Ah, the mystery of budget airlines – how can they possibly make money when their tickets are so cheap? As a detective, I've been asked this question many times, and I'm happy to share my humorous and informative findings with you.

First of all, it's important to understand that budget airlines operate under a different business model than traditional airlines. They cut costs wherever possible and focus on filling as many seats as they can. This means they can offer lower fares than their competitors, but it also means they have to find other ways to make money.

One of the most common ways that budget airlines make money is through ancillary revenue. This includes things like baggage fees, seat assignments, and on-board purchases. For example, a budget airline might charge extra for checked luggage, but offer a lower fare for passengers who only bring a carry-on bag. They might also charge extra for a seat assignment, but allow passengers to select a seat for free at check-in.

Budget airlines also make money by selling add-ons like travel insurance, car rentals, and hotel bookings. They might partner with other companies to offer these services and take a commission on each sale. Additionally, some budget airlines make money by selling advertising space on their planes or in their in-flight magazines.

Another way that budget airlines keep costs low is by flying to secondary airports instead of major airports. These airports often have lower landing fees and other operational costs, allowing the airline to save money. However, this can sometimes mean that passengers have to travel further to reach their final destination.

Lastly, budget airlines also try to keep their overhead costs low. This means they might use a single type of plane to simplify maintenance and training, or they might keep their fleet size small to reduce costs. They might also have a leaner staff, with fewer attendants and ground crew members.

In conclusion, while budget airlines might offer low fares, they make money in a variety of ways. From ancillary revenue to add-ons, secondary airports to leaner staff, these airlines have found ways to keep costs low and profits high. So the next time you fly on a budget airline and wonder how they can afford to sell tickets for such low prices, you'll know the answer – they're making money in a variety of creative ways. Now, if you'll excuse me, I have to go book a flight on a budget airline – I hear they have some great deals!