Budget Airline Survival Guide — Ryanair, Wizz Air & easyJet

🎯 Key Takeaways

Budget airlines have transformed European travel. Ryanair, easyJet, and Wizz Air collectively carry over 300 million passengers a year — and are responsible for a disproportionate share of travel horror stories: £55 airport check-in charges, bags confiscated at the gate, couples seated separately. None of this has to happen to you.

How the model works

The technical term is unbundling: the base fare covers one thing only — a seat and a small bag that fits under the seat in front. Everything else — cabin bag, hold luggage, seat selection, priority boarding, food, even airport check-in — is charged separately.

The headline fare is a floor price, not an all-in price. Know what you are buying.

Ryanair — lowest fares, strictest rules

Strengths: Genuinely the lowest prices on many UK, Ireland, Spain, and Poland routes. On-time performance is consistently above average for a budget carrier. 230+ airports across Europe.

The key rules:

• Free bag: 40 x 20 x 25 cm (fits under the seat). A standard cabin bag does not fit.
• Priority boarding add-on (£6–12 online): unlocks a standard overhead cabin bag (55 x 40 x 20 cm). Buy this if you are travelling with more than a small daypack.
• No priority + oversized bag at the gate: £25 charge. Avoidable if you plan ahead.
• Airport check-in: £55. Online check-in is free. Set a calendar reminder — it opens 60 days before departure and closes 2 hours before.
• Never book via third-party OTAs — book direct at Ryanair.com to avoid name-matching issues.

easyJet — friendlier, primary airports

Strengths: UK bases at Gatwick, Luton, Manchester, Bristol, and Edinburgh. European bases at Schiphol, Geneva, and Paris CDG. Primary airports mean less travel time to and from the city. Disruption handling is generally better than Ryanair's.

Key rules: Standard/Essentials fare includes one underseat bag (45 x 36 x 20 cm) free. Overhead cabin bag requires Standard Plus or FLEXI — or an add-on fee. Compare Standard Plus vs. Essentials + bag at checkout; they are often within £5 of each other, and Plus includes speedy boarding.

Families: under-2s travel free on a parent's lap; children are automatically seated next to a guardian at check-in.

Wizz Air — Central Europe specialist

Strengths: Lowest prices to Romania, Hungary, Poland, Albania, and the Western Balkans. The Discount Club (~£35/year) reduces base fares by £8–18 and cuts bag fees significantly — it pays for itself at two or three return trips per year.

Watch out for: Below-average punctuality and slower customer service in disruption scenarios. Build extra buffer time when connecting to other transport.

The baggage game

Baggage is where most money is lost. Decide your bag situation before completing the booking — adding luggage later is always more expensive. On Ryanair, a 20 kg hold bag at purchase: £25–35 per flight; added at the airport: £60–70.

The cheapest formula: hand luggage only (underseat bag) + online check-in + midweek departure. This consistently delivers the lowest all-in fares in European aviation.

Your rights

All three airlines are subject to EU Regulation 261/2004 (UK261 post-Brexit). Cancellations with under 14 days' notice, delays of 3+ hours at arrival, and denied boarding trigger compensation of €125–600 plus care (meals, accommodation if overnight). Submit claims via the airline's website first. If rejected or ignored after 8 weeks, escalate to the Civil Aviation Authority (UK) or equivalent national body. Do not pay a claims management company 25–35% to do this for you.

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