$280 Non-Stop Roundtrips from Newark to Rome

I tweeted this deal first from @MileValueAlerts. Follow @MileValueAlerts on Twitter and follow these directions to get a text message every time I tweet from that account. I tweet from @MileValueAlerts only a few times a month because it is designed to be used only for the best and most limited-time deals–like mistake fares–so that you aren’t bombarded by text messages.

Right now you can book a roundtrip in economy between Newark (EWR) and Rome (FCO) for $280 for travel November through March, 2018 on Norwegian Air.

Ryanair Flash Sale: $11+ One-Ways Across Europe this Fall

I tweeted this deal first from @MileValueAlerts. Follow @MileValueAlerts on Twitter and follow these directions to get a text message every time I tweet from that account. I tweet from @MileValueAlerts only a few times a month because it is designed to be used only for the best and most limited-time deals–like mistake fares–so that you aren’t bombarded by text messages.

Ryanair is offering dirt cheap one way fares starting at just £9 / €9 (under $13 USD) between various European cities. The majority of available travel dates are in October and November of this year.

3 Tips to Know Before Flying Ryanair

Ryanair, the largest low cost carrier in Europe, is a machine. It serves over 100 million customers annually and was the original model for a multitude of other budget airline. In the past, that machine has been known for vigorously strict policies as a means of cutting costs...all in the name of providing a cheaper plane ticket, of course.

I'd heard horror stories of being charged oodles of money because you did one thing slightly wrong, or because your bag was the tiniest bit overweight or oversized, totally negating any value of the cheap ticket.

Guide to Low Cost Carrier Travel in Europe

Taking no-frills, short distance flights on low cost carriers is a great way to fill in the hole on an open jaw award and to hop around Europe if you're traveling light.

You often cannot redeem traditional miles on these kinds of flights--or if you can it just wouldn't be worth it because the value you'd be getting per mile would be so low.

Anatomy of an Award: Low Cost Carrier and Avios Tickets within Europe

I've been hopping around Europe for the last few months with flight that I've booked a variety of ways:

Barcelona, Spain to Leipzig, Germany (cash, Vueling)
Prague, Czech Republic to Belgrade, Serbia (Etihad Guest miles, Air Serbia, Anatomy of an Award)
Belgrade to Tivat, Montenegro (cash, Air Serbia)
Sarajevo, Bosnia to Zagreb, Croatia (cash, Croatia Airlines)

Now I have two more flights coming up from Zagreb to Spain and back for a quick trip.

Trip Report: Low Cost Carrier (AirAsia) from Bangkok to Chiang Rai

Thai AirAsia 3207
Bangkok (DMK) – Chiang Rai (CEI)
Depart: 1:55 PM on Sunday January 3, 2016
Arrive: 3:15 PM
Duration: 1:20
Aircraft: Airbus A320
Seat: 21D (all economy plane)

Are low-cost carriers safe? Are the flights on time? How much leg room is there? Do you really have to pay for water? Can you get around the high baggage fees? What entertainment options are there?

I don't fly Emirates First Class or Thai Business Class for all my flights. On short hops, I usually book the cheapest ticket I can.

$99 One Way Fares from USA to Amsterdam and Paris

Wow Air, an Icelandic ultra-low-cost carrier, is offering $99 one way fares from Boston and Baltimore to Paris and Amsterdam this Fall and Winter.

Return flights are more expensive, so the cheapest roundtrips I found are about $300.

New York to Berlin Roundtrip for $355

Follow @MileValueAlerts on Twitter and follow these directions to get a text message every time I tweet from that account.

HUGE SALE: $5 Fares in Southeast Asia

Air Asia, a Southeast Asian low cost carrier, is having a fare sale starting at $4 one way. Air Asia and its affiliates serve 121 destinations in 22 countries.

You must book by June 28 and fly between February 15 and August 31, 2016 (and yes, you can book August 2016 today.) The discounted routes are listed here and start at $3.

Not all days next year are at the advertised price, but many are. Head to airasia.com and search.

Make sure to select the local currency of the departure airport for the cheapest price.

Airline Requests Regulatory Approval for Standing Cabin

Ryanair's CEO has mentioned standing-only tickets before, though that was probably a publicity stunt. Now Spring Airlines--a low-cost carrier hubbed in Shanghai with service throughout China and East Asia--has requested regulatory approval for standing sections in its cabins.

That's a real first step toward a far-less glamorous future for air transportation.

Up to this point, making the customer experience worse while making the base fare lower has been a good strategy.

Spirit is down to 28" of pitch (the space between seats) on its planes, which is 3-4" less than legacy carriers.