A no-frills airline is often referred to as a low-cost carrier (or LCC) and is an airline that provides basic travel whilst ensuring cost efficiency. The budget-friendly flights offered by these airlines remain possible as operational expenses are kept to an absolute minimum.
A low-cost carrier will typically provide no extras such as complimentary refreshments and meals, in-flight entertainment or the option to select your seat. These services are generally available but customers will usually need to pay extra for them. Think of it as a pick-and-mix approach to flying!
Some (but not all) no-frills airlines will save further costs by flying to secondary airports to reduce landing fees.
Low-cost carriers are a great way to keep expenses down, particularly when it comes to flights with the family; after all the kids won’t mind skipping those seatback Friends re-runs or missing out on a packet of smoked almonds!
The emergence of the no-frills airline has reshaped the way many of us approach travelling. It affords far more autonomy when it comes to how much we want to spend on getting from A to B, leaving more cash in the pot to spend on enjoying the actual holiday.
We take a look at the best no-frills, low-cost carriers that are flying high whilst keeping costs low.
Spirit Airlines
Spirit Airlines
We’re kicking off with Spirit Airlines as it’s without question the most stripped-down, no-frills flying experience in the US and as a result has managed to keep costs to an absolute minimum.
Spirit Airlines was founded as a charter service in the early 1980s. In 2007, it became an ultra-low-cost carrier and is now renowned for its super-low prices. Flights with Spirit Airlines head to 52 destinations across the US, Caribbean, Central America and South America, with some of its hub airports in Las Vegas, Dallas, Chicago and Detroit.
In addition to removing excess costs, such as in-flight entertainment and free beverages, Spirit was also the first airline to charge for carry-on bags in 2010 and now uses what they call their Bare Fare to keep base prices as low as possible.
Whilst customers can opt to pay for additional carry-on baggage, a small backpack or purse is permitted free of charge. Travelers can then make further savings by traveling light as checked baggage is charged by weight.
jetBlue
At the other end of the spectrum to Spirit is jetBlue, which is a little more middle ground when it comes to the low-cost carrier label and is instead more of a hybrid between a budget carrier and a full-service airline.
Snacks and non-alcoholic beverages as well as seatback entertainment and WiFi are included in the cost and it also offers more legroom than some economy carriers. Think some frills rather than no frills!
As jetBlue does provide some creature comforts, just be aware that you won’t necessarily make quite as big a saving as you would flying with one with the ultra-low-cost carriers.
In addition to a large number of domestic flights. jetBlue has a growing network of international flights including Argentina, Peru, and Brazil.
Breeze Airways
Breeze is a newcomer to the no-frills flight market and is the latest brainchild of David Neeleman, the founder of the aforementioned JetBlue Airways.
The airline focuses on connecting smaller cities and regions, often overlooked by the larger airlines. This approach reduces the need for interconnecting flights by providing direct services to the smaller hubs. This not only makes things much cheaper but is a quicker and far more efficient way for passengers to travel to previously less-connected secondary cities.
When it comes to luggage, you’ll be able to bring a small bag or personal item onboard with you, but you’ll need to pay for anything more than that. The bag fees are pretty straightforward and charges are the same price whether you check your bag or plan to carry it on.
There is no in-flight entertainment, but WiFi is available to purchase on selected flights. Seat selection and additional legroom are also available at a cost.
The airline is currently primarily focused on secondary airports in the East Coast and Eastern cities, although has recently started to expand its network even further across the US.
Southwest Airlines
If you’re reluctant to travel light, then Southwest Airlines is the way to go. Two checked bags plus a carry-on bag and personal item are permitted at no extra cost which is a rarity when it comes to budget flights.
Southwest is also a great choice for families as there is no charge for seat selection. The boarding order is determined by check-in time with no pre-assigned seating. So as long as you get there early enough, you won’t have to pay to sit together as a family.
Southwest doesn’t offer seatback entertainment, but travellers can stream free movies, live TV, and music to their own devices. Snacks and non-alcoholic beverages are also provided free of charge.
Southwest has over 100 domestic travel options, flying to a huge number of major cities across the US. The airline also offers international flights to Belize, Cancun and Aruba as well as many other locations across Mexico, Central America and the Caribbean.
Avelo
Like most budget airlines, Avelo charges additional fees for just about every add-on. However, prices are far more reasonable than many other airlines. Additional legroom, for example, can be purchased for as low as $6.
The primary focus of Avelo is on providing direct flights to smaller regional or secondary airports close to vacation spots. This not only keeps costs down but also means you won’t be flying for longer than a couple of hours, so the smaller seats and tiny tray tables will remain bearable!
The airline started with a relatively small list of destinations but has since expanded. Despite relying on secondary airports, plenty of popular holiday destinations across the East and West Coast are available. For those looking for a spot of summer sun, there are a particularly high number of flights across both California and Florida.
Frontier Airlines
Frontier is another ultra-low-cost carrier and as a result, charges for most services such as checked and carry-on bags, seat selection and airport check-in. You can take one small carry-on item, but it must fit under the seat in front of you.
The charges for the added extras are a little higher than some other airlines but if you don’t mind where you sit and are willing to travel light, you’re guaranteed some pretty decent savings.
Frontier flies to over 100 destinations throughout the United States and also offers 31 international destinations. Flights include Turks & Caicos, The Bahamas and Belize.
Sun Country Airlines
Sun Country Airlines launched in the 1980s and is based in Minneapolis. After facing some financial struggles, the airline stripped back its services, did away with first class and now operates as a highly successful low-cost carrier.
In true no-frills style, the base fare covers very little – one small personal item to stow under the seat in front of you and nothing else.
There is the option to go a la carte and pick certain upgrades or buy a bundle of add-ons. The latter is perhaps best avoided if your aim is to keep costs down as buying a bundle can sometimes almost double the cost of your flight.
If you do choose to pay for a couple of add-ons individually, seat selection or additional baggage charges come in a little cheaper than other budget airlines.
When it comes to destinations, the airline offers plenty of domestic flights as well as international flights to Mexico, Central America, the Caribbean, and Canada.
The concept of no-frills flying is generally a simple one. The more basic your flight, the less you’ll pay!
If it’s a short-haul flight, then low-cost airlines are a bit of a no-brainer, particularly if you’re only away for a mini-break or short business trip. Hop on with minimal luggage, pass on the in-flight meal and read a book for a couple of hours – done!
If you need to save some money on travel but do require a couple of ‘frills’ then decide what’s important and then compare prices across the different providers.
Don’t forget that some airlines offer different pricing systems and structures, particularly when it comes to your baggage. Some airlines, for example, may charge less if you check your baggage online as opposed to at the airline desk, so you’ll need to do your research to ensure optimum savings.
Finally, remember to view a flight as simply a way of getting you from A to B – not as part of your holiday, it’s this mindset that will make it easier to cut out the added extras. Once you’ve landed you can put all that money you’ve saved to good use and the fun can really begin!
