Low cost airlines in Russia. Low cost airlines (discount airlines) is an opportunity to fly cheaper with 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 carriage 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 to a large list of further destinations. However, enough of the lyrics: let's move on to the specifics! Airlines are listed in alphabetical order.

Ryanair flies from Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia and Finland. And this is very convenient for the Russians. The flight map is available at the link.

Ryanair also acquired the Austrian low-cost Laudamotion (formerly Amira Air) with hubs in Vienna and a number of German cities.

Wizz Air (Hungary)

It flies from Moscow and St. Petersburg to Debrecen to Budapest, where its main hub is located. The company has 420 routes in Europe and 25 hubs. The most convenient for Russians: Gdansk, Kutaisi, Vilnius, Riga, Chisinau. Flight map.

If you plan to fly Wizz Air more than once a year or fly with a company, then buy a membership to the Wizz Air Discount Club.

EasyJet (UK)

EasyJet stopped flying from Moscow to London in September 2015. However, the company has a large route network in Europe. The company flies to 32 countries, 134 cities and has 23 bases. The largest is Gatwick Airport in London. Large hubs are located in Milan and Barcelona (where our Pobeda flies), as well as in Paris, Berlin, Rome, Amsterdam, Lisbon, Basel. Flight map.

Pobeda (Russia)

Pobeda has been flying since December 2014. Ticket prices start at Rs. The company now has over 50 destinations. “Victory” flies to Finland, Germany, Spain, Italy, Czech Republic, Montenegro, Turkey, Slovakia (and from there it is taken by bus to Austria), Armenia and Georgia.

It is worth noting that Pobeda often reduces prices a few days before departure.

Norwegian Air (Norway)

It flies within Europe from Scandinavian cities and between Scandinavian cities (more than 100 destinations). It flies to the USA on a budget (Boston, Chicago, New York, Orlando, Los Angeles). Flight map.

These were the main low-cost airlines in Europe. Start your search with them. The ones below you probably won't need.

Air Baltic (Latvia)

Latvian airline, the main hub is in Riga. Prices are higher than other low-cost airlines, but luggage is also paid, they do not feed you on flights. They fly from Kazan, Kaliningrad, Sochi, St. Petersburg, Moscow. Route map link. You can join the airBaltic Club and get a free ticket for 10 flights with the airline.

Helvetic Airways (Switzerland)

Airlines from Switzerland. The company's hub in Zurich, plus flights from 7 airports. Most flights operate once a week. The company's fleet consists of small aircraft: Embraer 190 and Fokker 100.

UIA (Ukraine)

Ukrainian national carrier. No more flights from Russia. Not a low cost, but he often good prices for flights to Europe and Asia due to the fall of the hryvnia.

SmartWings (Czech Republic)

It flies from Moscow to Prague at a price slightly cheaper than Aeroflot and Czech Airlines. From Prague there is a wide choice of flights across Europe plus Egypt, Israel, UAE.

Transavia (Netherlands)

Low cost of Air France-KLM holding. It has five hubs in the Netherlands (including Amsterdam). It flies mainly to southern Europe plus Morocco and Egypt. Flight map. Transavia has a subsidiary, Transavia France, with three hubs in France and similar destinations.

Air Lingus (Ireland)

The largest Irish airline (not counting Ryanair, of course). They fly to 190 cities, including the US and Canada. Flight map.

blue air (Romania)

Romanian low cost with main hub in Bucharest big amount destinations in Europe (flight map). There are also several routes from Helsinki.

Israir Airlines (Israel)

An Israeli airline with the slogan “Why pay more?” Cheap compared to El Al. Flies to Europe, but most flights are seasonal.

Logan Air (Scotland)

Regional Scottish carrier. Flies throughout Scotland, including the Orkney Islands and the Outer Hebrides. The route from Westray Island to Papa Westray Island (Orkney) is the shortest scheduled commercial flight in the world. IN good weather it's only 47 seconds in the air. Apart from British territories also flies to Norway. Flight map.

Atlantic Airways (Faroe)

National carrier Faroe Islands. They fly from Denmark, Norway, Iceland and Scotland, plus in the season from Spain. Offers the most cheap way get to the Faroe Islands from Copenhagen. A round-trip ticket costs from 160 euros. Prices for flights between the islands by helicopters - from 12 to 60 euros one way.

Buta Airways (Azerbaijan)

In September 2017, a new low-cost airline Buta Airways began flying from Baku to Russia. While flying to Moscow (Vnukovo), St. Petersburg, Minvody and Kazan. Attention! Tickets at the minimum fare “BUDGET” do not provide for any baggage or hand luggage. At all.

French Bee (France)

French low-cost airline offering flights from Paris-Orly to the Dominican Republic, San Francisco, Reunion and French Polynesia.

wow air (Iceland)

WOW Air: Icelandic low-cost airline that has flights to the US from $55. In general, it operates flights from 32 cities, mainly in Europe. Experiencing financial difficulties, and may soon be taken over by another company.

IcelandAir: not a low-cost airline, but an indispensable company for traveling to Iceland (and for traveling around the world). The main feature is a stopover up to 7 days in Iceland during a flight from Europe to the USA.

Fantasy, right?

Italy: Air Italy, Blu Express, FlyErnest

Air Italy (former Meridiana) : the main flights are from Milan and Olbia. In addition to flights within Italy (about 30 euros one way), it flies to Africa, Asia, the USA and Canada.
Blu Express: low-cost subsidiary of Blue Panorama Airlines with a hub in Rome. It flies mainly in Italy, a little more expensive than Air Italy (40-50 euros one way).
FlyErnest – rather, even an Albanian, and not an Italian airline (although the headquarters is in Milan). They carry out nine Italian cities to Tirana. Since 2017 they have been flying from Lviv, Kyiv and Kharkov to the main Italian cities. Tickets from 37 euros one way.

Spain: Vueling,Volotea,canaryfly , LEVEL , Iberia Express

Vueling : the second largest Spanish carrier with a hub in Barcelona. From Moscow and St. Petersburg flies to Barcelona and Alicante from 50 euros one way. Operates seasonal flights from regions: Kazan, Kaliningrad, Krasnodar, Samara. .
Volotea: Spanish low-cost airline headquartered in Barcelona. Most flights are mediterranean region, including small towns France, Italy, Spain, Greece. Often holds sales with tickets for 10 euros. Flight map.
canaryfly: small airline from the Canary Islands. Flies between the islands from 5 euros one way.
LEVEL: subsidiary of Iberia and british airways. Flies from Spain (and also Paris-Orly) to USA, Canada and latin america. Prices for transatlantic flights start at 95 euros one way. Tickets can be purchased at flylevel.com.
Iberia Express: subsidiary low-cost Iberia. It flies from Madrid to Europe, to the Canaries and Balearic Islands. Flight map.

Germany:Euro Wings,germany,TUI Fly,Condor

Euro Wings: a subsidiary of Lufthansa. It flies to 210 destinations, mainly in Europe. Prices for flights from 30 euros in Germany, from 45 euros in Europe one way.
Germany is a private airline headquartered in Berlin. There are charters to the Middle East, resorts mediterranean sea and to North Africa. Plus flies from St. Petersburg to Dresden (from 60 euros one way). Flight map.
TUI Fly– low-cost with a hub in Hannover. Part of the TUI Group, one of the largest travel companies in the world. It flies from Moscow and St. Petersburg. In addition to the German airline, there are other divisions of TUI Fly (for example, the Belgian one).
Condor: a subsidiary of Lufthansa with a hub in Frankfurt am Main. It has a charter bias to exotic countries: the Caribbean, Africa, Asia, South America, the islands of Spain, Portugal, etc. Very profitable price for a one-way flight (unlike traditional airlines).

UK: Flybe, Jet2, TUI Airways

Flybe: low-cost carrier with hubs in Birmingham and Manchester. They fly to 85 destinations in the UK and Western Europe. Flight map.
Jet2.com: a low-cost carrier that mainly flies from major UK cities to Southern Europe. Flight map.
TUI Airways: British version of TUI fly. It flies from 20 UK airports to Europe, Asia, Africa and the Caribbean.

Türkiye:Onurair, Anadolujet, Corendon, Sun Express, Atlas Global

Onur Air flies between cities and resorts in Turkey. There are flights to the main Turkish cities from Moscow and Odessa. In addition to regular flights, there are charters from the regions.
Anadolujet- a subsidiary of Turkish Airlines, operates flights within Turkey and Northern Cyprus.
Sun Express is a subsidiary of Lufthansa and Turkish Airlines. Flies to Germany, Austria and Switzerland. There is a summer flight from St. Petersburg to Izmir from 66 euros. Flight map.
Corendon- Turkish low-cost airline based in Antalya, flying mainly to Germany.
Atlas Global- former Atlas Jet. It flies in Turkey, to Europe and to Asia. From Russia is regular flight from Moscow to Istanbul plus charters from the regions. Flight map.

Moldova:Air Moldova,fly one

Air Moldova: national carrier of Moldova. Not a low-cost, but quite often inexpensive flights via Chisinau to Rome, Lisbon, Larnaca, Bologna, Venice and other cities from Moscow, St. Petersburg, Surgut, Krasnodar, Yekaterinburg, Nizhny Novgorod.
flyone: a young Moldovan airline that was certified in March 2016. You can fly from Moscow to Chisinau from 60 euros one way.

Asia (48)

Malaysia:air Asia,firefly

Air Asia : For many years - the best low-cost airline in the world by Skytrax versions. It has an extensive route network throughout Asia (from India, Malaysia to Vietnam, the Philippines, Japan), including flights to Australia. . Plus owns divisions in other countries of the region.

firefly: low-cost subsidiary of Malaysia Airlines. In addition to domestic flights, there are flights to Indonesia and Thailand. Flight map.

UAE:air arabia,Fly Dubai

Air Arabia. Low-cost carrier based in Sharjah. Departures from Moscow and Grozny to the cities of the Near and Middle East (UAE, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Oman, Qatar, Iran, Iraq, Pakistan), North Africa (Sudan, Egypt, Morocco), India, Nepal, Bangladesh via Sharjah (UAE) . Flight map. There are regional divisions of Air Arabia Egypt with a hub in Alexandria, Air Arabia Maroc with a hub in Casablanca and Air Arabia Jordan with a hub in Amman.
FlyDubai. Low-cost carrier based in Dubai. Flights to the UAE and cities of Asia and Africa from Russian cities (Moscow, Kazan, Yekaterinburg, Makhachkala, Minvody, Samara, Krasnodar, Rostov-on-Don). Quite often, a good cost of a flight from the regions to Nepal, Sri Lanka, India. Plus a good grid in East Africa: Addis Ababa, Dar es Salaam, Djibouti, Juba, Khartoum, Kilimanjaro, Zanzibar. Flight map.

Singapore:tiger air,Scoot

Tiger Air And scoot: since 2017, there is actually one airline operating under the Scoot brand. Subsidiary Singapore Airlines. The "tigers" have a separate brand in Australia. It flies to Asia and to Australia plus to Berlin, Athens and Hawaii.

Flight map:

India: IndiGo, SpiceJet, Air India Express, Go Air

indigo: Indian low-cost airline with domestic flights and a small number international routes to Nepal, UAE, Singapore, Oman, Thailand and other countries of the region. Flight map.
SpiceJet: A major Indian airline with hubs in Delhi and Hyderabai and Chennai. Flights to 49 cities in India and to Oman, UAE, Maldives, Thailand, Sri Lanka, Hong Kong, Afghanistan and Bangladesh. Flight map.
Air India Express: subsidiary low-cost of the national carrier. Offers fewer domestic flights, but more international flights (mainly to Gulf countries). Flight map.
Go Air: low-cost carrier with the main hub in Mumbai, operates mainly domestic flights to 25 cities (plus Male and Phuket). Flight map.

Japan: Vanilla Air,Peach Aviation,Air Do, Skymark, Solaseed Air, Star Flyer

Vanilla Air : subsidiary low-cost All Nippon Airways. It flies between Japanese cities as well as Taiwan and Hong Kong. One way flights start at $30.
Peach Aviation : Peach Airlines flies from Osaka, Naha and Tokyo throughout Japan (including Okinawa), as well as to Taiwan, Hong Kong and South Korea, Shanghai and Bangkok. Flight map.
AirDo: regional airline: the main direction is flights to Hokkaido. Not low-cost, but there are favorable rates for early bookings (75 days in advance) or a discount for bookings 1 or 3 days before the flight.
skymark: low-cost with a dozen destinations within the country. There are discounts for 1 or 3 days before departure.
Solaseed Air: Almost like Skymark, but more discount options by date of purchase plus a discount for foreign tourists.
star flyer: positions itself as an intermediate option between low-cost and conventional airlines. Offers flights between major Japanese cities plus to Taiwan. For domestic flights there is a special fare for foreigners (55-70 euros one way).

Philippines: Cebu Pacific, Air Swift

Cebu Pacific: low-cost airline with a large number of domestic flights plus flies throughout Eastern and South-East Asia(and also in Sydney and Dubai). .
Air Swift is a tiny company that connects Philippine cities with its El Nido airport. In fact, this airport is an ordinary primer in the jungle (it looks like this), but it is located on the island of Palawan, the source of 95% of those photos from the paradise islands.

Indonesia: Citilink , Wings Air

Citilink: a low-cost subsidiary of the national carrier Garuda Indonesia. Carries out mainly domestic flights(plus flies to Malaysia and East Timor). Flight map.
Wing Air : low-cost from Lion Air Group. Has a hub in Bali, specializes in domestic flights.

South Korea: Jeju Air , Jin Air , T'way Air , Eastar Jet , Air Seoul , Air Busan

Jeju Air: the main low-cost, in addition to domestic flights, flies around the countries Far East and Southeast Asia, as well as Guam. There is a flight from Vladivostok to Seoul. Flight map.
Jin Air: low-cost subsidiary of Korean Air. Flies throughout the region, including Hawaii, Australia and Guam. Flight map.
T'way Air and Eastar Jet low cost hubs in Seoul. They fly to China, Japan and the countries of Southeast Asia. T'way Air has flights from Khabarovsk and Vladivostok to Daegu, while Eastar Jet has flights from Vladivostok to Seoul. Prices - from 50 euros one way.
Air Seoul and Air Busan are subsidiaries of Asiana Airlines. They fly around the region to the indicated cities. Air Busan has a flight from Vladivostok.

China (10 airlines)

Spring Airlines: low-cost with hubs in Shanghai. Route network in China and neighboring countries. There is a Japanese division of Spring Airlines Japan. Prices start at $15 one way.
China United: a low-cost airline with a hub at Beijing Nanyuan Airport and flights between Chinese cities. Tickets from $10 one way.
Juneyao Airlines: major airline with hubs in Shanghai. It has a very extensive route network in China, and also operates flights to South Korea, Japan and Thailand. Plans to launch a flight from Helsinki in 2019. It has a low-cost subsidiary 9 Air with a hub in Guangzhou.
Lucky Air in addition to China flies to Brunei, Thailand, Malaysia. There is a flight Moscow - Kunming.
West Air flies within the country (flight map).
Urumqi Air offers flights from Urumqi to China.
Capital Airlines In addition to domestic flights, it offers many flights to Europe. There is a flight from Moscow to Qingdao.
Colorful Guizhou Airlines : regional low-cost with a hub in Guiyang and flights within China.
Jiangxi Air: regional low-cost with a hub in Nanchang.
HK Express: Hong Kong low-cost from HNA Group. Flies from Hong Kong around the region, especially many flights to Japan. Flight map.

Thailand: Nok Air, Thai Lion Air

Nok Air : Thai low-cost airline operating domestic flights within Thailand plus flights to Myanmar and other countries in the region. Eat compound routes with ferries (Fly'n'Ferry) or buses (Fly'n'Ride).
Thai Lion Air: Thai division of the Indonesian company Lion Air Group. In addition to domestic flights, there are flights to many cities in China and to the main cities in the region. The nice thing is that luggage is included in the price. Flight map.

Other countries:

SalamAir : Omani low cost. In addition to domestic flights, it flies to Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, Nepal, Sudan, Bangladesh, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, as well as Baku and Tbilisi.
Air Manas (Pegasus): Kyrgyz carrier. Subsidiary of Turkish Pegasus. Until the end of 2015, the airline flew under the Pegasus Asia brand, but now it has again become known as Air Manas. It makes three flights to Russia from Bishkek: to Moscow, Yekaterinburg and Novosibirsk
air blue: Pakistani low-cost carrier with a hub in Karachi. It operates both domestic flights and flights to the UAE, Oman and Saudi Arabia. Flight map.
VietJet Air: Vietnamese low cost with several hubs in the country. It flies mainly in Vietnam. The site is not very convenient, the list of directions is easiest to see on Wikipedia. In addition to Vietnam, it flies to Bangkok, Taipei, Singapore, Seoul, Hong Kong, Yangon and Kuala Lumpur.
Jazeera Airways: Kuwaiti low cost. In addition to the countries of the Persian Gulf and the Middle East, it flies to India, Egypt, Baku, Tbilisi and Istanbul. Flight map.
Flynas: an airline from one of the most closed countries peace - Saudi Arabia. It operates flights within the country, within the region plus to Tbilisi, Baku, Istanbul, Trabzon. Flight map.
Flyadeal: a low-cost subsidiary of the national carrier Saudia. It flies between several cities within the country.
Lanmei Airlines: Cambodian low-cost with a hub in Phnom Penh, owned by the Chinese. It flies in Southeast Asia and has many flights to China.
Jetstar: a subsidiary of the Australian company Qantas. Main hub in Melbourne. In addition to flights within Australia and New Zealand, there are flights to the countries of Southeast Asia. There are also Jetstar Asia Airways with a hub in Singapore, Jetstar Pacific with a hub in Ho Chi Minh City and Jetstar Japan with hubs in Tokyo and Osaka. Flight map.
Virgin Australia: Australian low-cost Virgin Group. Has four hubs in Australia, flies across Oceania, to Indonesia, Hong Kong and the USA

Africa (8)

South Africa: Mango, Kulula, FlySafair

Mango: subsidiary low-cost of the national carrier South African Airways with a hub in Johannesburg. It flies across South Africa and to the island of Zanzibar in Tanzania.
Kulula: the first African low-cost airline, part of Comair, has been flying since 2001. The main flights are domestic, but thanks to cooperation with Kenya Airways, they fly to Nairobi, and as part of Comair - to other neighboring countries. Flight map.
FlySafair : subsidiary low-cost Safair, connects six cities of the country.

Kenya: Fly540, JamboJet

Fly540 : Kenyan low-cost carrier with a hub in Nairobi. Flies in Kenya, Zanzibar and South Sudan. Flight map. They have a subsidiary airline Fly Sax, which flies to safari and beach destinations.

fly540 flight map

JamboJet: a low-cost subsidiary of the national carrier Kenya Airways with a hub in Nairobi. Flies in Kenya and Uganda.

Other countries:

Arik Air (Nigeria): Nigerian traditional low-cost carrier that connects everything big cities Nigeria, and also flies to Angola, Ghana, Senegal and other West African countries.
fastjet: a group of African low-cost airlines (includes Fastjet Tanzania, Zimbabwe and Mozambique). In addition to these countries, it also flies to South Africa and Zambia.
Air Cairo (Egypt): low-cost subsidiary of EgyptAir. It flies from the main cities of Egypt to Europe. There are flights from Tbilisi to Hurghada and Sharm El Sheikh.

North and South America (30)

Canada:west jet,Sunwing Airlines, Porter Airlines, Air Transat, Air Canada Rouge, Flair Airlines

WestJet : a major Canadian low-cost airline with hubs in Calgary, Toronto and Vancouver. Flights across North America and to the Caribbean plus seasonal transatlantic flights from Canada to Glasgow, Dublin, Paris (and a regular flight to London). Flight map. Recently launched ultra-low cost Swoop. While flights across Canada are launched, flights to the US and Mexico are planned.
Sunwing Airlines: low-cost subsidiary of Sunwing Travel Group. Flies from Canadian cities to the USA, Central America and to the Caribbean.

Low-cost airlines, low-cost airlines, budget airlines - these are all names of the same class of carriers that fly from point A to point B for a penny. Today I’ll tell you how it became possible at all, about the features of flights by low-cost airlines, as well as what pitfalls exist in this segment, how to avoid hidden fees, and much more.

Low-cost airlines: what is it all about?

The name "low-cost" itself comes from the English "low-cost", which means low price in translation (logically, right? ;-)). Previously, flying was a privilege of the wealthy, but the world is rapidly changing before our eyes: now flights are available to everyone. Flying away at the price of 1 ruble per 1 km is a reality. For example, you can take a flight in Europe for a couple of euros, in Asia for $3-5, in Russia for 999 rubles.

The bottom line is to reduce the cost by giving up some comfort and optional services, optimizing the route network and the work of all divisions of the airline.

And here are the lists:

How it works?

In fact, everything is quite simple. What is the cost of an air ticket? Directly payment for transportation (here food), airport, fuel surcharges and much, much more.

How more passengers the cheaper

It is logical that the more passengers, the lower the cost for each of them will eventually be. Therefore, low-cost aircraft have more seats, which means less distance between rows. In addition, they leave a few "normal" places and sell them for an increased fee.

Aircraft fleet

Surprisingly, the planes of low-cost airlines are much younger than traditional carriers. The fact is that after several years of operation of the aircraft, it begins to consume an increased amount of fuel. In addition, new cars do not require expensive repairs in the first couple.

I consider this a big plus, because among other things being equal, flying on a new plane is safer than on an old one.

Asian low-cost carrier Tiger Air

Arrival/departure airports

Low-cost airlines do not fly to the main airports (with rare exceptions), but choose secondary ones, often located very far from the city. Just imagine how many fees airlines have to pay: parking, maintenance, parking, and so on.

Old and remote airports set minimum fees, which is why low-cost airlines use them. Sometimes getting to the city center costs more than the ticket itself! But this is not always the case. For example, Asia's largest low-cost airline Air Asia in Bangkok arrives at Don Muang Airport in the north of the city, and between it and the main Suvarnabhumi airport There are buses and taxis that are easy and cheap to get to.

Some companies specifically fly to major airports to stand out from the competition, such as the Spanish Vueling.

It happens that passengers have to go to the plane on foot - in this way the airline saves on renting buses or sleeves. We always got the bus.

Where to buy low cost airline tickets?

Airline search engines have long learned to include tickets from budget carriers in their search results. To be sure, check both for and for .

Low-cost airlines are by no means a panacea for expensive flights - weigh the pros and cons for yourself. If you are ready to give up comfort a little, endure a couple of hours without food and fly light, then low-cost airlines will become in a good way significant savings on flights.

Your comments and questions are welcome! Ultra-cheap flights to all of us ;-)

Budget airlines(also called discount airlines or low cost) is a new type of airline that has become popular all over the world in recent years. They brought a new approach to the air travel business, expressed by the formula "low costs - low fares - high demand - high returns".

A bit of history of low cost airlines

The first budget airline projects in the early 1970s ended in failure - the American PSA, People Express and Laker Airways disappeared forever and were forgotten. Has achieved success. Starting flights in 1971, today Southwest has become the largest low cost airline in the world, covering the entire United States with a network of low cost airlines. The low cost revolution in Europe began in the early 1990s. The pioneers of low-cost transportation were, and the airlines Buzz and Go that do not exist today. By 2000, low-cost airlines had gained popularity all over the world and today in almost every region the globe there are large discount airlines that serve airlines with a flight duration of 1-2 hours.

How are low-cost airlines different from traditional ones?

Classic airlines build their route networks around one or more hub airports. All flights to these airports have convenient connections with each other. Due to this, airlines can offer you a large number of cities that can be reached with a transfer at the hub airport. The wide geography of flights attracts a large number of passengers flying to different cities.

Everything would be fine if such a scheme were not expensive:

To connect both large and small cities, planes of different sizes are needed, more different planes - more expenses for maintenance, pilot training, etc.,

Some flights are longer, others are shorter. In order to meet at the hub airport at the same time, short-haul aircraft must wait while flights from afar fly. And the longer the plane is, the more expensive it is,

In order to sell tickets more expensively, airlines offer additional services - business lounges at airports, meals on board, baggage reloading at a hub airport, etc. All this requires money for maintenance,

Traditional airlines are surrounded by intermediaries - airline ticket agencies, global computer networks for booking seats. All of them receive a considerable share of the cost of the air ticket,

Budget airlines have gone the other way: Reduce costs, improve flight efficiency, sell tickets at cheap fares without intermediaries, offer additional services only for those who wish for a fee.

How low cost airlines save

Better use of aircraft - discount airlines fly point-to-point, so they are not tied to a specific arrival time at the airport and can fly more often, reducing costs per hour of flight,

The use of one type of aircraft - less maintenance and training costs for personnel, higher efficiency in the use of crews,

Absence additional service- for low-cost airlines, meals on board are a source of income, not expenses,

Fewer staff - the simpler the business, the better less people required to manage it

Selling via the Internet - no expenses for the maintenance of city air ticket offices, printing and processing of paper forms.

Discount airlines in Russia

Today, discount airlines are becoming popular in Russia as well. At first, German and Germania Express (today -) connected Moscow with the cities of Germany. Then budget airlines were opened from Moscow and St. Petersburg to Austria, Spain, Italy, Norway. In January 2007, the first Russian low-cost airline began flying, after which discounters made attempts to organize low-cost transportation in Russia

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 such as the Caribbean, Asia, Africa, South America. Islands of Portugal or - also approx. Interestingly, Condor also has a favorable price 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 budget airline, which 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 carrier that flies to 190 cities, including the Canary Islands, US cities, Canada, Dominican Republic and Australia - all on the map. For a fee, you can connect to wi-fi, movies, games and music are available to 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 from Northern Europe to 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 bookings are a feast for the eyes.

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.