List of Top 5 Cheapest Airlines in the U.S.A. in 2026
The United States of America offers diverse flight options from premium carriers to affordable airlines. Moreover, Allegiant Air and Frontier Airlines are the cheapest ones in the U.S.A., providing flights starting at just $50.
Along with these, Southwest and JetBlue are a little more expensive than ultra-low-cost carriers. But also offer services such as free checked bags, onboard wifi, and complimentary food, coupled with comfortable seats and extra legroom.
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Above all, here is an overview of the top 5 cheapest airlines in the U.S.A., along with their price breakdown.
Allegiant Air
Allegiant Air is the ultra-low-cost carrier of the United States of America that offers some of the cheapest tickets to travellers. Further, the carrier operates on an à la carte model, so extra amenities apart from the seat require additional charges.
Although the base fare of Allegiant Air is similar to that of Frontier Airlines. But the additional services are the cheapest of all, therefore making the overall trip quite budget-friendly for flyers. For more precision, below are the costs of the airline’s extra services:
- First and foremost, passengers have to purchase one carry-on bag of dimensions 10 x 16 x 22 inches. The starting fee for these carry-on bags is $10 and can go up to $75 when purchased at the gate.
- Whereas, for checked bags, the fees usually range between $60 to $75.
- Apart from this, the overweight and oversized luggage might cost between $50 to $75.
- Quite importantly, for travellers who are willing to bring their pets in the cabin. Accordingly, a fee of $50 will be applied.
- Travellers who want to explore more about pet travel can visit ‘5 Best Pet-Friendly Airlines in the U.S.A.’.
- Further, travellers can also have the privilege of boarding early by enrolling for the Priority Access service.
- Allegiant Air’s Priority access costs between $11.50 to $17.50.
- Also, onboard meals as well as beverages can be added to the itinerary for $2 to $7 per person.
- Equally important, in Allegiant Air, passengers have to pay a cancellation fee of $25 per person.
- However, for those who have purchased Allegiant Air’s Trip Flex option, no cancellation fee will be charged.
Thus, all these additional amenities can make the ticket fare of Allegiant Air lie somewhere between $55 to $175.
Frontier Airlines
Furthermore, Frontier Airlines is another ultra-low-cost airline in the U.S. that offers some of the cheapest flight offers. However, Frontier’s base fare can be cheaper than Allegiant Air, but its additional facilities make the overall travel expensive.
Similar to Allegiant, Spirit also operates on an à la carte model. Hence, passengers must know the individual price of all the basic to premium add-ons. Thus, all the extra charges of the U.S. carrier from pre-flight to onboard facilities are mentioned here:
- Primarily, travellers are allowed to bring 1 complimentary personal bag in the cabin.
The size dimensions of this bag should be 8″ Length x 18″ Width x 14″ Height, including handles, wheels, and straps.
- Along with this, the travellers can also bring 1 carry-on bag on board of dimensions 10″ Length x 16″ Width x 24″ Height.
- However, a fee is imposed by the airline on these carry-ons that ranges from around $54 to $99.
- Likewise, for checked bags, prices range between $49 to $99. The cost of checked bags may vary depending on the time of purchase and the number of bags purchased.
- For oversized checked baggage, a penalty of $75 has to be paid per bag.
- Equally important, flyers can bring domesticated pets on board for $99.
- In addition, travellers who want to avoid long queues and board first can add this service for $2.99-$14.99.
- Also, the in-flight meals and beverages of Frontier Airlines start from $6.
- Moreover, Frontier also has a heavy cancellation fee of $99 in case of a change of plans.
- Despite being the cheapest airline in the U.S.A., Frontier even charges $75 amount to correct names in the ticket.
As a Reddit user mentioned, “To save $150, I would definitely fly Frontier. But their gates are usually the furthest ones, and you pay for any additional baggage. Also, food/drinks on the flight are quite expensive.”
Southwest Airlines
After the ultra-low-cost carriers of the United States of America, Southwest Airlines can be the affordable low-cost option. The airline operates on a hybrid model, offering low-cost options coupled with premium facilities.
Unlike other U.S. carriers, Southwest’s base fare is more expensive. Despite this, to make air travel reasonable for flyers, the airline extends several amenities free of cost. The complete price range of such facilities is listed here:
- Southwest Airlines provides a complimentary personal item as well as 1 free carry-on luggage.
- The personal item should fit under the seat of the traveller.
- Also, the travellers must ensure that their carry-on is not more than 24” (length) × 16” (width) × 10” (height).
- Even the checked baggage costs between $35 to $45 on Basic, Choice, and Choice Preferred Fares.
- Whereas, for flyers who have opted for Choice Extra Fares or Rapid Rewards can surely get their bags checked for free.
- For pet travel, the U.S. carrier charges a reasonable amount of $35 to $125 for a one-way trip.
- Customers can experience hassle-free boarding and priority services at just $10-$75 per person.
- Southwest Airlines again proves itself to be one of the cheapest choices with its complimentary food service.
- Travellers can enjoy complimentary food and non-alcoholic beverages on flights covering 251 miles or more.
- Moreover, Rapid Rewards Members can even access in-flight WiFi to stream videos and send emails.
- The members who want to enhance their in-flight amenities can upgrade seats and change tiers for $4 to $250.
- Quite importantly, the best part of travelling with Southwest is that it doesn’t charge any change or cancellation fee.
Therefore, Southwest is a low-cost carrier, but its premium facilities make it a hybrid option. Also, for more affordable tickets, travellers can explore tips to check the Southwest Airlines Low Fare Calendar.
Sun Country Airlines
Sun Country Airlines is, however, an ultra-low-cost airline in the United States. Despite having a cheaper base fare, the airline is more expensive than its competitors, Frontier and Allegiant. Along with this, Sun Country’s optional services are costlier than those of Southwest Airlines.
Beginning with early boarding to in-cabin carry-ons, everything has to be purchased by the interested flyers. Thus, the specific range of all the amenities from basic to premium has been listed below:
- Firstly, travellers can only bring a single personal bag onboard which can fit under their seat. It should be 17″ in Height, 13″ in width, and 9” in Height.
- Along with this, a carry-on of dimensions 17″ x 13″ x 9″ can be purchased by travellers for $25 to $40.
- Similarly, for checked baggage of 62″ Linear (length + width + depth), the cost imposed by the airline is $30 to $50.
- Also, for passengers travelling with older citizens or young children, they can purchase priority service for $5 – $25.
- Whereas, the travel with a pet in the cabin is $75, but it might go up to $100 for last-minute requests.
- The company provides complimentary beverages such as water, coffee, and juice in-flight. Although the rest of them have to be purchased individually.
- The advantage is that customers can enjoy hours of free onboard AirFi and stream their favourite shows.
- Also, Sun Country charges a change fee as well as a cancellation fee. The change fee is applicable only after 60 days of reservation and can go up to $99 per person.
A user on Reddit described their experience with Sun Country as, “I’ve never had a bad experience with Sun Country, but neither a stellar experience either. They do charge you for things like picking your seat, checking in bags, etc., that adds up.”
JetBlue Airways
Being the low-cost carrier of the United States of America, JetBlue offers reasonable flight tickets to passengers. The actual cost of the ticket may significantly vary depending on the cabin class.
Similar to Southwest Airlines, JetBlue is also a hybrid carrier that has divided itself into Core and Mint cabins. To know about the optional amenities that increase the overall travel cost, passengers can explore this.
- All travellers can bring 1 personal item and a carry-on for free to JetBlue flights, irrespective of their cabin class.
- Next, the checked bags are chargeable, and the first checked bag generally costs $45.
- Whereas the second checked bag might go up to $69
- For oversized and overweight bags, a fee of $150 will be charged on board.
- Travellers who want to keep their dogs in the cabin are supposed to pay $125 for a one-way trip.
- Equally important, the priority services, such as security screening, start at $20 for each individual.
- On specific long-haul routes, complimentary food and beverages are offered to the passengers.
- However, travellers can purchase meal boxes and beverages for the rest of the flights between $9 to $15.
- Moreover, the in-flight entertainment of JetBlue is absolutely free of charge for the passengers.
- Even the company doesn’t charge any fee for flight cancellation. But $25 is charged per person, which is non-refundable.
Another advantage for JetBlue flyers is that they can purchase most of the additional amenities and flight tickets with TrueBlue points. To save more, flyers can learn how to use the JetBlue Airways Low Fare Calendar.
Overview of the Top 5 Cheapest Airlines in the U.S.A.
For the enhanced clarity of passengers, this table contains all the essential information about the economic carriers. This way, passengers can conveniently decide which airline is most suitable for them.
| Name of the Airline | Average Base Fare for Short-Haul Flights | Average Base Fare for Long-Haul Flights | Cost of Optional Services |
| Allegiant Air | $45 to $80 | $80 to $150 | $100 one-way |
| Frontier Airlines | $15 tgo $70 | $50 to $150 | $145 one-way |
| Southwest Airlines | $49 to $69 | $150 to $300+ | $75 one-way |
| Sun Country Airlines | $70 to $80 | $140 to $190 | $95 one-way |
| JetBlue Airways | $45 to $150 | $300 to $800 | $80 one-way |
Have a question about an airline office or ticketing issue?
Get simple, quick assistance.
Call Now: +1-877-329-1215 (Toll-Free)Conclusion
To conclude, this blog ranks the top 5 most affordable airlines in the United States of America. In addition, this analysis is based on the base fare as well as the cost of optional services. So that travellers can select the most economical flight based on their preferences. Moreover, the comprehensive table supports passengers in conveniently choosing the airline.
FAQs
Allegiant Air is the cheapest airline in the United States based on base fare and onboard services.
Frontier Airlines charges $99 for pet travel for a one-way trip.
Southwest Airlines can be the most affordable airline as it provides complimentary carry-on bags on board.
Sun Country Airlines is an ultra-low-cost airline in the U.S.A. that offers complimentary in-flight entertainment.
Yes, JetBlue Airways charges a flight change fee of $25 to travellers.