New U.S. Airline is Latest to Take the No-Frills Route International Traveler / Update: NEW YORK

The extreme low-fare airline, already well established in Europe, will attempt a comeback in the United States on May 22 with a well- financed start-up, Skybus Airlines, beginning service that day and promising at least 10 seats on every flight priced at $10 one-way – before taxes.

The airline, which is based in Columbus, Ohio, will sell tickets only through its Web site, avoiding the expense of a call center. It is outsourcing its maintenance, the staffing of ticket counters at airports and its baggage handling, all to keep costs low. The airline is also charging extra for many items: $5 to check a bag, $10 for a preferred seat, $2 for a soft drink.

Skybus will connect Columbus to Burbank, California, near Los Angeles; Portsmouth, New Hampshire, near Boston; Bellingham, Washington, near Seattle; Kansas City, Missouri; Richmond, Virginia; Fort Lauderdale, Florida; and Greensboro, North Carolina.

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