Europe's Most Expensive and Cheapest Airlines in 2026

29.08.2026, 11:12 visitukraine.today

Find out which European airlines are the cheapest and which ones cost the most in 2026. Compare ticket prices for Wizz Air, Ryanair, British Airways and others

AirAdvisor compared European carriers using the RASK metric and identified which airlines to choose for savings and which ones to avoid in 2026.

For Ukrainians planning trips around Europe, this is especially relevant: picking the right airline can save hundreds of euros on tickets. AirAdvisor researchers used the RASK metric (revenue per available seat kilometre), the revenue an airline earns from each available seat per kilometre flown. The calculation includes not just the ticket price itself but also extra fees for baggage and seat selection, which gives a more realistic picture than simply comparing prices listed on carriers' websites.

The continent's most expensive airline turned out to be Norwegian regional carrier Widerøe, with a RASK of 32 euro cents per kilometre. By comparison, the cheapest carrier, Wizz Air, scores 27.67 euro cents lower, and on a single flight that gap can add up to hundreds of euros.

Widerøe flies mainly between small, remote Norwegian airports, where transporting a single passenger costs more. According to Eurocontrol, the average flight distance in Europe is 1,157 km, so on a comparable route choosing Norwegian Air Shuttle over Widerøe could save up to €291.56.

For anyone planning a trip around Scandinavia, the difference is noticeable: if the same route is flown by Norwegian Air Shuttle, the ticket costs substantially less.

Read also: Ryanair Cuts Prices: Tickets from €17

Within the segment of major European airlines, British Airways leads in cost with a RASK of 8.88 euro cents, up 0.38 euro cents from the previous year. Lufthansa follows with 8.45 euro cents, even though its fares actually dipped slightly, by 0.1 euro cents.

Air France takes third place among the priciest carriers with a RASK of 8.50 euro cents, also up compared to 2024. On an average European flight, a Wizz Air ticket instead of Air France could cost €50 less.

The gap between British Airways and Lufthansa is just 0.43 euro cents, roughly €5 on an average flight, so the two airlines effectively sit in the same price bracket.

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The cheapest tickets in Europe, unsurprisingly, come from budget airlines. Wizz Air tops the ranking with a RASK of 4.33 euro cents, followed by easyJet (5.21 euro cents) and Ryanair (5.56 euro cents).

Ryanair and easyJet both dropped noticeably in price over the year: Ryanair's figure fell from 8.43 to 5.56 euro cents, while easyJet's dropped from 7.7 to 5.21 euro cents. Wizz Air, meanwhile, edged up slightly from 4.17 to 4.33 euro cents but held on to its lead in affordability. For Ukrainian travelers, this matters directly, since Wizz Air operates the most flights from Ukraine to popular European destinations.

Of the 14 airlines whose data could be compared between 2024 and 2025, prices rose for only five of them. The rest saw their RASK decline, which is good news for anyone planning a trip: tickets can be found cheaper than they were a year ago.

The biggest drops came from Finnair (from 7.97 to 6.22 euro cents), Iberia (from 8.24 to 7.08 euro cents), and Norwegian Air Shuttle (from 7.6 to 6.8 euro cents). It looks like competition among carriers is pushing them to rethink pricing, and passengers are the ones benefiting.

Read also: United Airlines in 2027: 10 New Routes to Europe and Asia

Carriers like Widerøe operate fewer flights, run smaller fleets, and often serve routes where demand is low. Fewer seats to sell and weaker competition on a route typically push prices up.

That said, it isn't a universal rule. On a specific route, a small airline sometimes offers better value than a major carrier, so it's worth checking a few options before buying rather than relying on brand reputation alone.

RASK shows how much an airline earns per available seat kilometre, which is why it gives a clearer picture of what a passenger actually pays than the advertised price on a website. It accounts for more than just the ticket itself, including baggage, seat selection, and other paid extras.

Two airlines flying the same route can charge very different amounts because of different business models. Budget carriers tend to charge separately for baggage and seating, while full-service airlines build more of these services into the base fare. Final cost also depends on departure time, comfort class, airport fees, and seasonal demand.

A high RASK doesn't mean good deals don't exist at all. The key to saving money is comparing options rather than buying the first ticket you see. It helps to use price comparison tools, subscribe to newsletters from airlines you fly often, and check carriers' official websites regularly.

Even Widerøe has a section for its best fares. The main thing is not to rush into booking and to compare at least two or three options before purchasing.

If the goal is maximum savings, the best choice is budget carriers Wizz Air, Ryanair, and easyJet, since they offer the cheapest tickets to popular European destinations.

For those who want to combine a moderate price with comfort, Norwegian Air Shuttle, Finnair, or TAP Portugal are worth considering. British Airways, Air France, and Lufthansa suit travelers willing to pay more for service and extra amenities rather than those hunting for the lowest fare.

Before buying, check the baggage allowance and how the price changes depending on departure date, seat selection, and any extras chosen. Sometimes a cheap budget-carrier ticket loaded with paid add-ons ends up costing more than a ticket from a full-service airline.

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