Can I skip the first leg of a journey, on a two way flight, on a low cost carrier?

Question

Based on this question:

Not flying the first leg of the journey – Company cancels the second-leg ticket

I was wondering if the same applies to low-cost carriers.

The reason to buy a return ticket in traditional airline companies is that it's cheaper than buying the two legs separate. If you did so, you could easily miss the first flight and attend the second as they were not related in any way.

However low-cost companies like Ryanair or Easyjet sell tickets for the same price (a return flight will have the same cost as the sum of the two individual tickets).

I fly often in low cost, and to avoid missing the return flight if I miss the outbound, I always book separate tickets. However, it would be convenient to book both, inbound and outbound flight together, as it makes the booking process easier (I just have to do it once).

Do you know if you lose the return flight when you miss the outbound flight in a low-cost carrier?

Answer 1

This answer is based on personal experience. Whilst it will provide infomation, it should not be considered definitative.

I needed to cancel/miss the outbound leg of an EasyJet flight in summer 2018, and I spoke to their customer service over web-chat on this matter.

The pleasant gentleman I communicated with confirmed that they would not cancel my return if I missed my outbound flight.

He then asked if I would like to cancel the outbound - although I wouldn't get a full refund - I could have my taxes back (which amount to only something like 8 EUR, but was a nice bonus).

Answer 2

There is no hard answer. It varies by airline.

Some airlines book multiple-segment trips. For instance they will cheerfully book a round trip A-B-C...C-B-A. They set prices based on the A-C demand market, and they have a vulnerability - if A-C is heavily discounted, and B-C is costly, someone might book A-B-C and only plan to use the B-C segment. This is called "Hidden City Ticketing", and the airlines Hate it. (Not least it breaches their subsidy agreements e.g. if the A government subsidized A-B-C flights). Anyone who tries it gets their entire round trip itinerary canceled without refund.

Other airlines book individual segments only. So they would sell a ticket A-B, a ticket B-C, a ticket C-B and a ticket B-A as separate deals. They do not offer full itineraries, and if you miss a connection it's all on you. Since the tickets are not linked, missing A-B probably will not cancel B-C.

You are falsely equating the second type to "all discount airlines". That is not so. Discount airlines exist which follow the first model.

You need to check on an airline by airline basis, i.e. ask them.

Answer 3

Apologies for the anecdotal answer but Ryanair have cancelled my return flight for missing the outbound one. The agent told me I needed to inform them that I intended on keeping my return leg as soon as I missed the first flight.