The Best Low-Cost Airlines in the World

In recent years, the boom of low-cost airlines has made air travel cheaper than train travel on some routes. As a result, the number of low-cost flights worldwide is increasing. Among these colorful new companies, which ones provide better services? One of the most reputable rankings of airlines in the world is conducted by the website worldairlineawards. According to this group's review, the best low-cost airline in the world in 2015 is AirAsia, a Malaysian low-cost airline that has direct flights to most Southeast Asian countries known as ASEAN. This airline also has direct flights from Kuala Lumpur to Iran. Currently, after Iran Air suspended flights to Malaysia, AirAsia is transporting passengers between Iran and Malaysia. Many Iranians living in Malaysia are students, and using this airline's flights is cost-effective for them. In 2011, AirAsia ordered 200 Airbus A320neo aircraft from Airbus, which remains one of the largest orders for a single model from Airbus. The company currently operates 176 Airbus 320 aircraft and has ordered about 400 Airbus 320neo and Airbus 321 aircraft. Unlike other airlines, low-cost airlines globally try to use only one model to minimize their costs. Approximately 17,000 people work for AirAsia, and the company generates nearly two billion dollars in revenue annually. In the list provided for the best low-cost airlines, Virgin America, Norwegian Air, EasyJet, Jetstar, AirAsia X, WestJet, IndiGo, Jetstar Asia, and Azul Brazilian Airlines are ranked second to tenth, respectively. In the category of the best airline for long-haul low-cost flights, Norwegian Air ranked first. Founded in 1993, Norwegian Air currently operates direct flights to over 120 destinations in Asia, Europe, Africa, and the United States, transporting more than 17 million passengers annually. Unlike most low-cost airlines, this Norwegian company has several aircraft models in its fleet due to the diversity of its routes, but it still tries to minimize aircraft model diversity to reduce costs. Short and medium-haul flights are covered by 102 Boeing 737 aircraft, while long-haul flights are serviced by eleven Boeing 787 aircraft. This company is also considered the best low-cost airline in Europe, followed by EasyJet, Eurowings, Niki, and Ryanair. In the Middle East, FlyDubai, Air Arabia, Island Air, Up, and Flynas from Saudi Arabia are ranked as the best low-cost airlines, respectively. In recent years, Gulf Arab countries have made significant efforts to develop their airlines. These countries have not only achieved the best scores in major airlines but have also succeeded in the low-cost sector. In 2015, Emirates Airline was selected as the best airline of the year after climbing four places. Qatar Airways, which previously held the first position, is now ranked second. Currently, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates have become a hub for air travel and transit in the Middle East due to the development of their airlines and very strong infrastructure, especially modern airports. Dubai International Airport alone can accommodate 70 million passengers annually, while, for example, Imam Khomeini International Airport can only accommodate 6 million passengers a year. The low-cost airlines in these countries primarily operate to transport cheap labor from surrounding countries, especially from the Indian subcontinent and African countries to the Gulf countries. FlyDubai, chosen as the best low-cost airline in the Middle East, is an Emirati company headquartered in Terminal 2 of Dubai International Airport. Its fleet includes 52 Boeing 737 aircraft, and the company has also ordered 83 Boeing 737 aircraft, mostly of the MAX type. This airline operates direct flights to 94 airports worldwide, including 9 airports in Iran. In North America, Virgin America, WestJet, and Southwest Airlines are ranked first to third. In Asia, AirAsia, AirAsia X, and IndiGo from India are among the best low-cost airlines.