Discount Airlines Going Intercontinental

Cheap airlines are a dime-a-two-dozen here in the U.S. Everyone looking to save money has hopped on a Sun Country or Frontier or Air Tran flight at least once. As someone who has to rely on Northwest (A.K.A. the throw-a-bag-of-salty-peanuts-at-you-then-
charge-five-bucks-for-a-drink airlines) most of the time, these budget carriers don’t exactly seem “no-frills.” When I didn’t have to pay for headphones on my last Air Tran flight, I nearly fell out of my seat in surprise.

But what about traveling overseas? For the most part, whether you are crossing the Pacific or Atlantic, you have to rely on a major carrier. But things are starting to change.

Just remember before you start getting too orgasmic about the cheap prices that you will be flying over an ocean. I’ve been on a 14-hour flight across the Pacific where the only thing that kept me from going insane was the movie and the wet towel they give you halfway through. And the extra legroom. Invaluable!

It is much easier to find a discount carrier that flies between the US and Europe. Aer Lingus serves insular Europe and AirBerlin and Zoom Airlines (to name two) fly to many destinations on the mainland. If your schedule is even a little flexible, you should be able to work out a trans-Atlantic flight for a reasonable price.

The best choice for the Pacific is Oasis Hong Kong. The budget carrier flies to Hong Kong from London or Vancouver. Not a lot of options, but with prices starting at $279 one-way, it might be worth figuring out how to make a trip work. You aren’t going to find a cheaper price anywhere.

The airline industry seems to be shifting more and more towards budget carriers. I’m sure the intercontinental budget sector will continue to grow.

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