Have you ever scrolled through flight prices and felt your heart sink a little? I know I have. That weekend trip to see friends or that last-minute family visit suddenly feels impossible when flights cost more than your monthly car payment. But here’s the good news – budget airlines have completely changed the game for domestic travel across the USA.
As someone who’s flown more budget flights than I care to admit (my wallet thanks me, my knees sometimes don’t), I’ve learned a thing or two about navigating the world of low-cost carriers. Today, I’m sharing my hard-earned wisdom about the best budget airlines that can get you across America without emptying your bank account.
Table of Content
The Top Budget Airlines Worth Your Attention
Southwest Airlines: The OG Budget Carrier
Southwest might not call itself a “budget airline,” but it’s earned its place at the top of this list for good reason. While other airlines were busy nickel-and-diming passengers, Southwest stuck to its “Bags Fly Free” policy that still makes it a standout today.
What I love about Southwest:
- Two free checked bags (seriously, this alone can save you $60+ per round trip)
- No change or cancellation fees (plans change, and Southwest gets that)
- Open seating policy (no assigned seats means faster boarding)
- Frequent sales with fares as low as $59 one-way
- An extensive route network covering most major US cities
The Southwest experience isn’t bare-bones either. You’ll still get complimentary snacks and non-alcoholic beverages, and their flight attendants are known for bringing a bit of personality and humor to those safety announcements.
One quirk to note: Southwest doesn’t appear on most flight comparison sites like Expedia or Kayak. You’ll need to book directly through their official website, which honestly isn’t a bad thing – direct bookings typically give you more flexibility anyway.
Spirit Airlines: Ultra-Low Fares (With Some Caveats)
Let’s be real – Spirit Airlines has a reputation. But if you understand how to play their game, you can score some ridiculously cheap flights. I once flew from Chicago to Las Vegas for $31 each way. Yes, really.
What you need to know about Spirit:
- Often offers the absolute lowest base fares in the industry
- Charges for EVERYTHING beyond the seat itself (carry-ons, checked bags, seat selection, printing boarding passes at the airport)
- Seats don’t recline and have less legroom than traditional carriers
- No free beverages or snacks (bring your own or prepare to pay up)
My Spirit strategy? Travel with just a personal item that fits under the seat (backpack or small duffel), bring snacks and an empty water bottle to fill after security, and check in online to avoid airport printing fees. If you can travel light and plan ahead, Spirit can be an incredible deal for shorter flights.
Visit Spirit Airlines’ official site to check their latest deals and route maps.
Frontier Airlines: Similar to Spirit, Sometimes Cheaper
Frontier operates on pretty much the same ultra-low-cost model as Spirit. The two even attempted a merger recently (though it ultimately fell through). In my experience, Frontier sometimes edges out Spirit on certain routes, especially to and from their Denver hub.
Frontier highlights:
- Frequent sales with promotional codes (sign up for their emails)
- “Kids Fly Free” promotions several times a year
- Slightly more comfortable seats than Spirit in my opinion
- Similar fee structure to Spirit (pay for carry-ons, seat selection, etc.)
One advantage Frontier has is their Discount Den membership ($59.99/year), which gives you access to lower fares and the Kids Fly Free program. If you fly with family several times a year, this membership can pay for itself quickly.
Check out Frontier’s website for their current promotions and route network.
Allegiant Air: Serving Smaller Markets
Allegiant has carved out a unique niche by flying from smaller, regional airports to popular vacation destinations. If you don’t live near a major hub, Allegiant might be your budget ticket out of town.
What makes Allegiant different:
- Flies from many smaller cities often overlooked by major carriers
- Non-daily service (typically 2-3 flights per week on each route)
- Direct focus on linking smaller cities to vacation destinations
- Package deals that include hotel stays can offer good value
The catch with Allegiant is their limited schedule. You can’t just hop on a flight any day of the week, which requires more flexibility in your travel planning. But if their schedule aligns with yours, the savings can be substantial.
Browse Allegiant’s official website to see if they serve airports near you.
JetBlue: The “Premium Budget” Option
JetBlue occupies an interesting middle ground between traditional and budget carriers. While not the cheapest option on this list, they offer significantly better amenities at prices often lower than the major airlines.
Why JetBlue stands out:
- Most legroom among economy cabins in the US
- Free high-speed Wi-Fi on all flights
- Complimentary snacks and drinks
- Personal TVs at every seat
- First checked bag free with certain fare types
Their basic economy fare (called “Blue Basic”) lets you access their comfortable experience at a lower price point if you’re willing to board last and potentially pay for carry-on bags on certain routes.
Explore JetBlue’s routes and amenities at their website.
How to Make the Most of Budget Airlines
Photo by Tanathip Rattanatum
Book Direct and Book Early
I’ve learned the hard way that the early bird truly gets the worm when it comes to budget airlines. These carriers typically release their lowest fares first, then prices gradually increase as the flight fills up. Unlike traditional airlines, you’ll rarely see last-minute deals on budget carriers.
Booking directly through the airline’s website or app also helps you avoid third-party service fees and makes it easier to handle any changes or issues that might come up.
Pack Smart (Or Pack Nothing)
The biggest budget-killer on low-cost airlines is baggage fees. On carriers like Spirit and Frontier, a carry-on bag can cost more than the flight itself if you wait to add it at the gate!
I’ve become a master of the “personal item only” approach for weekend trips. A backpack or small duffel that fits under the seat is always free, and you’d be surprised how much you can fit with some clever packing techniques. Rolling clothes instead of folding, wearing your bulkiest items on the plane, and embracing minimalism can save you $30-60 each way.
Choose Your Routes Wisely
Budget airlines shine on certain routes and fall flat on others. Direct competition between multiple budget carriers typically means better prices. For example, the Chicago to Denver route sees service from Southwest, Frontier, and Spirit, creating price wars that benefit travelers.
Also, consider alternate airports. Flying into Midway instead of O’Hare in Chicago or Burbank instead of LAX in Los Angeles can often mean lower fares and smaller, less stressful airports.
Membership Programs Can Pay Off
Despite what you might think, budget airline loyalty programs can offer decent value:
- Southwest’s Rapid Rewards points never expire
- Frontier’s FRONTIER Miles program offers family pooling
- Spirit’s Free Spirit program was recently revamped to be more user-friendly
If you fly a particular budget carrier frequently, the co-branded credit cards can also provide significant value through free bags and priority boarding.
Comparing Budget Airlines: At-a-Glance Price Breakdown
| Airline | Base Fare Range | Carry-On Bag | 1st Checked Bag | Seat Selection | Change Fee |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Southwest | $69-$200+ | Free | Free | N/A (open seating) | $0 |
| Spirit | $20-$150+ | $35-$65 | $30-$65 | $10-$60 | $49-$99 |
| Frontier | $19-$150+ | $35-$60 | $30-$55 | $6-$45 | $49-$99 |
| Allegiant | $29-$180+ | $35-$45 | $25-$40 | $5-$30 | $75 |
| JetBlue | $49-$180+ | Free* | $35+ | $5-$25 | $75-$100 |
*JetBlue’s Blue Basic fare may charge for carry-on bags on certain routes
Common FAQs About Budget Airlines
Are budget airlines safe?
Absolutely. All US commercial airlines operate under the same FAA safety regulations. Budget airlines maintain the same safety standards as their more expensive counterparts – they just cut costs in other areas like customer service, amenities, and operational efficiency.
How do budget airlines offer such low fares?
They follow an “unbundled” model where you only pay for the actual seat, then add on any extras you want. They also maximize efficiency by:
- Using single aircraft types (simplifies maintenance and training)
- Turning planes around quickly between flights
- Flying to less congested airports with lower fees
- Packing more seats into the same aircraft
- Minimizing complimentary services
Are budget airlines worth it for longer flights?
It depends on your priorities. For flights under 3 hours, most people find budget airlines perfectly manageable. For longer flights, the lack of legroom, entertainment, and included food might make traditional carriers worth the extra cost. I personally draw the line around 4 hours – beyond that, I’ll consider paying more for comfort.
What’s the best budget airline for families traveling with children?
Southwest and JetBlue tend to be more family-friendly among budget carriers. Southwest offers free checked bags (helpful for all the extra gear kids require) and family boarding between the A and B groups. JetBlue provides more seat space and entertainment options. Frontier’s “Kids Fly Free” promotion can offer substantial savings during eligible periods for Discount Den members.
How far in advance should I book budget airline tickets?
For the best fares, book 1-3 months ahead for domestic travel. Budget airlines rarely offer last-minute deals, and prices typically rise steadily as the departure date approaches. Sign up for fare alerts from each airline or use Google Flights to track price changes on routes you’re interested in.
The Bottom Line: Budget Airlines Aren’t One-Size-Fits-All
The best budget airline for you depends entirely on where you’re going, how you pack, and what you value in the flying experience. I’ll sometimes splurge on Southwest for the free bags and flexibility, while other times I’ll brave Spirit’s tight seats for a rock-bottom fare on a quick weekend getaway.
What’s certain is that budget airlines have democratized air travel in ways that were unimaginable twenty years ago. Weekend trips across the country are no longer reserved for the wealthy, and for that, I’m grateful – even if my knees occasionally disagree during a cramped Frontier flight.
So next time you’re planning a trip, give the budget carriers a fair look. With the money you save on flights, you’ll have more to spend actually enjoying your destination – and isn’t that the whole point of travel anyway?
Have you had great (or terrible) experiences with budget airlines? I’d love to hear your stories in the comments below!
Last updated: April 2025. Fare ranges and policies are subject to change. Always check the airline’s official website for the most current information before booking.
