Flying internationally in 2025 doesn’t have to destroy your budget. Thanks to low-cost carriers, aggressive fare sales, and smarter booking strategies, you can still find surprisingly cheap tickets for long-haul and regional international routes for cheapest airlines for international flights.

This guide breaks down five types of low-cost or budget-friendly airlines that typically offer the cheapest international fares, plus tips on how to avoid hidden fees and get the best overall value.

The good news? You don’t need to be rich to fly abroad. You just need to know how to find the cheapest airlines for international flights and how to avoid surprise costs.

5 Cheapest Airlines for International Flights in 2025

Travel costs keep rising, but cheap international flights are still possible if you know which airlines to look at. In 2025, several budget and “hybrid” carriers are dominating long-haul and regional international routes with seriously low base fares often undercutting legacy airlines by hundreds of dollars.

This guide covers 5 of the cheapest airlines for international flights in 2025, plus what you should know about:

• Extra fees (baggage, seat selection, meals)
• Best routes and hubs
• Who each airline is best for (backpackers, families, business on a budget, etc.)

Important: “Cheapest” here means lower average base fares compared to full-service competitors on similar routes. Final prices will change based on season, demand, and how early you book.

1. AirAsia (Asia–Pacific & Middle East)

Best for: Ultra-cheap flights across Asia, plus routes to Australia and some Middle East destinations.

AirAsia is still one of the kings of low-cost international flying, especially if you’re traveling around Southeast Asia or between Asia and Australia. From hubs like Kuala Lumpur, Bangkok, and Jakarta, you can often find shockingly low prices to:

• Thailand, Indonesia, Vietnam, Cambodia
• Australia (Perth, Sydney, Melbourne – route dependent)
• Selected routes to the Middle East (depending on schedule and year)

Why AirAsia is so cheap

• No-frills model: you pay a low base fare and add only what you need.
• Massive route network: high seat capacity drives competitive pricing.
• Frequent flash sales and promo codes.

Watch out for:

• Baggage fees: Cabin baggage is limited; checked bags cost extra.
• Seat selection: You pay for specific seats, especially front and exit rows.
• Meals: Not included—must be pre-ordered or bought onboard.

Best strategy:
Book early and stay flexible on dates. Fly with only cabin baggage if possible to keep costs truly low.

2. Ryanair / Lauda Europe (Europe to North Africa & Middle East connections)

Best for: Super-cheap flights in Europe with connections to nearby international destinations.

Ryanair is famous for ultra-low fares across Europe, but many travelers use it to reach border airports and connection points for cheap international trips to:

• Morocco, Tunisia, Israel (seasonal/route dependent)
• Secondary airports near major hubs, where you can connect to long-haul flights.

While Ryanair isn’t usually flying deep long-haul international routes, it plays a key role in creating the cheapest overall trip when combined with another carrier.

Why Ryanair can keep prices low

• Flies mostly to secondary airports with lower fees.
• Uses a single aircraft type (Boeing 737) to reduce maintenance and training costs.
• Aggressive upselling model: base fare is low, everything else is extra.

Watch out for:

• Strict baggage policy: Even slightly oversized cabin bags can trigger big fees.
• Airport location: Some airports are far from the city (e.g., “Paris” Beauvais, “Frankfurt” Hahn).
• Customer service expectations: It’s built for low cost, not comfort.

Best strategy:
Use Ryanair to position yourself cheaply to a major hub (London, Madrid, Milan, etc.) where you catch an affordable long-haul international flight on another carrier.

3. Scoot (Singapore Airlines’ Low-Cost Arm)

Best for: Budget-friendly long-haul flights between Asia, Australia, and parts of Europe.

Scoot is a low-cost airline owned by Singapore Airlines, giving it a slightly more reliable reputation than some independent budget carriers. From its hub in Singapore (SIN), it offers affordable flights to:

• Australia
• Japan, Korea, China, Southeast Asia
• Select European destinations (e.g., Berlin, Athens – subject to route changes)

Why Scoot is a top cheap choice in 2025

• Long-haul capable aircraft (like Boeing 787 on many routes).
• Often significantly cheaper than full-service carriers on the same city pairs.
• Option to add extras (Wi-Fi, meals, comfort seats) without paying legacy airline prices.

Watch out for:

• No free checked baggage on many basic fares.
• Food and drinks cost extra.
• Limited in-flight entertainment unless you pay or use your own device.

Best strategy:
If you’re flying from or via Singapore, compare Scoot prices with full-service carriers. It often wins by a wide margin—especially if you don’t mind bringing your own entertainment and snacks.

4. Wizz Air (Europe to Middle East & Central Asia)

Best for: Super low fares between Europe and destinations like the UAE, Saudi Arabia, and Central Asia.

Wizz Air started as a European low-cost airline focused on Eastern Europe, but has expanded into Wizz Air Abu Dhabi and other bases, connecting travelers at very low prices to:

• UAE (Abu Dhabi and others)
• Saudi Arabia (various cities, route dependent)
• Central and Eastern Europe
• Some Central Asian and Caucasus countries (depending on schedule)

Why Wizz Air can be one of the cheapest options

• Focused on price-sensitive routes where legacy airlines often charge high fares.
• Uses a dense seating configuration to lower seat-per-mile costs.
• Frequent promo offers and membership discounts (e.g., WIZZ Discount Club).

Watch out for:

• Tight legroom: Not ideal for very tall travelers on long flights.
• Add-on costs: Priority boarding, larger cabin bag, checked baggage all extra.
• Strict check-in rules: Missing online check-in can cost you at the airport.

Best strategy:
Wizz Air is particularly useful for budget travelers heading to or from the Middle East or Eastern Europe, especially when you book several weeks or months in advance and stick to the baggage rules.

5. Turkish Airlines (Full-Service but Often Cheaper Internationally)

Best for: Travelers who want full-service international flights at prices that sometimes rival low-cost airlines.

Unlike the others on this list, Turkish Airlines is not a classic low-cost carrier. It’s a full-service airline, but it frequently offers competitive international fares, especially on:

• Europe ↔ Asia
• Europe ↔ Africa
• Asia ↔ North America (via Istanbul)
• Middle East ↔ Europe/USA

Because Istanbul is a major global hub, Turkish Airlines can route passengers efficiently and fill planes, which helps keep prices down—sometimes not much more than budget carriers, but with meals and baggage included on many international routes.

Why Turkish Airlines feels “cheap” for what you get

• Often includes checked baggage, meals, and entertainment in the base fare.
• Strong global route network with many connections.
• Regular sales and promotions to fill seats on competitive routes.

Watch out for:

• Long layovers in Istanbul on some itineraries.
• Prices still higher than pure low-cost carriers on certain short routes.
• Extra fees for seat selection or additional baggage.

Best strategy:
If you want value rather than bare-bones cheap, Turkish can be a sweet spot: slightly higher fare than a budget airline, but much more included—especially good for long-haul trips.

How to Actually Find the Cheapest International Fares

Even with a list of “cheap airlines,” how you search matters just as much as who you fly with. Here are practical tips:

Use flight comparison engines

Look at several at once:

• Start with a meta-search engine (e.g., Skyscanner, Kayak, Momondo, Google Flights).
• Filter by “cheapest” and then manually check which airlines keep appearing.
• Always check the final price at the airline’s own website before booking.

Be flexible on dates & airports

• Shift departure or return by 1–3 days and check if fares drop.
• Try nearby airports (e.g., fly from Kuala Lumpur instead of Singapore, Milan instead of Zurich, etc.).
• Consider “positioning flights” using a cheap regional airline to reach a better hub.

Travel light whenever possible

Most budget airlines make their real money on baggage and extras. To keep your trip truly low-cost:

• Use a cabin-size backpack or suitcase within airline limits.
• Weigh your bag at home.
• Print or save boarding passes in advance to avoid airport fees.

Watch for sales and promo codes

• Subscribe to airline newsletters (AirAsia, Wizz, Scoot, etc.).
• Follow their official apps and social media accounts.
• Flash sales often appear for 48–72 hours and can slash prices dramatically.

Who Should Fly These Airlines?

Best for Backpackers & Students

• AirAsia, Ryanair, Wizz Air
  Perfect if you’re chasing the absolute cheapest way to get from A to B and can handle a no-frills experience.

Best for Families on a Budget

• Scoot, Turkish Airlines
  Scoot is good for shorter long-haul vacations; Turkish is ideal if you want a bit more comfort, meals, and checked baggage included.

Best for Digital Nomads and Long-Term Travelers

• Combine Ryanair / Wizz / AirAsia with full-service carriers
  Use ultra-low-cost airlines to move between regions and position yourself to bigger hubs where you grab good-value long-hauls.

Using Credit Cards and Points to Lower International Flight Costs

Even when booking cheap airlines, smart payment methods can help you save more.

1. Use a Travel Rewards Credit Card

Travel cards can help you:

• Earn points or miles on flight purchases
• Get extra value through:
  • Travel statement credits
  • Rewards redemptions
  • Transfer options to frequent flyer programs

Even if the airline itself is low-cost, using the right card can offset part of the fare via rewards.

2. Avoid Foreign Transaction Fees

When booking with international airlines or in foreign currencies:

• Use a card with no foreign transaction fees
• This avoids extra charges (often ~2–3% of the ticket price)

Over multiple trips, this is a simple way to save.

3. Check for Built-In Travel Protections

Some travel credit cards include:

• Trip cancellation or interruption coverage
• Baggage delay or loss coverage
• Travel accident insurance

Even if the airline has basic service, your card’s benefits can provide a safety net.The absolute cheapest fare isn’t always the best decision.

Consider paying slightly more if:

• You’re flying ultra-long-haul
• You need to be well-rested (important business meetings, events, etc.)
• You must check multiple bags
• You care about:
  • Free changes
  • Helpful customer service
  • More legroom

Think about total trip value, not just ticket price.

Final Thoughts: The “Cheapest Airline” Depends on Your Route

There’s no single airline that is always the cheapest for every international route in 2025. However, if you regularly check fares from:

• AirAsia (Asia-Pacific)
• Ryanair (Europe regionals, connections)
• Scoot (Asia, Australia, some Europe)
• Wizz Air (Europe ↔ Middle East / Central Asia)
• Turkish Airlines (global full-service but often discounted)

FAQs

1. Are low-cost airlines safe for international flights?

Yes. Airlines must comply with aviation safety regulations in the regions where they operate. “Low-cost” refers to their pricing model and services, not lower safety standards.

2. Why are some international flights so cheap?

Factors that reduce fares:

• New competition on a route
• Off-peak travel dates
• Airline promotions and sales
• Secondary airports with lower operating costs

Low-cost airlines also reduce costs by:

• Using a single aircraft type
• Charging separate for extras
• Operating more point-to-point routes.

3. When is the best time to book cheap international flights?

Generally:

• 1–3 months in advance for short-haul
• 2–6 months in advance for long-haul

However, this varies by destination, season, and events. Flexible travelers can use fare alerts to grab discounts when prices drop.