The Hidden Cheap Airline in Europe That U.S. Travelers Don't Know About

Spirit Airlines Surpasses Expectations

Despite declaring bankruptcy last year, Spirit Airlines has not only emerged from Chapter 11 but also made a remarkable comeback. The airline was recently named the best domestic airline of 2025 by WalletHub. This recognition came as a surprise given Spirit's long-standing reputation for poor customer service and limited comfort. However, the company managed to secure its top rating due to its strong focus on safety and affordability.

While Spirit Airlines is making waves in the U.S., it’s not the only budget airline gaining attention. In Europe, Wizz Air has been recognized as the cheapest airline in 2024 by AirAdvisor. Despite this distinction, many travelers may not be familiar with Wizz Air because it does not operate flights to any U.S. airports. This detail is crucial because if a travel booking site offers Wizz Air flights departing from a U.S. airport with cheap international deals, it could be a sign that the site is fake and attempting to scam users.

Wizz Air: A Budget-Friendly Option in Europe

For those traveling within Europe, Wizz Air stands out for offering the lowest RASK (revenue average per seat kilometer) among European airlines. Additionally, the airline provides an All You Can Fly subscription pass for frequent flyers who want to save money on their travels. This pass costs €599 Euros a month (approximately $695 U.S.) and allows unlimited flights within the Wizz Air network.

However, there are several caveats to consider when signing up for the All You Can Fly program. According to The Points Guy, passengers may encounter additional booking fees, strict baggage policies, and limitations on flight bookings that could force passholders to purchase regular-priced return tickets. While AirAdvisor praised Wizz Air for its affordability, the website did not label it as a top-tier airline. Instead, AirAdvisor listed Wizz Air among Europe’s worst airlines based on customer reviews that highlighted uncomfortable seats, inflexible cancellation policies, strict luggage rules, and hidden fees.

The Hidden Costs of Budget Travel

Airlines often use sneaky tactics to increase revenue, such as rejecting carry-on bags and charging extra fees for checked luggage. In the U.S., both Spirit and Frontier Airlines reportedly paid gate agents and other employees a total of $26 million in incentives and commissions between 2022 and 2023 for encouraging passengers to check their carry-on bags, according to a U.S. Senate Report.

Wizz Air’s Challenges in Expanding to the U.S.

Wizz Air has shown interest in expanding its operations to the U.S., initially planning to start with cargo flights and later adding passenger services. However, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the U.S. Department of Transportation rejected the application in 2022 due to concerns about Wizz Air’s safety oversight. Additionally, Fitch Ratings downgraded Wizz Air’s bonds from BB+ to BB in July 2025 after the company reported lower-than-expected earnings and higher maintenance and depreciation costs. Despite these challenges, Wizz Air remains financially stable, with enough cash liquidity to cover its debt until at least fiscal year 2028.

Wizz Air’s Closure in Abu Dhabi

In July 2025, Wizz Air announced the closure of its operations in Abu Dhabi. The decision was attributed to a combination of factors, including ongoing conflicts in the Middle East and engine problems caused by high temperatures. However, Wizz Air CEO József Váradi later stated that the move was more related to the government of the United Arab Emirates breaking a business agreement by not allowing Wizz Air Abu Dhabi to fly to India or Pakistan.