Ryanair and Wizz Air have stopped allowing free cabin baggage, and with recent flight cancellations and disruptions due to social unrest at Ryanair, will French travelers be turning away from low-cost airlines? Air Indemnité, a French compensation specialist, aimed to find out.
They surveyed 1,008 French adults, 18 and older, to get some answers. Over the last two years, more than one-third of French people have opted to fly with low-cost airlines. The favorites among them are Easyjet, with 15% of travelers, and Ryanair, with 10%. These airlines are followed by French companies Transavia at 8% and Hop! at 6%.
When asked about their biggest concerns when booking with low-cost airlines, 42% of French travelers said they worry about the additional costs such as bank charges, seat selection, luggage fees, meals, and drinks. This concern outweighs fears of flight cancellations (30%) and delays (27%).
Regarding the new cabin baggage fees, the survey revealed that 60% of respondents might prefer traditional airlines over low-cost ones. This sentiment is even stronger among those aged 50-64, reaching 66%. Clearly, free cabin baggage is a crucial factor for many consumers. Conversely, the risk of strikes, especially prominent in recent months, seems to be less significant, with only 49% considering it a deal-breaker.