It’s 30 years since Europe saw the first of the modern low-cost carriers begin operations (the US had them some years earlier) and it is easy to forget how much the industry changed as soon as their garish liveries hit the runway.

Before their arrival, it was unusual for passengers to book directly with the airline. Generally, holidaymakers and business travellers (or more likely their secretaries) would book through a travel agent. Even short-hop regional flights generally gave you something to eat and carried your luggage in the price of the ticket.