easyJet: Lugano to Cardiff

The carrier: easyJet

Upside
Great connections across Europe without the lowest-common-denominator panic.

Downside
Notoriously bad customer service.

About
EasyJet is Europe's second-largest low-cost carrier, after Ryanair. It's also one of the oldest in Europe; its first flights took off in late 1995, and it pioneered the online purchase model. The airline was founded by Sir Stelios Haji-Ioannou, and he and his family are still major shareholders. EasyJet is based at Hangar 89, which is an orange building adjacent to the main taxiway at Luton Airport.

The easyJet route map is not as wide-ranging as Ryanair's, although the airline tends to fly to primary airports over out-of-the-way secondary airports. Fares are also higher than Ryanair's, though the easyJet flying experience tends to receive not quite so many complaints as Ryanair's.

One place where easyJet does not get high marks is in the telephone customer service department. We've read stories of hundreds of faxes remaining unreturned and hours-long waits on toll telephone lines with high per-minute charges.

Among the airline's more notable destinations are Bucharest, Geneva, Istanbul, Madeira, Sofia, Split, and Tallinn.

Baggage
*Carry-on: One piece of hand luggage
*Checked: €12 per bag (per flight), combined weight not to exceed 20 kg. Over 20 kg, €9 per kg.

Seating
Strict pre-boarding policy. Check-in no later than 40-minutes prior to departure. Boarding is on a first-come first-serve basis and can be a nightmare if you don’t arrive early. EasyJet never allows stand-bys.

Tip
Check in online so that you’re automatically entered into the "A" group for boarding, meaning you'll hop on—and off—first. Be careful with personal property as there is little or no compensation for damages or losses.
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Departure: Lugano, Switzerland (LUG)

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Arrival: Cardiff, United Kingdom - Cardiff Wales (CWL)

Cardiff International Airport or "Maes Awyr Rhyngwladol Caerdydd" is Wales' main airport which services Cardiff, South Wales, and West Wales.

Location: Cardiff International Airport is located in Rhoose, 20 km (12 miles) west of Cardiff city center.

Transport:

- Rail: A free shuttle bus (as long as travelers have a valid train ticket) connects the airport to the Cardiff Central Station. The shuttle leaves every 10 minutes. Trains run every hour in each direction between Cardiff Central Station and Rhoose Cardiff International Station. A rail link also connects Rhoose Cardiff International Airport to Bridgend.

- Bus: The Cardiff Bus service runs between Cardiff Central Station and the airport hourly. EST Transport operates every hour in the evening between Cardiff Central Station and Cardiff International Airport via Barry and Dinas Powys. Cardiff Airbus Xpress service X91 operates between Cardiff Central station and Cardiff International Airport hourly as well.

- Taxi: Checker Cars, the taxi company providing 24 hour service to the airport, can be found outside the Arrivals Hall. A taxi booking office is located outside the Arrivals Hall as well.

Service: There are several options in the airport when it comes to eating and shopping. For convenience there are also ATMs throughout the airport. The currency exchange is found on the first floor by the baggage claim. Other facilities include a baby care lounge, play center, and two games zones equipped with arcade machines.
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