Ryanair and easyJet dominate European budget aviation but take different approaches. Ryanair prioritises the absolute lowest base fare with aggressive add-on charges, while easyJet offers a slightly more premium experience at moderately higher prices. Here's how they compare across the categories that matter most for European travel.
Comparison Table
Provider
Price
Route Network
Baggage Policy
Seat Comfort
Punctuality
Customer Service
Ryanair
★★★★★
★★★★★
★★☆☆☆
★★☆☆☆
★★★★☆
★★☆☆☆
easyJet
★★★☆☆
★★★★☆
★★★☆☆
★★★☆☆
★★★★☆
★★★☆☆
ℹ️ Good to Know
Scores are based on our hands-on testing, user reviews, and price monitoring across multiple European countries.
1. Ryanair
Pros
Lowest base fares in Europe — often 30-50% cheaper than easyJet on the same route
Largest route network with 240+ airports and 3,000+ routes
High punctuality rate (90%+ on-time performance)
Frequent sales and fare promotions
Cons
Aggressive baggage fees — a checked bag can cost more than the flight
No free cabin bag larger than a small personal item (35x20x20cm) on basic fare
Secondary airports often far from city centres (e.g., Bergamo for Milan, Beauvais for Paris)
Customer service ranked consistently lowest among European airlines
If you're optimising purely for price and can travel light (personal item only), Ryanair wins — the base fares are unbeatable and the route network is the largest in Europe. But once you add checked baggage, seat selection, and factor in secondary airport transfers, the price gap narrows significantly. easyJet is the better choice when flying to/from primary airports matters, when you value slightly more comfort, or when the total cost (including all add-ons) is similar. For most travellers, compare total costs including bags on both airlines for your specific route — the winner changes by route and date.
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BTS
BestTravelScout Editorial Team
Our editorial team researches and tests travel products hands-on, comparing prices and policies across dozens of providers to bring you honest, data-backed recommendations.