Booking in cyberspace must be done with care.
EasyJet's use of the Internet for 95% of its bookings could have drawbacks. As with any online purchase, one careless click or a frozen computer screen could lead to purchases you did not intend. Efficiency aside, there is still no substitute for human contact.
Some airports are far from the city center.
Budget airlines often operate away from the major airports. In the case of easyJet, you'll find flights leaving both major airports and the smaller ones. Our landing at Berlin Schoenefeld meant walking on the tarmac in the rain for a few seconds. Given what I had paid for the flight, I wasn't too concerned about the raindrops. You might feel differently.
If the airport is far-removed from the city, be sure to factor in ground transportation costs as you decide if the fare is a good deal. London Luton Airport, for example, is 30 minutes by train from the north end of the city, but easyJet offers a discount program with Thameslink rail if you buy at the same time as your airfare purchase. The cost is £9 (about $16 USD during our trip) per person one-way to central London, £1 ($1.77) for children ages 5-15 accompanied by an adult.
Expect a quick turnaround.
We were checked in and at the gate in Riga about an hour prior to scheduled departure. Our easyJet aircraft did not arrive until probably 15 minutes before takeoff. The airline's business model says this allows for extra rotations (more flights) on high frequency routes, but it sometimes results in delays. Business travelers: Be slow to assume there will be a delay simply because the aircraft has not yet appeared.
Food service means paying for your meal.
The easyJet Web site says it best: "no free lunch." In an effort to keep costs down, meals are a la carte on these generally short flights. If that bothers you, consider that you're paying for "free" food when you buy a more expensive ticket elsewhere.
Click "next" and read about some important check-in considerations.
