Why are budget airlines constantly delayed and canceling flights, when main airlines usually takeoff as scheduled?

Question

Why are budget airlines constantly delayed and canceling flights, when main airlines usually takeoff as scheduled?

In: Other

Answer 1

Some good answers. One of the bigger factors though is that “legacy” airlines usually keep spare aircraft at their base. If a plane goes out of service, they can often replace it with one on standby. Budget airlines, to keep their operating costs down, don’t have as many or maybe any spares, so they typically will have to delay or cancel the flight.