Cheapest International Airline Options for Travel in 2025
Top Budget Airlines for International Travel in 2025
In 2025, budget airlines continue to revolutionise international travel, offering affordable fares and expanded route networks. Here's a roundup of some of the top budget airlines and their key offerings.
Wizz Air Based in Europe, Wizz Air is a disruptor in the industry, renowned for its competitive fares on many European and growing long-haul international routes.
Flynas Flynas serves as a budget connector hub in the Middle East, offering low fares and expanding routes.
Eurowings Discover Eurowings Discover caters to leisure travellers with affordable international routes out of Germany, boasting the reliability of a legacy airline.
LEVEL LEVEL operates as Barcelona's low-cost gateway to the Americas, offering fares typically between $150-350.
Jetstar Jetstar pioneered low-cost long-haul within Australia and Asia markets and now extends its routes on these continents.
ZIPAIR Tokyo ZIPAIR Tokyo is a tech-forward Japanese airline focusing on connections between Japan, Asia, and the US at competitive prices.
French Bee French Bee provides budget transoceanic flights connecting Paris with the US and Indian Ocean destinations.
Norse Atlantic Norse Atlantic focuses on transatlantic budget travel from Oslo and New York JFK with competitive pricing and a comfort focus.
AirAsia X AirAsia X dominates Asia-Pacific long-haul budget flights at attractive prices with many routes from Kuala Lumpur.
Scoot Scoot stands out as the best all-rounder for long-haul budget travel from Singapore with wide coverage and fares often in the $100-300 range.
Allegiant Air Allegiant Air, named the Best Low-Cost Airline in North America for 2025, offers direct routes focused largely on US domestic and some international, with fares often under $150.
Avelo Airlines Avelo Airlines launched its first international routes in 2025, connecting US cities to Caribbean destinations like Montego Bay and Cancun, operating twice weekly with one-way fares estimated between $80-150.
These fares can vary based on booking time, seasonality, and route specifics but provide a solid range for budget international travel options in 2025. Many of these airlines focus on leisure destinations and secondary airports to keep costs low while still offering wide connectivity.
Other Notable Budget Airlines
- Avianca frequently presents deals for flights within Central and East Africa, with fares from Kigali to destinations like Uganda and Kenya in the $80 to $120 range.
- Ryanair charges $20 - $50 for a checked bag, with additional weight fees of $10 per kg over 20 kg.
- Sky Airline offers routes to lesser-known locations in South America, such as Calama and Puerto Natales, with prices often beginning at $25.
- Various airlines frequently run ticket sales, with discounts sometimes exceeding 40% during off-peak seasons, encouraging last-minute bookings.
- RwandAir's partnerships with other international carriers enhance connectivity in Central and East Africa.
- Opt for carriers that offer transparent pricing structures, avoiding additional fees associated with baggage, seat selection, and in-flight services.
Tips for Budget-Conscious Travel
- When planning baggage, pack efficiently and consider travel-size toiletries to maximize carry-on space.
- Examine the punctuality records, as high on-time performance boosts reliability.
- Evaluate route options, looking for carriers with a strong network of connections, as those with more direct routes tend to reduce travel time and lower costs associated with layovers.
- Jambojet provides affordable flights from Nairobi to Mombasa starting at approximately $40.
- Southwest Airlines is notable for travel between the continental U.S. and Hawaii, often featuring fares around $200 if reserved early.
- Make sure to check your preferred carrier's website before booking, as fees may fluctuate based on availability and advance purchase.
- Utilize tools like SeatGuru for detailed insights into seat maps and reviews, allowing travelers to make educated choices regarding seat selection and comfort options.
- Investigate in-flight amenities, as while many low-cost options limit services, some provide entertainment and refreshments at competitive prices.
- Review customer service, as higher customer ratings often correlate with better handling of flight changes and disruptions.
- For budget-conscious travellers in Oceania, consider Jetstar Airways, Air New Zealand, Virgin Australia, Pacific Air, and Rex Airlines for cost-effective services on various international connections.
- Booking several months in advance can yield fares that are markedly lower than last-minute purchases, with average savings of 30%.
- Air Tanzania is expanding its regional network, with round trips within Tanzania starting at approximately $100.
- For individuals focusing on personal-finance and investing wisely, it may be advantageous to consider budget airlines like Wizz Air, Flynas, Eurowings Discover, and Norse Atlantic for affordable international travel, especially when planning trips well in advance.
- When looking to upgrade your lifestyle by exploring new destinations, budget airlines such as French Bee, ZIPAIR Tokyo, and AirAsia X offer transoceanic flights at competitive prices, making it possible to travel extensively without breaking the bank.
- To maximize savings on business travel expenses, opt for airlines with transparent pricing structures, such as Ryanair or Jambojet, and take advantage of tools like SeatGuru for seat selection and researching in-flight amenities to ensure comfort during your journey.
