For Cheap Air Fares Try Discount Airlines

By Charles L Harmon

Most people are aware of discount airlines and the cheap fares that you can get through them when you need to book a flight at the last minute. But many people automatically think of Southwest Airlines when thinking about discount airlines. Although it has low fares maybe you should broaden your outlook and consider there might just be more choices available. In truth, there are many other discount airlines, both domestic and foreign, that can help you save on your last minute flight.

Jet Blue Airlines

Southwest Airlines is the most widely known discount airline, because they fly almost anywhere within the United States. But there are other discount airlines that might give you a better deal, depending on your destination. Some of us have heard of Jet Blue but don’t know much about them. Jet Blue airlines offer cheaper rates than Southwest Airlines, and has flights all over the east coast, the west coast, Florida, and Texas. Other than Illinois, this airline doesn’t really fly to the Midwest, but for just about any other domestic travel, Jet Blue may be your best bet for the cheapest rates.

US Airways

US Airways is another domestic discount airline that few people are aware of. With over 230 destinations, this airline goes anywhere you need to travel. As a part of the Star Alliance network, you can also save on foreign travel by booking through US Airways, although Southwest may be cheaper for those non-domestic flights.

Book from Europe & Asia - Canada

In addition to the discount airlines that make travel within the US cheaper for you, there are also discount airlines throughout Europe and other countries that can make the longer distance legs of your trips cheaper. To take advantage of these airlines, you can check out the cheapest flight to get you into Europe, Asia, or Canada. Once in one of those countries travel from there to your destination using one of that country’s discount airlines. Believe it or not, just this one tip can save you a lot of money traveling throughout Europe, especially, where many people visit more than one country during their vacation.

United Kingdom - BMI Baby

BMI Baby is a discount airline in the United Kingdom. It has flights throughout the UK and Western Europe. This discount airline could easily save you hundreds of dollars on airfare into Western Europe during peak travel seasons. In order to take advantage of BMI Baby’s low rates you must be in the UK. By first traveling to the UK, then departing from there to other European locations, you can travel for about thirty US dollars (twenty pounds) to your final destination. Word of warning, the U.S. Dollar might have been devalued more when you read this so the fare could be somewhat different than I am indicating here.

Easy Jet

Easy Jet is another discount airline in Europe. This discount airline flies throughout Europe and the United Kingdom. This is a great help in making any European vacation easy and more affordable. You’ll need to fly on the cheapest overseas flight you can arrange, and then board an Easy Jet flight to reach your final destination. Now, if you are traveling to several countries within one vacation, this airline has higher rates than BMI, but on the other hand it travels to more European locations.

German Wings and Ryan Air

There are two other European airlines which also offer discount fares, discount airlines German Wings and Ryanair. German Wings offers flights throughout Europe for as little as nineteen Euros, which is equal to about thirty US dollars. Ryanair operates a huge network in Europe, generally (but not always) are the cheapest airline on routes where they compete with another airline. Ryanair offers discounted flights within the United Kingdom only. However in their flight territory with those cheap rates, you might find them a welcome sigh of relief when traveling from England to Ireland or Scotland compared to some of the other much more costly airfares you might be used to paying.

More Discount Airlines Overseas

Air Berlin, Europe’s third largest discount airline, operates a huge network between Austria, France, Egypt, Germany, Hungary, Portugal, Spain, Tunisia, Greece and the UK. Myair operates between several French, Italian, Turkish and other European airports. Jet2 operate out of UK airports Belfast, Blackpool, Edinburgh, and others to destinations throughout continental Europe. This airline was given an award for 2006 by consumer review site, Review Centre, based on customer ratings of the airline. There are many more low cost or discount airlines that serve more localized destinations.

Shop Around for Best Rates

The best way to get the cheapest flights, whether you are traveling within the US or traveling abroad, is to shop around. This can definitely make a difference. Also by finding out the travel seasons for potential vacation spots, you can sometimes save a ton of money by planning your trip to coincide with off season travel for your particular destination. If you are flying to Europe or the United Kingdom, check prices to various locations and then check prices from those locations to your final destination. By spending the extra time to shop around and check various flights and airlines, you are sure to get the cheapest flight possible.

Copyright © 2007-2008 Charles Harmon

About the Author

Charles is a software developer turned infopreneur. He also writes articles for websites. One of his favorite interests is heart health - visit Health Finds. Another is cars - visit www.carviewpoint.com. For travel articles visit Travel List.