Planning a vacation is expensive enough these days without forking over thousands for airfare. Skip overpriced flights and book with budget-friendly airlines for the best deals!
Finding deals can often be complicated by extra fees for things like checked baggage or seat selection.
But if you’re willing to spend a little time doing research, these budget airlines are an excellent option that can lower your travel costs significantly.
1. Breeze Airways
Breeze Airways was founded by JetBlue co-founder David Neeleman in 2018.
Breeze Airways serves 66 destinations across America, often servicing smaller regional airports rather than bigger terminals. The airline aims to provide low-cost options to underserved domestic routes.
Breeze Airways flies to these domestic destinations.
Breeze Airways provides four fare classes: No Flex, Nice, Nicer and Nicest.
Nice through Nicest fare classes allow free flight changes and cancelations but won’t refund your ticket — you’ll instead receive a Breeze reward credit that can be used for up to 24 months.
No Flex fares don’t permit any flight changes, nor will you receive a refund if you need to cancel.
Nicer fares allow one free carry-on and one checked bag plus free Wi-Fi. They’ll also earn you more rewards points than Nice and No Flex fares.
Nicest fares allow two free checked bags and one carry-on, free flight Wi-Fi and first-class seating.
If your fare doesn’t cover a carry-on or checked bag, you’ll need to purchase one separately. Fees aren’t disclosed on Breeze Airways’ website, but many customers have complained about hefty bag fees. Generally, you’ll need to pay for bags prior to boarding or risk incurring further fees at the gate.
Breeze flyers will need to purchase their own food from the in-flight menu, but it does offer complimentary Wi-Fi in Nicer and Nicest fare classes.
2. Avelo Airlines
Avelo Airlines launched in 2018 and services 49 destinations, primarily on the U.S. West Coast or the East Coast.
Avelo doesn’t claim to provide passengers with unconventional or underserved route options, but it says it aims to keep costs low by flying Boeing 737 aircraft from smaller, more efficient airports rather than popular hubs as a way to keep fares low.
Avelo flies to these domestic destinations.
The airline lists three service classes: Avelo Premium, Premium Economy and Economy. The airline says Economy seats will have less legroom than Premium and Premium Economy.
Avelo covers the cost of one free personal item — a small bag or backpack no larger than 34.29 cm x 22.86 cm x 22.86 cm, or about 13.5 inches x 9 inches x 9 inches — for each flyer, but carry-on or checked luggage is not included in any fares and should be purchased prior to boarding in order to avoid further fees at the gate.
The cost for bags varies according to duration, location and airline volume.
You’ll need to purchase any in-flight food and beverages, but Wi-Fi is complimentary for all passengers on flights out of Florida, California, Washington and East Coast states.
3. Ryanair
Ryanair operates primarily in Europe, with resorts in Austria, Belgium, Cyprus, Croatia, Denmark, Finland, France and much more.
The ultra-budget airline lists five service classes: Basic, Regular, Plus, Flexi Plus.
If flights are purchased with Ryanair’s app or website, some fares may include one carry-on bag, one or two checked bags, airport and priority boarding and other perks that keep fees at the airport low.
However, all fares exclude food and beverage costs.
4. WestJet
WestJet is a low-cost carrier based in Canada, which flies to over 100 destinations within Canada, the U.S., the Caribbean, Mexico, Central America and Europe.
It’s currently recognized as the seventh largest airline in North America by fleet size.
Prices with WestJet are listed in Canadian dollars, but some flights will offer USD prices if the flight listed departs from the U.S.
The discount airline has four fare classes: Economy, Premium and Business fares.
Econo, Premium and Business fares include one carry-on item, one personal item, checked bags and priority boarding, — fees vary by location and duration.
5. Frontier Airlines
This discount airline is a unique choice for budget airlines, as it uses a “subscription-based” service for bags and seat pricing.
Frontier is known for its budget but frequent flight service domestically and internationally. It serves Central America, the Caribbean and Mexico from a wide range of U.S. airports, including smaller regional service.
Frontier offers four fare classes, also known as “bundles.” Basic, Economy, Premium, and Business.
Each bundle has various perks associated with it, from free carry-on or checked bags to priority boarding.
Bonus: Cashback Cards
You can save even more by using the right rewards credit card.
Earn cash back every time you make a reservation when you sign up for one of these top cash-back cards.
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