April 15th, 2024, Bhavika Bansal
British budget carrier EasyJet recently urged travellers to keep themselves updated with the airline's latest baggage policies lest they be hit with an unexpected fine at the bag drop desk for breaking luggage rules. Leading competitor Ryanair also made the news recently for its strict new luggage rules which could see flyers being turned away if they run afoul.
Using a targeted audience of EasyJet and Ryanair customers, a new YouGov Surveys: Self-Serve poll seeks explores budget airline passengers’ travel plans this year and their views towards baggage allowances and policies.
Measuring low-cost carrier passengers’ threshold for flying budget
Data from the survey reveals that nearly two-thirds of respondents say they would consider flying with a budget airline for a short haul tip that is less than 3 hours long (64%). A fifth would fly budget for a medium haul flight between 3 and 6 hours (20%), while few say they would book a budget airline for a flight longer than 6 hours.
What’s most important to easyJet and Ryanair customers when choosing a budget airline?
A closer look at easyJet and Ryanair customers who intend to take a short, medium or long-haul flight in the next 12 months reveals that ticket price (88%) is one of the top factor by some margin when booking a budget airline. A significant portion (60%) of easyJet and Ryanair customers identified baggage allowance as a key consideration when choosing a flight, making it the second most important factor after price. How dependable and punctual an airline ranks as their third most important factor to this audience.
More than a third of respondents say that the quality of service (35%) influences their choice of a budget carrier and 31% say they factor in seating comfort.
Less than a tenth of customers consider seat upgrades and in-flight entertainment (8% and 5% respectively) to be important considerations to their decision to fly with a low-coast carrier.
Do easyJet and Ryanair customers believe baggage policies are transparent?
Recent news surrounding easyJet and Ryanair’s baggage policies highlights a key issue- the consumer’s unawareness and lack of clarity about said policies. It comes as no surprise then, that nearly three out five of our polled respondents think that budget airlines are either ‘not very’ or ‘not at all’ transparent with their baggage fees and policies (59%).
In addition, roughly one in ten (11%) easyJet/Ryanair customers say they have had a dispute over baggage limitations and policies when they have flown with a budget airline in the past.
Our poll reveals a strong appetite for regulatory measures when it comes to baggage fees. Nearly four out of five of respondents support regulatory measures to standardise check-in baggage fees (78%).
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Methodology: YouGov polled 890 British adults who are customers of EasyJet and Ryanair online on March 26-27, 2024. The survey was carried out through YouGov Surveys: Self-serve. Data is weighted by age, gender, education level, region and social grade. Learn more about YouGov Surveys: Self-serve.