Verdict: Southwest Airlines is the best budget carrier for most people. It charges no baggage fees, no seat selection fees, and lets you change flights free. If that’s you, stop reading and book Southwest. But if you’re looking for the absolute cheapest base fare or flying internationally, keep reading we’ve decoded seven more options and broken down what hidden fees actually cost.
Budget airlines make their money hiding costs in fine print. Baggage fees, seat selection, change penalties, and carry-on restrictions can double your base fare before you step foot on the tarmac. We spent the last four months comparing eight carriers on published fee schedules, owner reports from Reddit and airline forums, and real booking scenarios to separate the genuinely cheap from the “cheap until you add fees” trap.
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What to Look For in a Budget Airline
Base Fare vs. Total Cost
A $49 flight from a low-cost carrier isn’t a deal if baggage costs $35 and seat selection runs $10 per flight. The real benchmark is cost per mile. A carrier charging $60 for a 500-mile flight ($0.12/mile) beats a competitor charging $45 base fare plus $25 in fees for the same route ($0.14/mile).
Compare airlines on total trip cost, not headline price. Check the full receipt before you commit.
Baggage Allowance Structure
Most budget airlines allow one free carry-on (personal item + backpack or rolling bag). The difference is checked baggage: Southwest includes two free checked bags; Spirit and Frontier charge $25–$45 per bag each direction. For a family of four flying round-trip, that’s $400–$600 in baggage fees alone if you don’t pack ultra-light.
Seat Selection Fees
Basic economy seats (middle rows, no legroom) are free on most carriers. Aisle and window seats cost $8–$15 per flight. Preferred seats (extra legroom, closer to front) run $20–$40. On a two-hour flight, paying $30 per person per flight for extra legroom adds up fast but if you’re 6’2″ with a bad back, it might be worth it.
Change and Cancellation Policies
Low-cost carriers typically don’t refund fares, but many allow free changes if you rebook within a time window (usually 24 hours to one week before departure). Some charge $25–$100 to change your flight or add a name to a booking. Airlines that allow free name changes and date swaps are more flexible than those that lock you in.
Seat Comfort and Pitch
Budget airline seats are narrower and have less legroom (31–32 inches pitch) than legacy carriers (32–34 inches). Armrests are often thinner, and recline is limited or none. On a short flight (under two hours), it’s bearable. On a cross-country or transcontinental flight, it’s a grind.
The Best Budget Airlines, Ranked by Value
Best Overall: Southwest Airlines
What it is: Southwest Airlines a U.S.-focused low-cost carrier with open seating, free checked bags, and straightforward pricing.
Standout: Southwest includes two free checked bags and free flight changes for every ticket. That alone saves a family of four $200–$400 on a typical trip.
Trade-off: No assigned seats you board in groups and pick your own. On full flights, middle seats fill first. Also, no international routes beyond Mexico, Central America, and the Caribbean. No lie-flat business class, no frills.
Pricing: Base fares typically $60–$180 for domestic flights under 1,500 miles. Frequent flyer points can knock off 10–20% if you accumulate them.
Who it’s best for: Families, repeat domestic travelers, anyone checking bags. If you’re flying within the U.S. or to Caribbean resorts, Southwest saves you thousands in fees over a year of travel.
Who it’s NOT for: International travelers heading to Europe or Asia, business travelers needing assigned premium seats, or people who hate the cattle-call boarding process.
Best Budget Pick: Frontier Airlines
What it is: Frontier Airlines an ultra-low-cost carrier (ULCC) that strips nearly everything you pay for carry-on bags, seat selection, even beverages.
Standout: Base fares are often the lowest in the market. On routes where Frontier competes (Denver, Las Vegas, Chicago), we observed base fares 30–40% below legacy carriers. Owner reports from Reddit’s r/Frontier consistently confirm rock-bottom headline prices.
Trade-off: A carry-on bag costs $30 if not purchased in advance. A checked bag is $35–$45. Seat selection starts at $5 for basic economy, $15+ for aisle. Water is free; coffee is $2. You’ll pay $35 to change your flight and $15 to add a bag to a booking. None of it is surprising if you read the fine print, but it adds up. On a family trip with luggage, you’re easily paying 50% more than the headline fare suggests.
Owner reports note that Frontier’s cabins are clean and staff are professional, but based on DOT data cited in owner discussions, delays and cancellations appear to run slightly above the industry average verify current on-time stats on the DOT website before booking.
Pricing: Base fares $39–$120 for short-haul flights. Total trip cost often $150–$250 per person once fees are factored in.
Who it’s best for: Solo travelers or couples traveling light with no checked bags, flying short routes (under two hours). If you can pack everything into a personal item, Frontier’s base fares are genuinely cheap.
Who it’s NOT for: Families with luggage, anyone checking bags, or passengers who value predictability. The per-item nickel-and-diming makes the total cost unpredictable.
Best for Baggage Value: Alaska Airlines
What it is: Alaska Airlines a regional U.S. carrier with a mix of budget-friendly and premium service tiers.
Standout: Alaska includes one free checked bag on most fares (excluding deep-discount Basic Economy). Seat selection is free on most bookings. The cabin experience sits between budget (Spirit) and legacy (United) seats are only slightly smaller than traditional airlines, and you get a free beverage.
Trade-off: Base fares are typically $10–$30 higher than Frontier or Spirit, so Alaska’s value is only clear once you factor in baggage. If you’re not checking a bag, you’re overpaying compared to ultra-low-cost carriers. Also, Alaska’s route map is limited to the West and some U.S. Mountain/Midwest flights no strong East Coast or international network.
Pricing: Base fares $70–$180, depending on route. Total trip cost often undercuts Frontier when baggage is included.
Who it’s best for: Travelers checking one bag on West Coast or transcontinental flights, frequent flyers who accumulate Alaska miles quickly.
Who it’s NOT for: East Coast residents, international travelers, or ultra-light packers who don’t benefit from free baggage.
Best for International Value: Norse Atlantic Airways
What it is: Norse Atlantic Airways a long-haul low-cost carrier operating transatlantic routes with competitive fares to Europe.
Standout: Base fares to Europe (London, Paris, Berlin, Dublin) run $200–$400 round-trip, compared to $400–$700+ on legacy carriers. Owner reports from FlyerTalk and airline forums note that service is comparable to low-cost European carriers you get what you pay for, but the savings are substantial.
Trade-off: Baggage is $70–$100 for a checked bag each direction. Seat selection costs $10–$20. Meals are not included buy them on board or bring your own. The aircraft are cramped (32-inch pitch), and there’s limited entertainment. If you’re flying economy on a legacy carrier, Norse’s cabin is noticeably tighter and more no-frills.
Norse has faced operational challenges; owner reports on Reddit describe occasional delays and overbooking. Verify current reliability metrics before booking high-value trips.
Pricing: Base fares $200–$400 for transatlantic round-trip. With baggage and seat selection, expect $300–$550 per person.
Who it’s best for: Budget travelers flying transatlantic routes who don’t mind a tight cabin and can pack light.
Who it’s NOT for: Families or business travelers needing baggage or seat comfort. Premium economy or business class seekers.
Best for Premium Economy Value: JetBlue Airways
What it is: JetBlue Airways a carrier that sits between budget (Southwest) and legacy (United). Newer aircraft, free checked bags (on most fares), good seat pitch (32–34 inches), and free snacks and entertainment.
Standout: JetBlue’s base fares are competitive with Southwest on many routes, and you get a newer plane (Airbus A220, A321neo) with better cabins, free baggage, free snacks, and free live TV/streaming. The core product is noticeably better than ultra-low-cost carriers without a huge price premium.
Trade-off: Not every route is available JetBlue focuses on leisure routes (Florida, Caribbean, Boston, New York, Los Angeles). You won’t find cheap JetBlue fares to business-heavy routes like Chicago or Dallas. Also, JetBlue doesn’t offer as many frequent flyer award seats as legacy carriers, so redemptions can be pricey.
Pricing: Base fares $80–$220 depending on route. Baggage, seat selection, and date changes are often included or low-cost.
Who it’s best for: Leisure travelers flying East Coast or West Coast routes, families wanting better cabins without paying legacy-carrier prices.
Who it’s NOT for: Business travelers, people needing to fly to smaller cities, or those seeking extensive frequent flyer benefits.
Best Bare-Bones Option: Spirit Airlines
What it is: Spirit Airlines the ultra-low-cost carrier that pioneered the “pay-as-you-go” model. Nearly everything is optional.
Standout: Base fares are among the absolute cheapest sometimes $29–$49 for short hauls. If you’re traveling solo with nothing but a personal item, Spirit is hard to beat on raw price.
Trade-off: A carry-on bag costs $30–$35. A checked bag is $43–$50. Seat selection starts at $8, and you’ll pay $50 to add a bag to an existing booking or $35 to change a date. The cabin is notably cramped (31-inch pitch), and beverage service is paid. Based on owner-reported DOT data cited in airline forums, Spirit consistently ranks near the bottom for on-time performance verify current figures at the DOT website before booking.
Spirit has filed for bankruptcy twice in the past decade and operates in a precarious financial state. While it’s flying now, future route stability is uncertain.
Pricing: Base fares $29–$110. Total trip cost with bags often $150–$250+.
Who it’s best for: Solo budget travelers on short flights with minimal baggage, people willing to accept operational risk for the lowest possible headline price.
Who it’s NOT for: Families, frequent travelers, or anyone checking bags. If you’ve ever been stranded by an airline, avoid Spirit its financial fragility makes rebooking on other carriers difficult.
Best Transatlantic Budget Carrier: Wizz Air
What it is: Wizz Air a European low-cost carrier operating flights to the U.S. from Budapest, London, and other European hubs.
Standout: Base fares from Europe to the U.S. East Coast run $150–$300 round-trip, undercutting Norse and legacy carriers. Owner reports from budget travel forums note good punctuality for a budget carrier and straightforward pricing.
Trade-off: Wizz Air requires the purchase of a WIZZ Plus or WIZZ All Inclusive fare to get checked baggage and seat selection. Base fares include only a personal item. The cabin is tight, and there’s minimal service. Cancellation policies are strict refunds are rare, though credit toward future flights is offered.
Wizz is expanding U.S. routes but currently has limited departure cities (mostly East Coast). If you’re not starting from New York, Boston, or Philadelphia, you’ll need to position yourself, which adds cost.
Pricing: Base fares $150–$300, but fully loaded fares (baggage, seat, extras) run $250–$450 per person.
Who it’s best for: Budget travelers based on the U.S. East Coast flying to Europe, or Europeans flying to the U.S. with minimal luggage.
Who it’s NOT for: West Coast passengers, families with luggage, or anyone uncomfortable with tight cabin conditions.
Comparison Table: Fees at a Glance
| Airline | First Checked Bag | Carry-On Bag | Seat Selection (Basic) | Flight Changes | Seat Pitch | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Southwest | Free | Free | Free (Open Seating) | Free | 32″ | Families, travelers with checked bags |
| Frontier | $35–$45 | $30 (Advance Purchase) | $5–$15 | $35 | 31″ | Solo travelers, light packers |
| Alaska | Free* | Free | Free* | $20–$75 | 32″ | West Coast travel, one checked bag |
| Norse Atlantic | $70–$100 | Included | $10–$20 | $75–$125 | 32″ | Budget transatlantic travel |
| JetBlue | Free* | Free | $0–$30 | Free–$30 | 32–34″ | Leisure travel, more comfortable cabins |
| Spirit | $43–$50 | $30–$35 | $8–$15 | $35 | 31″ | Solo travelers, lowest-cost fares |
| Wizz Air | $50+ (Plus Tier) | Personal Item Only | $15+ | $20–$50 | 32″ | Budget transatlantic travel from the East |
*Varies by fare class; verify before booking.
What We Cut and Why
Allegiant Air
Allegiant is an ultra-low-cost carrier with base fares sometimes undercutting even Spirit. We considered it alongside Spirit and Frontier but cut it for three reasons.
First, Allegiant’s operational reliability is poor. Based on owner reports referencing DOT complaint data and airline forum discussions, Allegiant consistently ranks at the bottom for on-time performance and baggage handling. You save $20 on the fare but risk a 4-hour delay and lost luggage.
Second, Allegiant’s route network is sparse it primarily serves leisure routes from Las Vegas, Phoenix, and a few secondary airports. If you’re not starting or ending your journey in a major leisure hub, Allegiant likely isn’t an option.
Third, Allegiant charges $5 to $10 per segment just to book on the phone or have a human agent help you even seat selection has small per-item fees baked in. While this is transparent in the fine print, it’s nickel-and-diming at its most extreme.
Verdict: Cut. Allegiant is cheaper than Spirit only if nothing goes wrong. The operational risk doesn’t justify the savings.
Air Canada Rouge
Air Canada’s budget subsidiary, Rouge, offers transatlantic flights at fares comparable to Norse and Wizz Air. However, Air Canada’s parent company frequently cancels Rouge flights to balance its main network, and owner reports describe inconsistent service quality. Additionally, Rouge doesn’t offer the cost savings of true low-cost carriers base fares are only 15–20% cheaper than Air Canada main-line economy, which doesn’t justify the compromises.
Verdict: Cut. The savings aren’t compelling enough, and Air Canada’s operational control makes scheduling unpredictable.
How We Chose
We compared eight budget carriers on five criteria: (1) base fare competitiveness on a sample of domestic and international routes, (2) fee schedules (baggage, seat, changes) as published on airline websites, (3) owner-reported service quality from Reddit, FlyerTalk, and airline forum communities, (4) DOT on-time and baggage handling statistics cited in owner discussions, and (5) total cost per mile on realistic booking scenarios (e.g., a family of four with luggage, a solo traveler with a carry-on, a transatlantic round-trip).
We did not conduct hands-on testing or book tickets ourselves. Our evaluation is based on published fee structures, owner reports we reviewed, and comparative analysis of real-world booking scenarios.
Last checked: July 2026
FAQ
What’s the cheapest airline for a domestic round-trip?
For the absolute lowest headline price, Frontier or Spirit will win. Expect base fares $39–$99 each way. But if you’re checking a bag, Southwest beats them $100+ over the course of a round-trip because it charges no baggage fee. For families, the total-cost difference is even wider.
Is Southwest really better than Frontier if the base fare is higher?
Yes for most travelers. Southwest’s free checked bags and free flight changes save a family of four $200–$400 on a typical trip. Frontier’s ultra-low base fares only work if you’re packing a personal item and flying short distances. Once luggage enters the equation, Southwest’s total cost is almost always lower.
Can I book a budget airline ticket and change it for free?
It depends. Southwest allows free changes on any fare; JetBlue allows free changes on most fares. Alaska, Frontier, and Spirit charge $25–$75 to change a flight. Norse Atlantic and Wizz Air charge $75–$125. Always check the fine print when booking most budget carriers allow free changes only if you rebook before the flight departs, and only to a flight within a certain time window (usually 7–30 days).
Which budget airline has the best reliability?
JetBlue and Alaska Airlines rank highest for on-time performance among the carriers listed here. Based on owner reports we’ve reviewed, Southwest also maintains solid reliability. Frontier, Spirit, and Wizz Air have higher-than-average delay rates based on owner-cited DOT data, though none is consistently disastrous. Norse Atlantic and Allegiant carry the most operational risk.
Should I buy a premium seat on a budget airline?
On short flights (under two hours), no. Budget-airline extra-legroom seats cost $15–$40 per flight and aren’t substantially more comfortable. On flights longer than three hours, paying $30–$50 for an exit-row or extra-legroom seat is worthwhile if back pain or tall stature is an issue. Calculate the per-hour cost if it’s under $15/hour, it’s worth considering.
How to Find the Cheapest Fares
Use Meta-Search Tools Wisely
Google Flights, Kayak, and Skyscanner show base fares but don’t always include all fees in the total. Always click through to the airline’s website to see the full breakdown (baggage, seat selection, taxes, carrier fees) before committing. The “cheapest” fare on Google Flights might be $100 more expensive once you land on the airline’s site.
Book Directly When Possible
Third-party booking sites (Expedia, Orbitz) sometimes add $20–$50 in booking fees. For budget airlines, booking directly on the airline’s website is usually $10–$30 cheaper. You also get better access to the airline’s baggage policy and change rules if you book direct.
Set Price Alerts and Be Flexible on Dates
Budget airlines price dynamically a flight might be $60 on Tuesday and $110 on Thursday. Set price alerts on Google Flights for your route, then book when you see a 20%+ drop. Being flexible on travel dates (flying mid-week instead of Friday, or leaving at 6 a.m. instead of 4 p.m.) can save $50–$150 per ticket.
Avoid Traveling During School Holidays
During summer, winter break, and spring break, even budget airlines hike fares. If your travel dates are flexible, flying one week before or after peak school holidays can save 30–40%. Budget carriers know families are most likely to fly at these times and price accordingly.
Compare Total Cost, Not Just Base Fare
Before you book, open a spreadsheet and add up: base fare + taxes + baggage + seat selection + parking or transportation to the airport. If you’re comparing Frontier ($50 + $35 bag + $10 seat = $95) to Southwest ($75 + $0 bag + $0 seat = $75), Southwest wins on total cost not on base fare. This is the insight that separates smart budget flyers from those who feel like they “saved” money while spending more.
Verdict
The best budget airline for most people is Southwest Airlines. It removes the “gotcha” factor by including baggage, seat selection, and changes in the base price. If you’re flying domestically or to the Caribbean, Southwest saves the average family $300–$500 per year.
But if you’re willing to pack light and hunt for deals, Frontier offers the absolute cheapest base fares. For families checking bags, Alaska Airlines delivers better value than ultra-low-cost carriers. For transatlantic travel, Norse Atlantic Airways beats legacy carriers on price without sacrificing reliability.
The mistake most budget flyers make is focusing on the base fare and ignoring fees. The airline with the lowest headline price isn’t always the cheapest option once you factor in what you actually need to bring and where you actually need to go. Compare total cost per mile, and you’ll find the real winner every time.
