Any frequent flier knows the discomfort, inconvenience, and sticker shock of air travel. However, there are ways to make it more affordable. Opt for economy seating, utilize credit cards that earn frequent flyer miles, and choose budget airlines.
If you’re worried about the safety of any of these airlines, given the low cost, rest assured that all airlines flying into the USA are approved by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). While some of these airlines may not have stellar reputations, they consistently offer the most affordable options for travel.
1. Southwest Airlines
Known for its no-frills approach and generous baggage policy, Southwest often offers competitive fares. I’ve found their staff to be generally friendly. Their “no allocated seating” system is unusual, and you won’t find their prices listed on any aggregator sites. However, their website is worth checking out for price comparisons. They have routes throughout the USA, Mexico, Cuba, and the Caribbean.
2. Ryanair
A significant player in Europe, Ryanair provides many routes across the continent, making it a go-to for many budget travelers. For example, you can expect fares such as a $93 round trip between London and Vienna during May or even cheaper in the colder months. If you have a little money to spare, upgrade to their upfront seats for quicker deplaning and more comfort.
3. EasyJet
I always think of EasyJet and Ryanair together when considering budget European airlines. EasyJet offers a wide range of destinations and frequently has enticing promotions. They fly all over Europe, Morocco, Egypt, and some Middle Eastern countries. You can grab a round-trip flight between London and Cairo for under $300 or an $85 round-trip fare between Athens and Milan.
4. JetBlue
Combining value with comfort on domestic routes, JetBlue offers amenities like free in-flight entertainment and complimentary snacks. While they’re well-known for routes all across the Americas and the Caribbean, they also go directly to several destinations in the UK and Europe. Bad reviews of this airline tend to cite rude staff more than any other issue.
5. AirAsia
Serving various destinations across Asia, AirAsia is renowned for its frequent sales and extensive network. I’ve traveled between Australia and Asia on this airline. The fares are cheap enough to upgrade to a better seat for a low cost. If you’re traveling within Asia, you can find plenty of destinations for under $50 one way.
6. Spirit Airlines
Known for its à la carte pricing model, Spirit can be a good option for those willing to forgo some amenities for a lower fare. Spirit only travels within the US, and that’s good as it certainly doesn’t have the comfort level for lengthy international flights. This airline can be cost-effective, but sometimes the add-ons end up being more than you’d pay with another airline. It’s worth comparing prices.
7. Frontier Airlines
Like Spirit, Frontier provides basic services at competitive prices, especially on domestic routes within the U.S. Based in Denver, Frontier Airlines operates over 100 A320 family aircraft and serves 120 destinations in the Americas. Known for its 43% fuel savings compared to other U.S. airlines, Frontier offers free flights for children under 14 through its Discount Den club.
8. Allegiant Air
Allegiant Air offers unique cost-saving measures by not flying to every city daily and allowing passengers to customize services. It provides discounted IconBundles, potentially saving travelers up to $114 per person. Additionally, while free random seating is available, passengers can choose specific seats for an extra fee, although seat availability together for families is not guaranteed.
9. Norwegian Air Shuttle
This airline prioritizes delivering the lowest fares alongside high comfort and service standards. The focus is on providing flexibility, allowing travelers to begin with a basic ticket and customize their journey by adding only the necessary services. While they unfortunately no longer fly to the U.S., they provide cheap airfare between over 100 destinations within Europe.
10. Wizz Air
Wizz Air strategically selects a blend of primary, secondary, and regional airports to achieve the lowest cost base in Central and Eastern Europe. This approach allows this Hungarian airline to provide efficient customer service at competitive prices, which is evident in its fare structure. They also offer further discounts if you join their Discount Club.
11. Norse Atlantic Airways
Fancy a quick trip over the pond? Norse Atlantic flies directly from New York’s JFK to many European destinations. Let’s say you wanted to go from New York to London in May—you could fly into London’s Gatwick Airport and return the following week for $500.
12. Scoot
A subsidiary of Singapore Airlines, Scoot offers affordable options for travelers primarily exploring Asia-Pacific destinations. However, they also fly to Greece and Australia, making an affordable journey between them. A one-way ticket from Athens to Melbourne can cost as little as $400. The seats are surprisingly comfortable for a budget airline—even for someone on the tall side.
13. Icelandair
Known for its connections between North America and Europe, Icelandair offers a unique stopover in Iceland and competitive fares for transatlantic travel. Icelandair serves as Iceland’s primary airline, providing routes from the USA to both Iceland and various European destinations.
Travelers can include an Icelandair Stopover at no extra cost when flying with the airline. Round-trip flights from New York are available for under $400 for those interested in witnessing the Northern Lights.
14. Jetstar
If I need a cheap flight from Australia to the US, this is the one I use. I often find direct flights for around $200 from Sydney or Melbourne to Hawaii. From there, I can catch another budget airline to the mainland. Jetstar is a budget airline belonging to Australia’s Qantas Airlines. They operate all over Australia, Asia, and Hawaii.
15. Vueling
A prominent European airline, Vueling provides affordable options across the continent and has become a preferred choice for many travelers seeking value. I used them while traveling in Spain and found them efficient and extremely cheap. I also traveled with them from Barcelona to Athens for under $200 to make my Scoot connection to Australia.