Wonders of air travel: breakfast in Warsaw, lunch in London, dinner in New York, luggage in Buenos Aires.
Yanina Ipokhorskaya, Polish artist and journalist
Want to travel around the world, but you stop the prohibitive ticket prices that are often requested by most airlines? Today from the situation “I want to travel, but I can not afford tickets” there is an excellent way out: Low-costers, loukostes, discounters are all the names of budget airlines, where you can buy a ticket at a low price.
Why do low-cost air tickets have such cheap tickets?
We all know the expression “Free cheese is only in a mousetrap”, and when we are told that we can get something much cheaper, a fair question is brewing: what’s the catch? Let’s figure out why budget airlines can reduce ticket prices.
Ticket selling online
Tickets are sold online. This allows you to exclude the cost of maintaining ticket offices.
Lack of certain services
The main principle of the work of loukosterov can be formulated as follows: you pay for the flight, but all additional services – at your discretion and for a fee. Some familiar services, such as, for example, food or entertainment (movies, music, games, etc.) are either not available at all or are provided for a fee.
Comfort of flight
In loukosterov often increase the number of passenger seats. This can make your stay on board an aircraft less comfortable.
The arrangement of passenger seats also has its own nuances: if you, for example, fly not one, but with a family or friends, your seats can be scattered all over the airplane. If you want to sit next to your loved ones, you’ll have to pay extra.
Less staff costs
Personnel working on board a loukoster, as a rule, are multifunctional: the same people can, for example, load luggage and clean the airplane salon.
Lowcosters use new airplanes
As a rule, they rarely need repair, so the loukoster try to operate only new aircraft.
What to remember when buying an air ticket
- Lowcosters seldom depart from this rule: The higher the airfare, the more expensive the tickets will be worth for the passengers. Therefore, try to buy tickets in advance and remember that the earlier, the cheaper.
- Buy a ticket only if you are completely sure that you will fly. Some low cost airlines do not allow to return the ticket.
- If for some reason you want change departure date, do not forget that this often involves additional costs.
- The loukoster has its own baggage policy: collect all the necessary things you will have to carry on your luggage. The salon is usually allowed to take luggage with dimensions up to 55 × 40 × 20 cm and weighing up to 8 kg (this information should be specified, as each company may have its own limitations). If you feel that the dimensions of your baggage is larger, it is better to pay in advance for the transportation of extra baggage on the site.
- If you are offered on the site of a loukoster Additional services, then remember that by paying them on the site, and not on board, you will save a decent amount of money.
Now that we see what budget airlines are like, we want to share with you a list of low-cost airlines, with which you can buy a ticket at a low price.
Lowcosters that fly from Russia
GERMANWINGS
The German budget airline, based in Cologne / Bonn airport, is a subsidiary of Lufthansa.
The company’s airplanes fly practically throughout Europe.
Cities of Russia, from which flies Germanwings
- Moscow;
- St. Petersburg;
- Nizhny Novgorod;
- Samara.
Rates
Germanwings has three tariff plans: Basic, Smart and Best.
More about them here.
Luggage and carry-on luggage
Each passenger has the right to free transportation in the cabin of one place of hand luggage weighing not more than 8 kg and dimensions not exceeding 55 × 40 × 20 cm.
For transportation of luggage the same tariffs apply: Basic, Smart and Best.
AIRBERLIN
The German airline, a member of the international alliance Oneworld. Although Airberlin is formally considered a traditional airline, thanks to the low prices for tickets, it can be considered a low-cost airline.
Cities of Russia, of which Airberlin flies
- Moscow;
- St. Petersburg;
- Kaliningrad;
- Volgograd;
- Ekaterinburg;
- Irkutsk;
- Kazan;
- Novokuznetsk;
- Yakutsk;
- Chelyabinsk;
- Ufa;
- Tomsk;
- Sochi;
- Rostov-on-Don;
- Krasnodar;
- Permian;
- Novosibirsk;
- Samara.
There are also Russian flights, which the company is carrying out jointly with S7.
Rates
Airberlin has three main tariff plans of economy class – FlyDeal, FlyClassic and FlyFlex, – which are most in demand.
In addition, Airberlin has a JustFly tariff and business-class fares (FlyDeal Business, FlyClassic Business, FlyFlex Business). More details about the tariffs can be found here.
Luggage and carry-on luggage
The maximum weight of hand luggage is 8 kg (with a laptop – 10 kg), its dimensions should not exceed 55 × 40 × 20 cm.
The freight charge varies depending on the fare you choose. Also there are additional services, special conditions for sports luggage, trucking and transportation of animals. More about this in the section “Baggage”.
AIRBALTIC
The Latvian national airline. Performs both freight and passenger air transportation. The main airport is in Riga.
The directions of AirBaltic flights are available here.
Cities of Russia, of which AirBaltic flies
- Moscow;
- St. Petersburg;
- Kaliningrad;
- Krasnodar;
- Khanty-Mansiysk;
- Khabarovsk;
- Kazan;
- Irkutsk;
- Chelyabinsk;
- Blagoveshchensk;
- Arkhangelsk;
- Anapa;
- Ekaterinburg;
- Yakutsk;
- Vladivostok;
- Tyumen;
- Sochi;
- Tomsk;
- Krasnoyarsk;
- Magadan;
- Murmansk;
- Magnitogorsk;
- Novosibirsk;
- Omsk;
- Permian;
- New Urengoy;
- Nizhnevartovsk;
- Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky.
Baggage
When buying a ticket, you need to pay attention to the weight of the baggage: if it is more than acceptable, it will have to be paid additionally. Pay luggage, the weight of which is higher than normal, is best when buying an online ticket, because it will cost you much cheaper.
Rates
If you want to buy tickets at the lowest price and you do not care about the departure date, the low price calendar will help.
You can pay for the flight, but you can immediately worry about your haven during the rest and order a flight immediately + hotel. You can do it here.
AirBaltic has a representative office and a reservation center in Moscow.
NORWEGIAN AIR SHUTTLE
The Norwegian budget airline, one of the largest low-cost airlines. Norwegian’s route network includes 331 routes in 120 directions in Europe, North Africa and the Middle East.
Cities of Russia, of which Norwegian Air Shuttle flies
- St. Petersburg.
Just like in AirBaltic, Norwegian Air Shuttle has the option of a flight, and there is a possibility to book a flight + hotel.
Rates
Tariffs are available here. As in most low cost airlines, in Norwegian you can choose tickets according to your preferences, needs and finances – from cheap to very cheap.
VUELING
The second largest airline in Spain, one of the largest budget airlines. Vueling serves destinations in Europe and the western Mediterranean.
Cities of Russia, of which Vueling flies
- Moscow;
- St. Petersburg;
- Kazan;
- Kaliningrad.
Luggage and carry-on luggage
Each passenger is entitled to carry one piece of hand luggage, which must not exceed 10 kg in weight and 55 × 40 × 20 cm in size. Hand luggage that does not correspond to one of these parameters is possible for an additional fee.
The cost of the Vueling flight ticket does not include payment for checked baggage. Any baggage that can not be considered a hand luggage must be registered and additionally paid.
Rates
Calculate the cost of your flight will help you with a calendar with prices.
WIZZ AIR
Hungarian-Polish budget airline. You can find the map of routes and destinations of Wizz Air here.
Cities of Russia, of which Wizz Air flies
- Moscow.
Currently, the possibility of launching new flights is being considered.
Luggage and carry-on luggage
Like other low-costers, Wizz Air puts strict restrictions on hand luggage. Only hand luggage with a size not exceeding 42 × 32 × 25 cm is free, hand luggage of up to 56 × 45 × 25 cm is possible for an extra charge. For more information, see “Baggage”.
EASYJET
British budget airline. Performs domestic and international flights in more than 30 countries.
Cities of Russia, of which EasyJet flies
- Moscow.
If you have not decided yet on the destination of your trip, the “Travel Ideas” section will help you.
Tariffs and luggage
Tariffs can be found here, but with information about luggage and hand luggage in the section “Baggage Allowance.”
FLYDUBAI
The airline is from the United Arab Emirates, based at Dubai International Airport.
In Flydubai there are tariffs for both economy class and business class. Do not forget to read the rules of carrying baggage.
Cities of Russia, of which Flydubai flies
- Samara;
- Ufa;
- Kazan;
- Ekaterinburg;
- Rostov-on-Don;
- Volgograd;
- Moscow;
- Mineral water;
- Krasnodar.
AIR ARABIA
Loucoster, who works in the market of passenger transportation from the United Arab Emirates to the countries of the Middle East, South-East Asia and the CIS.
Cities of Russia, of which Air Arabia flies
- Kazan;
- Ekaterinburg;
- Moscow;
- Rostov;
- Ufa.
Full map of routes Air Arabia.
Baggage
Information on luggage and hand luggage can be found on the official website.
PEGASUS AIRLINES
Turkish budget airline. It carries out regular and charter passenger air services throughout Europe and Turkey.
Cities of Russia, from which flies Pegasus Airlines
- Moscow;
- Mineral water;
- Omsk;
- Sochi;
- Permian;
- Krasnoyarsk;
- Krasnodar.
Rates
In this airline operates a system of tariff packages, which allows you to choose the suitable flight conditions for you.
Other low-costers with which you can travel around the world
- Ryanair
Irish low-coster, the largest low-cost airline in Europe. Ryanair serves over 1,600 destinations between 180 airports in 28 European countries and Morocco. - Blu-express
Italian budget airline. Destinations: France, Greece, Italy, Turkey. - Iceland Express
Low cost airlines from Iceland. International flights: Alicante, Basel, Berlin, Billund, Gothenburg, Copenhagen, London, Oslo, Paris, Stockholm, Frankfurt am Main, Friedrichshafen, Eindhoven. - Thomson Airways
Budget airlines between Great Britain and Europe. - Cebu Pacific
Philippine low cost airline. Cebu Pacific serves 34 domestic and 22 international destinations in 14 countries. - Condor
The German budget airline operates flights to the Mediterranean, Asia, Africa, North America and the Caribbean islands. - Interjet
Mexican airline. It operates flights to 43 airports in Mexico, Cuba, Guatemala, Costa Rica and the USA on 56 routes. - Gol
Budget airline of Brazil with headquarters in the city of São Paulo, carrying out regular and charter passenger air transportation on the airports of the country and beyond. - Mango
South African budget airline. Route network: Johannesburg – Cape Town; Cape Town – Durban; Johannesburg – Durban; Cape Town – Bloemfontein; Johannesburg – Bloemfontein. -
Atlasjet
Turkish airline, based in Istanbul. It produces regular and charter passenger air services both to European countries, Kazakhstan, Iraq and Iran, and within Turkey. - Smart wings
The brand of the Czech airline Travel Service. It conducts regular flights to Europe and the Middle East, is the most famous among Czech budget airlines. -
Sun Country Airlines
Budget airline USA, operating in the field of regular and charter passenger transportation in the USA, Mexico, Costa Rica, Great Britain and the Caribbean islands. -
Flybe
British budget airline. It is the largest independent regional airline in Europe, which operates 150 routes to 55 airports. -
Transavia.com
Dutch budget airline. It has five main hubs in the Netherlands. These are the airports of Amsterdam, Rotterdam, Groningen, Maastricht and Eindhoven, from where the carrier performs regular and seasonal flights to the cities of Austria, Bulgaria, Greece, Egypt, Italy, Spain, Morocco, Portugal, Finland, France. -
Iberia Express
A budgetary airline belonging to the international airline holding International Airlines Group (IAG). Route network: Dublin, Copenhagen, Dusseldorf, Berlin, Frankfurt. - Nok Air
Budget carrier of Thailand, carrying out regular and charter flights inside and outside the country. With direct flights of the airline can be found here. - Air India Express
Indian budget airline with headquarters in Mumbai, operating in the market of passenger traffic from the airports of India to the countries of the Middle East and South-East Asia. - AirAsia X
The Malaysian budget airline, operating in medium and long-haul passenger traffic. You can learn about flight directions here. - Jin Air
Low cost airline in South Korea operating flights inside Korea and neighboring countries.
Search for cheap flights
With the help of the offered search engines you can find a suitable flight for you at a low price:
- LowCostAirlines
- WHICHBUDGET
- WhichAirline
Summarizing
All of us, of course, want to save on tickets and save as much money as possible for the long-awaited journey.
Low-costers are an ideal option for those who are ready to sacrifice a certain amount of comfort and additional services.
Remember that tickets must be ordered as soon as possible – in this case they will cost you less. Do not forget to specify information about additional services, baggage allowance, allowable hand luggage sizes and, most importantly, tariffs.
Did you use the services of low cost airlines? Share your experience in the comments.
