“Low-cost” and “long-haul” can feel like oxymorons when it comes to airlines, with seat comfort often sacrificed for affordable fares. But with several new budget international airlines launching around the world in recent years, it’s possible to snag perfectly-bearable long-haul flights for under $500 roundtrip.
This week, UK-based consulting firm Skytrax released their annual World Airline Awards, known within the aviation industry as the “Oscars of aviation.” Among this year’s winners are lesser-known airlines going the distance to provide affordable flight options in the long-haul low-cost airline category.
Launched in 1999, the awards are based on passenger surveys completed by travelers representing over 100 different nationalities who make “their own, personal choices as to which airlines they consider to be the best, underlining the brand as the Passenger’s Choice Awards,” according to Skytrax’s methodology. A total of 21 million entries including 350 different airlines were submitted between September 2023 and May 2024 (airlines pay no entry fees and all survey costs are paid for by Skytrax).
Below, see the 10 top low-cost carriers in the long-haul category, according to the 2024 World Airline Awards, organized in descending order.
The top 10 budget international airlines in 2024
1. Scoot
Scoot is the low-cost subsidiary of Singapore Airlines—which earned the No. 2 spot in the overall world’s top airlines category. The carrier serves 67 destinations in 15 countries in the Asia-Pacific, Middle East, and Europe. Launched in 2012, the airline has won several accolades since then, including membership to the International Air Transport Association (IATA) in 2022 for its high safety standards. It holds the No. 1 spot in this Skytrax category for the fourth consecutive year.
We found roundtrip flights from Singapore to Phuket from $71, Kuala Lumpur to Taipei from $79, and Chennai to Sydney for $239.
2. Jetstar Airways
This Qantas Group subsidiary is a part of the Jetstar Group, which had its first flight take off in 2004. Technically speaking, Jetstar Airways serves Australia and New Zealand, while its affiliates Jetstar Asia Airways and Jetstar Japan serve Asia. Together, they have 5,000 flights a day to more than 58 destinations in 18 countries across the Asia-Pacific region. Having been voted the best low-cost airline in Australasia for the second time in three years, the airline has also been honored for its cabin crew and operational excellence.
We found roundtrip flights from from Melbourne to Ho Chi Minh City starting at $227, Sydney to Honolulu from $373, and Gold Coast to ChristChurch from $322.
3. Norse Atlantic Airways
Celebrating the two-year anniversary of its inaugural flight from Oslo to New York this month, Norse Atlantic Airways has quickly made a name for itself, specializing in trans-Atlantic flights between the US and Europe. It snagged the No. 4 spot for best Northern European airline in the World Airline Awards as well. The carried, based in Arendal, Norway, has a fleet of 15 Boeing 787 Dreamliners and goes to New York, Los Angeles, Las Vegas, Miami, and Orlando in the United States; as well as Bangkok, Cape Town, Oslo, Athens, Berlin, London, Paris, and Rome.
We found roundtrip flights in economy light class (without any extras) from Los Angeles to London for $417 and New York to Oslo for $494.
4. Air Canada rouge
Toronto-based Air Canada launched its low-cost affiliate Air Canada rouge in 2013 branding itself as a “leisure airline,” with flights in North America, Europe, the Caribbean, and Central America. Now fully integrated into the Air Canada network, passengers will simply see the rouge flights pop up in their searches when available on that route. Free checked bags are included on long-haul flights, and high-speed Wi-Fi is available for purchase. There's also a Premium Rouge class with priority check-in and boarding; wider seats with more leg room; free Wi-Fi, and meals on flights longer than two hours.
We found roundtrip flights from Montreal to Tulum for $278 and Toronto to Punta Cana at $280.
5. Zipair
Japan Airlines began operations of its low-cost carrier Zipair in 2018. Based in Tokyo Narita (NRT), the subsidiary flies to four Asian destinations (Bangkok, Singapore, Manila, and Seoul) and five North American ones (Honolulu, Los Angeles, San José, San Francisco, and Vancouver). Wi-Fi is complimentary to all passengers of its 290-seat Boeing 787-8 Dreamliners. Also innovative: a contactless in-flight experience to order meals and goods from personal phones and tablets.
We found standard-class roundtrip flights from Honolulu to Tokyo for $519 and San Jose, California to Tokyo for $697.
6. AirAsia X
While Malaysian company AirAsia took the overall best low-cost airline award for 2024, its longer-haul affiliate AirAsia X snagged the No. 6 spot in this long-haul category. With three Asian hubs in Kuala Lumpur, Bangkok, and Denpasar in Bali, the subsidiary serves 29 destinations in Asia, Australia, New Zealand, the Middle East, and one US destination, Hawaii (it was the first airline from Southeast Asia to receive Federal Aviation Administration approval to fly into the US). Booking is integrated into AirAsia’s greater network.
We found roundtrip flights from Kuala Lumpur to Seoul for $214 to Kuala Lumpur to Osaka for $278.
7. LEVEL
Barcelona-based LEVEL specializes in connecting the Spanish hub with the Americas, with direct flights to five US cities—San Francisco, Los Angeles, Boston, New York, and Miami—as well as Buenos Aires in Argentina and Santiago in Chile. Launched in 2017 by International Airlines Group (IAG), which also owns British Airways, Iberia, Vueling, and Aer Lingus, the brand is known for its simple and clean style and is one of the cheapest ways to get from the US to Spain.
We found $434 roundtrip flights from New York to Barcelona and $495 from San Francisco to Barcelona.
8. Cebu Pacific
One of the longer running airlines to make the list, Philippines-based Cebu Pacific made its first flight from Manila to Cebu back in 1996, and has continued to serve destinations popular for Filipinos to travel, like Hong Kong and Dubai. The carrier has been switching to more eco-friendly Airbus A321neo and A330neo, and aims to run only neo aircraft by 2027. Not only did it welcome its 200 millionth passenger in 2022, it’s also been a leader in giving back, in particular to the UNICEF Change for Good program.
We found Cebu to Seoul flights starting at $66 and Manila to Dubai for $86 as part of Cebu Pacific's current seat sale.
9. French Bee
Based in Paris’ Orly airport (ORY), French Bee has been offering its trademark à la carte flight experience since launching in 2016. With an all-Airbus fleet, the aircraft boast high ceilings, effective ambient lighting, and improved temperature control. French Bee flies from Paris to Punta Cana, Reunion Island, Tahiti, San Francisco, New York, Los Angeles, Miami, and Bora Bora.
We found roundtrip flights from Los Angeles to Paris starting at $685 and Miami to Paris for $552.
10. Discover Airlines
Lufthansa Group’s low-cost affiliate Discover operates out of Munich and its headquarters in Frankfurt. Running since 2021, the fleet of 27 aircraft is focused on leisure destinations in North America, Europe, Africa, and the Caribbean. Some searches are integrated into the Lufthansa search engine.
Current flight deals include Frankfurt to Split, Croatia, from $159 and Frankfurt to Mauritius from $793.
