They are cheaper until their not. Family booked a flight to Colorado from Georgia one winter to go skiing. Spirit let us know an hour before the flight that out flight was overbooked and offered us another flight....4 days later.

We ended up coughing up an extra $1200 to fly Delta and Spirit never refunded us because "we could have taken the flight we offered". Last time I ever flew with a budget air carrier.

Now I fly Delta, I pay more per flight but I've been screwed over in the same manner exactly zero times since. In fact Delta has gotten me out of situations of my own doing that Spirit or any budget airline would have shrugged at and told me to suit myself.

At this point I consider the premium on airfare an insurance policy of sorts, might pay an extra $100-200 per flight but if that means not running the risk of screwing up a trip I paid thousands to put together, I'll take it.

The DOT has very specific rules about passenger compensation for passengers "bumped" off of flights via denied boarding:

https://www.transportation.gov/individuals/aviation-consumer...

"Over 2 hour arrival delay 400% of one-way fare (airlines may limit the compensation to $1,550 if 400% of the one-way fare is higher than $1,550)"

What they did in your case was illegal. Which has happened at Spirit before: https://www.transportation.gov/briefing-room/dot-fines-spiri...

You can file a complaint here: https://www.transportation.gov/airconsumer/file-consumer-com...

When did this go into effect? Years back we tried to land twice due to fog then had to wait overnight with no accomodations to take the bus zero compensation. Still won't fly Southwest because they merged with the offender.

Weather cancellations/delays don't count as denied boarding. These rules apply only if you're bumped due to overbooking.

I was more talking about the overnight delay with no food or accommodations after the 2 failed trips in.

Yeah, they have government regulations for that in Europe, but not in the US.

"There are no federal laws requiring airlines to provide passengers with money or other compensation when their flights are delayed"

https://www.transportation.gov/individuals/aviation-consumer...

The only regulations for delays in the US that helps passengers is some specifics about not stranding you in the aircraft/tarmac for more than 3 hours (domestic flights) or 4 hours (international flights).

I don't think you understand, friend. The airline market in Europe is like a whole different world of deregulated competition. For example: ryanair operates a scratch card gambling thing on all of their flights once they reach cruising altitude. Because this is considered similar to international waters, and Ireland's advantageous gambling laws can be observed. (as a result, they will do anything they can to fill seats. Planning to make up any loss on cheap tickets elsewhere. I'm talking bonkers shit, like flash sales on 99c tickets)

Assuming you don't get caught by every hidden charge along the way, an airplane ticket isn't going to cost you >$100, even if you spring for "business class".

I think insurance would make a better insurance policy in your case. (especially when the airline tries to rob you)

*regulated. In the EU if a flight is > 4 hours late you are entitled to financial compensation. You don't get that in the US: https://europa.eu/youreurope/citizens/travel/passenger-right...

The situation in the US with budget airlines is not comparable to Europe. Europe has very strong consumer protections.

From just a small percentage of cancelled Ryanair/WizzAir flights I am actually not far from all-together free flying after they paid out the compensation.

The really annoying part is that there are no reasonable prices. Often the options are for example Ryanair for 50, or KLM for 500. I'd happily pay more than 50, but I'm not paying 500 for a 2h flight.

There is a major difference: space. I cannot sit in a ryanair/transavia/whizzair seat for more than takeoff before the person in front has destroyed my knees. Most "premium" airlines have 1-2 inches more space and the option for more spacious seats.

I always buy extra leg-room (like seat by emergency exit), because I am tall as fuck. Problem solved.

I fly a lot with RyanAir, WizzAir and the other discount-airlines, because what they offer is great value - and when you upgrade a bit, it is not terrible.

A ticket listed for 50EUR, I usually end up paying around 100EUR with extras (legroom, luggage allowance).

That is true. Not a major concern for most shorter people though. As a teenager I once did a 12 hour flight (with refuel stop) on a charter 757 with 29" seat space. Didn't find it terribly uncomfortable back then to be honest. Apparently Ryanair has 30" space.