The golden age of European travel is upon us.​ Flying across the continent for less than £20 or €30 is now entirely possible – thanks to a vibrant array of airline services and budget-friendly routes.​ But how did such affordable flights become a reality? And why has Europe become so accessible? As it turns out, there is a complex history explaining the emergence of ultra-low-cost air service – and we’re here to unpack it.​

To begin with, the rise of budget airlines revolutionized transportation in Europe.​ Low-cost operators like Ryanair and EasyJet focused on short flights and using secondary airports, offering drastically cheaper fares than their full-service counterparts.​ By unbundling extras such as checked luggage and in-flight meals, they substantially cut the cost of tickets – making it easier and much cheaper for passengers to reach their destinations.​

But the low-cost revolution was just the tip of the iceberg.​ In the past decade, countless EU regulations have made flights within the continent much more accessible.​ Europe’s Open Skies Agreement allowed for unrestricted flight operations between EU countries, while the EU261 law enabled passengers to claim flight compensation in case of any delays or cancellations.​ Such policies helped make air travel safer, more accessible, and more affordable.​

The growth of online ticketing services has also helped spread awareness about low-cost air routes.​ Travel websites such as Skyscanner allow passengers to compare ticket fares and book flights.​ Plus, discount sites such as VoucherDigg offer customers further discounts, helping them save even more money on their trips.​ In other words, the proliferation of digital tools has revolutionized the way people perceive and plan their travel journeys.​

Meanwhile, the travel industry’s recovery from the recession of 2008 has made it more attractive for budget airlines to take off.​ Airlines have been able to reduce their prices due to the falling cost of fuel and the introduction of newer aircraft.​ In addition, air companies have to pay less in taxes because of favorable tax policy in certain countries.​ Consequently, many customers have been able to make use of the new options and fly across Europe at incredibly low prices.​

Finally, cheap flights have also become a reality because of the availability of secondary airports.​ Using airports that are located away from large cities helps airlines reduce their costs – as they don’t have to pay exorbitant fees at the main airline hubs.​ By flying through secondary airports, passengers can often find drastically lower fares – allowing them to make trips that would have previously seemed impossible.​

The Increasing Popularity of Slashed Fares

By slashing fares, budget airlines have been able to make air travel accessible to masses of people who did not have access before.​ In Europe, single airports serve multiple countries and regions – which makes is much easier for passengers to move to and from different nations in a short time.​ The availability of budget airlines has especially encouraged more travelers from economically disadvantaged countries to travel overseas – something that many couldn’t have dreamed of in the past.​

Furthermore, flying to and from EU countries within the continent has become more straightforward due to the existence of affordable airlines.​ This has especially encouraged younger generations to explore the world beyond their borders, since youth travel has become much cheaper, substance, and much more accessible than ever before.​ Its no wonder that half of all budget airline passengers comprise of people between 15 and 35 years of age.​

Additionally, airlines have done away with the standard flight routes, aiming to provide more possibilities for exploration and discovery.​ Want to explore Vienna on a budget? Websites like Ryanair can help you get there in next to no time.​ Planning a trip to explore Serbia’s culture?


Low-cost carriers can help you get there.​ In other words, air travelers are now much more empowered than ever before – and they have budget airlines to thank for it.​

Nevertheless, budget airlines don’t just benefit travelers.​ They are also a great source of income for the local communities at the served airports.​ When tourists arrive, it brings in more money, which is then spent on local services such as bus lines, hotels, restaurants, and more.​ Increased tourism and the availability of cheaper flights has made secondary airports – like London Luton or Paris’ Beauvais Airport – much more lucrative than they were in the past.​

The Downsides of Budget Airlines

Unfortunately, flying with budget carriers also has some negative implications.​ For starters, rooms tend to be cramped and uncomfortable.​ Overhead bins are full – given that checked bags usually cost extra – meaning passengers are often asked to pay for extra legroom.​ Additionally, long check-in lines are typical for most budget airlines, as they try to push customers to other services – such as seat selection and fast-track security – for a few extra pounds.​

From a environmental point of view, flying isn’t beneficial either.​ Burning of fuel in the air sent out alarming levels of pollution into the atmosphere – thus making airplane travel one of the most polluting modes of transportation in the digital age.​ A single flight with a budget airline alone produces tens of thousands of tonnes of CO2 – something that is increasingly difficult to ignore.​

Finally, budget airlines also put stress on Air Traffic Control (ATC).​ With higher flight volume, comes more pressure to helicopters to their destinations.​ This often results in delays and other complications, meaning that customers may not always get what they pay for.​ To address this, the aviation industry has adopted digital tools such as data exchange and predictive analytics to lower congestion in the skies – and so far, it has been successful in the majority of cases.​

The Impact of Discount Airfares on the Industry

The presence of budget airlines has revolutionized the industry as we know it today.​ Apart from making air travel cheaper and easier for the public, budgeting has also presented airlines with new opportunities for revenue.​ Many budget operators have been able to leverage their business model to generate a higher profit margin – even when compared to full-service carriers.​

Plus, the increase in demand for low-cost airlines has woken traditional carriers like British Airways up to the realities of the 21st century.​ To stay competitive, they’ve also started offering fares thatare close to those of their budget cousins.​ As a result, domestic air travel is expected to reach its 40-year high in 2021 – making Europeans the biggest air travelers in the entire world.​

Nevertheless, the market for budget airlines is becoming increasingly unpredictable.​ Constant changes in regulations and the emergengence of new technologies mean that they often have to restrategize and adjust their prices to stay ahead.​ Nevertheless, the availability of low fares looks set to continue well into the future.​ If the industry can keep up with the changes, budget airlines can help airlines take off bigger than era.​

FAQ about Low-Cost Air Travel

What advantages do budget airlines have over traditional carriers?

Budget airlines have an edge over large carriers due to their lower costs.​ They tend to offer much lower airfares, due to their use of secondary airports and the lack of charges on checked bags.​ They also enable customers to save on in-flight meals.​

Why are flights from Europe so cheap?

Europe’s Open Skies Agreement enabled unrestricted flight operations between EU countries.​ This, in combination with the growth of online ticketing services and the emergence of newer aircraft, helped make air travel safer and much more affordable than ever before.​

Are budget airlines safe?

Yes, budget airlines are subject to the same safety regulations as traditional carriers.​ Despite their lower costs, budget carriers must meet the same stringent safety standards as full-service airlines and receive regular safety audits.​

Do budget airlines offer in-flight meals?

No, most budget airlines do not offer in-flight meals as it is considered an ‘unbundled service’.​ Passengers are typically able to purchase meals and drinks on-board, however, these generally cost more than what you would find on a traditional carrier.​