They sure nickel and dime - but still, even after that, I can't believe how cheap flights can be. And if you buy tickets in advance then (compared to US) it feels like a rounding error to my spending, impossible to break even - there is no way you don't cost more than $5 bucks to fly.
I always wonder, are they really masters of profitability or some sort of scheme going on.
According to Wikipedia, 20% of Ryanair's revenue is ancillary (not tickets)
Apparently people will pay a premium to be treated like a human.
United has been finding this out here states-side. Options that used to be standard for a class of seating are now upsold-options for more than the delta of the ticket price. Because fuck you, that's why.
My shock is how companies like Thomas Cook manage to survive by constantly selling below cost just to keep alive. In my mind this is just another Uber, it only stays alive because people just keep throwing money at it. I wouldn't be surprised if TUI, Itaka, and others follow suite.
I am always shocked to see their prices for a 5-6-7 day trip, at a fraction of what I would have paid. I do know that scaling reduces prices, but well.. apparently not really.. like the PIIGS economies the moment lending froze, Thomas went under.