End of free cabin baggage at Ryanair and Wizz Air, cancellation of flights and disruption due to social unrest at Ryanair ”  French travellers, will they abandon the low-cost airlines?  “Air Indemnity, the French specialist of compensation, has asked the question.

To answer this question, Air Indemnité asked 1,008 people representative of the French population aged 18 and over.

In the last two years, over a third of French people have chosen a low-cost airline for their travels. Unsurprisingly, the low-cost companies most popular with French travellers are Easyjet and Ryanair, which respectively account for 15% and 10% of flavours before the two French companies, Transavia (8%) and Hop! (6%).

By questioning French travelers about their main fears when booking a flight on a low-cost airline, it appears that 42% of them dread the cost of the supplements (bank charges, choice of seat, luggage, meals, drinks, etc), well before a cancellation (30%) or a flight delay (27%), respectively in second and third position.

60% of French travellers willing to abandon the low cost

The announcement of cabin baggage fees on low-cost flights could have a significant impact on the choice of French travellers. 60% of respondents say that this new baggage policy can encourage them to turn more to traditional airlines at the expense of low-cost airlines. This is especially true for those aged 50-64, for whom the figure climbs to 66%.

Free baggage in the cabin is, therefore, an important selection criterion for consumers. On the other hand, this figure drops to 49% when we mention the risk of a strike – which is particularly relevant in recent months – which seems to be a much less decisive choice criterion for users of low-cost airlines.

Source: Air Indemnity