Ryanair

Ryanair is the most profitable airline in Europe by passenger margin and the carrier that single-handedly made sub-30 euro cross-European flying a normal product. The honest assessment of Ryanair in 2026: the base fare is genuinely as low as advertised, the safety record is impeccable (IATA certified, modern Boeing 737-800 fleet averaging under 7 years), and the on-time performance has improved dramatically since the pilot strikes of 2018-2019. The trade-off is real and deliberate: Ryanair ancillary fees (checked baggage, seat selection, airport check-in) can exceed the base fare for underprepared travelers. The traveler who minimizes Ryanair costs: books during flash sales, travels with only a personal item under the seat, checks in online exactly 48 hours before departure, and chooses boarding-time seat assignment. With these practices, Ryanair remains the best value for European city pairs — flying Stansted to Dublin, Bergamo to Barcelona, or Charleroi to Lisbon for 15-35 euros is simply unmatched.