4 Budget Airlines Offering the Cheapest Flights to Europe in 2025

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I’ve spent countless hours hunting for airfare deals to Europe, and nothing feels better than scoring a flight that costs less than a fancy dinner. After years of tracking prices and trying every budget carrier out there, I’ve figured out which airlines consistently deliver those jaw-dropping fares without making you regret your life choices mid-flight.

The best places in Europe become even more magical when you know you got there without demolishing your savings. I especially love using these budget carriers when heading to Lisbon, where the food scene and gorgeous coastal views make it worth every penny saved on airfare. These four budget airlines are absolutely crushing the Europe route in 2025. My bank account and I can personally vouch for each one of them.

1. 🇳🇴 Norse Atlantic Airways

• 🏠 Hub: Oslo (OSL), London Gatwick (LGW)
• 💺 Cabin Options: Economy, Premium
• 🎯 Loyalty Program: None
• ☕ Perks: Modern 787 Dreamliners, surprisingly spacious seats, genuine premium cabin
• 🧠 Pro Tip: Norse Atlantic’s “Light+” fare costs just 10% more than basic but includes a checked bag and seat selection, making it the actual best value compared to the stripped-down base fare.

Who says crossing the Atlantic needs to drain your savings? Norse Atlantic Airways has resurrected the low-cost long-haul model with flights connecting major US cities like New York, Los Angeles, and Miami to European gateways including London, Paris, Berlin, and Oslo. And unlike budget airlines of yesteryear, they’re doing it with a fleet of fresh Boeing 787 Dreamliners that actually feel civilized.

The Norse experience begins with the sleek Dreamliners that offer higher cabin pressure and humidity than older aircraft, meaning you’ll arrive feeling less like a dried prune. The Standard Economy seats provide noticeably more legroom than what you’ve come to expect on other budget carriers, while Premium offers substantially more space plus wider seats and enhanced recline. This isn’t the fake premium economy some airlines try to pass off with a tiny bit of extra space, it’s a legitimately comfortable way to cross the pond.

Norse Atlantic’s pricing model is refreshingly straightforward. Base fares get you a seat and personal item, with clear options to add exactly what matters to you. The smart money’s on the “Light+” bundle, adding a checked bag and seat selection for around 10% more than the bare bones fare. 

With no loyalty program or connecting network, Norse focuses entirely on nailing point-to-point routes. Roundtrip tickets to Europe regularly dip below $400 in Economy and $1,200 in Premium during sales. The standout deal? Definitely the “Mega Spring Sale” that happens each January, when roundtrip fares to Paris and London often drop to $299. 

• Read next: Cheapest Airlines in Europe

2. 🇮🇸 Play Airlines

• 🏠 Hub: Reykjavik (KEF)
• 💺 Cabin Options: Economy only
• 🎯 Loyalty Program: None
• ☕ Perks: Iceland stopover option, brand-new A320/A321neos, surprisingly friendly service
• 🧠 Pro Tip: When comparing prices, remember that Play flies to primary airports like Stansted and Charles de Gaulle, not the distant secondary fields favored by some budget competitors.

Europe on a beer budget? Play Airlines has your back with distinctive bright red planes connecting US cities like Boston, New York, and Washington DC to European destinations with a quick hop through Iceland. This spiritual successor to the beloved WOW Air has learned from its predecessor’s mistakes, focusing on sustainable growth and realistic pricing rather than unsustainable ultra-low fares.

Don’t let the “budget airline” label fool you. Play operates a fleet of factory-fresh Airbus A320/321neo aircraft with leather seats, USB power outlets that actually work, and cabin crews who seem genuinely happy to be there. While there’s no Business Class option, the Standard seats offer reasonable comfort for the relatively short transatlantic segments. The Iceland-Europe legs are even shorter, making the all-economy setup perfectly manageable.

Everything here is À la carte. Base fares include a small personal item, with clear options to add checked bags, seat selection, or meals if desired. They also offer bundle options like “Plus” that are pretty cheaper compared to buying add-ons separately. 

What really sets Play apart is the Iceland stopover program. You can break your journey with up to 10 days in Iceland at no additional airfare cost, simply select the multi-city booking option on their website. Roundtrip fares to Europe regularly hit $399 during sales, with the famous “Purple Friday” event each November offering limited $299 roundtrips to destinations like London, Paris, and Berlin. 

3. 🇪🇸 LEVEL

• 🏠 Hub: Barcelona (BCN)
• 💺 Cabin Options: Economy, Premium Economy (select routes)
• 🎯 Loyalty Program: Avios (optional) — IAG family
• ☕ Perks: Barcelona hub advantage, newer A330s, connections throughout Europe
• 🧠 Pro Tip: LEVEL’s hidden “Basic+” fare doesn’t show in initial searches but offers a checked bag and meal for just $45 more than basic Economy, much cheaper than adding these options separately.

Want to hit Europe without hitting your bank account quite so hard? LEVEL brings IAG Group’s (parent of British Airways and Iberia) budget approach to transatlantic travel with flights from New York, Boston, and Los Angeles straight to Barcelona, arguably the perfect gateway to European adventures.

Unlike some budget carriers operating ancient aircraft held together with duct tape and prayers, LEVEL flies modern Airbus A330s with actual entertainment screens at every seat. The regular Economy provides standard comfort with 31-inch spacing between seats, while Premium Economy (on select routes) delivers a genuine upgrade with wider seats, extra legroom, and multi-course meals. The whole experience feels more polished than you’d expect at these price points.

The LEVEL approach splits the difference between bare-bones budget and full-service flying. Base fares cover just the seat and a small personal item, with the usual à la carte options for bags, food, and seat selection. The secret hack? Look for their “Basic+” fare that bundles a checked bag and meal for just $45 more than basic economy, a substantial saving compared to adding these separately. Premium cabin prices often rival what competitors charge for regular Economy with fewer perks.

The biggest LEVEL advantage? Barcelona makes for a spectacular entry point to Europe, with excellent onward connections throughout the continent via their sister airlines. Roundtrip fares to Barcelona regularly drop to $399 during sales, with the “Yellow Days” promotions occasionally offering $349 roundtrip deals. Unlike some budget competitors, they fly to primary airports and allow connections with oneworld partners on a single ticket. As a bonus, LEVEL flights optionally earn Avios points usable across the IAG family.

4. 🇵🇹 Azores Airlines

• 🏠 Hub: Ponta Delgada (PDL)
• 💺 Cabin Options: Economy, Executive (Business)
• 🎯 Loyalty Program: SATA Imagine — Independent
• ☕ Perks: Azores stopover option, full-service experience, Portugal connections
• 🧠 Pro Tip: The “Stopover Azores” program lets you break your journey in the islands for up to 7 days at no extra airfare cost, adding a bucket-list destination to your European trip.

Europe for bargain prices with a side of jaw-dropping volcanic islands? Azores Airlines delivers the best of both worlds with flights from Boston, New York, and Toronto to mainland Portugal via their spectacular mid-Atlantic hub. This under-the-radar option lets budget travelers experience European hospitality without European prices.

Unlike stripped-down budget carriers, Azores offers a surprisingly complete experience. They fly refurbished A321neos featuring leather seats with decent legroom, personal entertainment screens, and yes, free meals and drinks for everyone. Meanwhile, the Executive cabin brings wider seats, enhanced dining, and priority everything at prices that would barely get you extra legroom on major carriers. The whole approach feels refreshingly old-school in an era of nickel-and-diming.

Here, the Azores connection creates a unique opportunity. The “Stopover Azores” program lets you spend up to 7 days in these stunning volcanic islands at no additional airfare cost if you just simply select the multi-city booking option on their official website. Imagine hiking past crater lakes and soaking in natural hot springs before continuing to Lisbon or Porto. It’s essentially two vacations for the price of one, with the Azores portion often being the more memorable.

Roundtrip fares from the US to Portugal consistently undercut major carriers, typically running $499-699 to Lisbon or Porto with the Azores hub included as a potential stopover. The “Spring Freedom” sale each February often drops prices to $449 roundtrip. Even the Business Class represents exceptional value, frequently pricing around $1,299 roundtrip, which is less than Premium Economy on many competitors. 

• Read next: Best Islands in Portugal to Visit

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