Budget Europe-USA Flights: Are They Really a Good Deal?
June 1 saw IAG's new budget airline Level take to the skies, whisking 318 passengers from Barcelona to Los Angeles.
The airline sold more than 100,000 cut-price tickets just four weeks after going on sale.
Level, owned by the parent company of British Airways, runs budget flights out of Barcelona, with routes to Los Angeles, Oakland (SF), Buenos Aires and Punta Cana.
For budget-conscious holidaymakers and business travellers alike, budget airlines like Level offer an attractive proposition: take a break or have a business meeting Stateside for hundreds of pounds less than a regular carrier.
But are such deals all they're cracked up to be?
Level has entered an increasingly lucrative segment, currently dominated by Norwegian and Iceland's Wow. Air France will attempt to cash in next year, with its new cut-price trans-Atlantic carrier, Boost.
Here we look at the three main low-cost trans-Atlantic airlines to determine if they really are wallet-friendly.
Level
Level offers tickets from 99 euros one-way. Even if you count connecting budget flights between the UK and Spain, this is an attractive price.
What you get: 9in screen entertainment system and Wi-Fi access for a fee. If you pay extra for Premium Economy you get more legroom, checked baggage and a three-course meal.
Hidden extras: the basic fare allows one piece of hand luggage – not realistic for most travellers. Checked baggage, food and amenity kits with pillow all cost extra.
True cost: The lowest fares sell out very quickly. Realistically you're looking at 350 euros each way - assuming you're flexible with your dates. The final cost can exceed 900 euros when all the extras are added.
However, compared to major airlines you could still save several hundred pounds. For budget-conscious holidaymakers and frugal business travellers, it could be worth switching airlines, even when you figure in connecting UK-Spain flights.
Norwegian
The cut-price Scandinavian airline has some tasty offers: around £50 between Edinburgh or Dublin and New York (one way) is one of the tastiest.
What you get: Great coverage - with 13 US airports and 123 European cities. Most planes are 787 Dreamliners, which should mean you enjoy on-demand video and built-in plug sockets.
Hidden extras: You have to pay more for checked bags and a whole range of other items, such as blankets, food and drinks.
True cost: Once you factor in things like checked luggage, food and drinks (essential for most of us), and the fact that the lowest fares sell out very quickly, you're probably looking at a return trip costing more than £500.
Compared to economy fares from traditional carriers like BA and US Airways, you don't save a great deal. However, if you can travel light, Norwegian could save you enough to be worth it. What's more, the airline operates out of Gatwick, so route-wise it's the best carrier for UK business and leisure travellers on a budget.
Wow
With headline return fares starting at around £160, Wow is sure to get hearts racing in the chests of both budget-conscious business travel planners and shoestring holidaymakers.
What you get: Not a great deal - i.e. bring your own digital devices (plug sockets provided). Regular fare sales do mean, however, that if you're flexible you can bag a great fare.
Hidden extras: You will have to pay up to £40 for carry-on luggage (you read it right) and even more for checked luggage. Picking a seat may cost more than £8. A whole host of other optional extras make booking a Wow flight a little complex – and considerably more costly than those eye-catching fares suggest.
True cost: Once you've factored in all these extra fees, you're looking at up to £600 for your 'cut-price' transatlantic jolly.
In relation to Wow, it may be simpler to book with a traditional carrier like IcelandAir; it's unlikely to be any more costly than Wow in the end.
Cut-price trans-Atlantic flights - are they worth it?
If you can bag a low-cost fare and you can travel very light, you could save money on your Europe-US flight with the above carriers. Just remember to make some sandwiches and eat them in the airport before you fly – otherwise, when hunger strikes at 36,000 feet, you could be in for a costly surprise!
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