Save money on your next flight—and have more to spend at your destination—by traveling on a budget airline
3 Budget Airlines That Actually Get Great Reviews
Updated on Jan. 28, 2025
The rise of budget airlines is good news for travelers—even those who don’t book with them. More flight options mean more competition between airlines, which can lead to lower pricing. “Even if you never fly low-cost airlines you still owe them a debt of gratitude for driving fares lower on the airlines you do fly,” says Scott Keyes, the chief flight expert and founder of the Going App, a platform that helps users find flight deals. “Researchers have found that when airlines like Spirit or Southwest enter a new market, airfares across the board go down around 20%.”
After analyzing tens of thousands of data points that included airfare trends and historical prices, Dollar Flight Club’s 2025 Cheap Flight Forecast predicts travelers will find good deals this upcoming year (even to traditionally expensive destinations like London), thanks to the increased availability of budget airlines.
But before you book that low-cost flight, it’s wise to do some research first. “Budget airlines have made travel more accessible than ever, but they’re not for everyone,” says Jesse Neugarten, CEO of Dollar Flight Club. “The key is understanding how they operate and planning ahead so you can avoid surprises. Whether you’re looking to save big or just need a quick weekend getaway, budget airlines can be a great option as long as you know how to work the system. It’s all about being flexible, prepared, and ready to jump on a deal when it pops up.”
Read on for expert insight on the best budget airlines and tips for traveling with low-cost carriers.
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Best budget airlines
Which budget airlines are best for you depends on your location, destination and what’s most important to you. “There are different metrics to judge budget airlines,” says Keyes, who goes on to rattle off a few favorites. “The cheapest fares on the most routes: Frontier or Spirit. The best on-time performance: Southwest (if you still count them as a budget airline), otherwise Allegiant. The best budget airline at not losing your bags: Allegiant. ”
Here are some of the experts’ picks and some pros and cons to consider when booking with affordable airlines:
Southwest
“When it comes to budget airlines, a few stand out for offering great value without sacrificing too much comfort. Southwest Airlines tops the list for me,” says Neugarten. “Their no-change-fee policy and two free checked bags make them a clear winner, especially for families or travelers who don’t want to stress over hidden fees.” In addition, given Southwest’s free carry-on (one carry-on and one personal item free of charge) policy and complimentary snacks and non-alcoholic beverages on select flights over 250 miles, you might forget you’re flying a low-cost airline.
But their infamous “open seating” boarding process may snap you back to your budget travel reality—at least for the remainder of 2025. Southwest assigns passengers to boarding groups and positions based on frequent flier status and the order in which you check in online; those in the first group have access to any seat on the plane, and those in subsequent groups choose from what’s left as they board. Admittedly, after personally experiencing a chaotic boarding process with Southwest years ago, I never flew with them again. Neugarten agrees the lack of assigned seats can be a drawback for some travelers. “But,” he says, “their boarding process is quick and straightforward once you get the hang of it.”
Fortunately, travelers may not be at the mercy of Southwest’s open seating much longer; the airline announced they’ll start selling flights with seat assignments in the second half of 2025 for travel in 2026. They’re also working on solving another common complaint: the lack of charging stations onboard. You won’t currently find power outlets at your seat, but Southwest has begun adding USB ports to their new 737 MAX 8 aircrafts and promised to add them to their existing MAX 8 and 737-800 planes over the next few years.
The low-cost carrier also receives praise for its loyalty program, partnerships with hotels and rental car companies and the humor that flight attendants incorporate into their safety presentations.
Pros
- No change fee
- Free carry-on and two checked bags
- Free refreshments on select flights over 250 miles
- Legroom size similar to legacy airlines
- Cheery flight attendants who bring humor to the experience
- Big reach: Southwest serves more than 120 destinations, including some international locations such as Costa Rica. They’ve also announced a new partnership with Icelandair that will connect Southwest customers with Icelandair’s network, which includes five airports in Iceland, four airports in Greenland, and 34 destinations in Europe
Cons
- Typically higher fares than other budget airlines (but they include extras that others charge for)
- Open seating (but they will start selling flights with assigned seats soon)
- No power outlets (but they are adding USB ports)
Allegiant Air
Allegiant Air is also high on Neugarten’s list of the best budget airlines. “They deserve a mention for their focus on connecting smaller cities [Think Flint, Mich. and Harrisburg, Penn.] to vacation hotspots at super low fares,” he says. Allegiant Air generally only flies each route a couple of times per week, so you’ll need a flexible schedule to take advantage of their low rates. “Their $49 flights to Las Vegas or Orlando are great examples. While their schedules can be limited, they fill a niche many travelers appreciate.”
There’s no wifi or in-flight entertainment onboard, and seat selection and luggage (even a carry-on) will incur additional fees, so this affordable airline is best for those who travel light and simply need transportation from point A to B.
Military veterans may appreciate Allegiant’s veteran benefits, which include two checked bags and an in-cabin pet for free, no upcharge for oversized luggage, and the same benefits for a spouse or family member traveling on the same itinerary.
Pros
- Connects smaller airports to some popular vacation destinations such as Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Nashville and Orlando
- Fairly priced, high-quality refreshments on-board
- Some of the smaller airports they fly in and out of can be easier and quicker to navigate
- Solid reputation for on-time performance and getting your luggage to your destination
- Military veteran benefits
- Perks accessible when using their branded credit card (best for those who frequently fly their routes)
Cons
- Limited schedule and routes
- No wifi, power outlets, or in-flight entertainment
- Some of the smaller airports they fly in and out of offer very limited amenities
- Upcharge for everything beyond the ticket to board the plane (seat selection, carry-on bag, checked bag, changes to the itinerary, etc)
Avelo Airlines
Avelo Airlines took off in April 2021, offering flights to underserved routes and communities primarily on the east and west coasts of the U.S., and has since ascended to high praise from budget travelers and was recently rated most reliable airline in an independent survey. Many Avelo flights are under two hours, making the cramped seating and tiny tray tables (too small for a laptop, according to one reviewer) bearable. Fees for carry-on and checked bags are reported to be lower than or comparable to those on other airlines, and the company doesn’t charge cancellation or change fees. Some flyers over the recent holidays reported the airline is experiencing growing pains as they had to wait upward of three hours (sometimes outside in the cold) to pass through security.
Pros:
- Direct flights only, no layovers
- No change or cancellation fees
- Reliability: Industry-leading on-time performance of 85.1% (the industry average was 77%) and the lowest flight cancellation rate through the first 10 months of 2024
- Growing reach: Avelo serves 49 cities across 23 states. They also now offer flights to Puerto Rico and two international destinations, Jamaica and Mexico
Cons:
- No wifi, inflight entertainment, or charging ports
- No food and beverage service (bottled water available on request)
- Seat pitch is 29 inches (less than the industry standard of 30-31 inches)
- Fees for carry-on bags and checked luggage. Only a small personal item is included
- They don’t currently serve many destinations beyond the eastern and western coasts of the U.S. (but they seem to be expanding, with Nashville, Dallas, Las Vegas, and Boise among their non-coastal routes)
FAQs
What is the most inexpensive airline?
Flight fares change from moment to moment and vary by market, so no airline can be considered the cheapest. “No one airline is always the cheapest, just cheapest at the time of booking,” says Matthew Kepnes, a budget travel expert, founder of Nomadic Matt and author of How to Travel the World on $50 a Day. The best budget airlines for you will depend on your travel needs, where you live and your destination. If you live in a region where budget airlines exist, you likely have an advantage. Not only can you choose to fly on low-cost carriers, but when airlines compete for your business fares may drop across the board.
“If you’re strictly looking for the cheapest base fare, Spirit Airlines usually wins. They’ve built their entire model around offering the lowest upfront cost possible,” Neugarten says. “For instance, we’ve spotted deals like $9 fares for members of their Saver Club on select routes.” Of course, there’s a catch: “That low fare doesn’t include extras like bags, seat selection or even a drink of water on board. So, while they’re technically the cheapest, I always recommend looking at the total cost, including any add-ons you might need, to make sure it’s actually a good deal.”
What is the difference between a budget airline and a regular (aka legacy) airline?
There’s no strict definition of a budget airline, but experts agree that a central condition is the most obvious: They charge a lower base fare than the legacy airlines. “The main difference between budget airlines and traditional carriers comes down to what’s included in the price of your ticket,” Neugarten says. “Regular airlines generally bundle amenities like free snacks, seat selection and in-flight entertainment into the fare. Budget airlines strip all that out [also known as ‘unbundling’] and let you pay for only what you want. For instance, on a regular airline like Delta, a ticket might cost $250 and include checked bags, while a budget airline like Frontier might charge $120 but add fees for luggage and seat selection.”
Low-cost airlines typically operate in secondary markets, where business costs are lower for airlines and airports are easier and faster for travelers to navigate. But, Neugarten notes, this can add some inconveniences and costs to your trip if you need to travel further to and from the airport, depending on your home base and final destination.
Historically, budget airlines have been known to only offer one class of service (no first-class frills!) and to “densify” their planes. If you’ve ever flown on one of these carriers, you’re familiar with the cost-saving practice of densifying: the airline crams so many people into the plane, the per-seat cost of operating the flight is much lower—but so is the comfort level.
However, if you’ve traveled recently on a legacy airline, you may have noticed the lines between budget and legacy are blurring. Some budget airlines are introducing premium class options while legacy airlines are cramming more seats into their coach cabins and charging fees for seat selection and luggage—yet still pricing flights at traditionally higher legacy rates. I’ve not always been a fan of flying budget airlines; I tend to travel long-haul, prefer upfront pricing, amenities on board and choosing my seat in advance, and I dislike being nickeled and dimed. But with the gap between legacy and budget airlines shrinking, low-cost airlines have become much more appealing.
Are budget airlines good?
This really depends on your expectations and travel style. If your top priority is saving money and you’re a chilled-out, go-with-the-flow traveler, then budget airlines can be a terrific option. But if you’ll be unhappy in a narrow seat, prefer high-touch service and don’t want to bring your own food, it might not be the best choice for you. Fortunately, budget airlines adhere to the same federal safety regulations as legacy airlines, so safety is not a concern when traveling on low-cost carriers, at least in the United States.
Some of the most common complaints travelers have with budget airlines are last-minute delays or outright cancellations with little to no warning, as well as difficulty getting refunds for unused tickets. Cancelations can mean being stuck for days until the next flight is available. “Unlike full-service airlines, budget airlines rarely have the types of partnerships with other airlines that let them re-accommodate stranded travelers on a different airline when flights get disrupted,” Keyes says. “Layer on the fact that budget airlines have much leaner flight schedules and this means that a flight cancellation on a budget airline could lead to a days-long delay getting to your destination, something rarely seen on full-service airlines.”
On the plus side, Keyes notes that budget airlines have the most nonstop flights to many leisure destinations like Las Vegas and Orlando, whereas many routes on legacy airlines require a layover.
Keyes also says that if you’re traveling internationally, budget airlines may be a bit of an upgrade from domestic U.S. budget airlines. “For instance, while Spirit flights typically have just 28 inches of legroom, the Japanese budget airline ZipAir offers 31 inches,” Keyes says. “I’ve personally flown on plenty of budget airlines, including a 10+ hour flight from Los Angeles to London on Norwegian. The seats were a bit tight, but otherwise basically indistinguishable from full-service airlines once we were onboard.”
What are the worst budget airlines?
The experts agree that there’s no “worst” budget airline; it depends on your preferences and expectations. For example, if the flight fare is most important to you, Keyes says you might consider Southwest the “worst” because their fares tend to be the highest of budget airlines. However, given that they also have the fewest add-on fees, he says the total cost can end up lower or comparable to other affordable airlines after you add extras. If the metrics you care most about are on-time performance and lost luggage, you might find Frontier and Spirit to be the “worst” respectively.
Spirit Airlines
Spirit Airlines is the budget airline travelers seem to have the strongest love-hate relationship with. Their insanely low fares can be alluring, but you may want to proceed with caution. “There are budget airlines that, while affordable, come with significant trade-offs,” says Neugarten. “Spirit Airlines is probably the most infamous.” Spirit has been plagued by cancellations and complaints, including an 11-day period during peak summer travel when the airline canceled more than 2,800 flights, leaving passengers stranded for days. Frequent traveler complaints about lost luggage and poor customer service are also incredibly common. And then there’s all those extra fees.
“While their fares are often the cheapest you’ll find, like $23 one-way on short-haul routes, the long list of extra fees and whether it’s for carry-ons, water, or even printing a boarding pass can make your savings disappear quickly. Add cramped seats and frequent delays, and it’s easy to see why people have mixed feelings about Spirit,” Neugarten says.
Spirit Airlines filed for bankruptcy in late 2024 and the fallout remains to be seen.
Frontier Airlines
“Frontier Airlines is known for low fares but also for charging for everything beyond the seat itself. We’ve seen fares as low as $39 roundtrip to Denver or Miami, but be prepared to pay extra for any comforts. Their customer service can also be hit or miss, which doesn’t help if you’re dealing with delays or cancellations,” Neugarten says. “These airlines [Spirit and Frontier] are great for quick, no-frills trips, but it’s essential to know what you’re signing up for.”
Expert tips for flying on budget airlines
Traveling on a budget airline can obviously save you money, but, Neugarten says, it requires a little strategy. Here are some expert tips for booking and traveling on affordable airlines:
- Plan ahead. “Booking early is a key tip as budget airlines tend to reward early birds with the cheapest fares, like Frontier’s $19 introductory deals,” Neugarten says.
- Pay attention to the details. “Check how much legroom the flight has,” Keyes advises, especially for longer trips. “A five-hour flight will feel very different with 28 inches of legroom (common in budget airlines) rather than the full-service standard of 31 to 32 inches.” The experts also suggest travelers always calculate add-on fees and compare total costs—not just the ticket price.
- Travel light. Neugarten says you should pack light and stick to a personal item, if possible, to avoid extra charges. “For example, flying on Spirit with just a personal item can save you up to $50 per leg.”
- Be flexible. It’s wise to hope for the best, but prepare for delays and build a buffer in your schedule if you’re traveling on a budget airline. “Be prepared for delays; these airlines operate on tighter schedules, so any hiccup can cause a domino effect,” Neugarten says. Keyes recommends having a backup plan ready in case your original flight gets canceled.
- Understand what you’re agreeing to. Kepnes’s advice is simple: “Lower your expectations!” he says. “You are getting a seat on a plane and nothing more so don’t expect this to be like a major carrier where you get food, entertainment systems and comfy seats.”
- Bring what you need. “Bring your own snacks, water and entertainment,” Neugarten says. “It’s a small thing, but it makes the experience much more comfortable.”
Additional reporting by Laurie Budgar
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Sources:
- Scott Keyes, chief flight expert and founder of Going (formerly Scott’s Cheap Flights) and the Going App
- Jesse Neugarten, CEO of Dollar Flight Club, a travel membership service that finds and delivers flight deals to members.
- Matthew Kepnes, founder of Nomadic Matt and author of How to Travel the World on $50 a Day.
- Southwest Airlines: “Customer Experience Enhancements”
- Southwest Airlines: “I want to understand the boarding process”
- Allegiant Airlines: “Optional Service Fees”
- Avelo Airlines: “Avelo Airlines Soars Into Holiday Travel Season As America’s Most Trusted Airline”
- Avelo Airlines: “What to Expect Flying Avelo”
