Full-service, low cost or hybrid – What’s in an airline label?

Airlines like easyJet, Air Berlin, Jazeera, Vueling and Ryanair are often given certain labels by analysts and industry professionals. These labels are meant to describe business models – and the perennial debate about which business model will deliver the greatest profits is heating up in the world of low cost airlines. However, many of the CEOs I’ve come into contact with are asking about the value of the labels they are associated with.

What’s in the label anyway? What does it actually mean to be ‘Full-service’ vs. ‘Low Cost’ vs. ‘Hybrid’ And does it really matter? The lines have become so blurred the monikers do seem relatively meaningless.

Full-service, low cost or hybrid? I guess the labels are perfunctory. Most airline CEOs are not too bothered about the label they have. They just want a business model that will deliver a better product at better value for money.