Originally Posted by
LondonElite
Um, because their costs are lower than those of legacy airlines. That doesn't mean their fares are any lower.
Originally Posted by
writerguyfl
While I wouldn't look to Wikipedia for academic work, the site tends to be pretty good at basic definitions. It's exactly as LondonElite notes:
"The term originated within the airline industry referring to airlines with a lower operating cost structure than their competitors.
Fair point. Two responses:
a) LCC as you say means lower costs usually from lower services. But SW is probably the most generous in terms of service (two free checked bags, free carry on etc.)
b) LCC don't just have lower costs for the hell of it. All of the EU LCCs pass on those saving in the form of lower fares but SW fares are probably more expensive than the cheap (no service) fares from UA, AA etc.