How big is the market for low cost carriers on long haul routes?

Some 74% of travellers are willing to travel long haul on a budget airline, according to a survey from search site Skyscanner.

The travellers say they would sacrifice the extras they receive with traditional airlines to travel long haul (more than four hours) with a budget carrier.

Of the respondents who were willing to fly long haul with a no-frills airline, 48% would forfeit personal space. Just under a third would book a 10 hour flight, while 22% said they would only go budget for up to six hours.

Sam Baldwin, Travel Editor at Skyscanner said: “The results of this survey show there is a definite demand for low cost airlines to operate long haul routes – it appears people are more than happy to surrender some level of comfort in order to satisfy their taste for travel, as long as the price is right. In recent years, low cost airlines have started to introduce more mid haul routes, including flights from the UK to Egypt and Jordan, so it is not unfeasible that long haul routes could be next to be added.”

The survey also found 35% of travellers wanted a bigger seat pitch than the 29 inches normally offered on low cost flights. 18% wanted free hold baggage included.

It questioned 1,800 travellers.

What do you think? Do the results of this survey reflect your take on the market?