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If you're a student or budget traveler, you'll no doubt end up taking your fair share of budget airlines. One of the best ways to find cheap flights is through your country's low-cost airlines. Usually, a simple search on Skyscanner or Adioso will bring up the cheapest flights to your destination, and these sites are especially helpful because you can browse by country instead of the city, and spread your proposed travel dates over a month, finding the cheapest days to fly.
Another great site for finding affordable airfare is Secret Flying. This website shares the cheapest deals from your region of the world, and updates multiple times a day. Keep your eye on Secret Flying, and have open travel dates.
Are There Any Alternatives?
Sometimes, no matter where you look, you just can't find the flight you want for the price you need. In this situation, start looking at budget airlines that may not be included in airfare aggregators like Skyscanner.
Refer to the following list to find cheap flights and see low-cost airline options for either your destination or arrival city.
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Africa
Below you can find our top recommendations for budget airlines in Africa, a place where travel is surprisingly expensive.
Algeria
- Air Algerie
Angola
- TAAG
Botswana
- Air Botswana
Egypt
- Air Arabia Egypt
Ghana
- Antrak Air
Kenya
- Fly 540
Libya
- Libyan Airlines
Malawi
- Malawian Airlines
Morocco
- Royal Air Maroc
Mozambique
- LAM Mozambique
Namibia
- Air Namibia
South Africa
- Mango
- Kulula
Tanzania
- Fastjet
Tunisia
- NouvelAir
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Asia
Here are all the low-cost airlines in Asia (Air Asia is our absolute favorite).
Burma
- Golden Myanmar Airlines
China
- Spring Airlines
Hong Kong
- Hong Kong Express
India
- GoAir
- IndiGo
- SpiceJet
- Jet Konnect
- Air India Express
- AirAsia India
Indonesia
- Lion Air
- Citilink
- Indonesia AirAsia
- Tigerair Mandala
Japan
- Air Do
- Jetstar Japan
- Peach
- Skymark Airlines
- Solaseed Air
- StarFlyer
- Vanilla Air
Republic of Korea
- AirAsia Korea
- Eastar Jet
- Jeju Air
- Jin Air
Laos
- Lao Airlines
Malaysia
- AirAsia
- Firefly
- Malindo Air
Philippines
- AirAsia Zest
- Cebu Pacific
- PAL Express
- Tigerair Philippines
Singapore
- Jetstar Asia Airways
- Tigerair
- Scoot
Sri Lanka
- Mihin Lanka
Thailand
- Thai AirAsia
- Thai Lion Air
- Nok Air
- Orient Thai Airlines
- City Airways
- Solar Air
Vietnam
- VietJet Air
Pakistan
- Pakistan International Airlines
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Europe
There is no shortage of budget airlines in Europe, with practically every country having one. In most cases, flying in Europe is cheaper than taking the bus or train. Here's a comprehensive list of low-cost carriers in the region:
Czech Republic
- SmartWings
France
- Transavia.com France
Germany
- Germanwings
Hungary
- Wizz Air
Ireland
- Ryanair
Italy
- Air One
- Blue Panorama Airlines
Norway
- Norwegian Air Shuttle
Romania
- Blue Air
Spain
- Volotea
- Vueling
United Kingdom
- easyJet
- Flybe
- Jet2.com
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Middle East
Here are all the top budget airlines in the Middle East:
Kuwait
- Jazeera Airways
Saudi Arabia
- Nas Air
Turkey
- Pegasus Airlines
- SunExpress
United Arab Emirates
- Air Arabia
- flydubai
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North America
Now, a list of all the budget airlines in North America. There are plenty of ways to find affordable airfare in North America, but it's rarely as inexpensive as you'll find in Europe.
Canada
- Air Transat
- Sunwing
- WestJet
Mexico
- Interjet
- VivaAerobus
- Volaris
United States
- AirTran Airways
- Allegiant Air
- Frontier Airlines
- JetBlue
- Southwest Airlines
- Spirit Airlines
- Sun Country Airlines
- Virgin America
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Oceania
Oceania has a few budget airlines located in Australia and New Zealand, but if you're looking to travel to the South Pacific, you can expect to spend an awful lot on airfare.
Australia
- Jetstar Airways
- Rex
- Tigerair Australia
- Virgin Blue
New Zealand
- Air2There
- Air New Zealand
Central America and the Caribbean
Here are the budget airlines in Central America and the Caribbean.
Antigua & Barbuda
- Liat Airlines
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South America
South America can be tough to get around, so if you're planning on a big trip through the continent, you'll probably find yourself flying between destinations a few times. Here are all the low-cost carriers operating in South America.
Bolivia
- Amaszonas
- Ocean Air
- Voe Gol
Brazil
- Azul Brazilian Airlines
- Gol Transportes Aéreos
Chile
- PAL Airlines
- Sky Airline
Colombia
- EasyFly
- VivaColombia
Ecuador
- TAME
Paraguay
- TAM Linha Aereas
Peru
- Peruvian Airlines
- Star Perú