What is the cheapest airline?

Finding the absolute “cheapest airline” isn’t as simple as picking a single name. Prices change constantly based on routes, dates, sales, demand, and fees. Instead of one permanent winner, there are categories of ultra-low-cost carriers and smart strategies you can use to consistently find the lowest fares for your specific trip.

Below is a detailed guide on how to think about the cheapest airlines, which carriers are known for low prices in different regions, and how to make sure the deal you see is truly the cheapest once all fees are included.

Why there is no single “cheapest airline”

Airfare pricing is dynamic. Airlines adjust prices multiple times a day based on:

Route popularity
Season and holidays
How far in advance you book
Competitor prices
Seat availability
Fuel and operational costs

This means the cheapest airline from New York to Florida next Tuesday may be completely different from the cheapest airline from Los Angeles to London in six months.

Instead of one cheapest airline, think in terms of:

Cheapest airline groups (ultra-low-cost vs. traditional airlines)
Cheapest airlines by region
Cheapest for your specific route and dates, found through comparison tools

Ultra-low-cost carriers (ULCCs): where the cheapest base fares usually live

When travelers ask “What is the cheapest airline?”, they are usually thinking of ultra-low-cost carriers. These airlines advertise very low base fares and then charge extra for many things that traditional airlines include.

Well-known ULCCs include:

United States
- Spirit Airlines
- Frontier Airlines
- Allegiant Air
- Sun Country (hybrid low-cost model)
Europe
- Ryanair
- easyJet
- Wizz Air
- Vueling
- Eurowings
Asia & Middle East
- AirAsia (various branches, e.g., AirAsia Malaysia, Thai AirAsia)
- IndiGo (India)
- Scoot (Singapore)
- flydubai (UAE)
- Cebu Pacific (Philippines)
Latin America
- Viva Aerobus (Mexico)
- Volaris (Mexico)
- SKY Airline (Chile/Peru)
- JetSMART (Chile/Argentina/Peru)

These airlines often offer:

Extremely low base fares (sometimes under $20 on short routes during sales)
Point-to-point routes instead of complex networks
Single-class cabins with high seat density

However, the cheapest base fare is not always the cheapest total price. ULCCs typically charge extra for:

Carry-on bags and checked bags
Seat selection
Priority boarding
Printing boarding passes at the airport
Snacks, drinks, and sometimes even water

To decide whether an airline is truly the cheapest, you must compare total trip cost, not just the advertised fare.

Cheapest airlines by major region

While there’s no single global winner, certain airlines consistently appear among the cheapest in their markets.

North America: What is the cheapest airline in the U.S. and Canada?

In the United States, the airlines most often associated with the lowest fares are:

Spirit Airlines – Frequently among the lowest advertised fares on domestic routes.
Frontier Airlines – Very low base prices, heavy reliance on fees and add-ons.
Allegiant Air – Often cheap, especially from smaller cities, but limited schedules.

Traditional low-cost or “budget-friendly” airlines that can be very competitive:

Southwest Airlines – Not always the absolute cheapest base fare, but includes two free checked bags and no change fees, which can make them cheaper overall.
JetBlue – Sometimes offers low fares with better comfort and free Wi-Fi; can rival ULCCs during sales.

In Canada:

Flair Airlines and Lynx Air (if operating at your time of search) are typically among the cheapest, with low-cost models similar to U.S. ULCCs.

Key takeaway: For many U.S. domestic routes, Spirit or Frontier often show the lowest base prices, but the final cheapest airline depends on your bags, flexibility, and extras.

Europe: Cheapest airlines for budget travel

Europe is rich in low-cost airlines competing aggressively on price. Common low-fare leaders include:

Ryanair – Frequently among the very cheapest in Europe, especially for short-haul routes.
easyJet – Often slightly higher than Ryanair but still very affordable, with a large network.
Wizz Air – Particularly cheap in Central and Eastern Europe.
Vueling – Strong presence in Spain and Western Europe with competitive fares.

Ryanair is often considered one of the cheapest airlines in Europe, but again, baggage and extras can quickly increase the total cost.

Asia: Cheapest airlines in a fast-growing market

Asia’s low-cost scene is very competitive. Commonly cheap airlines include:

AirAsia – A giant in Southeast Asia with extensive routes and frequent sales.
IndiGo – India’s largest airline, usually offering very competitive fares.
Scoot – Singapore-based low-cost carrier, with both regional and some long-haul routes.
Cebu Pacific – Popular in the Philippines and around Southeast Asia.
Peach Aviation and Jetstar Japan – Budget options in and around Japan.

On many routes in Southeast Asia, AirAsia is frequently among the cheapest, especially during promotional periods.

Latin America: Low-cost carriers expanding quickly

Cheapest airlines commonly include:

Volaris and Viva Aerobus in Mexico
SKY Airline and JetSMART in South America

These carriers often undercut traditional airlines like LATAM or Aeroméxico on many routes, especially if you’re traveling light.

Middle East & Africa: Growing low-cost options

In the Middle East, low-cost options include:

flydubai (UAE)
Air Arabia (UAE)
Jazeera Airways (Kuwait)

In parts of Africa, low-cost choices are more limited but include:

FlySafair (South Africa)
fastjet (regional, if operating)

Here, the cheapest airline will depend heavily on the specific country and route, as networks are smaller than in Europe or North America.

When traditional airlines can be the cheapest

Even though ultra-low-cost carriers specialize in low fares, major full-service airlines sometimes become the cheapest option because of:

Sales and promotions
Basic economy fares with limited flexibility
Package deals when bundled with hotels or cars

For example, you might find:

A major airline like Delta, United, or American cheaper than a ULCC once you add bag fees.
A basic economy ticket on a full-service carrier costing roughly the same as a bare-bones ULCC fare, but with better schedules, loyalty points, or onboard service.

Never assume a budget airline is automatically the cheapest. Always compare:

ULCC price + fees vs.
Traditional airline cheapest fare (especially basic economy)

How to actually find the cheapest airline for your trip

Since no single carrier is always the cheapest, you need a process to find the best deal for your exact route and dates.

1. Use flight comparison tools

Start with meta-search and comparison sites such as:

Google Flights
Skyscanner
Kayak
Momondo

Steps to follow:

Enter your origin, destination, and approximate dates.
Use the calendar view or “flexible dates” to see which days are cheapest.
Compare airlines listed and note the lowest base fares.
Check filters for “include low-cost carriers” to make sure no budget airlines are hidden.

2. Check total price including bags and fees

Once you identify the cheapest airlines on comparison sites, visit their official websites and simulate the booking:

Add any bags you plan to bring
Include seat selection if it matters to you
Factor in airport transfer costs (some ULCCs use secondary airports farther from cities)

Compare:

Total price with your real needs (bags, seat, etc.), not just the lowest headline number.

Sometimes the cheapest airline at first glance becomes more expensive after add-ons.

3. Be flexible with dates and airports

Flexibility can change which airline is cheapest:

Shift by 1–3 days: Flying on a Tuesday or Wednesday can be much cheaper than Friday–Sunday.
Try nearby airports:
- In Europe, flying Ryanair or Wizz from a secondary airport may be far cheaper.
- In the U.S., check multiple airports (e.g., LAX vs. BUR vs. SNA vs. ONT in Southern California).

The cheapest airline for a Friday evening flight might be completely different from the cheapest option on a Tuesday morning.

4. Watch for sales and promos

Many low-cost and full-service airlines run frequent sales:

Sign up for email lists of airlines like Ryanair, AirAsia, Spirit, Frontier, Volaris, etc.
Follow airlines on social media for flash sales.
Use price alerts on tools like Google Flights or Skyscanner to track fare drops.

During big sale periods (e.g., Black Friday, end-of-year, local holidays), full-service airlines may briefly undercut low-cost competitors.

Pitfalls to avoid when chasing the “cheapest airline”

A very low fare can turn expensive or inconvenient if you overlook the details. Watch out for:

1. Hidden or unexpected fees

Always read the fee structure. ULCCs can charge for:

Carry-on bags (not just checked bags)
Airport check-in or printing boarding passes
Changes and cancellations (often no refunds on cheapest tickets)

2. Secondary airports and long travel times

Some of the cheapest airlines operate from secondary airports that:

Are far from the main city
Require long bus or train rides
Have fewer public transport options

Factor in the time and money of getting to/from the airport before deciding which airline is truly the cheapest.

3. Tight connections and schedule limitations

Ultra-low-cost carriers often:

Offer fewer daily flights on a route
Have less flexibility if your flight is delayed or canceled

If you miss a connection on separate tickets or your flight is canceled, rebooking may be expensive, and you may have fewer alternatives compared to major airlines.

How to decide if the cheapest airline is worth it for you

The cheapest airline for one traveler may not be the best choice for another. Ask yourself:

How important is comfort?
- ULCCs usually have tighter seats and fewer amenities.
How many bags do I need?
- If you travel light, ULCCs can be excellent.
- If you check multiple bags, a full-service airline with free baggage may be cheaper.
How flexible do I need to be?
- If your dates are fixed, losing a flight due to cancellation might be a bigger risk.
- If you can adjust plans easily, a low-cost, no-frills airline might be fine.
How important is schedule convenience?
- A slightly more expensive airline with better departure times could save you money on hotels or missed work.

Quick regional summary: which airlines are often among the cheapest?

While this changes constantly, here’s a quick regional snapshot of airlines that often show up as some of the lowest-priced:

U.S. – Spirit, Frontier, Allegiant
Canada – Flair, Lynx (if active)
Europe – Ryanair, Wizz Air, easyJet, Vueling
Southeast Asia – AirAsia, Cebu Pacific
India – IndiGo
Middle East – flydubai, Air Arabia
Latin America – Volaris, Viva Aerobus, SKY Airline, JetSMART
South Africa – FlySafair

Again, these are commonly cheap, but the “cheapest airline” for your trip should always be verified with a comparison search.

How to consistently travel on the cheapest airline for your needs

To regularly secure the lowest fares:

Use comparison tools first to see the full market.
Compare total trip cost, not just the base fare.
Stay flexible on dates and airports when possible.
Sign up for airline and deal alerts to catch limited-time sales.
Factor in comfort, schedule, and reliability, not only price, so you don’t “save” money but lose time and peace of mind.

There is no single permanent answer to “What is the cheapest airline?” The real answer is:

The cheapest airline is the one that offers the lowest total cost for your specific route, dates, baggage needs, and comfort level—often a low-cost or ultra-low-cost carrier, but sometimes a full-service airline running a good sale.