After two years of coronaviruses and flight bargains, the demand for air travel has gone through the roof.
According to the travel management website TripActions, international airfare from the United States to European cities including London and Barcelona are expected to average more than $1,600 for a round-trip economy ticket. That increase is 23 percent compared to the same period in 2019.
Travelers looking for affordable airfare may notice that cheap deals on airlines they have never heard of. Since 2020, at least eight new low-cost airlines have entered the market. More than a dozen low-cost airlines, like easyJet, Frontier Airlines and Southwest Airlines, already operate, and are advertising domestic and international one-way flights for under $200.
Travelers can save a lot of money on summer routes to Reykjavík on full-service airlines, such as United Airlines and Delta Air Lines, which have an average price of around $1,140 for a round-trip ticket. On ultra-low-cost carrier Icelandair, flights average just $640 round-trip, a saving of 56 percent.
There is some flexibility because of the emphasis on selling one-way tickets.
If you buy a ticket on United, American or Delta overseas, you have to buy a round-trip ticket to get the best deal.
These low-cost flights can come with a host of problems, such as limited flight availability, sparse customer support and surcharges. If travelers choose to check a bag, select specific seats or purchase food in-flight, the total price may double or even triple.
There are details about some of the new low-budget airlines and potential headaches to consider before purchasing a ticket.
The new airline is expected to start operations in June. There are limited routes between New York, Fort Lauderdale, and Los Angeles. There are six tiers of seat choices and amenities on one-way tickets from Oslo to Fort Lauderdale, with seat fees and in-flight meals not included.
Play started flying between the United States and Iceland. The service between Baltimore and Boston has begun, with flights to Dublin,Prague, and nearly two dozen European cities. The New York Stewart International Airport is an hour's drive from Manhattan in New Windsor, N.Y., and is expected to start flights this month. You will need to register for an account with an email address if you want to check out baggage fees or seat assignments.
Zipair is a Tokyo-based airline that offers daily nonstop flights to Tokyo from Los Angeles and Honolulu. Zipair has a separate business class cabin on its plane with lie-flat seats. Business-class tickets on established carriers can easily top $3,000 each way, but these seats can start as low as $900 one-way.
Arajet, a low-cost carrier in the Dominican Republic, plans to begin operations in July with a fleet of Boeing MAX 8 jets. With a base in Santo Domingo, the airline expects to serve destinations in the United States, Brazil and Colombia, but a route map has not yet been announced.
Avelo Airlines began service in April of last year with nonstop flights to more than 30 destinations. Avelo's flights are not scheduled daily. The tickets for Baltimore to Orlando and Burbank to Denver start at $29 each way.
Breeze Airways was founded in May of 2021. The airline serves airports in Westchester County in New York, Louisville, Ky., and Charleston, S.C.
The airline announced in May that it would begin nonstop service between Jacksonville, Fla., and eight cities, including New Orleans and Las Vegas. The fares start at $48 each way. If you're used to calling customer service to purchase, change or cancel flights, you're out of luck; the airline only responds to requests by email, text or Facebook.
ExpressJet Airlines operates a brand called Aha!, which stands for air, hotel and adventure. It offers nonstop flights from its hub to 10 West Coast destinations, including Palm Springs, Calif.
Cheap flights might be tempting, but they have quirks that can lead to financial and logistical headaches.
One of the biggest risks of flying a budget carrier is that they fly fewer routes on fewer days. If you miss your flight, must fly specific dates or have to push your travel dates back, that can be dicey.
On Tuesdays and Saturdays, Take Play operates a route from Baltimore to Madrid. While the cost of the flight might be cheaper, other carriers like United offer near-daily service between Washington's Dulles Airport and Madrid during the summer months.
If your flight is canceled and confusing, the limited offerings can be more unnerving. Under U.S. law, airlines have a legal obligation to give refunds to travelers if they choose not to fly. Ultra-low-cost airlines, including foreign carriers, are required to follow the rule.
While some E.U.-based airlines have policies where they will rebook you on another airline if your flight is delayed or canceled, airlines are not required to rebook passengers on the next available flight. Airlines don't have to put you in a hotel for a night or give you a meal voucher.
Passengers who experience lengthy delays on flights from the European Union or on flights to the E.U. from any point of origin are entitled to compensation that can range from $265 to $639
Airlines don't inform travelers if their delay is covered under the rule because they expect travelers to be unfamiliar with their rights. Travelers can file a complaint for compensation through the airline's website.
When things go wrong, you're not going to be taken care of.
You could be in for a rude awakening if you are used to free perks. Julia Menez, the founder of a travel website, said that travelers should factor in surcharges for perks they can't do without, like seat assignments, if they want to sit with family or friends.
Many low-cost airlines and the new entrants are unbundled to bring costs down, including seat selection and baggage fees. Carry-on bags might cost $25, and suitcases weighing more than 70 lbs. cost $170 to check.
In case of last-minute changes to your plans, be sure to read the terms and conditions of your flight.
The most flexible rates, where you can change and refunds your fare without a fee, may cost more. The cheapest flight on a Norse Atlantic flight from New York to London- Gatwick in August is $120 each way, but it doesn't include much, just a single bag that fits under your seat and the ability to change your travel dates for $200 plus. The most flexible ticket costs $519 each way but includes an onboard bag, carry-on and checked bag, and the ability to change and cancel your ticket without charge.
If you're flying business class on a low-cost carrier like Zipair, you'll have to pay an extra fee for amenities like eye masks and amenity kits.
If you pay in advance, you can get a carry-on bag on Avelo flights for less. If you have to check your carry-on at the gate, the price goes up to $50. Do you want to print a boarding pass at the check-in counter? You can save money by printing your boarding pass at home, using the mobile app or using a self-serve kiosk.
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