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City breaks, beach holidays, European tours...if you're addicted to travel then low cost airlines are your best friend. Hundreds of cheap flights leave every day to destinations in Europe and beyond and with the promise of sun, snow and sightseeing who cares that you don't get a complimentary meal? Here is our guide to two of the most popular airlines, Easyjet and Ryanair.
Easyjet's bright orange Airbus A319s and Boeing 737s offer cheap flights across Europe and North Africa. They travel to 104 airports as far north as Helenski, south-west to the Canaries and south-east to Egypt. Easyjet also offer a wide range of travel services such as car rental, hotels, transfers and parking. Oh and take a baby under two, if they sit on your lap they're free!
Easyjet flights are no-frills, but the extras are on offer at a price, here is our guide to the ones to grab and the ones to pass on:
Baggage Checking in one piece of luggage (up to 20kg) is about £6. Save money on a short trip by only taking hand luggage (maximum dimension 55 x 40 x 20 cm), you will feel smug as fellow travellers lug big bags up the escalators and it will save you queuing to check your bag in.
Check-in Using Easyjet's check-in desk incurs a fee but online check-in is free! The check-in desk closes 40mins before departure, but Easyjet recommend checking in two hours ahead. Online check-in is available up to two hours before departure.
Seats and Speedy Boarding Easyjet don't pre-reserve seats but you can be one of the first onboard with a Speedy Boarding Pass which you purchase when you book the flight (prices vary depending on route), or you can upgrade to Speedy Boarding Plus which also offers a dedicated check-in area. Save money: disabled people and those travelling with infants don't need a Speedy Boarding Pass - you will be let on first anyway. If you don't get Speedy Boarding don't panic - everyone gets a seat! Aim for the seats by the fire exits to get extra leg room (1 A-C and 12 A-F).
Food and drink Snacks and drinks are not included in the price of your flight and can be very expensive. Save cash by having a big meal before your flight or bringing your own snacks.
UK airports offering Easyjet flights are: Aberdeen, Belfast, Birmingham, Bournemouth, Bristol, East Midlands, Edinburgh, Gatwick, Glasgow, Inverness, Liverpool, Luton, Manchester, Newcastle and Stansted.
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Ryanair is Europe's most punctual airline, according to the UK Civil Aviation Authority and they certainly like to crow about it. The blue and gold Boeing 737-800s fly 777 routes across Europe so even a seasoned traveller will find somewhere new to explore. Like Easyjet, Ryanair offer a wide range of travel extras including travel finance.
Ryanair charge for extra services, here are the most important ones:
Check-in Check-in opens two hours before departure and closes 40 minutes before the scheduled departure time. You can save time and money by checking in online - you only need to arrive at the gate 30 minutes before departure (at the latest).
Baggage Ryanair charges for checking in a bag, but it's cheaper to pay online than over the phone or in person so plan ahead. You can check in up to three bags with a combined weight of 15kgs. Alternatively pack light and just take cabin luggage, it's great because you don't have to turn up early to check it in and you save the fee. Cabin bags are limited to one per person (excluding infants) and can weigh up to 10kg and measure up to 55cm x 40cm x 20cm.
Children Children aged two and older pay a normal adult fare and infants (0-23 months) pay £16 each way.
Priority boarding Ryanair flights offer Priority Boarding which lets you get on the plane first to get first pick of seats. Again this service is a few pounds cheaper (£4 vs. £8) when you book online. Ryanair recommend that families get speedy boarding because only those with infants will be let on the plane first.
Food and drink It can be pricey so eat a big meal beforehand!
UK airports offering Ryanair flights: Aberdeen, Birmingham, Blackpool, Bournemouth, Bristol, Doncaster, Durham Tees, East Midlands, Edinburgh, Gatwick, Glasgow, Inverness, Leeds, Liverpool, Luton, Manchester, Newcastle, Newquay, Stansted.
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Check with the airline for the latest fees.
