year during March 2015, according to the study.

For country-specific results of study, click here.

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