While the exact number varies, research shows that there are over 100,000 commercial flights globally per day. Commercial flights, of course, are operated by businesses known as airlines. Airlines sell flight services for scheduled routes to the general public. There are different types of airlines, however, such as legacy and low-cost.
What Are Legacy Airlines?
Legacy airlines are carriers with origins dating back to the early days of commercial aviation. They were economically regulated by the Civil Aeronautics Board (CAB). During the 1930s through the 1970s, the CAB required airlines to follow strict rules regarding routes and fares. It even established a pricing structure for tickets based on flight distance. Longer flights were more expensive than shorter flights.
The CAB was dissolved on December 31, 1984. After its dissolution, airlines had greater freedom to choose their own routes and fares. Legacy airlines are simply carriers that were once regulated by the CAB.
Some of the most well-known legacy airlines include:
- Delta Air Lines
- United Airlines
- American Airlines
- Haywain Airlines
What Are Low-Cost Airlines?
Low-cost airlines are carriers that generally emerged after legacy airlines. As their name suggests, they prioritize cheap fares. They still transport passengers to various domestic and international destinations. Low-cost airlines, though, offer lower fare prices, making them an attractive choice for budget-conscious passengers.
Common low-cost airlines include the following:
- Southwest Airlines
- Ryanair
- Spirit Airlines
- easyJet
- AirAsia
Differences Between Legacy and Low-Cost Airlines
How do legacy and low-cost airlines differ exactly? One of the main differences is the fare. Legacy airlines have higher fare prices — sometimes as much as 50% higher than their low-cost counterparts.
To achieve cheaper fares, low-cost carriers have fewer amenities. When you book a flight with a legacy airline, baggage and meals will typically be included in the fare. Low-cost airlines, on the other hand, often charge extra for baggage and meals.
Another difference between legacy and low-cost airlines is their fleet. Low-cost airlines typically operate a single aircraft family, whereas legacy airlines operate multiple aircraft families. By focusing on a single aircraft family, low-cost airlines benefit from faster pilot training and maintenance, which translates into lower operational costs.
Routes also vary between legacy and low-cost airlines. Low-cost airlines typically have more direct routes, whereas legacy airlines have direct routes and routes with connecting flights.
They may cost more, but legacy airlines are more spacious. They offer more legroom than low-cost carriers. Most legacy airlines offer about 31 to 34 inches of legroom, compared to just 29 to 30 inches of legroom with low-cost airlines.
