When you're talking about budget air travel, it doesn't get much cheaper than the hard discounters in Europe and Asia.
Ryanair -- the most successful of them all -- has stripped every frill out of its planes to deliver the lowest fares. For example, the seats don't recline, there are no seat-back pockets and you won't find any window shades. They even cram 199 seats onto a 737 that usually only holds 150 people.
But, oh, what savings: Clark took a flight from England to Ireland for the equivalent of $1.75!
Now an American airline is launching with prices to rival the international hard discounters.
Jet America offers 9 seats for $9 on every flight, and fares step up from there. They're starting with one single aircraft per route and will add more over time so they don't risk growing too quickly.
(
Editor's note: Jet America has since gone out of business. If you are having difficulty getting a refund, contact your credit card issuer to do a charge-back. You have 60 days from the date of purchase to do so.)
The only other hard discounters in the United States include
Spirit Air and
Allegiant Air. Clark compares the hard discounter trend in air travel to the discount bus services that are available in the United States.
Bolt Bus (fares starting at $1) and
Mega Bus are both prime examples.
