Ryanair or Spirit? easyJet or Frontier? Who’s the bigger menace to legroom and your wallet?
Low-cost carriers (LCCs) have democratised air travel, squeezed every last inch out of seat pitch, and turned overhead bins into battlegrounds. But not all budget airlines are cut from the same high-vis polyester. Let’s pit the UK and the US against each other to see who really does low-cost better (or worse).
In This Post
The Big Players
UK Low-Cost Airlines
- Ryanair – Based in Dublin but flying half of Britain. Famously cheap, infamously strict.
- easyJet – Orange is the new budget. Less aggressive than Ryanair, but still no frills.
- Jet2 – Northern darling with a package holiday twist.
- Wizz Air UK – Eastern Europe meets Luton. Often dirt cheap if you survive the add-ons.
- Flybe (RIP, again) – Let’s not talk about it.
US Low-Cost Airlines
- Spirit Airlines – Yellow planes, yellow mood. The poster child for budget pain.
- Frontier Airlines – Brings wildlife to your tailfin and chaos to your gate.
- Allegiant Air – Leisure routes and rare schedules. Like a flash sale with wings.
- Sun Country – Minnesota’s answer to budget flying. Sometimes, it’s surprisingly decent.
- Avelo & Breeze – New kids trying to disrupt the legacy-dominated map.
Base Fare vs Reality
| Feature | UK LCCs | US LCCs |
|---|---|---|
| Base Fare | Often cheaper (esp. Ryanair) | Cheap, but usually regional |
| Cabin Bag Included? | Usually not (unless Jet2) | Rarely, Spirit/Frontier = 😭 |
| Seat Assignment | Pay-to-choose everywhere | Same in US, even worse if tall |
| Customer Service | Bare minimum | Nonexistent (but with sass) |
| Airport Choice | Outskirts of outskirt airports | Smaller regional US cities |
| Add-on Fees | Aggressive | Predatory |
Winner? UK fares look cheaper, but US LCCs get creative with routes. Both will charge you to blink.
Baggage, Boarding, and Bruised Knees
Let’s be honest: flying an LCC is not for the faint-hearted. In the UK, Ryanair’s boarding process feels like a cattle auction. In the US, Spirit passengers regularly square up over personal item sizes.
Neither side has mastered dignity, but UK LCCs feel slightly more regimented. US ones are more… theatrical.
Route Networks: City Hops vs Leisure Lures
- UK LCCs love Europe. City breaks, beach getaways, even sneaky North African escapes. Ryanair will take you from Stansted to “Oslo” (actually a forest).
- US LCCs target leisure spots: Vegas, Florida, ski towns. Frontier will fly you to Bozeman on a Tuesday for $29 if you’re lucky.
UK airlines offer more international bang for your buck. US carriers dominate the domestic niche.
The Strategy Difference
- UK LCCs: Volume, volume, volume. Max aircraft utilisation. Shockingly on time.
- US LCCs: Point-to-point with odd frequencies. Less daily volume, more unpredictability.
UK low-cost airlines operate like finely tuned machines. US ones are more like glorified Groupon offers with wings.
Final Boarding Call: Who Wins?
- Cheapest Ticket: UK (Ryanair still reigns supreme)
- Worst Experience: US (Spirit, we’re looking at you)
- Most Destinations: UK (Wizz and Ryanair fly everywhere)
- Hidden Fees King: Toss-up, but Spirit’s personal item fee might just clinch it
- Best of the Worst: Jet2 (UK) and maybe Breeze (US) if you squint
Verdict:
If you’re after raw value, the UK has mastered the art of selling you £9 flights and then charging £70 for your suitcase. If you’re in the US, you’ll be lucky to find a Spirit flight that doesn’t involve a mid-air argument and a middle seat between two toddlers. Either way, whether you’re flying Ryanair Spirit or easyJet, pack light, board early, and, for the love of legroom, bring snacks.
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