What is Low Cost (low cost airlines). Low-cost airlines - what is a discounter and low-cost airlines

For some reason, it is generally accepted that there are no air discounters in Russia - well, except perhaps just appeared. Whether business in the West - at them discounters it is possible to depart from anywhere and anywhere, having paid for it 10 euros! In fact, of course, this is not the case, and the “freebie”, although it occurs from time to time, is not so frequent that it could be seriously counted on when planning a trip. However, today we are not talking about this, but about the fact that many European discounters also fly to Russia, which means that we can also fly somewhere relatively inexpensively compared to traditional airlines.

Of course, miracles do not happen: cheaper ticket costs not because of the altruism of the air carrier, but because of the lower level of service - starting with the fact that tickets cannot be returned () and ending paid transportation luggage, lack of food (or rather, it is, but for an additional fee) and, often, connecting tickets. However, if you take tickets with a good margin for connection time, then even if you are late from your destination, you are more likely to fly further.

The fact is that discounters fly to Russia, as a rule, from their main hubs, which means that you can travel not only to the city where direct flights are operated, but also big list further directions. However, enough of the lyrics: let's move on to the specifics! Airlines are listed in alphabetical order.

When planning a trip, one of the most important questions that arises is where and how to buy cheap flights. I will write about how to buy a ticket a little later, in this article I will talk about such a phenomenon as low-cost airlines(low cost). This budget airlines (they are also called discount airlines), whose tickets are several times cheaper than those scheduled airlines(if they don't have any promotions). There are now more than 150 such low-cost airlines in the world, there are plenty to choose from, so to speak.

  • Most often, the level of service of low-cost airlines is no worse, and sometimes even better, than that of regular airlines. The secret rather lies in the fact that these airlines are trying to save money wisely on optional things. For example, they do not have sales offices, there are no intermediary travel agencies, an air ticket is bought via the Internet, and you can fly simply by booking a printout that comes to your e-mail.
  • Another important difference between low-cost airlines is that if you cancel a flight, the money for the ticket is most likely not returned and there are no miles for frequent travel.
  • You also need to keep in mind that low-cost airlines have strict restrictions on the weight of luggage, sometimes you have to pay for luggage separately, and if this is not done when booking a ticket, then you will have to pay twice as much at the airport.
  • Since the price of a ticket in discount airlines is formed based on the occupancy of the aircraft, the closer the departure date, the more expensive the ticket. Therefore, if you want to fly cheaper, try to buy lowster tickets well in advance. The earlier you buy a ticket, the cheaper you will fly.
  • For some flights, you need to check in yourself via the Internet, otherwise you will have to pay extra for it at the airport. My advice to you is to read carefully the conditions of the airline on its website and on the ticket.
  • Most discount airlines do not provide free meals during the flight, but you can always buy it on board if necessary. And low-cost airlines often use secondary airports that are less busy, which allows passengers to go through all the arrival procedures faster, and the low-cost airline itself to increase the frequency of flights. The only possible inconvenience may be the time of departure, the possible delay of the flight and the remoteness of the secondary airport, but this is not always the case.

The most important low-cost airline in Asia - AirAsia

There are convenient flight ticket search engines by low-cost airlines, which show which low-cost airlines fly to the city you need. These sites only give you the names of the low cost airlines you can use. In order to buy a ticket, you will need to go to the website of the low-cost airline and book there cheap airfare.

There are also sites that flight search for all airlines(both low-cost and conventional) and destinations:

We mostly use them when searching for tickets. Firstly, you can immediately estimate the order of prices, and secondly, these services are often enough.

Air discounters in Russia

There used to be avianova and skyexpress, but on this moment there are no more low-cost airlines in Russia. That's it. Therefore, it is often cheaper to fly to Europe than somewhere in Russia.

Low-cost airlines flying from Russia to Europe

airberlin.com (from Moscow and St. Petersburg to many German cities with transit to other European cities)
eurowings.com (from Moscow and St. Petersburg to German cities with transit to other European cities)
flyniki.com (departure from Moscow and St. Petersburg to Vienna)
norwegian.no (from St. Petersburg to Oslo with further transit through Northern Europe)
flypgs.com (departure from Krasnodar and Novosibirsk to Turkey)
vueling.com (departure from Moscow to Barcelona)
volawindjet.it (departure from Moscow, Samara, St. Petersburg, Rostov to Italian cities)
flydubai.com (departure from Yekaterinburg and Samara to Dubai)
blue1.com (departure from Moscow and St. Petersburg to Helsinki, and from there to Paris, London, Dusseldorf)

Low-cost airlines flying from Kyiv

wizzair.com (departure from Kyiv to Oslo, Cologne, London, Venice, Dortmund, Krakow, Simferopol)
airarabia.com (departure from Kyiv to Abu Dhabi, Athens, Dubai, Doha, Colombo, Delhi)

Budget airlines in Europe

airbaltic.com Europe
airberlin.com Europe
blue1.com Europe
blueair-web.com Europe
bmibaby.com UK
brusselsairlines.com Europe and the world
clickair.com Europe
condor.com Europe
easyjet.com Europe
flug.idealo.de Germany, Europe, world
flyaeroflight.de Germany - Europe
flybe.com UK - Europe
flyglobespan.com Almost the whole world
flyniki.at Austria - Europe
flynordic.com Europe
flysas.com Europe and the world
germania.aero Germany, Kosovo, Macedonia
eurowings.com Europe
tuifly.com/en/ Europe
icelandexpress.co.uk Reykjavik - Europe
jet2.com UK - Europe
laudaair.com Austria - Europe
meridiana.it Italy – Europe
norwegian.n o Europe and the world
ryanair.com Europe and the world
skyeurope.com Europe
smartwings.net Prague - Europe
spanair.com Europe
transavia.com Amsterdam - Europe
thomsonfly.com Europe

You know that a low-cost airline is an opportunity to fly for pennies, you have heard about Ryanair and Vizer. Maybe Izijet also met. Do you want to know about all 24 low-cost airlines in Europe? Websites, routes, travel ideas: you can buy a ticket right now. Need internet and 30-40 euros for bank card.

Major European low-cost airlines

They are distinguished by a price of 5 euros in almost all directions, regardless of the home country of the low-cost airline and routes throughout Europe.

The cheapest and largest low-cost airline in the world. If you hear about prices of 5-10 euros for a ticket, this is about him. flies throughout Europe. You can carry 10 kilograms on board for free in two bags: a large one 55x40x20 cm and a small one 35x20x20 cm. The prices for food and drinks on board are quite high, but you can take food with you and you can ask for boiling water for tea, coffee or cereal.

Many flights with cheap tickets from Krakow and Warsaw to Spain, Norway, Ireland, England, France. From Bratislava to Italy.

Hungarian low-cost airline with flights throughout Europe. The vizair has many flights with prices starting from 20 euros. Departures from Moscow, Kyiv. A huge number of cheap routes from Budapest and Polish Katowice. Flights to Germany, Israel, Spain, Italy, Holland, Greece, Georgia, Cyprus, Portugal, UAE, Egypt.

Only one size 42x32x25cm is allowed free of charge. Meals on board are expensive.

Low-cost airline that flies throughout Europe and the USA. One of the best in the world. Allowed to be transported free of charge. Food on board is paid, but prices start from 5 euros. Main countries: Norway, Denmark, Sweden, Finland, England, Germany, Spain, Italy, Holland, France. There are flights from Warsaw and Krakow. Prices from 20 euros.

Widely known English low-cost airline. It flies to Manchester and London from Moscow, a large network of flights across Europe. There are flights from Krakow to Germany, France and England. Prices from 20 euros.

From the Baltic countries

A company that does not claim to be a low-cost airline, but de facto is. Flies around the world, but the most best deals from Riga and Vilnius. A lot of flights in the central and Eastern Europe. Flies from Ukraine and Russia. Very often there are promotions and special offers that are valid for several days with prices of 20-30 euros.

From England

Cheap flights from England around the world. There are flights from Krakow to England, but prices are not lower than 50 euros one way.

Good prices for flights to England. There are flights from Budapest and Warsaw. The main routes connect England with France, Spain, Germany, Italy, Holland.

All Europe from England for 30-40 pounds.

Cheap flights from England to Europe and to the USA. Prices from 20 pounds.

flights from England to Europe. Prices from 33 euros.

From Greece

The Greek low-cost airline offers very good flights to Athens, including from Ukraine and Russia. Flies around the world, but the most attractive prices from Greece.

From Spain

Spanish low-cost airline. Flies throughout Europe from Spain. There are flights from Kyiv, Moscow, Minsk, Kazan, Kaliningrad, Samara. Site in Russian. Cheap flights only from Spain to Europe.

Cheap flights from Madrid in Europe. Prices from 30 euros.

Another Spanish low-cost airline with many flights in Spain, Italy, France, Greece. Prices from 20 euros. There is a flight from Moldova to Italy.

From Italy

Italian low-cost airline that flies from Munich to Italy and across Italy. Prices from 30 euros.

From Belgium

Amazing prices around the world from Belgium. I was especially impressed with the flight to Miami for 199 euros.

Use only if you need to go to brussels. The best prices start from 69 euros. Flights worldwide from Brussels.

From Ireland

Pay attention to this company if you need to fly to Ireland or USA. There are very good prices from Poland, Germany.

From Holland

Dutch low-cost airline with many destinations from Holland and France: all of Europe plus a few cities in Turkey. Tickets 30-70 euros.

From Iceland

Flights all over Europe from Iceland: Spain, the Netherlands, Germany, Denmark, Ireland, England, France, Italy, Sweden and even Canada and the USA. There is a flight from Warsaw to Reykjavik. But prices start at 50 euros.

In the name of fast and budget flights, we equip you with a complete and up-to-date list low-cost airlines in Europe. Get familiar with baggage requirements, directions, fares, nearest hubs and little tricks. Look wider! Not the same.

ALL EUROPE

The largest European low-cost airline comes from Ireland, which connects 37 countries and 220 airports. in Europe and North Africa Ryanair has 84 bases and 1800 routes. Of course, there are many departures from Ireland and the UK. If you buy tickets in advance, then traveling on it is cheaper than traveling by bus even within the country (for example, Porto - Faro). Often holds sales - either -20% for all directions, or tariffs for € 9.99. Buy a ticket for a Ryanair flight will help you. All aircraft are Boeing 737-800s (and only one Boeing 737-700). On the site you can see not only the route map, but also pick up tickets from the desired city at a price (map low prices listed by month). The low-cost airline has a blog where you can find guides to all the cities that Ryanair flies to.

The main competitor of Ryanair, which: by mid-2018, the company has 643 routes in 40 European countries. The network is especially well developed in its central part. The planes are usually Airbus A320 family operated by the same office as Lufthansa. An important feature - Wizz Air Discount Club - beneficial for frequent flights. Membership in the club for a year (not a calendar year, but from the moment of registration) provides a minimum € 10 discount on a ticket for yourself and 1 person who flies with you, as well as € 5 on the cost of luggage. The cost of a loyalty card is € 30, for € 60 you can get a family one - for yourself + 5 family members. Wizz Air has a cool in-flight magazine - there will be something to look through, and perfumes on board are sold cheaper than in Duty Free.

A Latvian airline that has sales almost every week. But the prices are not the lowest either. Air Baltic also flies from Minsk, but almost all flights are operated with a transfer in Riga. It flies all over Europe (300 destinations, 3 hubs), except that it does not reach Portugal and Ireland. An interesting feature: tickets can be paid in installments. Or even pay with bitcoins. If you subscribe to the newsletter, you will receive € 10 towards the purchase of the next ticket.

The national Ukrainian carrier is a hybrid airline, because UIA cannot be called a low-cost airline in the full sense of the word. However, since 2017, regular Low-cost fares have appeared among the offers (when purchased from 6 or more months before the flight). At special prices, 500,000 tickets per year are sold for flights within Ukraine, and also to other European countries, the Middle East and Asia. In general, UIA flies to 38 countries.

Russian low-cost airline, which appeared on the market in December 2014. During sales, ticket prices can reach € 1.5, at normal times - from € 6.5 or € 15. Pobeda has 40 destinations, most in Russia, but there are Munich, Milan, Cologne, Bratislava, Larnaca, Barcelona, ​​Baku and other European cities.

A low-cost version of Lufthansa based in Frankfurt. You can fly with these guys exotic countries like states Caribbean, Asia, Africa, South America. Islands of Portugal or - also approx. Interestingly, Condor profitable price and for one ticket (and not just round-trip, like most airlines). Another bonus is that they serve hot food, not just sandwiches. Direction map.

Spanish low cost airline that flies on 148 . From almost all capitals neighboring Minsk, you can fly to Barcelona or make a transfer there. Do you choose a direction by price? Ok, the Vueling website also has this option. On board they sell tolerable food at a normal price (like in an airport cafe).

A lot of flights in Greece. At all Aegean Airlines links 44 countries with proud 122 destinations. But, we repeat, there are a lot of flights in Greece. Tickets cost from €20 (but if you're lucky, you can fly from Kyiv to Athens for €34 one way). For hunting, open the low price calendar.

A Czech low-cost airline that flies from Prague all over Europe (especially south from Croatia to Italy) with the capture of the islands. Ticket prices start at €73 one way and discounts are rare.

Hand luggage: 8 kg in the cabin and 15 kg in luggage - free of charge.

Closest departure airports- Kyiv, Warsaw, Moscow.

Airlingus.com

An unknown Irish low-cost airline that flies to 190 cities, including Canary Islands, US cities, Canada, Dominican Republic and Australia - all on the map. Behind separate fee you can connect to wi-fi, movies, games and music are available for everyone.

Best low-cost airline recent years: four times in the world and six times in Europe () received this status not only for brand new planes with wi-fi on board and punctuality. Norwegian flies out Northern Europe throughout the rest. There are often cheap flights to the States: New York, Oakland, Los Angeles, Orlando. From Vilnius, the cheapest way to get to Oslo and Stockholm, from Warsaw - to Barcelona (but still more expensive than Ryanair), from Riga - to Oslo and Copenhagen. you can check the route map and prices. Sales are very frequent, and prices for early booking- sightseeing.

Another daughter of Lufthansa, which is based in Düsseldorf. Almost all flights connect there or in Hamburg. By purchasing a EuroWings ticket, you can fly to 130 cities, which are mainly concentrated in Central Europe. An interesting feature - for € 33 you can order "blind booking": you choose the category "culture", "LGBT-friendly" or something else, and the site itself issues a ticket for you (you will find out where after the purchase).

An ideal option when you are already rummaging around somewhere in Europe and decided to move on. 32 countries, 134 cities and 23 bases across the EU. EasyJet's main base is in London's Gatwick, its biggest hubs are in Milan and Barcelona, ​​and it flies to a record number of cities in Spain, Italy and France. If you don't know how and when you want to fly, the guys have a cool Inspire me card.

Hand luggage: 55x40x23 cm up to 8 kg of weight.

Amsterdam calling! From the capital of Holland to Spain, Greece, Portugal - in a word, see the destination map, of which there are only 110. Perhaps the oldest carrier from our list (founded in 1965). Also flies to Morocco and Tunisia. You can check in online. Tickets start at €19.

Spanish low-cost airline based in Barcelona. A wide network of destinations with a focus on France, Italy, Spain and Greece. There is a Megarvolotea loyalty program (€49.99 per year), with which you can buy tickets cheaper, as well as a referral program - send promo links to your friends and get €10 to your account for each. Volotea often has sales (tickets for € 10), and therefore it will not be superfluous to subscribe to the newsletter.