- I flew with Ryanair, easyJet, and Wizz in a two-day trip to compare Europe’s main budget airlines.
- Ryanair’s small carry-on size and efforts to maximize profits were irritating.
- EasyJet’s cabin crew were perhaps the friendliest I’ve ever encountered.
Ryanair, easyJet, and Wizz are Europe’s three biggest budget airlines, but the experiences can be quite different.
If you’re planning a vacation soon, you might find the prices are similar — or have found a great deal with Ryanair.
Last month, to compare the three airlines, I flew from London to Madrid with Ryanair, then on to Rome with Wizz, and back home with easyJet.
Ryanair’s base price was $44, but I chose a seat and also upgraded from its restrictive carry-on size to make it $83. The easyJet flight cost around $76, and Wizz was $59. Of course, prices can vary wildly depending on demand. I’ve seen Ryanair tickets as low as $18 and as high as $250.
After my trip, I think the biggest difference was with the staff. EasyJet’s flight attendants were friendlier than most I’ve encountered flying economy with legacy airlines.
The British budget carrier also seems to have the most respect for its customers because it doesn’t have as many additional fees as Ryanair and Wizz.