Budget or low-cost airline carriers offer you lower airfares, but there is often a setback in terms of services and convenience. Sometimes, cheaper airfares can also make a lot of people feel sceptical and wonder what is the catch there. Of course, there are hidden fees that are usually included in your flight ticket or charged when purchasing additional products or services. Even as competition grows among commercial airline carriers, there are some that make it to the good list, while others make it to the bad list.
In this blog, we are going to take a look at some of the best and also the worst international budget airline carriers that operate flights from the United States. The review is based particular on the fees which the carriers charge for services, like baggage, in-flight meals, seating and more.
Best International Budget Airline Carriers to Travel from the U.S.
Here is a list of a few best budget airline carriers that operate international flights from the United States. These airliners are placed in this category based on factors, like airfare, comfort, overall experience and more.
AirAsia X
Best for: Flying to Asia
AirAsia X is a low-cost commercial airline carrier mainly serving destinations in the Asia-Pacific region.
The reason this budget airline carrier made to our list of the best airlines when travelling from the United States is because of airfare and overall experience. They include carry-on bag in the airfare, but to avail other services, you may have to pay additional fees.
These additional fees are charged each way for the following services that you wish to avail:
- $10 for in-flight meals
- $15.99 for seat selection
- $51 for checked bag
If you book a round-trip flight with the airline carrier and opt for seat preferences and meals in-flight, these may have a significant increase on your total travel expense.
Air Canada Rouge
Best for: Flying to Canada
Air Canada Rouge is a low-cost commercial airline carrier based in Canada. It operates flights mainly in Europe, Asia, the United States, Central America, Mexico, South America and the Caribbean.
The reason this budget airline carrier made to our list of the best airlines when travelling from the United States is because of airfares and comfort.
The additional fees that you may be required to pay for services, include the following:
- $6 for in-flight meals
- $10 for renting an iPad for in-flight entertainment (if you are not carrying your own entertainment)
- $20 for seat selection
- $30 for checked bag
Your carry-on bag is included in the flight’s ticket, and paying extra for seats or renting an iPad device does add up to your travel expense.
JetBlue Airways
Best for: Flying to Latin America and the Caribbean
JetBlue Airways is a low-cost commercial airline carrier based in the United States. It operates flights mainly to the United States, Central America, Mexico, South America and the Caribbean.
The reason this budget airline carrier made to our list of the best airlines when travelling from the United States is because of comfort and overall experience. The seats have enough legroom to give you a relaxed journey, even if you are travelling on a long-haul route.
The airline includes one carry-on bag in flight’s ticket.
You may have to pay additional fees for the following services:
- $9 and up to $12 for in-flight meals
- $30 for checked baggage
- $36 for seat selection
Their seats are pretty comfortable, so spending a few dollars for getting seat preference and extra space is just another option. But, you can save on this, too.
LEVEL Airlines
Best for: Flying to Europe
LEVEL (Fly LEVEL SL) is a low-cost commercial airline carrier based in Madrid, Spain. At present, the airliner only serves a few destinations since it’s still new in the aviation business. It operates flights to/from the United States and Europe.
The reason this budget airline carrier made to our list of the best airlines when travelling from the United States is because of lower airfares and overall experience.
For example, if you are flying from the United States to Barcelona or Paris, you will find that the airfares are cheaper, and they also include one carry-on bag in the price of the ticket.
However, there are additional fees that may be charged for services, such as:
- $7 for in-flight meals
- $16 for seat selection
- $55 for checked bag
If you have no problems with the seat offered to you, then you don’t have to pay extra just to get your preferences.
Norwegian Air Lines
Best for: Flying to Europe
Norwegian Air Lines is a low-cost commercial airline carrier based in Norway. It operates flights mainly in Europe, Central Asia, Middle East and the United States.
The reason this budget airline carrier made to our list of the best airlines when travelling from the United States is because of comfort, routes, price and overall experience. The carrier offers lower airfares, and also include one personal item and a carry-on. In addition, although the airliner suggests smaller carry-on dimensions, they do not seem to be very strict with the standards of carry-on bags. Depending on your travel route and destination, the cost of luggage may be higher or lower. However, if you decide to purchase in advance than at the airport, you are likely to save a lot on your travel expenses.
Let’s assume you booked an international trip from Boston, US to Paris. Your flight ticket also includes one carry-on bag. But, for other services, you will be required to pay additional fees. These can include the following:
- $10 for in-flight meals
- $12 for seat selection
- $65 for checked bag
Worst International Budget Airline Carriers When Travelling from the U.S.
Here is a list of a few worst budget airline carriers that operate international flights from the United States. These airlines are put in this category after analysing the fees, additional premium services and how convenience is affected.
Frontier Airlines
Worst for: Flying within North America
Frontier Airlines is an ultra low-cost commercial airline carrier based in the United States. It operates flights mainly throughout the northern United States.
The reason this budget airline carrier made to our list of the worst airlines when travelling from the United States is because of comfort and flexibility in routes or travel dates. Their seats may not be comfortable enough, especially when you are flying on a long-haul route. Also, the seats do not provide much legroom. As for the flexibility of routes, you may not get options.
For example, let’s say you are travelling from Philadelphia, US to the Montego Bay, Jamaica. Now, if you search online for the price of tickets, you may find that a one-way trip cost $160 per person. Also, if you look for a return flight, you may find one costing $192 per person.
The airfare, whether one-way or round-trip, does not include additional fees, except offering you in-flight snacks. The extra fees which you may have to pay are for the following services:
- $5 for seat selection
- $34 for checked baggage
- $38 for carry-on bag
If you pay for your carry-on and checked bags in advance online, this could lower your travel expenses, instead of paying upfront at the gate.
Scoot
Worst for: Flying to Asia
Scoot is a low-cost commercial airline carrier based in Singapore, Malaysia. It operates flights mainly to Australia and countries in Asia, such as China and India.
The reason this budget airline carrier made to our list of the worst airlines when travelling from the United States is because of the price of airfares. Their airfares can be quite high and may differ with the actual fare than what is being advertised.
For example, if your search online for international flights from Honolulu, the US to Bangkok, Thailand that is operated by Scoot, you will see significant differences and also, the likeliness of dates available. Or, if are looking for a round-trip flight to the same destination, you might find the ticket price costing a thousand dollars and above. This is without including additional services. However, the carrier does include one carry-on bag in your airfare, as long as your bag meets their standards (dimensions).
But, if you include additional services, your expenses each way will also spike.
- $10 for seat selection
- $18 for in-flight meals
- $34 for checked baggage
Their ticket prices are quite unpredictable and expensive, too. Your travel expenses can be affected when you’re travelling on a long-haul international route with an airline carrier.
Spirit Airlines
Worst for: Flying to Latin America and the Caribbean
Spirit Airlines is an ultra low-cost commercial airline carrier based in the United States. It operates flights mainly throughout the United States, Central America, Latin America and the Caribbean islands.
The reason this budget airline carrier made to our list of the worst airlines when travelling from the United States is because of the overall experience. Customers often have to experience flight delays, bad customer support service via phone, and the fees that are charged for services.
Let’s assume that you are travelling from Chicago, Illinois to Cancun in southeast Mexico. When you search online for flight prices, you will see different airfares for different days and dates. Now, let’s assume again that the lowest fare offered is $93.39 per person.
Spirit Airlines includes one free personal bag in the airfare, but for other services, there are certain fees you will need to pay. These can include:
- $1 and up to $50 for seat selection (each way)
- $26 for checked baggage (each way)
- $31 for carry-on bag (each way)
If you book a round-trip flight with the carrier, your expenses may double, considering the additional fees that will also be charged toward those services.
Sun Country Airlines
Worst for: Flying to Central America, Mexico, and the Caribbean
Sun Country is an ultra low-cost commercial airline carrier based in the United States. It operates flights mostly throughout Central America, Mexico, and the Caribbean islands from the US.
There are a couple of reasons this budget airline carrier made to our list of the worst airlines when travelling from the United States. It does not provide much flexibility to customers, especially if some changes are needed to be made in the travel dates. Also, the airfares are cheaper, but charges fees for purchasing other services.
For example, if you purchase a flight online for travelling from Minneapolis, US to Belize City in Belize, this international trip may cost you around $292.70 per person.
Now, there may be additional fees which the airline carrier may charge you for rendering services, such as:
- $4 and above for in-flight snacks
- $7 and above for seat selection
- $30 for one carry-on bag
- $30 for one checked baggage
These additional fees are not included in your flight ticket, but is charged when you request for the services during your trip. These can also add up to your airfare and thus, your travel expense.
Conclusion
It is always a good idea to make your decisions, considering the price of flight tickets, cost of availing additional services, and also, weighing the advantages and disadvantages. These can also help you get the most out of travel experience and spending budget.
