When you’re searching online for cheap flights, don’t forget to look at the budget airlines. Many low-cost carriers have low fares you can take advantage of for roundtrip flights.
In this article, I’m going to show you some of the cheapest airlines so that you can make an informed decision when it’s time for you to choose a flight.
What You Need To Know About Cheap Airlines
Cheap airlines are not grown on a tree. Affordable airfare is a result of market forces that the carriers have been forced to respond to. Airlines have determined that it’s in their best interest to have cheaper fares along with more expensive ones.
Some of the major airlines know that they can’t compete with low-cost airlines so they have introduced cheaper fares, known as Basic Economy fares. The truth is that these types of fares mimic what you get on a cheap airline.
Are Cheap Airlines Safe?
One argument that many people use is that cheaper airlines have a safety problem, but that has not been substantiated. The latest 2021 data shows that budget airlines are no safer or no less safe than their larger counterparts.
When it comes to fatal crashes, the safest airline over the past 70-plus years is Quantas, which last had a downed plane in 1951.
Now you may have some questions pertaining to which airlines are the cheapest. Here’s a chart based off data from the U.S. Department of Transportation.
What Are The Cheapest Airlines?
| Rank | Airline | Headquarters |
| 1. | Spirit Airlines | Miramar, Florida |
| 2. | Frontier Airlines | Denver, Colorado |
| 3. | Hawaiian Airlines | Honolulu, Hawaii |
| 4. | Allegiant Air | Las Vegas, Nevada |
| 5. | Sun Country Airlines | Minneapolis/St. Paul |
| 6. | Alaska Airlines | Seattle, Washington |
| 7. | JetBlue Airways | Long Island City, New York |
| 8. | American Airlines | Fort Worth, Texas |
| 9. | United Airlines | Chicago, Illinois |
| 10. | Southwest Airlines | Dallas, Texas |
How To Book Cheap Flights
The #1 way to book cheap flights is to compare flights by going to a site that aggregates fares. prices are available. Google Flights or Momondo are two of the best places to start.
Once you find the best prices for airfare, make sure you book on the right day.
Book On The Right Day
Not a lot has been written about this, but Southwest usually drops its fares on Tuesdays, which is when its members get emails advertising cheap flights.
For example, on Tuesdays, Southwest matches prices to compete with low-cost carriers. You can either try to book in the morning or afternoon to get a flight.
Avoid Baggage Fees
With budget airlines, it’s common for the flight to be $20 or $30, but the baggage fee will be $40 one way. That means you could end up paying $80 more for a roundtrip flight.
If you can, try to pack smart so that you can save money on your trip.
Download this free packing list to help you make room for your belongings.
Final Word
Finding a cheap flight is more of an art than a science, but doing your research will typically save you money. Always compare flights on the sites we mention above. And don’t be afraid to use a budget airline, if you find a good fare.
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