Budget airline facts for kids

EasyJet A319, Airport Amsterdam Schiphol.

A budget airline is a type of airline that offers flights at lower prices than other airlines. These are also called low-cost carriers. They try to keep their ticket prices low by cutting down on extra services. This means you might not get free food or drinks on the flight. They also try to be on time to avoid extra charges from airports. Many budget airlines use only one type of aircraft, like the Boeing 737. This helps them save money on maintenance and training. Southwest Airlines in the United States was one of the first airlines to become famous for this budget model.

How Budget Airlines Save Money

Budget airlines use smart ways to keep their costs low. This allows them to offer cheaper tickets to travelers.

Fewer Freebies

When you fly with a budget airline, you usually pay extra for things like checked bags. You might also pay for your seat choice or even for snacks and drinks. Traditional airlines often include these things in the ticket price. By making these services optional, budget airlines can offer a basic, cheaper fare.

Simple Fleet

Many budget airlines use only one type of airplane. For example, some might only fly Boeing 737s or Airbus A320s. This helps them save money. It means their pilots only need to be trained on one plane. It also makes maintenance easier and cheaper. They don't need to stock many different spare parts.

Quick Turnarounds

Budget airlines try to spend as little time as possible on the ground at airports. They want their planes to be in the air, flying passengers, as much as possible. Faster turnarounds mean the airline can do more flights each day. This helps them earn more money from each plane. Being on time also helps them avoid fines from airports.

Popular Budget Airlines

Many budget airlines operate around the world. They have made air travel more affordable for many people.

North America

In the United States, Southwest Airlines is a very well-known budget carrier. They were pioneers in this business model. Other examples include Allegiant Air and Spirit Airlines. These airlines focus on offering low base fares.

Europe

Europe has many large budget airlines. Ryanair and easyJet are two of the biggest. They offer flights across many European countries. Wizz Air and Norwegian Air Shuttle are also popular choices. These airlines have made it easier and cheaper to travel around Europe.

Asia and Beyond

Budget airlines are also very popular in Asia. AirAsia is a major low-cost carrier in Southeast Asia. Lion Air and Spring Airlines are other examples. These airlines connect many cities across the region. The budget model has spread globally, making air travel accessible in many parts of the world.

Images for kids

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  Southwest Airlines is the world's largest low-cost carrier.

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  Ryanair and Wizz Air airplanes at Glasgow Prestwick Airport. The airlines are two competing low-cost carriers in the European market.

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  Airbus A319 of Germanwings and an Airbus A320 of Air Berlin at Zürich Airport in 2013. Both carriers were among the largest budget airlines in Germany at the time the picture was taken.

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  A Wizz Air Airbus A320 at Katowice International Airport.

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  A SunExpress Boeing 737-800 at Zürich Airport.

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  A Norwegian Air Shuttle Boeing 737-800 at Trondheim Airport.

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  Passengers boarding a Spring Airlines aircraft via passenger boarding stairs at Shanghai Pudong International Airport.

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  Allegiant Air is a large United States low-cost airline.

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  Ryanair and easyJet airplanes at Liverpool John Lennon Airport, Liverpool, two competing low-cost carriers in the European market.

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  An Airbus A320-200 of AirAsia and a Boeing 737-900ER of Lion Air at Ngurah Rai Airport. Both carriers are among the largest budget airlines in Southeast Asia.

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  A Gol Transportes Aéreos Boeing 737-800 at Afonso Pena International Airport.

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  Air India Express Boeing 737-800

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  Advert for Loftleiðir Icelandic Airlines on Fifth Avenue, New York in 1973

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  Top European low-cost carrier holding companies and their current fleet size

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  A Laker Airways Skytrain DC-10 in London, 1973.

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  A Boeing 787-8 from Norwegian Long Haul at Gatwick Airport, formerly used for flights from Europe to Asia and the USA.

See also

In Spanish: Aerolínea de bajo costo para niños