Last Updated on October 10, 2026 by Nadia Halfway

📜 Introduction.

Travelling the world doesn’t always have to mean breaking the bank in business class.

Thanks to the rise of low-cost carriers (LCCs), today it’s possible to hop between cities (or even continents) at a fraction of the price you’d pay with traditional airlines. Of course, budget travel comes with trade-offs: less legroom, stricter baggage rules, and sometimes unexpected delays. Nevertheless, for those who plan carefully and book well in advance, low-cost airlines offer a unique opportunity to discover new destinations without spending too much.

Here’s a list of some of the cheapest airlines for travelling the world, so you know which carriers to look out for when booking your next trip across or within continents.

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⛲ Europe, Turkey, Central Asia and Middle East.

When it comes to budget flying, Europe is the undisputed pioneer. Low-cost airlines here have reshaped travel, connecting not only European cities but also destinations in North Africa, the Middle East, and parts of Central Asia.

• Ryanair and Wizz Air. These are the most popular low-cost airlines in Europe. Both carriers fly to hundreds of European destinations, and now also to Morocco, Jordan, Armenia, Georgia, and even the UAE. Fares are famously cheap, but expect strict baggage policies and variable punctuality. Moreover, keep in mind that some routes can be seasonal or discontinued, so always check the live route map before booking.
• Pegasus Airlines. Based in Turkey, Pegasus offers affordable connections across Europe, Central Asia, and North Africa. A solid option if you’re looking to combine Europe with destinations like Kazakhstan or Egypt.
• SalamAir. This Omani carrier is expanding rapidly, linking the Middle East with parts of Africa, India, and Southeast Asia. Most connecting flights have a stopover in Muscat, the capital of Oman giving the perfect occasion to visit this city.

🦓 Africa.

Budget airlines are still developing in Africa, but there are a few reliable players worth knowing. These airlines are invaluable for hopping between African capitals, safari hubs, or coastal getaways without spending a fortune.

• Fastjet. Based in Tanzania, with affordable flights within East and Southern Africa.
• FlySafair. South Africa’s most reliable low-cost airline, serving domestic and regional routes.
• Jambojet. A Kenyan carrier connecting East African destinations at budget-friendly prices.

🍣 Asia.

Asia’s budget airlines have exploded in the last two decades, making it easier than ever to explore this vast continent. Consequently, competition between budget airlines often means you can score incredible deals, but baggage costs can add up.

• VietJet Air. Vietnam’s answer to budget flying, great for hopping around Southeast Asia.
• Scoot. A Singapore-based low-cost carrier with routes across Asia, the Middle East, and even to Europe and Australia.
• AirAsia. The leading low-cost airline in Asia. It operates an extensive network stretching from Malaysia to every corner of the Asian continent (and beyond).
• Cebu Pacific. If you are planning an island-hopping trip, Cebu Pacific offers some of the cheapest flights across the Philippines and Asia. I always check their website to catch their legendary “Piso Fare” promotions during which tickets are sold at rock-bottom prices
• China Southern Airline. China’s largest carrier, offers an extensive network of domestic routes and surprisingly affordable international flights across Asia and beyond. I flew with them for my 1-month trip to China, from Baku to Beijing with a stopover in Urumqui.

🍔 The Americas (North, Central and South).

The U.S. is home to some low-cost carriers, which have also expanded into Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean, and parts of Latin America. These airlines are famous for rock-bottom fares, but also for charging extra for almost everything else (carry-on bags, seat selection, snacks). Still, if you travel light, they can be the cheapest way to crisscross the Americas.

• Frontier Airlines. An ultra-low-cost carrier based in the US, famous for its rock-bottom fares and quirky animal-themed aircraft tails. Great for domestic routes, but be prepared for extra fees on almost everything.
• Flair Airlines. A Canadian airline founded in 2005, with its headquarters and main hub at Edmonton International Airport. It offers low-cost flights within Canada, the United States and Mexico, with very low base fares and additional charges for baggage and seat selection.
• WestJet. It is Canada’s second-largest airline, founded in 1996 and headquartered in Calgary. It began as a low-cost carrier before expanding to offer long-haul international flights to the United States, Mexico, the Caribbean and Europe
• Sun Country Airlines. A smaller U.S. budget airline based in Minneapolis, serving domestic routes and popular holiday destinations in Mexico, Central America, and the Caribbean, often with seasonal deals.

🦘 Australia and New Zealand.

Jetstar Airways is the biggest low-cost player in Oceania. Jetstar connects major Australian cities, New Zealand, and also stretches into Southeast Asia and Japan. This is a great option for budget travellers wanting to mix Oceania with parts of Asia.

🎲 Travel Hacks: Charter Airlines.

While low-cost carriers dominate much of the budget travel scene, there’s another category of airlines that’s worth considering: charter airlines. These carriers typically operate flights that are part of package holidays organised by tour operators who combine flights with hotels, transfers, and sometimes activities. However, in many cases you can also book charter flights separately, and they can be a surprisingly affordable alternative, especially during peak holiday seasons. Here are some of the most notable charter airlines operating today:

• TUI Airways. One of the largest travel and tourism companies in the world, TUI operates from several European hubs (UK, Belgium, Netherlands, Germany, and the Nordic countries), flying mostly to leisure destinations in the Mediterranean, the Caribbean, North Africa, and Southeast Asia.
• Condor. A German leisure airline specialised in holiday routes from Germany to beach and resort destinations worldwide.
• Neos Air. An Italian leisure airline flying out of Milan and other major Italian cities. Neos connects Italy to popular vacation spots such as the Canary Islands, Red Sea resorts, Zanzibar, Thailand, Cuba, and the Maldives.
• Corsair International. A French airline specialised in long-haul leisure routes to Africa, the Caribbean, and the Indian Ocean. It blends a mix of charter and scheduled services.

💡 Travel Tips.

A few things worth knowing before you hit “book” on any of these airlines.

• Book early, but not too early. For most low-cost carriers, the sweet spot for the cheapest fares is usually between 6 weeks and 3 months before departure. Booking a year out rarely saves you money with budget airlines, unlike with long-haul carriers.
• Always calculate the total cost, not just the base fare. Budget airlines are famous for base fares that look incredible right up until you add a carry-on bag, a seat selection, and a bottle of water. Use a metasearch tool such as Skyscanner or Kiwi to compare total prices before deciding.
• Travel with only a personal item if you can. The single biggest cost-cutter on almost any low-cost airline is flying with a small bag that fits under the seat in front of you. Cabin bag fees have climbed steeply across Ryanair, Wizz Air, AirAsia, and most others in recent years.
• Screenshot your boarding pass and check-in confirmation. Most budget airlines charge steep fees at the airport if your boarding pass isn’t already on your phone or printed. Download everything before you leave your accommodation.
• Compare charter options, especially for peak holiday season. In summer, charter airlines sometimes undercut low-cost carriers on beach and resort routes, simply because they fill planes with package-holiday passengers and can afford to price individual seats very competitively.

🗂️ Quick Comparison.

🎈 Conclusion.

Whether you choose a low-cost carrier or a charter airline, both options can make travelling the world far more affordable compared to traditional full-service airlines. Low-cost airlines are ideal for flexible, point-to-point travel across continents at the cheapest base fares, while charter airlines specialise in direct connections to leisure destinations, often bundled with vacation packages.

To make the most of both worlds, it’s worth using third-party platforms that allow you to compare not only scheduled airlines but also charter flights (when available). Check out my post related to the Best Travel Websites for Booking Flights to discover other smart ways to book cheap flight and to get promo codes for exclusive discount.

💬 And you? Do you know any other low-cost Airlines that fly across the globe? Share them in the comments below so we can enlarge this list!

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