Internet has a lot to do with it because the web has become the perfect mate for this young industry. Indeed, millions of travellers turn to the Net daily in search of the best deals.

 

The most emblematic example of an online service for bargain-hunters is Lastminute.com, but there are others which have boosted electronic trade significantly in the past few years: travelocity.com, expedia.com and priceline.com. In the latter case the traveller sets a maximum price they are willing to pay and other conditions (for example, a non-stop flight and a day of departure or return). The sales staff at priceline.com mobilises to negotiate with the airlines and find something for their online customer. Some of the larger carries in the United States (American, Continental, Delta, Northwest and United) have joined forces to create a service called orbitz.com with which they compete with other Internet sites specialising in cheap airline tickets.

 

But price isn't everything. Travellers looking to save money must realise that much of the discount is directly related to the service they receive on board the plane: there will probably be no meal or refreshments, nor free newspapers as offered on regular flights. The space between the rows of seats can be minimal (as happens, unfortunately, with tourist class on regular flights). To avoid disappointments the traveller should get to the airport early and travel light, as there tend to be restrictions on luggage.

 

The offers that come from low-cost airlines are more and more appealing these days, and leading the pack are companies like EasyJet, Germanwings, Virgin, Go Fly, RyanAir, British Midland and Transavia. All offer great fares.

 

Traditional companies have also taken note of this tendency and made forays into the low-cost market with special promotions. British Airways has reduced some of its domestic fares by as much as 70 percent. Applying a leading price policy, for example, Britain's leading carrier offers return tickets between London and Madrid for 120 euros.