Low-cost flights, a comparison of the major carriers: Ryanair, EasyJet, Volotea, Wizz Air and Vueling
Which low-cost airline to choose to fly again in this 2021? So many are guided solely by price. In [...]
Wizz Air
Vueling
Volotea
Ryanair
easyJet
Which low-cost airline to choose to fly again in this 2021? Many people are guided solely by price. In this case, the choice among the many alternatives is obvious. Little does the carrier itself matter. The lowest cost will always prevail.
In this article:
However, the costs of low-cost airlines, for certain routes, are often very similar. It is worthwhile, therefore, to consider other elements as well. Here, then, is a comparison of Ryanair, EasyJet, Volotea, Wizz, and Vueling. A face-to-face look at these companies' offers to customers.
Check-in
Ryanair allows online check-in starting 60 days before the flight if you purchase a seat or hold a Flexi Plus ticket. Customers are given freedom to choose their seats, with the option to sit close together. Those who do not fall into this category can check in online starting 24 hours before departure. A seat will be assigned free of charge, with no option to select a seat, except for a fee. Carrying out the procedure at the airport is possible, but involves payment of surcharges. Ryanair charges 55 euros per passenger. A figure that drops to 20 euros if you do not have your boarding pass, paper or digital, with you.
Easyjet allows online and airport check-in free of charge. In terms of timing, the procedure is available to all users from 30 days to two hours before the flight. There is also no additional charge for any printing of the boarding pass.
Wizz Air allows you to check-in your flight from 30 days to three hours before departure. There is no charge if you do not have a boarding pass, paper or digital, despite having checked in online. On the other hand, a payment of €30 is required for flight registration at the airport, which is reduced to €10 if the user books this procedure in advance through the carrier's website.
Volotea, like Ryanair, provides a differentiation between those who purchase a specific seat or not. In the first case, online check-in is allowed as of now and up to 2 1/2 hours before the flight. In the second case, however, the green light is given from 4 days before. Checking in at the airport presents a cost of at least €50. The digital procedure is not allowed in the following cases:
- Travelers with pets or guide dogs
- Anyone who has requested the special assistance service at the airport
- Those traveling with Standby service ticket
- Travelers carrying weapons
- Those traveling from Faro or Kefalonia and from Chisinau or Tirana to Verona.
Varied differentiations made by Vueling. Online check-in is allowed from purchase to 1 hour before the flight in case of Basic fare ticket or flights with Optima, Family or TimeFlex fares. Basic fare only, without purchased seat, allows access from 7 days before the flight. The procedure is free of charge at the airport. Which is not a given for a low-cost flight.
Luggage
Several regulations have changed over the past few years on the low-cost airline front. Here, then, is what the current policies provide:
- Ryanair allows a small bag, to be placed under the seat, with maximum dimensions of 40x25x20 cm. Priority boarding passengers are allowed to add one piece of luggage with a maximum weight of 10 kg, with these dimensions: 55x40x20 cm. You can check two types of luggage, small and regular. The first is 55x40x20 cm for 10 kg maximum, and the second is 81x119x119 cm for 20 kg maximum. Purchasing online involves a minimum fee of 25 euros, while at the airport it is 40 euros. For excess baggage, the fee is 10 euros per kg.
- Easyjet provides that the type of seat booked determines what luggage may be carried on board. All passengers may carry one small piece of hand luggage, with a maximum size of 45x36x20 cm, to be placed under the seat, with no weight limit. An extra is provided in the case of Up front or Extra legroom seats, with maximum dimensions of 56x45x25 cm, to be placed in the overhead compartment. Two extra luggage for EasyJet Plus cardholders and those who have purchased with FLEXI fare. As for checked baggage, the cost ranges from €8.99 to €45.99 up to 15 kg, from €11.99 to €55.99 up to 23 kg.
- Volotea allows passengers to carry one handbag (35x20x20) and one carry-on bag (55x40x20) at no extra charge. The second will be in the overhead compartment only in the case of priority boarding. Otherwise it will go in the hold, free of charge, proceeding to boarding at airport check-in. The whole shall not exceed 10 kg. Otherwise you will have to pay a fee of 10 € per package and route. If you are carrying larger and heavier suitcases, be aware of how the carrier will allow up to 5 packages, totaling 50 kg per passenger. Up to two and a half hours before departure, you are always allowed to add luggage.
- All passengers of Wizz Air can have one free carry-on bag (40x30x20) weighing up to 10kg, to be placed under the seat. Adding a suitcase of different sizes, 55x40x23, requires Wizz Priority. Each passenger can carry up to six pieces of checked luggage. The cost starts at €9, up to €109. Price variations depend on online or airport check-in, as well as low to high season.
- Vueling guarantees all travelers a small luggage size for storage under the seat (40x20x30 cm). Larger luggage (55x40x20 cm) requires the purchase of tickets with Optima, Family and TimeFlex fares. The Basic fare, on the other hand, involves a separate charge. In the latter case, the price range is from €8 to €25 online, €50 instead at the airport, per piece and route. For checked bags there are minimum charges of €8, €10, €15 and €25, from 15 kg to 30 kg. Price from 50 € instead at the airport.
Classes, priority access and low-cost loyalty program
An in-depth look at the world of benefits of major low-cost carriers. Here's what to expect when booking and what options are on offer:
- Ryanair: The loyalty program is Ryanair Choice, at a cost of €199 per year. It offers free seats, instant boarding, priority on all flights, and one carry-on bag up to 10kg. As for priority access, it can be added for a fee at the time of booking or check-in. The minimum cost is €6 but can vary depending on various factors. You will be able to board 40 minutes before departure, with both hand luggage in the overhead compartment. Regarding classes. These are Regular, Leisure Plus and Business Plus, with costs starting at €19.99, €40.99 and €79.99, respectively.
- Easyjet: loyalty program is EasyJet Plus, at a cost of 239 euros annually, slightly outside the lowcost standards of direct competitors. Benefits include choice of seat, dedicated baggage drop-off counters, fast track, priority access, extra carry-on baggage, guarantee of the lowest fares, and the ability to get a return flight at an earlier time, the same day, at no extra cost. Priority access is also guaranteed to customers with FLEXI, Up front or Extra legroom tickets. Standard fares offer a small carry-on bag. The FLEXI fare, on the other hand, benefits as one suitcase in the overhead compartment, one under seat and one in the 23 kg hold. Free Up front seat, free flight and route changes, and a Flexi Bistro voucher.
- Volotea: The loyalty program is divided into two sections, Megavolotea, at a cost of €49.99 per year. This is updated from the second year, becoming Megavolotea Plus, changing the bonuses provided. Here are some of the differences between the first and second year: from €10 off cheap flights to €15, from 25% to 50% of discounts on seats, from 15% to 25% for cheaper luggage, from €20 to €35 credit for your birthday, and various offers each month. Every member has access to priority boarding, as do those who purchase Combo Plus at the time of booking. As for different seats on board, automatic assignment is free, while a standard seat, rear or front, is priced from €2 to €8 (online). A front and XL seat ranges from 6 € to 15 € (online), an XL seat in the front row from 10 € to 23 €.
- Wizz Air: the loyalty program is Wizz Discount Club, at a cost of €29.99 annually, including subscription for the holder and one companion. There is a cost of €69.99 for self and up to five companions. The big savings, as the company points out, comes from the absence of air fares to be paid. Added to this are concessions on baggage. Priority access is not part of the benefits and is guaranteed only to those who add Wizz Priority when purchasing tickets. This includes early boarding, dedicated check-in desk, hand luggage and trolley bags up to 10 kg. Added to this is the Privilege Pass, at an annual cost of €199, which always guarantees a free choice of seat, in addition to the other benefits of the Wizz Discout Club. Among the "classes" we should point out Wizz Flex, which allows you to change your flight online without penalty and get refunds on canceled flights.
- Vueling: the loyalty program is known as Vueling Club. As you travel, you can accumulate Avios points, which are understood to be internal currency useful for obtaining discounts. Each euro spent corresponds to three Avios. These become six in the case of Premium customers. Accumulating points brings you closer to Premium customer status, which can be obtained automatically with at least 40 flights per year (also 20 round-trip). This includes fast track at security check, dedicated customer service, double Avios points, dedicated counters at the airport, one flight for two per year with 50% discount, priority baggage boarding, and free same-day time change. There are four classes. Basic offers no extras except a regular accumulation of Avios points and an under-seat bag. Optima, Family, and TimeFlex add extras such as free seat choice, checked baggage (not TimeFlex), free cancellation, same-day change, and more.
Lowcost armchair dimensions
Here are some important figures to remember when booking. Paying less has its obvious advantages, but for nearly the same cost, which lowcost airlines provide the best comfort? Here are the spaces available in the cabin:
- Ryanair: seat width 43 cm; space between seats 76 cm
- Easyjet: seat width 44 cm; space between seats 72 cm
- Volotea: seat width 45 cm; space between seats 76 cm
- Wizz Air: seat width 45 cm; space between seats 76 cm
- Vueling: seat width 45 cm; space between seats 73 cm
In conclusion
We have tried to summarize in this article the differences between the major low-cost airlines in our market. We would like to remind you that in order to make your trip more pleasant, it is possible to become a holder of a Credit card that gives away lounge access airport and Travel insurance and for all possible inconveniences.
