A Guide to Budget Airlines Around the World

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. 

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

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

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

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

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

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

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