Independent travel across Europe is becoming increasingly popular among Russians. This way to organize your vacation is chosen by different categories of the population. A few years ago, only young people could take the risk of organizing an independent trip to one or more European countries. Now, even people over the age of forty have become addicted to such trips, so many tourists have become interested in the issue of European low-cost airlines in Russia. These airlines often offer tickets at ridiculous prices of ten or fifteen euros. There are also quite common cases when the lucky ones became the owner of a ticket for one euro or even got the opportunity to fly from one point to another for free. Today we will tell you about the main European low-cost airlines and reveal the secrets of their pricing policy.
Loukoster: what is this"beast"
Low-cost airlines include air carriers selling tickets at the lowest prices in their market segment. The low cost is achieved by reducing the level of service on board - the lack of food and free drinks, or, for example, the inability to carry luggage without additional payment. Such business conduct allows the company not to raise prices for its services and successfully compete with other air carriers.
For the first time, low-cost airlines appeared in the seventies of the last century in the United States. They quickly showed how successful this business model can be. Therefore, now European low-cost airlines are not only fighting with large airlines, but also competing for passengers with each other.
What is the success of such companies? And do they have significant drawbacks?
Pros and cons of low-cost air travel
Naturally, the main advantage of European low-cost airlines and other similar companies is the low cost of their services. After all, often for a purely nominal fee, anyone can afford to fly on vacation to Spain or the Czech Republic. Moreover, he will use his accumulated money for good already during the holidays, and not at the stage of booking tickets.
However, do not forget that all European low-cost airlines have a lot of "buts" that you should know about in advance:
- service on board the aircraft will be extremely simple, if not limited - no free meals, video panels and reclining seats;
- baggage costs extramoney, and hand luggage must strictly comply with the established strict rules;
- seats in the cabin are taken in turn, for an additional fee you can be the first on the list;
- the arrival airport will be small and remote from the city you need for several tens of kilometers, so you will also have to organize a transfer for yourself.
Of course, for some, the nuances we have listed may seem like significant shortcomings. But most people find that they are fine with paying only for the services they intend to use. It is for this category of Russian citizens that our article on European low-cost airlines will be very useful.
Russia and discounter companies
Interestingly, there are European low-cost airlines flying to and from Moscow, but almost no one has heard of Russian air carriers selling tickets at low prices. Of course. We can name a couple of companies that offer our compatriots flights at a reduced cost. However, so far they cannot compete with the recognized masters of air transportation.
What is the reason for this? Are the Russians unworthy of cheap tickets? In this regard, experts are unanimous in their opinion - the specifics of air travel in our country does not allow domestic low-cost airlines to develop. After all, our country has very expensive airport services, high fuel prices and difficulties in entering the market.
Therefore, we think that it will not be soon in our country that worthy companies will appear that make air travel moreaccessible to the general population of the country. Having found out all these nuances, let's return to the topic of European low-cost airlines. Who are these leaders who make the dream a little more accessible and closer?
European low-cost airlines: list
Since most often travelers try to save money on tickets when planning their trip, discounter companies are just those "wizards" who give their customers the coveted discount. If you are thinking about a trip to Europe this summer or autumn, then take a look at the low-cost airlines listed below - perhaps you will use their services:
- Irish Ryanair;
- Wizz Air;
- Latvian Air B altik;
- Turkish Pegasus Airlines;
- Norwegian.
So that you do not get confused in these companies, we will tell you about each of them in as much detail as possible.
Ryanair
This air carrier is considered one of the largest in Europe. It has virtually no competition and often sells tickets for really ridiculous prices of one or two euros.
Today, Ryanair operates on almost two thousand routes, in many directions it provides such prices that they quite successfully compete with the cost of travel on an intercity bus route.
The company often provides discounts to different destinations, usually a twenty percent discount, and the average cost of air travel in this case will not exceed nine euros. If you don't fall underpromotions, the ticket will cost you approximately fifteen to twenty euros.
Be aware that Ryanair is active in the UK, Ireland and Eastern Europe. Unfortunately, this European low-cost airline does not fly from Moscow, so you will have to look for connecting flights departing from European cities that suit your route.
The rules of the low-cost airline allow carrying on board hand luggage no heavier than ten kilograms and one handbag.
Wizz Air
This Hungarian company has been in the air transport market for about thirteen years. Initially, the low-cost airline could not boast of an abundance of routes, but at the moment, airliners fly to four hundred destinations. It's nice that this carrier also makes flights from Moscow. Especially tempting prices are provided for flights on the route Moscow - Budapest. Literally for twenty euros you will find yourself in the center of Europe, from where you can get to any country you are interested in.
Very attractive for travelers is the club card, which allows you to get a ten euro discount on each ticket purchased. It also applies to baggage allowance. Many tourists note that Wizz Air planes always sell very cheap perfumes on board, and an interesting magazine is offered to passengers as entertainment.
A significant disadvantage of this low-cost airline for some tourists is the extremely strict conditions for carrying luggage. For example, only those bags that fall under the category of hand luggagedo not exceed forty centimeters in height.
Air B altic
This airline cannot be attributed to low-cost airlines with absolute certainty. But Air B altik offers such enticing flight prices that it is a serious competitor to other European and Russian carriers.
Russian travelers are happy to buy tickets to Europe with a transfer in Latvia for twenty to thirty euros. In addition, this airline weekly holds a big sale of tickets in different directions. Buyers positively assess such shares of the company. Interestingly, in some cases, a passenger can pay for his flight in several steps. This offer increases the demand for Air B altik tickets among Russians, who do not always have enough money to fully pay for their trip.
The airline's baggage rules are identical to the conditions put forward by low-cost airlines - you can fly for free with a small hand luggage and one handbag. Anything above the established limits is paid extra.
Pegasus Airlines
Turkish low-cost airline has mastered not only routes in Turkey and Egypt, but throughout Europe. The average ticket price ranges from thirty to fifty euros, including luggage. Of course, this is far from the lowest cost per flight, but Pegasus Airlines often holds promotions and makes seasonal discounts that can be tracked on the company's official website. For the convenience of ourcompatriots, it has a Russian-language version, so buying tickets via the Internet will not cause any inconvenience to future passengers of Pegasus Airlines. Russian buyers appreciated this advantage.
The Turkish low-cost airline flies from many cities, including Moscow, which further increases its attractiveness in the eyes of our compatriots. It is interesting that this year the services of Pegasus Airlines are in great demand among tourists who decide to travel to Turkey on their own for vacation. Sometimes such a trip is several times cheaper than a regular tour.
Norwegian
The low-cost carrier from Norway has established itself as a punctual and inexpensive air carrier. Last year, Norwegian was recognized as the best low-cost airline, which significantly increased its ranking in the list of European low-cost airlines.
Basically, this company flies from the Nordic countries to almost all corners of the world. There are even African destinations, but it is still best to use Norwegian services when going to the Scandinavian countries. In this case, you will receive the lowest price possible.
Interestingly, the Norwegian low-cost airline has a rule not to reduce the price of a ticket that has already been raised once. For example, if you see an excellent offer on the site at a suitable price, then immediately make a purchase. In a couple of days, the cost of air travel may double and will not return to the previous level.
A little more aboutlow-cost airlines
In today's article, we told you only about the largest and most established discounter companies with a wide geography of flights. But in addition to the air carriers we have already listed, there are others that offer pretty good prices for flights around Europe. Among them are:
- German low-cost airlines Condor and AirBerlin, which even fly to Asian destinations;
- the oldest European discounter Transavia, operating in this area for over fifty years;
- Spanish company Volotea, which has its own loy alty program;
- low-cost airline Meridiana, which offers fairly cheap tickets not only to European countries, but also to Cuba and even Africa.
Summing up all that has been written, we can say that independent travel around Europe is no longer the lot of the rich. Indeed, thanks to low-cost airlines, everyone can fulfill their cherished dream and visit almost any country in the world.
