It can pay to go premium when flying

A survey by  Airline Ratings looking at the Australian domestic market has found Virgin Australia and Qantas come out on top for value once you add in baggage, food, drink and typical in-flight entertainment.

The Australian and Asian markets are one of only a few remaining that offers travellers the option to fly on a true full service or low cost carrier. Most full service carriers in Europe and America have adopted a low cost model themselves for intercontinental or domestic flights to remain competitive. 

For the first two weeks of this month the cheapest base fare from Perth to Sydney is with Tigerair at $135 and the highest is Qantas at $345, but the averages are another story.

On many days the Qantas base fare is just $231 and though the average is $289, that included baggage, meal and drinks.

Virgin Australia ranged from $249 to $399, with an average fare of $292.

Jetstar was the surprise with base fares from $179 to $299, with an average of $249. However, each Friday the airline offers specials.

Tigerair’s fares are between $135 and $299 for the two weeks, with the average $214.

The survey found that once baggage, a meal and drinks were added, the premium carriers offered much better value and were often cheaper.

The survey for Tuesday, March 22 found the fares for Perth to Sydney including a bag, meal and drink were: Tigerair $251, Virgin $259, Qantas $260 and Jetstar $299.

But Qantas Group chief executive Alan Joyce said 70 per cent of Jetstar passengers travelled on $150 fares or less.

He also said that Qantas Group fares were on average 20 to 25 per cent less than five years ago.

The premium airlines came out in front for entertainment, particularly if travelling on an A330 twin-aisle aircraft.

These 295-seat planes are the flagships of the Qantas and Virgin Australia fleets and thus typically showcase the latest innovations.

Both offer either fixed seat-back videos or streaming to an iPad.

If flying later this year, the average results are interesting.

The survey found the lowest base fares for the first two weeks of November for Perth to Sydney were Tigerair at $179 then Virgin Australia at $199, Qantas at $209 and Jetstar a surprising $255.

Adding baggage, food and drinks makes Virgin Australia and Qantas clear winners in cost alone, not to mention value.