For over two decades, Skyscanner has been a trusted name in travel, helping millions compare flight prices globally. Founded in 2002 by three IT professionals in Edinburgh, the company has grown into a billion-pound business, renowned for its swift fare comparisons. Now, Skyscanner is venturing into new territory with the launch of a package holiday search facility, aiming to simplify holiday planning for UK travellers.
What Does Skyscanner's New Service Offer?
Skyscanner's new tool searches 25 million packages daily across seven major UK package holiday providers: Lastminute.com, Expedia, Love Holidays, Tui, easyJet Holidays, Jet2 Holidays, and On the Beach. According to Laura Lindsay of Skyscanner, this expansion brings their industry-leading price comparison technology to packages, offering travellers an easier way to compare options in one place. As with their flight service, users are directed to suppliers for bookings, with Skyscanner collecting modest fees from travel companies.
Expert Analysis: Benefits and Drawbacks
Deputy travel editor Sophie Dickinson and travel correspondent Simon Calder have weighed in on the new offering. Sophie notes that while package-holiday comparison sites already exist, Skyscanner's entry is a positive step, potentially saving money by comparing entire holidays. However, she points out limitations, such as the inability to filter for family-friendly amenities like kids' clubs or on-site restaurants.
Simon Calder highlights consumer protection benefits with operators like Jet2 and Tui, which often include flights on their own aircraft, decent baggage allowances, and transfers. He argues that a comparison service focusing solely on these two might be more straightforward. With online operators, complexities arise, such as variable transfer fees. For instance, a family of four travelling from Alicante airport to Benidorm could pay around £150 extra for transfers, making price comparisons less transparent.
Hidden Costs and Flexibility Issues
Both experts caution about hidden costs. Simon cites an example where a £21 flight from Glasgow to Luton becomes £52 with cabin baggage fees, potentially making British Airways a better value. Sophie adds that additional expenses like luggage can transform seemingly cheap deals, referencing a £323 per person package that jumps with £370 in luggage fees.
Flexibility is another concern. Sophie enjoys Skyscanner's flight feature for searching "everywhere" destinations by month, but the package tool requires specific dates and locations, limiting spontaneous, price-led planning. Simon explains that the sheer scale of options—combining flights with hundreds of accommodations—makes the search overwhelming for both users and algorithms.
The Verdict: A Work in Progress
Sophie's verdict is mixed: Skyscanner's package holiday comparison is a useful addition, but it may require expert knowledge to deconstruct deals fully, possibly taking longer than booking directly with a trusted operator. She suggests that loyal customers of brands like Jet2 Holidays might prefer sticking with them.
In summary, Skyscanner's expansion into package holidays offers more choice for bargain hunters, but users must navigate hidden costs and limited flexibility. As the service evolves, it could become a valuable tool, but for now, caution and expertise are advised when searching for the best holiday deals.
