The concept of low cost airlines exists all over the world. It really took off in Europe in the 1990s when out of the blue easyJet appeared and tried to take over the airline industry. That’s when the competition started and travellers were fascinated by the idea of buying flights for as little as a euro….and so flying became as easy as getting on a bus.

Perhaps two of the most popular low cost airlines in Europe are Ryanair and easyJet. Ryanair is the longer running of the two, and it was forced into the low cost competition when easyJet was founded in 1995. Both airlines offer cheap flights, but easyJet has always had a hold on Ryanair as it is able to offer flights to the main airports in cities all over Europe, while Ryanair mainly flies to secondary airports. They are perhaps the longest running and two of the few survivors of the recession which also affected the travel sector. It was during this period of economic downfall that many no-frills airlines went bankrupt and others started to charge for anything and everything to survive.

Today, low cost airlines are becoming frillier with companies charging for absolutely everything: checking in your luggage, in-flight snacks, pre-booking your seats, extra leg room, and even the type of card you use to pay. Perhaps this is the reason why customers sometimes opt for standard airlines instead of low cost. However, if you book in advance, you are still likely to find better offers with low cost airlines. If you book last-minute, you should price check flights with standard airlines as you may end up paying the same.

When all is said and done….low cost airlines such as Ryanair and easyJet continue to be the most popular options for flying cheaply around Europe. Yes, customers will complain about the service or lack of, but if you get a good deal and keep this in mind, you are likely to be a happy flier.