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If you’re hoping to save some cash on flights from Boston, knowing which budget airlines fly out of Logan Airport is a pretty big deal. Spirit Airlines, Southwest, JetBlue, and Allegiant Air are among the top low-cost carriers offering great fares and multiple routes.
These airlines give you options whether you’re heading across the country or flying internationally.
Choosing the right budget airline depends on your travel needs, like destination and timing. A lot of folks find Spirit and Southwest have the cheapest flights, while JetBlue feels like a nice balance between price and comfort.
Knowing where each airline flies from Boston can help you snag the best deal for your trip.
Key Takeways
- Budget airlines offer many routes from Boston with low fares.
- Comparing airlines helps you find the best price and schedule.
- Knowing your options makes flying from Boston easier and cheaper.
Overview of Budget Airlines Operating in Boston
You’ve got a handful of budget airline choices at Boston Logan International Airport. These include some big names and a couple of newer players.
Nearby airports also offer budget flights, which gives you a bit more flexibility if you’re willing to drive a little.
Major Low Cost Carriers at Boston Logan International Airport
At Boston Logan, the main budget airlines are Southwest Airlines, JetBlue, and Spirit Airlines. Southwest is popular for its low fares and free checked bags (at least the first two).
JetBlue offers affordable prices, free Wi-Fi, and more legroom than you’d expect. Spirit Airlines is often the cheapest, but almost everything extra—carry-on bags, snacks, seat selection—costs more.
These airlines mostly fly to domestic spots, but a few international flights are in the mix. The base fares are low, though you’ll want to watch for add-on charges if you want more than the basics.
Emerging Budget Airlines Serving Boston
A few newer budget airlines have started flying out of Boston. PLAY Airlines from Iceland, for example, offers cheap flights to Europe with a simple, no-frills experience.
Their new Airbus planes focus on getting you across the Atlantic for less. There’s also Norse Atlantic Airways, which is all about affordable flights between the U.S. and Europe.
These new options make it easier to find cheap international flights straight from Boston Logan.
Comparison With Nearby Airports
If you can’t find the flight you want at Logan, you might check out airports like Manchester-Boston Regional Airport (MHT) in New Hampshire or T.F. Green Airport in Rhode Island.
Sometimes, these smaller airports have budget airlines with lower fees or different destinations. Logan usually has more nonstop flights and bigger airline options, though.
For most people, the convenience and choices at Logan outweigh the hassle of driving farther. Still, if you’re up for it, comparing prices at nearby airports could save you some money.
How to Find the Best Flight Deals from Boston
Getting cheap flights from Boston is all about using the right tools and keeping your eyes open for deals. You’ll want to track prices, book at the right time, and pay attention to sneaky extra fees.
Mixing and matching apps or websites can help you spot the best deals and avoid surprises.
Using Online Travel Agents and Price Alerts
Online travel agents (OTAs) like Skyscanner, Expedia, and Kayak let you compare tons of flights at once. It’s a time-saver and usually the easiest way to spot the lowest fares.
Just enter your dates, check out all the options, and sort by whatever matters—price, duration, you name it.
Set up price alerts so you get notified when fares drop. That way, you don’t have to keep checking every day.
If your travel dates are flexible, these alerts are a lifesaver. Flight calendars are handy too—they highlight cheaper days around your chosen dates.
Strategies for Booking Cheap Flights
Book your flight at least three to six weeks before you plan to leave. Prices almost always go up as your departure date gets closer.
Flying on weekdays, especially Tuesday or Wednesday, usually means lower fares than weekends. Early morning or late-night flights from Boston can be cheaper if you don’t mind the odd hours.
If you’re open to it, check flights from airports near Boston, too. Use more than one OTA before booking—sometimes, airlines have exclusive deals on their own sites that you won’t see elsewhere.
Always compare before you pay.
Tips for Identifying Hidden Fees
That cheap flight you found? It might not be so cheap once you add everything up. Budget airlines love to tack on fees for checked bags, seat selection, or even carry-ons.
Before you book, dig into the airline’s baggage policy. Watch out for:
- Checked baggage fees
- Carry-on size limits and costs
- Charges for picking your seat
- Fees for changes or cancellations
Look for the full price breakdown before you pay. This helps you avoid nasty surprises at the airport or during checkout.
Knowing what’s included keeps you from spending more than you planned.
Popular Budget Airlines and Their Route Networks
Boston Logan has a decent mix of budget airlines covering both domestic and international routes. You get a range of flight frequencies and direct options, depending on where you’re headed.
Domestic Budget Airlines Operating to and from Boston
From Boston, JetBlue, Southwest Airlines, and Spirit Airlines are the big budget names for U.S. travel. JetBlue has lots of routes to cities like New York, Orlando, and Los Angeles.
Southwest focuses on places like Baltimore, Chicago, and Tampa. Spirit Airlines is good for cheap flights to Fort Lauderdale, Las Vegas, and Detroit.
These airlines are all about low fares and direct flights. You’ll usually find several flights per week to most destinations, so you’ve got options.
International Routes Served by Budget Airlines
Some budget airlines at Boston Logan go international, too. Icelandair offers budget-friendly flights to Iceland, which makes Europe more accessible.
JetBlue flies direct to Caribbean spots like Cancun and San Juan. Spirit Airlines hits a few international destinations, including the Dominican Republic.
The list of international cities isn’t huge, but if you’re looking for low-cost flights to popular spots nearby, there are options.
Direct Flights and Flight Frequency
Direct flights are common with budget airlines leaving Boston. Southwest and JetBlue, for example, run non-stop flights to a bunch of cities—sometimes several times a day.
JetBlue has frequent direct flights to NYC, which is pretty convenient. Flight frequency depends on the airline and the route.
Domestic destinations usually have daily flights or more. International budget routes are less frequent, so check the schedule before you book.
Travel Hacks and Essential Tips for Flying on a Budget
Saving money on Boston flights is about more than just picking the cheapest airline. Timing, upgrades, and even your ground travel can make a difference.
A little planning goes a long way—and hey, who doesn’t want to avoid extra stress?
Best Time and Cheapest Month to Book Flights
The cheapest months to fly to and from Boston are usually January or February. After the holidays, demand drops and airlines cut prices.
Midweek flights—especially Tuesdays and Wednesdays—are almost always cheaper than weekends. Booking 6-8 weeks before your trip tends to get you the best deals.
Don’t book too early or wait until the last minute unless you like paying more. If you’re willing to look at airports like Manchester or Providence, you might score even better fares.
Budget airlines sometimes drop last-minute deals or flash sales, so it’s worth checking back if your dates are flexible.
Maximizing Value: Upgrades and Add-ons
With budget airlines, make sure you know what’s actually included in your ticket. Basic economy often skips bags or seat selection, so figure out which extras you actually need.
If you want a bit more comfort, see if premium economy is an option—it’s more legroom without business class prices. Upgrades to business class are rare on budget carriers, but sometimes they offer priority boarding or other add-ons.
Only buy extras like checked bags or seat selection if you really need them. The airline’s app or website is usually the cheapest place to manage upgrades before your flight.
Accommodation and Ground Transportation Options
Look for hotels in Boston that are close to public transit or offer free shuttles. That way, you’ll save on getting around and probably avoid a few headaches.
Booking early? It can snag you better rates near popular places like the Freedom Trail.
Thinking about renting a car? Only really worth it if you’re heading out beyond Boston. Sometimes, honestly, public transit or a quick rideshare just makes more sense.
If you’re flying into one of the nearby airports, don’t forget to factor in car rental prices and your options for getting into Boston itself. It’s worth weighing all that before you lock in your plans.