Savvy travelers looking to save money on flights to Europe often use positioning flights; that is, snagging a cheap international flight from your home airport to any major hub in Europe, then booking a separate ticket from that hub to your ultimate destination on one of Europe’s low-cost carriers.
These carriers are not unlike their U.S. counterparts, with limited legroom, complex baggage rules, and (lots of) fees. Here’s a comparison of the four most popular ones—Ryanair, EasyJet, Wizz Air, and Jet2—to help you make your choice.
By way of background, Irish carrier Ryanair serves more than 200 destinations in more than 30 countries, with over 1,700 routes in total. British airline EasyJet also flies to several popular destinations in Europe, including Paris, Rome, Barcelona, and more. Wizz Air is based in Budapest, though has bases in the U.K., and operates flights mainly to and from Eastern Europe. Jet2, a British airline, also flies all around Europe from many airports within the U.K.
While each airline offers low fares, not every flight experience will be the same. Here’s the scoop:
Check-in Requirements
Ryanair
Travelers should check in online and print their boarding pass or download a mobile pass. You can also download the airline’s app. Otherwise, it costs either £/€55 to check in at the airport (Flights from Spain: £/€30) or £/€20 to print a boarding card at the airport. Those who’ve paid extra for seat selection can check in online 60 days in advance and up to two hours before the flight. Those with unreserved seats can check in between 48 hours and two hours before the flight. Non-EU/EEA citizens must have their travel documents checked and stamped at the Ryanair Visa/Document Check Desk before certain flights.
EasyJet
There’s no charge for checking in at the airport or printing a boarding pass, but it’s best to check in and print a boarding pass ahead of time — or use the EasyJet app. Web check in is available between 30 days and two hours before the flight.
Wizz Air
Check in online is allowed between 30 days and three hours before the flight. If travelers don’t print their boarding pass before arriving or download a mobile pass when available, they must pay between €10 and €30 (or £9 to £27) at the airport, except at select airports where it’s free to check in, including Corfu, Palma de Mallorca, Zaragoza, Moscow, Marrakesh, and both Dubai and Tirana when flying to Budapest.
Jet2
When booking, travelers must select between web and mobile check in or airport check in. If you choose to check in at the airport, you’ll be charged a fee starting at £12. Web check in is available 28 days in advance of the flight.
Carry-on Baggage Allowance
Ryanair
One bag under the seat with a maximum size of 40x20x25 centimeters. Priority passengers (from £/€6 and up), can take one bag under the seat with a maximum size of 40x20x25cm, plus an additional bag with a maximum size of 10 kilograms and 55x40x20 centimeters. The extra service also includes priority boarding.
EasyJet
One bag with a maximum size of 56x45x25 centimeters with no weight limit. Starting 10 February 2021, travelers can only bring one bag that must fit under the seat with a maximum size of 45x36x20. Those who paid for an upfront or extra legroom seat can also bring one bag to fit in the overhead bin with a maximum size of 56x45x25cm.
Wizz Air
One bag with a maximum size of 10 kilograms and 40x30x20 centimeters can be placed under the seat. Travelers with Wizz Priority service can bring one carry-on bag with a maximum size of 40x30x20 centimeters and an extra trolley bag with a maximum size of 55x40x23 centimeters.
Jet2
One bag with a maximum weight of 10 kilograms and maximum size of 56x45x25 centimeters, including any wheels and handles, plus one personal item (such as a handbag or laptop bag) as long as it fits underneath the seat in front. If the flight is full, your 10-kilogram bag may be put in the hold, but for an extra £2.50, you can guarantee that it stays with you in the cabin
Seat Width and Pitch
Ryanair
43.2 centimeters (17 inches) and 76.2 centimeters (or 30 inches). No recline.
EasyJet
44 centimeters (17.5 inches) and 72.5 centimeters (29 inches). No recline.
Wizz Air
45.72 centimeters (18 inches). Wizz Air claims its seat pitch is actually 76.2 centimeters (30 inches) but in TPG U.K.’s experience, we measured it as 73.7 centimeters (29 inches). No recline.
Jet2
41.1 to 44.7 centimeters (or between 16.2 and 17.6 inches) and 71.2 to 78.7 centimeters (or 28 to 31 inches). No recline.
Hold Baggage
Ryanair
Each traveler can bring three bags weighing 20 kilograms each. Each 10-kilogram bag costs £/€12-30 if purchased during the initial flight booking or £/€24-36 if added online afterward or at the airport desk. Each 20-kilogram bag costs £/€19-60 if purchased during the initial flight booking or £/€45-60 if added online afterward or at the airport desk. (Rates vary based on route and season.) Bags weighing more than 20 kilograms cost £/€9-11 per kilo (or local currency equivalent), capped at 32 kilograms. Customers traveling on the same reservation can pool their baggage allowance.
EasyJet
Each traveler can bring three hold bags at either 15 kilograms, 23 kilograms, or 32 kilograms. Prices range from £6.99 to £42.49 for 15- and 23-kilogram bags if purchased online. An extra £12 for every three kilograms of weight is added until 32 kilograms. Prices to check bags at the airport start at £45 and up.
Wizz Air
Each traveler can bring up to six hold bags. Rates are based on date of travel and if you paid online or at the airport. Rates range from €9 (£8) online for a 10-kilogram bag on off-peak travel dates to €109 (about £98) for a 32-kilogram bag checked at the airport.
Jet2
Each traveler can bring three hold bags at 22 kilograms each. 22-kilogram bags start at £25.50. Additional weight is charged at £12 per kilogram up to 32 kilograms.
Seat Allocation
Ryanair
Standard seat selection starts at £/€4.50, front seats start at £/€7, and extra legroom seats start at £/€11. Children under 12 get reserved seats for free, but accompanying adults must pay (starting at £/€6). Plus or Flexi Plus have seat selection included.
EasyJet
Prices for seat selection range from £0.99 for standard seats to £39.99 for front, extra legroom, or overwing seats. FLEXI fares or EasyJet Plus have seat selection included.
Wizz Air
Seat selection prices range from €4 to €50 (or £3.60 to £45) depending on seat, season and route. Wizz Go and Wizz Plus fares have seat selection included.
Jet2
When booking, special deal prices may be offered (think: 15% off seat selection and one hold bag). Standard seat selection runs from £7 to £18.
Priority Boarding
Ryanair
Prices start at £/€6 and up. The service includes extra carry-on luggage and allows you to board first in a special line. Priority boarding is capped at 95 customers per flight. Flexi Plus fares include this service.
EasyJet
Speedy boarding is available to travelers with an EasyJet Plus card, FLEXI ticket, or an up-front or extra-legroom seat.
Wizz Air
If booked online, priority boarding is available for €5-€35 (about £4.50-£31.50), depending on season and route. If booked at the airport, it’s €20 (about £18). This fare is also included with Wizz Go and Wizz Plus as well as Wizz Air Privilege
Jet2
Jet2 doesn’t offer priority boarding.
Fare Classes
Ryanair
Plus fares include free standard seat selection, free airport check in, and one hold bag. Flexi Plus fares come with seat selection, priority boarding, free airport check-in, flexible ticket changes, and one hold bag. Ryanair also has special family fares.
EasyJet
FLEXI fares allow changes to flight dates and times, plus a free 23-kilogram hold bag, dedicated bag drop, speedy boarding, Fast Track security at selected airports, a seat at the front of the airplane, an under-seat bag in addition to your cabin bag, and a £7.50 (or currency equivalent) bistro voucher to spend onboard.
Wizz Air
Wizz Go fares allow a carry-on bag with a maximum size of 40x30x20 centimeters plus an additional bag with a maximum size of 55x40x23 centimeters, a 20-kilogram checked bag, seat selection, free airport and online check-in, priority boarding, and priority check-in. Wizz Plus fares allow a carry on bag with a maximum size of 40x30x20 centimeters plus an additional bag with a maximum size of 55x40x23 centimeters, a 32-kilogram checked bag, premium seat selection, flexible changes and refund options, free airport and online check-in, priority boarding, and priority/auto check-in.
Jet2
Jet2 doesn’t have special fares, but it does have instant deals, where the cost of seat selection and hold baggage is bundled together with a 15% discount or the cost of seats, meals, and hold baggage for a 25% discount. Travelers can take advantage of these deals during the online booking process.
Loyalty Program
Ryanair
All the myRyanair program really does is collect and save traveler data for faster and simpler future bookings.
EasyJet
EasyJet Plus costs £215 per year and includes allocated seating every time you fly, dedicated bag-drop desks, Fast Track security at select airports, speedy boarding, additional cabin bag, and more.
Wizz Air
Wizz Air Privilege Pass costs €199 (£170) per year and includes seat selection, priority boarding, and an extra cabin bag with a maximum size of 55x40x23 centimeters in addition to your other cabin bag with a maximum size of 40x 30×20 centimeters.
Jet2
MyJet2 scheme is a free membership program by which you receive special deals and offers by email.
Who are the best in class?
Check-in requirements
The clear winner here is EasyJet, as the airline doesn’t charge for airport check in. In general, the best way to avoid paying extra is to check in online ahead of time, either by printing your pass or using a mobile pass. Note: Remember if you are flying Ryanair, confirm if you need or don’t need a stamp if you’re a non-EU/EEA citizen.
Carry-on baggage
Jet2 is tops here for having the largest free carry-on bag plus an included personal item. Note: Always measure (and weigh, depending on the airline) your carry-on baggage ahead of time to avoid unwanted additional charges at the airport. If carry on baggage, hold baggage, and seat selection are important to you, buying a fare class that bundles these options together may be worth it over adding all the extras in as single items.
Seat size and allocation
None of these carriers feature business-class seats or economy seats that recline, so if you’re extra tall, booking a seat with added legroom or a standard aisle seat is going to be your best bet. The airline with the smallest and largest seats is Jet2; seat size depends on the aircraft you’re flying. You can always check SeatGuru before purchasing your ticket, using your flight number and flying date to determine which aircraft and which size seats you’ll have. Paying for seat selection may be worth the splurge if want to sit next to friends and family during your trip or need extra space.
Hold baggage
No clear winner here! None of these low-cost carriers include a free hold bag, and on several, the cost for hold baggage very much depends on the route and season you’re flying. It’s best to decide which luggage you’re planning to bring along and reserve it as soon as you book. Be sure to weigh your bags before flying to avoid having to pay extra at the check-in desk if your bag is overweight. Carrying a small luggage scale with you may also be a good idea for your return trip if you plan to shop during your holiday.
Priority boarding
Although Ryanair’s priority line is sometimes longer than the regular boarding line, its priority-boarding-plus-carry-on package is one of the better deals. The price includes extra carry-on baggage as well as a chance to board first. This is capped at the first 95 people to book, so make sure to reserve it upon booking your ticket to ensure you’re one of the lucky group. If you’re a fan of priority boarding, Jet2 isn’t the right airline for you; it doesn’t offer it.
Fare classes
Each of these airlines bundles some extras together, so it may be cheaper to buy the next-highest fare class instead of the lower one if you want to check a bag and reserve a seat. Always check costs carefully when booking to see which fare on which airline gives you what you want while making sense for your budget. Sometimes, extras can end up costing more than the ticket itself!
Loyalty program
None of these carriers offer a true loyalty program that allows you to earn and redeem miles. However, if you find yourself regularly flying on either Wizz Air or EasyJet, especially for business, you should look into joining their membership programs. Doing so may save you money in the long run, despite the annual fee.
Summary
There’s no clear winner in the realm of Europe’s low-cost carriers. Decide what’s important to you (Larger carry-on? Early boarding? Free airport check in? Cheap seat allocation?) and pick the airline that offers you the most.
Whatever airline you choose, read the fine print ahead of time and know exactly what your fare covers (or doesn’t cover) and what requirements are attached to your ticket. You don’t want to have to pay a fee to print your boarding pass that costs more than the price of your seat or be denied boarding just because you’re missing a stamp.
Finally, before you book, check all of your options, including a comparison with a traditional full-service carrier. One of the reasons low-cost airlines are so enticing is the lure of extremely cheap fares. But they’re not always the better deal when all the extra fees are added in.
Twist’s Take: Pairing a positioning flight with one of Europe’s low-cost carriers can result in real savings. Just be sure to know the rules for carry-on and hold baggage, boarding, and seat selection before you book!
