You’ve got your destination picked out, your bags are nearly packed, and your sense of adventure is tingling. But one major question stands between you and your next trip: what is the cheapest flight company? Finding the cheapest flight company can seem like a difficult task, but this guide Onward Free will break down the world’s top low-cost carriers in 2025, showing you who to look for in every region and how to master the art of budget flying.

Cheapest Flight Company by Region

To make it simple, here’s a breakdown of the top budget airlines to look for based on where you’re traveling. Your personal cheapest flight company will likely be on this list.

Region	Top Budget Airlines
Asia-Pacific	AirAsia, IndiGo, Scoot, SpiceJet, VietJet Air
Europe	Ryanair, Wizz Air, EasyJet, Vueling, TAP Air Portugal
North & Central America	Spirit Airlines, Frontier Airlines, Volaris, Allegiant Air
South America	Sky Airline, GOL, Viva Air Colombia, LATAM Airlines
Australia & New Zealand	Jetstar Airways, Virgin Australia, Scoot
Africa	Etihad, Qatar Airways, EgyptAir, South African Airways

Top 10 Cheapest Flight Companies in the World

These are the airlines that have built their reputations on offering rock-bottom prices. They are the first places you should look when hunting for a bargain and hoping to find the cheapest flight company for your route.

AirAsia

Based in Malaysia, AirAsia is the undisputed king of low-cost travel in Southeast Asia. With an enormous network connecting dozens of countries, from Thailand and Vietnam to Indonesia and the Philippines, AirAsia is often the go-to for affordable regional flights. Their famous tagline, “Now Everyone Can Fly,” truly reflects their mission to make air travel accessible.

Ryanair

The Irish airline Ryanair is a legend in European budget travel, famous for its aggressive no-frills approach and incredibly low base fares. It connects hundreds of destinations across Europe and North Africa, making it possible to fly for the price of a pizza if you can travel light and follow their strict rules, making it a strong contender for the cheapest flight company in Europe.

Wizz Air

A major competitor to Ryanair, Hungary-based Wizz Air dominates the skies of Central and Eastern Europe with some of the lowest fares on the continent. The airline has been rapidly expanding its routes into Western Europe and the Middle East, offering a growing network for budget-conscious explorers.

IndiGo

IndiGo is India’s largest passenger airline and a powerhouse in the Asian market, renowned for its efficiency, punctuality, and modern fleet. It consistently offers low prices on a vast network of domestic and international routes, making it a reliable choice for travel across the continent.

VietJet Air

IndiGo is India’s largest passenger airline and a powerhouse in the Asian market, renowned for its efficiency, punctuality, and modern fleet. It consistently offers low prices on a vast network of domestic and international routes, making it a reliable choice for travel across the continent.

Scoot

As the low-cost arm of the prestigious Singapore Airlines, Scoot offers the best of both worlds: budget-friendly fares with the reliability of a world-class parent company. It operates a modern fleet on medium and long-haul flights from Singapore to destinations across Asia, Australia, and even Europe.

Spirit Airlines

Spirit Airlines is a leading “ultra-low-cost carrier” in the United States with a simple philosophy: you pay for a seat, and everything else is an optional extra. This “Bare Fare” model means if you can travel with just a personal item, you can snag some of the cheapest domestic and international flights available.

Frontier Airlines

Following a similar model to Spirit, Frontier Airlines offers budget flights across the United States, Mexico, and the Caribbean, easily identified by the signature animals on its plane tails. With its frequent sales and “Discount Den” membership program, it provides another excellent option for cost-conscious travelers in North America.

Volaris

Volaris is Mexico’s leading low-cost airline, having made air travel within the region significantly more accessible for millions of people. It connects cities all across Mexico and offers an extensive, affordable network of routes to the United States and Central America.

Jetstar Airways

Owned by Australia’s flagship carrier Qantas, Jetstar is the top budget airline in Australia and New Zealand, offering a reliable, low-cost travel experience. It operates a vast network of domestic flights and affordable international routes to popular destinations throughout Southeast Asia and the Pacific.

What Makes a Flight Company ‘Cheap’?

Low-cost carriers (LCCs) aren’t just generous; they have a specific business model designed to cut costs and pass those savings on to you. This model is the secret to being the cheapest flight company. Here’s how they do it:

• Unbundled Fares: You buy the seat, and everything else—checked bags, carry-on bags, seat selection, food, and drinks—is an optional extra.
• Secondary Airports: They often fly into smaller, less congested airports that have lower fees.
• One Aircraft Type: By using a single type of plane (like the Boeing 737), they save massively on training, maintenance, and parts.
• Quick Turnarounds: Their planes spend less time on the ground and more time in the air, making money.
• Direct Sales: They encourage you to book directly on their website, avoiding fees from third-party travel agents.

How to Find the Cheapest Flights

Knowing which airlines offer the lowest base fares is just the first step in your mission to find the cheapest flight company. The real art of budget travel lies in knowing exactly how and when to book to catch the best deals, turning a standard fare into an incredible bargain.

1. Be Flexible: The more flexible you are with your travel dates and even your destination, the more likely you are to find a bargain.
2. Use Flight Search Engines: Websites like Google Flights and Skyscanner are essential tools. They compare hundreds of airlines and booking sites at once.
3. Fly Mid-Week: Tuesdays and Wednesdays are often the cheapest days to fly.
4. Book One-Way: Sometimes, booking two one-way tickets on different budget airlines is cheaper than a round-trip. This strategy gives you ultimate flexibility, but remember that many countries require proof of onward travel. For that, a service like OnwardFree.com is your best friend, providing a legitimate onward ticket for a fraction of the cost of a real flight.

Tips for Flying Cheap Without Hidden Costs

Budget airlines are cheap, but they are strict. Follow these tips to avoid surprise fees:

• Travel Light: If you can fit everything into a small backpack that goes under the seat, you can avoid all baggage fees.
• Weigh Your Bags: Make sure your bags are under the weight limit. Overweight fees are incredibly expensive.
• Check-In Online: Many budget airlines charge a hefty fee for checking in at the airport.
• Bring Your Own Food & Water: Save money by packing your own snacks and a refillable water bottle.
• Forget Seat Selection: Unless you absolutely must sit with your companions, let the airline assign you a seat for free.

Conclusion

The cheapest flight company in 2025 isn’t a single name—it’s a group of savvy, cost-cutting airlines that have revolutionized travel. By knowing which carriers dominate which regions and understanding their rules, you can explore the world for far less than you ever thought possible. For more details about travel, navigate to Blog Onwardfree.com. Onward Free is always honored to accompany you on every trip!