Low-cost airlines

All aircraft, including those operated by low-cost airlines, must undergo the same rigorous checks and meet the same standards before taking off. Although some airline safety rankings are regularly published, air travel remains one of the safest modes of transport thanks to these strict procedures. When it comes to comfort, this can vary depending on the type of carrier and travel class (e.g. the amount of legroom). However, this doesn’t affect how safe your journey is.

On eSky, you'll find offers from hundreds of airlines in seconds. Our search engine will show you flights from all around the world, so you can quickly see which low-cost airlines offer the cheapest fare for your chosen route. And if you want to make sure you're getting the best deal, you can also view prices side by side and compare flights across different dates.

The largest and national carrier is the traditional British Airlines. The market also includes charter airlines such as TUI Airways, which mainly caters to customers who book with travel agencies.

When it comes to the largest low-cost airlines in Europe, Ryanair and Wizz Air lead the way, along with easyJet and Norwegian. Passengers often wonder which are the best airlines in Europe in terms of value for money, but this depends on the route and the extras you need. It’s worth knowing that European airlines often expand their route networks, making it easier to travel on a budget.

It depends on your priorities! If you’re wondering which airlines are the best, you need to consider the flight duration and your own needs. Budget airlines are ideal for short haul flights in Europe. But if you’re looking for a long haul, intercontinental route, traditional carriers like Emirates, Qatar Airways and KLM have the highest ratings as they offer greater comfort with meals and checked-in luggage included in the price of the fare.

The cheapest tickets are easiest to find around 2 to 3 months before departure. But it also pays to be flexible - midweek flights are typically cheaper than those on Fridays afternoons, over public holidays or long weekends.

Ticket prices can fluctuate and often depend on promotions and demand. In the UK, Ryanair and easyJet are the most popular for their fantastic value for money, but you can also keep an eye out for the best prices by using our flight search tool.

Airlines are divided into three main categories. With low-cost carriers you pay for the flight itself and any add-ons such as checked-in luggage, pre-selected seats and meals will cost extra. Traditional airlines (e.g. LOT and Lufthansa) usually fly to major airports, so the ticket price includes a higher standard of service and a bigger baggage allowance. Then there are charter airlines, which mainly operate flights commissioned by travel agencies to popular holiday spots.

On a global scale, Turkish Airlines is the undisputed leader, with routes taking you to over 120 countries worldwide. While the Irish airline Ryanair has the densest network of short haul routes across Europe alone.

In terms of fleet size and passenger numbers, the global rankings are dominated by American giants such as Delta Air Lines and American Airlines.In the European market, the biggest players are the Lufthansa Group (which includes carriers such as SWISS, Austrian Airlines and Eurowings) and Ryanair, which carries the most passengers in Europe.

Most traditional carriers (e.g. LOT, Lufthansa) let you travel with a pet in the passenger cabin (small pets) or in the hold. If you’re looking for information on which low-cost airlines allow pets onboard, it’s always a good idea to check with the airline you want to fly with as popular carriers such as Ryanair and Wizz Air completely ban travel with pets (with the exception of certified guide dogs).

Yes, most airlines have no problem with fabric covers that protect your suitcase from damage and dirt in the hold. Just make sure that it does not cover the suitcase’s handles or wheels, as this makes it easier for airport staff to handle.