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Low cost flights with easyJet, Ryanair and more...
Whether you're looking for cheap city breaks, bargain beach holidays and savings on European tours - the low-cost airline is the cost-conscious traveller's best friend. Hundreds of cheap flights leave UK airports every day headed for destinations in Europe and beyond. With the promise of affordable sun, snow and sightseeing who cares that you don't get a complimentary meal? Here is our at-a-glance guide to the most popular low-cost airlines.
 Sample food price |  How much totake a bag? |  Sports equipment |  Do I pay tocheck in? |  Do I get an allocated seat? |  Do I pay to pay? | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 | £4 any sandwich | £varies by flight Up to 20kg | £27/item Max 32kg (inc. all baggage) | No | Yes From £3 to pre-book a standard seat | £9 pppf admin fee Applies to all bookings except Flexi fares |
 | ||||||
 | From £3.55 for a sandwich | From £15 for Up to 15kg | £50/item Max 20kg | £6 online check-in | No £10 to pre-book a standard seat | £6 pppf |
| | ||||||
 | From £7.99 for a full meal | £11.99 to £18.99/bag Up to 20kg | £19.99/item Max 13kg | No | Yes £4.99 - £5.99 to pre-book a standard seat | Debit cards and PayPal FREE! |
| | ||||||
 | £4.30 for a sandwich or toastie | £12 - £18/bag Up to 20kg | £25/item Max 15kg | No | Yes £5 to pre-book a standard seat | £6 pppf admin fee Visa Electron free |
| | ||||||
 | From £3.95 for a sandwich | From £13.99/small bag (max 15kg) From £14.99/standard bag (max 20kg) | £30/item | No | Yes £6.50 to pre-book a standard seat | Debit cards FREE! |
| | ||||||
 | £3.90 for sandwiches and salads | From £12.50/bag Max 20kg | From £15/golf clubs (round trip) | No | Yes From £6 to pre-book a standard seat | Debit cards FREE! |
| | ||||||
 | From £5.99 to pre-order a 3-course in-flight meal | £varies From £7.99/bag Up to 22kg | £25/item Max 20kg | Free online check-in w/no bags | Yes From £3.99 to pre-book a standard seat | Debit cards FREE! |
| | ||||||
T&Cs - our prices are based on prices you get when you book online. You may have to pay more if you book on the phone or at the airport. Unless otherwise stated costs are per one way flight.
pppf=per person per flight
Always check with the airline for the latest fees
easyJet
easyJet's bright orange Airbus A319s and Boeing 737s offer cheap flights across Europe and North Africa. They travel to 104 airports as far north as Helsinki, south-west to the Canaries and south-east to Egypt. easyJet also offer a wide range of travel services such as car rental, hotels, transfers and parking. Oh and take a baby under two, if they sit on your lap they're free!
easyJet flights are no-frills, but the extras are on offer at a price, here is our guide to the ones to grab and the ones to pass on:
Baggage The cost of checking in luggage (up to 20kg) varies depending on the length of your flight, but generally works out at between £12 - £18 per bag. Save money on a short trip by only taking hand luggage (maximum dimension 56 x 45 x 25cm), you will feel smug as fellow travellers lug big bags up the escalators and it will save you queuing to check your bag in.
Check-in Both online and airport check in are free with easyJet, but online check in avoids the queues. The check-in desk closes 40mins before departure, but easyJet recommend checking in two hours ahead. Online check-in is available up to two hours before departure.
Seats and Speedy Boarding easyJet don't pre-reserve seats but you can be one of the first onboard with a Speedy Boarding Pass which you purchase when you book the flight (prices vary depending on route), or you can upgrade to Speedy Boarding Plus which also offers a dedicated check-in area. Save money: disabled people and those travelling with infants don't need a Speedy Boarding Pass - you will be let on first anyway. If you don't get Speedy Boarding don't panic - everyone gets a seat! Aim for the seats by the fire exits to get extra leg room.
Food and drink Snacks and drinks are not included in the price of your flight and can be very expensive. Save cash by having a big meal before your flight or bringing your own snacks.
UK airports offering easyJet flights are: Aberdeen, Belfast, Birmingham, Bournemouth, Bristol, Edinburgh, Gatwick, Glasgow, Inverness, Leeds Bradford, Liverpool, Luton, Manchester, Newcastle and Stansted. Flights from London Southend start in April 2012.
Compare 1,000s of other cheap flights with our search
Ryanair
Ryanair is Europe's most punctual airline, according to the UK Civil Aviation Authority and they certainly like to crow about it. The blue and gold Boeing 737-800s fly 777 routes across Europe so even a seasoned traveller will find somewhere new to explore. Like easyJet, Ryanair offer a wide range of travel extras including travel finance.
Ryanair charge for extra services, here are the most important ones:
Check-in Ryanair no longer offer airport check in, yet they still charge you £6 per person, per flight to check yourself in online (This fee is waived on some promotional fares). You can drop bags off between two hours and 40 minutes before your flight. If you're only taking carry on luggage just arrive at the gate 30 minutes before departure (at the latest).
Baggage Ryanair charges for checking in a bag, but it's cheaper to pay online than over the phone or in person so plan ahead. You can check in up to three bags with a combined weight of 15kgs. Alternatively pack light and just take cabin luggage, it's great because you don't have to turn up early to check it in and you save the fee. Cabin bags are limited to one per person (excluding infants) and can weigh up to 10kg and measure up to 55cm x 40cm x 20cm.
Children Children aged two and older pay a normal adult fare and infants (0-23 months) pay £20 each way.
Priority boarding Ryanair flights offer Priority Boarding which lets you get on the plane first to get first pick of seats. Again this service is slightly cheaper (£5 vs. £6) when you book online. Ryanair recommend that families get speedy boarding because only those with infants will be let on the plane first.
Food and drink It can be pricey so eat a big meal beforehand!
UK airports offering Ryanair flights: Aberdeen, Birmingham, Bournemouth, Bristol, Derry, Doncaster, East Midlands, Edinburgh, Gatwick, Glasgow, Humberside, Leeds Bradford, Liverpool, Luton, Manchester, Newcastle, Stansted.
Compare 1,000s of other cheap flights with our search
Flybe
Flybe is a low-cost airline with a few perks like allocated seats to make life easier. You will still need to keep a bit of change in your pocket for those extras. It offers 180 routes between 65 airports in the UK and Europe. In fact Flybe is the largest regionally based airline in Europe!
Baggage Cabin luggage cannot measure more than 50cm x 35cm x 23cm and must weigh under 10kg. In Economy Plus you can also take a laptop. There is a charge for luggage put in the hold and an extra charge for anything over the maximum weight. Economy passengers can pre-book checked in bags starting at £11.99 for a small bag weighing up to 15kg, up to £42.99 for two bags with a combined weight of up to 40ks. Economy Plus passengers can take up to 40kgs free of charge.
Check-in If you're flying domestically the check-in desk closes 30 minutes before the scheduled departure time, or 20 minutes if you don't have luggage to check in. International passengers need to check in earlier because the counter closes 60 minutes before the flight if you have luggage and 45 minutes if you don't.
Choosing a seat You can book seats online or over the phone, but there is a charge for pre-booking. If you don't pre-book seat numbers are given at check in.
Food and drink Food and drink is available but you need to buy it.
UK airports offering Flybe flights: Aberdeen, Barra, Belfast, Benbecula, Birmingham, Bristol, Cambeltown, Cardiff, Derry, Doncaster, Dundee, Durham Tee, East Midlands, Edinburgh, Exeter, Gatwick, Glasgow, Guernsey, Humberside, Inverness, Islay, Isle of Man, Jersey, Kirkwall, Leeds Bradford, Liverpool, Luton, Manchester, Manston Kent, Newcastle, Newquay, Norwich, Southampton, Southend, Stornoway, Sumburgh, Tiree, Wick.