Get to know Europe’s budget airlines

Flying High With Low Prices
The outlook for European travel in 2023 remains rosy as the continent looks poised to fully complete its pandemic rebound. This year’s visitor numbers are expected to reach a level approaching those from 2019, so it’s obvious that plenty of people aren’t letting rising prices tamp down their enthusiasm for travel. There’s no question though that some travelers to Europe will be looking to save a few dollars where they can this year, and one way to do this is to hope aboard one of the continent’s many budget airlines.

Like in North America, the European airline industry experienced deregulation in the latter stages of the 20th century, which led to the birth of many low-cost carriers. Many of them are hardly known across the pond, but they carry millions and millions of passengers each year and could be a valuable & money-saving piece of your—or your client’s—European trip.

Famed for low fares and a lack of frills, these airlines will very often get you from Point A to Point B for less. Keep in mind, you’ll have to pay extra for luggage (sometimes carry-ons too), often absorb other fees you’re not used to (snacks and soft drinks aren’t usually included) and possibly land at a secondary airport—but you just might save a pile of cash.

Click on the slideshow to learn about some of the most popular and a little bit of what to expect when flying with them.

easyJet
Founded in 1995, easyJet is based in London and links up more than 30 countries and well over 100 cities in and around Europe. The airline’s Low Fare Finder tool is a great way to see what deals they are offering and it’s worth noting that they offer great last-minute deals in addition to cheap fares for trips booked far in advance. Being based in Britain, the airline has a strong presence at three of London’s major airports (Gatwick, Luton and Stansted) and many others in Europe like Venice Marco Polo, Milan Malpensa, Nice, Paris Charles De Gaulle, Geneva and Amsterdam Schipol. Expect an “almost-hip” aesthetic and plenty of the color orange.

Pegaus Airlines
A potentially valuable linchpin in any east-to-west itinerary from the heart of Europe to Istanbul, Turkish coastal resorts and lands further east, Pegasus is Turkey’s most popular low-cost airline. Servicing 125 destinations in 47 countries, Pegasus uses Istanbul’s Sabiha Gokcen Airport as its biggest base, and it connects the dazzling city on the Bosphorus with major European cities like Amsterdam, London, Berlin, Budapest, Rome Prague and more. Pegasus offers standard service for the genre at budget prices and can be a key cog in an adventurous journey that takes you—or your client—to Central Asian countries like Georgia, Armenia and Azerbaijan.

Ryanair
Based in Ireland, Ryanair was founded in 1984 and has grown to become Europe’s biggest airline, flying to over 230 airports in over 40 countries in and around the continent. They are known for offering some of the cheapest fares available anywhere and a classic “no-frills” flying experience. According to the airline, they own one of the youngest fleets of any major European airline with an average age coming in at under nine years. Ryanair has a major presence at London Stansted, Dublin, Barcelona, Milan Bergamo, Brussels Charleroi and Malaga. For the record, Ryanair came in first place in the “Best Low-Cost Airlines in Europe 2022” category of the recent Skytrax World Airline Awards.

Vueling
If you’re trying to find a cost-efficient way to quickly get from northern Europe or Italy to the Iberian Peninsula, then you’re going to want to look at Vueling. What started as a two-plane outfit back in 2004 has grown into a 100-plus strong fleet that serves well over 100 destinations in and around Europe from its bases in Barcelona, Rome Leonardo da Vinci–Fiumicino and Paris Orly. The airline is forward-thinking and straightforward with fees and amenities and was the first airline of its kind to offer Wi-Fi back in 2019. It’s worth noting that Vueling has codeshare agreements with Iberia and British Airways.

Transavia
Based in The Netherlands, this airline started life as a charter airline in 1965 but has since blossomed to become a subsidiary of KLM that serves over 90 destinations in Europe, the Middle East and North Africa. Transavia has bases at Amsterdam Schiphol, Eindhoven and Rotterdam and with its focus on many destinations on the sunny side of Europe like Greece (13 destinations), Spain (17) and Italy (14), it could really come in handy for travelers who want to bundle a visit to the British Isles and Benelux with some beach time on the Mediterranean. Ticket prices on Transavia may not be as bargain-basement as some other airlines on the list, but they will typically save you money compared to legacy carriers on the continent.

Wizz Air
Hungary’s biggest airline, Wizz Air will whisk you all around Europe on a budget from its base in Budapest. Founded in 2003, the airline is known for having a cheap, cheerful and very pink & purple atmosphere that serves the airline’s stated goal of “no-frills travel available for everyone, everywhere at the lowest price possible”. Wizz Air serves over 190 destinations in 50-plus countries and takes pride in providing access to many unique destinations that other low-cost airlines skip.

Norweigan
Founded in 1993, Norwegian entered the low-cost game in 2002 and eventually grew to have a long-haul presence—including flights to and from North America—before pulling back in recent years to focus exclusively on European and short-haul journeys. They service over 80 destinations in Norway and elsewhere in Europe, serving as a valuable link between the Nordics and the rest of the continent. Expect a handsome website and sleek plane interiors in addition to a rarity in the European budget airline game: Wi-Fi on most flights—including 15 minutes of free surfing.

PLAY
The youngest airline on the list and one of the only European budget airlines that has a presence in North America, PLAY was founded in 2019 and connects cities like New York, Boston and Toronto with destinations all over Europe via its base at Keflavik International Airport in Iceland. Be aware that even thorough you’ll arguably be flying “long haul” across the pond, food & drink are only available for purchase and there is no seatback entertainment. On the plus side, if you—or your client—haven’t ever seen Iceland, then flying PLAY could be the perfect way to save some cash and see a beautiful part of the world on your way to or from Europe.

airBaltic
Flying to over 70 destinations in Europe and the Middle East, airBaltic is the natural choice for cost-conscious travelers looking to explore the Baltics—one of the less-discovered corners of the continent. The airline was founded in 1995 and it has bases in the capital cities of Latvia, Estonia and Lithuania (Riga, Tallinn and Vilnius). Over the years, it has garnered a reputation for its extensive codeshare agreements with major airlines such as British Airways, KLM and Lufthansa and for its attempt to blend the best practices of budget and traditional airlines. The airline could really come in handy for a traveler who wants to tack on a few days in the Baltics at the end of a trip from one of Europe’s major cities like Amsterdam, Berlin, Munich or Paris.