Budget Flights to Barcelona – Are They Right For You?

In today's world, who doesn't like to save a little money? Many flights can now be nabbed for very reasonable rates, but there are some airlines that take 'inexpensive' to the next level. Ryanair and EasyJet are two companies that have earned a reputation for having some of the cheapest flights out there. But you do have to be a little cautious with these kinds of airlines.

These two airlines played a major role in the popularisation of Barcelona by offering fares that were significantly cheaper than the major airlines. With air travel much cheaper than ever before and the lure of Spain's beautiful cities and beaches, not to mention food, wine and beer, many people began to travel there seeing it as a relatively cheap weekend away.

EasyJet was the first budget airline to popularise the UK-Barcelona routes and took the model of inexpensive, low-service air fare in the US, and stripped it back even further. There are no free drinks or meals - not even a free sweet - and the seats are not what you would call roomy. But the flights are generally short, only lasting a couple hours on average, so these drawbacks are not a big problem. One thing about budget flights is that they are very first-come-first-served oriented. These flights often do not have assigned seating, so if you want certain seats, or need to make sure you have multiple seats next to each other, arrive early to claim them and you'll be allocated a number which prioritises boearding - low numbers board first and therefore claim the best seats.

Ryanair is a another popular budget airline, with particularly aggressive marketing. This company has stripped down their service even more than EasyJet to the extend that they often advertise free flights. Beware though, because just as there is no such thing as a free lunch, there is no such thing as a free flight - you have to pay taxes and fees, a fee for checking in (!), plus if you want to take a suitcase they charge for that too.

If you want a higher level of service, you will want to look into other airlines. Companies such as British Airways and Iberia are usually going to be more expensive to fly with, but you have a higher level of service too, at least in theory. These airlines have baggage allowances, so you can bring a certain amount of luggage with you without paying extra. As mentioned before, budget airlines such a Ryanair restrict you to one carryon, and you have to pay for anything else.

Also, the traditional airlines will provide free drinks and a meal for the price of your ticket. It is easier to get the seats you want here too. With these airlines, you don't have to worry about your party getting split up.

Budget airlines like JetEasy and Ryanair can offer very cheap flights to a variety of destinations if you are flying light and aren't too picky about your flying experience. Most people who fly with these airlines say they would recommend them to other travellers. Just be sure to read the fine print to see what exactly you get with your flight. If you need a little more luxury than these airlines can offer, British Airways and Iberia can provide that for a little extra money. How important these extra services are is up to you.

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