Summary
- Choose low-cost airlines for budget-friendly travel without sacrificing quality or comfort.
- Fly with Southwest, Alaska, JetBlue, Hawaiian, Allegiant, Frontier, or Spirit to explore the US affordably.
- Baggage policies, loyalty programs, and in-flight perks make these airlines great options for budget travelers.
Looking to save on travel? Opting for budget airlines is certainly a savvy move! Thankfully, the US has a number of low-cost airlines, and these are the best options for travelers on a tight budget.
Just because a flight is cheap doesn’t imply it fails to satisfy the standards (although, yes, some of them do lack frills like food and extra legroom). Still, some budget airlines are worth every penny and offer the same flying experience as legacy airlines.
So, whether looking to explore the Northern Rockies or venture to the best Hawaiian Islands for first-timers, there’s at least one cheap airline in the US that can make budget travelers’ dreams come true. In addition, travelers can follow tips for booking cheap flights to cut travel costs even further.
With plenty of cheap places to travel in the US all year by air, low-cost airlines take travelers there without breaking the bank. Keep reading to find out the cheapest airlines in the USA for domestic travel this summer and explore some stunning destinations while staying within budget.
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7
Southwest Airlines
Total revenue per available seat mile (RASM): 15.32 cents
One of the biggest low-cost carriers in the US is Southwest Airlines. The airline operates to 121 destinations in the US and foreign countries, with hubs located in Dallas and Chicago.
What sets Southwest apart is its baggage policy. In addition to the standard carry-on luggage and personal items, passengers are allowed two complimentary checked bags. Furthermore, despite being ranked first in this list, Southwest is still inexpensive, with 15.32 cents in revenue per seat mile until 2023.
Another benefit of flying with Southwest is that their Rapid Rewards program applies to all flights, and the points gained never expire.
|
Total revenue per available seat mile (RASM) |
|
|---|---|
|
Services available to |
121 destinations in the United States and other countries |
|
Airline bases |
Atlanta, Baltimore, Chicago–Midway, Dallas–Love, Denver, Houston–Hobby, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Nashville, Oakland, Orlando, Phoenix–Sky Harbor |
|
Ticket price includes |
One standard carry-on bag and one personal item, plus two checked bags |
|
Frequent Flyer program |
6
Alaska Airlines
Total revenue per available seat mile (RASM): 15.21 cents
Alaska Airlines is not a low-cost carrier, like Hawaiian Airlines, but it is placed on the list of the cheapest airlines in America because of a revenue per seat mile of 15.21 cents for 2023. At the moment, Alaska Airlines operates five major hubs, including Los Angeles and Seattle.
With regional partners SkyWest Airlines and Horizon Air, Alaska Airlines serves more than 100 destinations in the US, the Bahamas, Canada, Belize, Costa Rica, Guatemala, and Mexico.
There are many reasons to book tickets with Alaska Airlines and one is its loyalty program, the Mileage Plan. Passengers of Alaska Airlines may earn miles with this plan and use them to get first-class upgrades, hotel credits, ticket reductions, and cruise offers.
|
Total revenue per available seat mile (RASM) |
|
|---|---|
|
Services available to |
More than 115 destinations in the United States, Canada, Mexico, Costa Rica, and Belize |
|
Airline bases |
Anchorage, Los Angeles, Portland (OR), San Francisco, Seattle/Tacoma |
|
Ticket price includes |
One standard carry-on bag and one personal item; checked bags are charged extra |
|
Frequent Flyer program |
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5
JetBlue
Total revenue per available seat mile (RASM): 14.04 cents
For tourists on a tight budget, JetBlue offers low-cost affordable flights, yet with excellent amenities. JetBlue’s overall revenue per seat mile in 2023 was 14.04 cents, which maintained its ranking as one of the most affordable airlines in the US.
JetBlue may be a little expensive at times, but its perks, like complimentary snacks, plenty of legroom, and seatback screens on all aircraft, make it one of the top US airlines. Additionally, JetBlue’s baggage policy covers the cost of one carry-on item as well as one item that fits under the seat.
Along with traditional rewards system features, JetBlue’s TrueBlue rewards program lets users share points with friends and family.
|
Total revenue per available seat mile (RASM) |
|
|---|---|
|
Services available to |
100 domestic and international destinations in the Americas and Europe |
|
Airline bases |
Boston, Fort Lauderdale, Los Angeles, New York–JFK, Orlando, San Juan |
|
Ticket price includes |
One standard carry-on bag and one personal item; checked bags at extra cost |
|
Frequent Flyer program |
4
Hawaiian Airlines
Total revenue per available seat mile (RASM): 13.44 cents
Hawaiian Airlines is among the best airlines to fly in 2024, and it’s unquestionably the best choice for travelers seeking a cheap carrier to Hawaii for a tropical vacation. It’s also the safest airline traveling to Hawaii.
Travelers can take direct flights to Hawaii from several US cities, such as Boston, New York, and Los Angeles. In addition, it offers service to a number of foreign locations in North America, the South Pacific, and Asia. Despite not being a low-cost carrier, this airline is ranked fourth on this list because, in 2023, its revenue per seat mile was 13.44 cents, which was marginally more than Allegiant’s.
|
Total revenue per available seat mile (RASM) |
|
|---|---|
|
Services available to |
Asia, American Samoa, Australia, French Polynesia, Hawaii, New Zealand, and the United States mainland |
|
Airline bases |
Honolulu, Kahului |
|
Ticket price includes |
One standard carry-on bag and one personal item; checked bags are at extra cost |
|
Frequent Flyer program |
3
Allegiant Air
Total revenue per available seat mile (RASM): 12.50 cents
Allegiant Air is another ultra-low-cost airline that comes in at number three on this list. With a revenue per seat mile of 12.50 cents in 2023, it is a cost-effective choice for passengers on a tight budget.
This airline travels only within the United States, but to over 124 destinations. The farthest passengers can go with this airline is near (not into) Canada. Allegiant offers a wide choice of US destinations, from major cities to smaller regional airports.
Their Allegiant Total lets passengers bundle priority boarding, luggage, and seat selection at a discounted price. There are many more surprising facts about Allegiant Air passengers should know before booking their tickets.
|
Total revenue per available seat mile (RASM) |
|
|---|---|
|
Services available to |
124 domestic destinations |
|
Airline bases |
Allentown, Appleton, Asheville, Austin, Bellingham, Cincinnati, Destin–Ft. Walton Beach, Des Moines, Flint, Fort Lauderdale, Grand Rapids, Indianapolis, Knoxville, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Nashville, Orlando/Sanford, Phoenix/Mesa, Pittsburgh, Provo, Punta Gorda, Sarasota, Savannah, St. Petersburg (FL) |
|
Ticket price includes |
One standard carry-on bag and one personal item, plus two checked bags |
|
Frequent Flyer program |
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2
Frontier Airlines
Total revenue per available seat mile (RASM): 9.49 cents
Frontier Airlines has the second-lowest total passenger revenue per seat mile at 9.49 cents, making it one of the least expensive airlines in the United States. With its headquarters in Denver, Colorado, it is ideally situated to link a vast network of destinations throughout the country. The airline travels to over 100 destinations across the US and 31 international destinations, covering popular routes as well as hidden gems.
They offer seriously cheap tickets through their service, for which passengers simply pay for what they require. They charge for carry-on and checked luggage, so the less baggage a traveler carries, the more they save – an excellent choice for the minimalist traveler! Also, the airline is one of the safest low-cost airlines in 2024.
|
Total revenue per available seat mile (RASM) |
|
|---|---|
|
Services available to |
Over 100 destinations throughout the United States and 31 international destinations |
|
Airline bases |
Chicago–Midway, Chicago–O’Hare, Cincinnati, Cleveland, Dallas/Fort Worth, Denver, Las Vegas, Miami, Orlando, Philadelphia, Phoenix–Sky Harbor, San Juan (begins June 2024), Tampa |
|
Ticket price includes |
One personal item only, one carry-on bag and checked bags at extra cost |
|
Frequent Flyer program |
1
Spirit Airlines
Total revenue per available seat mile (RASM): 8.94 cents
Spirit Airlines is the largest ultra-low-cost airline in North America. Its headquarters are in Dania Beach, Florida, and it offers regularly scheduled flights across the US, the Caribbean, and Latin America. Furthermore, based on its total revenue per available seat mile (RASM), which was 8.94 cents for the year 2023, it is the cheapest airline in the US.
One thing to keep in mind is that Spirit only permits one personal item per passenger under the seat. After that, each additional bag—including carry-ons—is charged. There is an additional charge for tickets that let the buyer select their seat. This way, they maintain cheap flight costs.
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Total revenue per available seat mile (RASM) |
|
|---|---|
|
Services available to |
57 domestic destinations and 26 international destinations in 16 countries |
|
Airline bases |
Atlanta, Atlantic City (ends September 1, 2024), Chicago–O’Hare, Dallas/Fort Worth, Detroit, Fort Lauderdale, Houston–Intercontinental, Las Vegas, Miami, Orlando |
|
Ticket price includes |
One personal item that fits in the smaller sizer box (like a small backpack) is included. One carry-on bag and checked bags at extra cost |
|
Frequent Flyer program |