Budget Airlines That Cost as Much as Traditional Ones

Headquartered in Miramar, Florida, Spirit Airlines offers more than 600 daily flights to 73 destinations in the U.S., Latin America and the Caribbean. The airline, which began commercial flights in 1992, boasts that it’s the “leader in providing customizable travel options starting with an unbundled fare,” allowing passengers to pay for only the options they want — like seat assignments, bags and food — by starting with what is called a “bare fare.” The bare fares are cheap and Spirit is honest about all the extra charges, but they can add up. These extra charges and limited amenities, which include lack of reclining seats, Wi-Fi or any in-flight entertainment options, have led to it being named the “Worst Airline in America” by Consumer Reports, and other negative online reviews.

But others say it’s worth it for cheap, short flights as long as your luggage can fit under the seat. Every passenger can bring onboard one personal item for free as long as it’s 18x14x8 inches. Prices can vary for additional luggage, depending on your destination, but can be calculated online. Bags should be no larger than 62 linear inches (length + width + height) and weigh no more than 40 pounds. Overweight or oversized baggage can incur surcharges of $30 and up. And there’s even more fees…

There is a limit of four pets total in the cabin, with a cost of $110 per pet container. Assigned seats can range from $1 to $50. The “big front seats,” which offer 36 inches of legroom and are 18.5 inches wide, are comparable to first class seats, but don’t recline and don’t offer the extra perks. They can cost anywhere from $12 to $175 for the upgrade. Additional fees include $2 to have your boarding pass printed at the airport kiosk or $10 by an airport agent.

Cancellation fees range from $90 to $100. Passengers can save when they purchase a “Thrills Combo,” which allows them to get a checked bag up to 50 pounds, a carry-on bag, seat selection (including exit row), and several other benefits. The option is only available on select routes, however.

Established at JFK Airport in 1999, JetBlue flies to over 90 destinations domestically and abroad, including the Caribbean and Central and South America, and is expected to launch flights to London in 2021. JetBlue is popular not just with low-cost fliers, but fliers in general and has ranked among the top airlines in America for smooth flight experience, clean cabins and roominess.

Passengers looking for even more room to stretch their legs can purchase “Even More Space” seats for an extra charge (price varies per route, starting at $10 one-way). They get an extra 7 inches of legroom, for a total of 38 inches, early boarding and fast lane check-in at the airport. And this is not all…

Passengers need to pay extra fees for basics as well. They can bring one personal item and one carry-on, but need to pay $30 or more for the first checked bag, $40 for the second and $150 and up for three bags or more. Bags over 50 pounds cost $150 and up. Pets cost $125. Cancellation fees range from $75 and up, but some flex fares offer no charge.

JetBlue does charge $5 for a headset and $10 for a blanket and pillow. Alcoholic beverages range from $7 to $9 and food from $6 to $12. Wi-Fi is available free on all domestic flights, and passengers can enjoy free SiriusXM® Radio, 36 channels of live DIRECTV and complimentary movies.

Starting as an intrastate Texas airline in the early 1970s, today Southwest operates in 41 states, flying to over 101 domestic destinations and internationally to Puerto Rico, Mexico, Central America and the Caribbean. It was once known as the cheapest, but has had to increase fares recently.

The airline also doesn’t offer the frills of other major airlines, such as seat assignments or first class options. But it does have an advantage over other low-cost carriers in allowing two free check-in bags. But there are plenty of more fees you may have to pay…

The third bag will cost you a $75 fee, as well as the same surcharge for bags weighing 50 to 100 pounds. There is a $95 charge per pet carrier, and “early bird” check-in can cost $15 to $25 each way. But passengers just need to pay the difference when changing a flight and there is no cancellation fee.

Snacks and non-alcoholic beverages are complimentary. Internet access costs $8 a day per device on WiFi-enabled planes. Download the free app before the flight to watch free movies and on-demand TV without paying for the Wi-Fi.

Headquartered in Denver, Frontier currently serves over 100 cities in the United States, Mexico, Canada, Puerto Rico and the Dominican Republic. The airline says it’s committed to delivering “Low Fares Done Right,” and has been called the “queen of the domestic-flight flash sale” for its bargain tickets. The airline made headlines in 2008 after filing for bankruptcy, but was bought by Republic Airlines in 2009 and has expanded its direct flight offerings since.

Frontier suffers from the same drawbacks as some other low-cost airlines — it lacks amenities, including Wi-Fi and in-flight entertainment, and will charge you for anything beyond a small personal carry-on item (no larger than 18 inches wide, 14 inches tall, and 8 inches deep). There are also complaints about delays and issues with rebooking because of cancellations due to an irregular flight schedule. That’s why it’s best for shorter flights with limited luggage.

An additional carry-on will cost $30. The same fee applies for checked baggage up to two pieces; overweight bags cost $75 each. Carry-ons larger than 24 inches tall, 16 inches wide, and 10 inches deep and heavier than 35 pounds will be checked and fees must be paid. The charge is $75 for each bag that is overweight (between 50 and 100 pounds and between 62 and 110 linear inches).

There is a one-way pet in cabin fee of $75. Changing or canceling a ticket after 90 days before departure can cost $49 to $119. Seating assignments can range from $6 depending on whether passengers want “Stretch Seating” with 5 to 7 extra inches of room. Passengers can also bundle to save and get some of these extras, including seat selection, checked bags and priority boarding.

Based in Las Vegas, Allegiant Air launched in 1998 and currently serves over 100 airports in the United States. The airline has been under scrutiny for mechanical issues and outdated planes in the past, but has made efforts to modernize its fleet.

Each passenger is allowed one free personal item (7x15x16 inches) at no charge, but must pay for an additional carry-on. The fee for the carry-on and each checked bag is the same — $8 to $35 at booking, $45 pre-departure and $50 at the airport. Checked bags can’t exceed 80 linear inches or weigh more than 40 pounds.

Overweight bags (40 to 70 pounds) cost $50 to $75 (71 to 100 pounds), or $75 for oversized checked bags at 80 or more linear inches. Pets in the cabin cost $100 each. Seat selection can cost up to $80, while priority boarding ranges from $4 to $12.

Cancelling can cost $75 per passenger, but Trip Flex can be purchased for $8 to $20, which waives this fee. It will cost passengers $5 to print their boarding pass at the airport, and $2 to $7 to purchase food and beverages on the flight. There is no Wi-Fi or entertainment on board.

Despite its name, this low-cost airline is actually based in the northern Twin Cities of Minneapolis/St. Paul, Minnesota. Beginning operations in 1983, the airline has added 32 nonstop routes and nine new cities since 2018, serving more than 50 destinations in the U.S., Mexico, Central America and the Caribbean. In the last year, it also went through restructuring following the carrier’s sale, which included changing from the traditional first and economy classes to premium seating, extra legroom seating and standard seating.

These changes also included charging for extras, like carry-ons, but it also kept some perks like non-alcoholic beverages and in-flight entertainment. Each passenger can bring a personal item that fits under the seat for free. A carry-on not exceeding 24x16x11 inches costs $30 to $40.

Checked bags can’t exceed 50 pounds or 62 linear inches. The fees start at $30 to $40 for the first bag, $40 to $50 for the second bag, and $40 to $60 for each additional one. Oversized bags can cost $20 to $100 extra. Priority check-in and boarding ranges from $5 to $10 per traveler. Non-alcoholic beverages are complementary, but food must be purchased starting at $4. You can buy headphones, too.

Seats can be reserved for up to $80. There are three classes of seats: “Best seats” have 34 inches of legroom, a moveable headrest and an extra three inches of recline; “Better seats” have 32 inches of legroom and standard recline; and “Standard seats” have 29 to 30 inches of legroom and standard recline. The airline recently restructured its change and cancellation policy to $0 for 60 days or more, $50 for 59 to 14 days and $100 for less than 14 days before travel.

This U.K.-based airline has been around for over 23 years and currently flies to over 1,000 routes in over 30 countries, mostly in Europe, but also in select cities in Northern Africa and the Middle East. EasyJet is competitive with other low-cost European airlines. Experienced fliers suggest paying for extra options online ahead of time to save the most money.

Each passenger can have one free carry-on, but it can’t exceed 22x18x10 inches. Checked baggage up to 33 pounds costs $11 to $54, and $14 to $68 for up to 50 pounds. There is a $12 charge per 6.5 pounds extra if it’s assessed pre-booking, but there is a $16 charge if the pre-booked weight is exceeded at the airport.

Group booking per passenger per flight is $20; while there is an infant charge of $34 per flight, this includes an extra carry-on allowance. Reserved seating starts at $3 to $14, and goes to $13 to $39 for extra legroom and $20 to $46 for extra legroom with a second, small under seat cabin bag, dedicated bag drop and priority boarding.

Cancellations within 24 hours of booking range from $41 to $47. Flight changes cost the fare difference plus a $23 to $73 fee, depending on how far out the flight is. Food and beverages need to be purchased on board, and there is no in-flight entertainment.

The fifth largest low-cost carrier in the world, Norwegian was founded in 1993 but only began operating as a low-cost carrier in 2002. It operates both short and long-haul flights. Calling itself the “World’s Best Long-Haul, Low-Cost Airline,” Norwegian has made headlines for complaints in the U.K. due to delays and hasn’t avoided the growing pains of some other low-cost airlines. But it does have its fans, who say they’ve had a smooth experience even on long-haul flights.

Each passenger gets one personal item and one carry-on free of charge. LowFare, LowFare+, Flex and Premium fares have a maximum combined weight of 22 pounds, while PremiumFlex is 33 pounds. Infant tickets do not have a carry-on limit and allow for a “reasonable amount of baby food and milk/formula for the flight.”

Each piece of checked baggage should not exceed linear dimensions of 118 inches but one side can measure up to 98 inches. The baggage allowance is as follows: LowFare has 0 bags included; Lowfare+: includes 1 bag (44 pounds); Flex includes 2 bags (44 pounds each); and Infant can have 1 extra bag (11 pounds). The airline suggests purchasing checked baggage online (up to 4 hours before departure), especially if you might go over the limits, to save money. Those fees online can range from $49 to $172, but depend on your travel plans, and can be checked on the website.

Seat reservations are included in all tickets, except for LowFare, where they can be purchased for $9 to $55 extra on domestic flights and $31 to $86 on international flights. There are also extra charges for all food and beverages, and headphones, and blankets and pillows, starting at $4. The Flex and PremiumFlex fares allow you to change your flight free of charge, but not the lower fares. What stands out are the charges for connecting flights, which are $10 per person, per leg, and $20 for flights connecting via London Gatwick.

Launched in 2012, this subsidiary of Air Canada provides low fares to destinations in North America, South America, the Caribbean and Europe. As with many of these new budget airlines, Rouge has mixed reviews based on service and amenities. The airline has several different fare components, which can make things complicated when tallying up the fees. But all passengers are allowed one personal item (36 linear inches) and one carry-on (46 linear inches). Checked bags should be 50 pounds or less and no bigger than 62 linear inches. Charges and allowance depend on the destination and fare components, but average $30 for the first bag and $50 for the second for basic and comfort fares. The first bag is free for higher class fares.

Seat selection is $10 to $100 for basic fares, and up to $50 for select standard fares; other classes are free. Preferred seat prices range from $17 to $299, depending on legroom. Pets cost $50 to $57.50 one way for travel within Canada or between Canada and the U.S., and $100 to $118 one way for all other destinations. Cancellation fees can be as much as $500 to $590 for international flights that aren’t between the U.S. and Canada.

Promising “simple options for you to create the in-flight experience you want, whatever your budget,” LEVEL is a new airline that has so far received mixed reviews for value and reliability. Founded in 2017, LEVEL is actually an airline brand operated under three European airlines owned by the International Airlines Group (IAG).

It operates out of hubs in Barcelona, Paris, Vienna and Amsterdam, flying to London, Hamburg, and Rome in Europe; Boston, San Francisco, New York, Las Vegas and Montreal in North America; and several cities in Latin America and the Caribbean.

The airline offer three levels of fare packages: Light, Plus and Flex. With Light, passengers get a 22-pound or under carry-on. For $83 extra, Plus gets one checked bag of 50 pounds or under, and complimentary meals and drinks. Flex passengers get two checked bags up to 50 pounds each, meals and drinks, free seat selection and free date and name changes. Extra bags can cost $29 to $165 depending on the destination and when they are declared in the travel/booking process.

Food and beverages, including water, start at $3, while one hour of Wi-Fi is $10, headphones are $5.50, and a pillow and blanket are $13. Basic seat selection can start at $18 and go up to $84 for extra legroom and an aisle or window seat. Changes fees for long-haul flights are $200 + the fare difference.

Based out of Malaysia, AirAsia X is the budget sister airline to AirAsia. It began operations in 2007 and flies to long-haul destinations within Asia, Australia and Hawaii. Each passenger is allowed one personal item and one carry-on item with maximum dimensions of 22x14x9 inches and weighing 15 pounds or less. The airline charges fees for checked baggage, but these can vary greatly by destination and departure city, and the travel period.

Surfboards up to 33 pounds going to and from Australia can fly for free. Any extra can cost you, including food, beverages, seat selection and express boarding. But fees can be reduced by buying extras at booking or in packages. Wi-Fi needs to be purchased to use the internet and in-flight entertainment. Wi-Fi is free on a few selected flights.

This Singaporean airline took off in 2011 as one “for the young, the young-at-heart and the value-seeking,” and flies to 15 destinations in Australia, China, Hong Kong, Japan, South Korea, Taiwan and Thailand. The airline has two levels for carry-on baggage, but all passengers are limited to two carry-on pieces that each cannot exceed 21x15x9 inches, including a laptop or handbag. Economy can have a combined weight of 22 pounds, while ScootBiz is allowed 33 pounds.

There is also an option to purchase an extra 15 pounds of carry-on baggage, but only for select flights. For checked baggage, each piece should not exceed 62 inches. The Fly fare does not allow for checked baggage, but the FlyBag/FlyBagEat level allows for a 44-pound bag, and the ScootBiz for two bags at 66 pounds.

Anyone can purchase a total of up to 88 pounds of baggage extra, but one bag can’t exceed 70 pounds at a time. Baggage charges and additional fees depend on the flight departure and arrival. Infant fees, seat upgrades, name and date change, food and Wi-Fi fees are standard with this airline.

One thing that stands out is that it only allows cancellations “in the case of death or serious injury of an immediate family member, or serious injury of the guest.” It will give a voucher for a death in the family, and a full refund only for the death of a guest.

Becoming the first European airline to have carried over 1 billion customers in 2017, Ryanair was also the continent’s first low-cost airline, flying since the mid-80s. Based in Ireland and the U.K., the airline now serves over 200 destinations in 36 countries. Though it’s popular, the extra charges and luggage restrictions are not always favored.

One personal carry-on item is free but must measure 16x8x10 inches or less. For an extra $7 to $15 passengers can have an extra carry-on not exceeding 22 pounds. Checked baggage up to 22 pounds will cost $11 to $31 and up to 44 pounds will cost at least $28.

Adults travelling with children under 12, except for infants, are required to purchase a reserved seat for $4.50, but up to four children under 12 will get free reserved seats. Reserved standard seats are $3, and go up to $7 for extra legroom.

Costly extra charges include $127 to $178 for name changes, $39 to $80 for flight changes and $61 to check in at the airport. Ryanair reportedly charges some of the higher prices in the region for airline food, and doesn’t offer in-flight entertainment.

Wizz Air is a Hungarian airline based out of Budapest. Taking off in 2004, it serves 600 routes, mostly in Europe, but also select destinations in North Africa and the Middle East. The airline gets a lot of complaints for its “hidden fees,” and there is even a website created for this very issue. Each passenger can have one carry-on bag (maximum size 15.7x12x8 inches and 22 pounds), which should be placed under the seat.

Checked baggage will cost extra, with a maximum of one bag of 22 pounds, two bags of 44 pounds, or three bags of 70 pounds, and can be booked online before your flight. More can be checked at the airport, but that will cost more. Prices depend on whether it’s low or high season and the weight allowance, and can range from $10 to $123.

Just checking in at the airport can cost $33, while there is a $67 cancellation fee, $45 name change fee and $78 missed departure fee. You can pay up to $56 for an assigned seat and unusual upgrades such as an “On-Time Arrival Guarantee” for $11 and SMS confirmation fee for $1. Food and beverages are not free, and even water costs $2.