Skybus is an airline that aims to fill a gap in American flights by offering no-frills flights for low costs. But is it worth the price?

In contrast to the previously profiled Virgin America, which offered luxury air travel at a lower price, Skybus approaches budget flights from a new prospective. It starts with a base price just for the flight, and everything else is extra. Yes, absolutely everything else.

How Skybus Pricing Works

Flights start at a base price. The airline says every route has a limited amount of $10 seats (the airline says a minimum of ten seats per flight), then prices rise to $30-$100 each way. But those prices just get you a seat on the plane. Want priority boarding? That will be $10 extra to avoid the general cattle-call style boarding and have a better chance at a window or aisle seat.

You get one small carry-on suitcase (no longer than 19”) and one personal bag (laptop case, purse, small backpack) for your baggage allowance. You then have the option to have up to two check-in bags, no heavier than 50 lbs, for $5 each. Each additional bag under 50 lbs is $50 each to check.

The airline frowns on you bringing food and beverages on board. It’s even written on the airline’s website. Why? Because they do not offer the usual complimentary beverage service. Want a soda or bottled water? That’ll be $2 for each can. A beer or other liquor? Another $5 each. Food is also available for purchase, starting at $2 for chocolate bars up to $10 for a dinner plate. Oh, and don’t forget the sales pitch for Skybus-branded items like shirts and clocks.

Need a pillow or blanket? You’ll have to purchase those, too, but you get to keep them at least. There’s also no in-flight entertainment of any kind, though you can purchase a deck of Skybus playing cards if you get desperate.

But Wait…There’s More!

All flights currently fly into the airline’s hub at Columbus, Ohio. It doesn’t matter where you’re going; you will end up in Columbus. As such, Skybus bases all their prices on individual segments into the hub. What does that mean?

Say you want to fly Richmond, VA to Los Angeles. The Richmond to Columbus is considered one flight, while Columbus to Los Angeles is another. So if you have two check-in pieces of luggage, you will pay $10 for each flight, for a total of $20 in extra charges. Want priority boarding? Another $10 for each flight.

Now you see how a bargain flight can quickly add up. This is very similar to how Europe’s Ryanair operates, if you’ve ever flown them.

Additionally, Skybus aims to keep fares low by eliminating almost all customer interaction. This means you book online and you check in via computerized kiosks at the airport. Have problems? The airline doesn’t operate a call center or 800 number, so you have to fill out a contact form on the website. Or you can call them at their secret number of (614) 246-8800, which was ferreted out by travel advocate Chris Elliott. Why don’t they put it on their website? They probably hope you won't be calling to refund a $10 air ticket.

So Why Fly Skybus?

The number one reason, of course, is price.

Even with paying for each service or amenity, the cost can be lower than comparable flights. For instance, nab a couple of $10 seats, and you could fly cross country, with two check-in bags, and a couple of sodas for less than $50 each way, even with the connection via Columbus. Pack lighter and you could whittle the cost down to under $30. Pricing a January 2008 flight from Milwaukee to Los Angeles, roundtrip came to $120 for the flights, compares to $200 or more from other airlines.

If price is what matters most, Skybus could offer great savings.

Another bonus is the airline flies to smaller airports around the country, some of which are not served by a great choice of airlines. The airline is also reportedly looking at opening a second hub in Portsmouth, Maine, which will open up the Northeast flight options, as well.

Book It!

As mentioned, the only way to get a seat on one of the airline’s brand new Airbus A319 jets is online at www.skybus.com. The booking process is as simple as point and click.

Currently, Skybus flies from its Columbus, Ohio, hub to: Boston; Ft. Lauderdale, FL; Greensboro, NC; Jacksonville/Daytona Beach, FL; Kansas City, MO; Los Angeles; Richmond, VA; San Diego, CA; San Francisco, CA and Seattle, WA. Starting December 2007, the airline adds Chattanooga, TN; Fort Meyers, FL; Gulfport-Biloxi, MS; and and Milwaukee, WI.

Have you flown Skybus? Let us know what you thought in the comments.