If you’re trying to save some cash on flights out of St. Louis, picking the right budget airline can seriously help. Some of the best budget airlines flying from St. Louis are Southwest Airlines, Frontier Airlines, and Spirit Airlines—all known for low fares and a decent range of destinations.
These carriers give you ways to keep travel costs down without totally giving up on convenience.
Flying out of St. Louis Lambert International Airport, you’ve got access to a bunch of wallet-friendly routes across the country. Frontier and Spirit are famous for their rock-bottom base fares, while Southwest stands out for flexibility and surprisingly good customer service.
It’s worth figuring out which airline matches your own travel style and budget. That way, you’re not stuck overpaying for a trip that could’ve been cheaper.
To really get the most out of budget airlines, check out where they actually fly and keep an eye out for deals. It’s not just about the lowest ticket price—it’s about finding flights that don’t make travel a headache.
Key Takeaways
- Budget airlines have plenty of affordable flights from St. Louis.
- Southwest, Frontier, and Spirit are the big names to know.
- Knowing routes and deals can help you snag the lowest fares.
Top Budget Airlines Serving St. Louis
There are a few solid budget airlines flying out of St. Louis Lambert International Airport. Each one has its quirks, so it pays to know what you’re getting into before you book.
Allegiant Air Overview
Allegiant Air mostly targets folks heading to vacation spots in the South and Florida. The tickets are usually super cheap, but you’ll pay extra for bags, picking your seat, and even drinks on board.
Flights aren’t as frequent as with bigger airlines, so booking early is smart. If you’re flexible and just want the lowest price, Allegiant’s worth a look.
They use smaller jets, so there are fewer seats—but sometimes that means more direct flights where you want to go.
Frontier Airlines Overview
Frontier Airlines runs a good number of flights from St. Louis, and their fares start low. You pay for the basics, and then add on stuff like checked bags or carry-ons if you need them.
They’ve got a modern fleet and a no-frills vibe, which keeps things simple.
Those low starting prices are pretty tempting. Just watch out—booking late or adding extras can make things pricier fast.
Frontier covers a lot of popular cities from St. Louis, so if you value options and don’t mind skipping the bells and whistles, it’s a solid pick.
Southwest Airlines Overview
Southwest is a favorite for travelers who want low fares and don’t want to pay for checked bags—two checked bags fly free, which is rare these days.
From St. Louis, Southwest offers plenty of nonstop flights around the country. Their pricing is pretty straightforward, and you won’t get nickel-and-dimed for every little thing.
People like Southwest for its laid-back service and open seating style. You can also change flights without a fee, and their rewards program is easy to use.
If you want to avoid surprises and keep things simple, Southwest is hard to beat for trips out of St. Louis.
Flight Routes and Destinations
There are lots of nonstop flights from St. Louis to big cities and vacation spots. The airlines here cover most of the U.S., including some smaller airports.
Some routes only run during busy travel seasons, though.
Popular Nonstop Destinations
From St. Louis Lambert International Airport, you can fly nonstop to places like Atlanta, Dallas, Denver, and Chicago. These routes are covered by both major carriers and budget airlines like Southwest, Frontier, and Spirit.
There are also nonstop flights to some Caribbean destinations, which can save you time if you don’t want layovers. Flights to cities like Miami and Orlando are pretty common, too.
Nonstop service covers about 70 different destinations. That’s a lot of options, whether you’re traveling for work or just trying to escape for a while.
Regional and National Coverage
Regional flights connect St. Louis to smaller cities in the Midwest and nearby states. Handy if you live outside the main metro or just want to skip a long drive.
Nationally, budget airlines from St. Louis reach about 50 major airports. Frontier, in particular, offers a bunch of affordable routes all over the country.
You don’t have to connect through huge, crowded airports just to get where you need to go.
Seasonal Routes
Some flights only run during certain parts of the year—usually to vacation spots in the sun or places that get busy around holidays.
You might spot nonstop flights to Florida in the winter or beach towns when everyone’s trying to get away. These seasonal routes can make travel way easier when demand is up.
It’s worth checking for these flights if you’re planning around holidays or school breaks. Sometimes the best deals and direct flights only show up for a few months.
Tips for Finding the Best Deals
Getting the lowest fare isn’t just luck—you need to be a little strategic. Flexibility, timing, and knowing where to book all play a part.
Flexible Travel Dates
If you can be flexible with your travel dates, you’ll almost always pay less. Flying mid-week or at odd hours—think early morning or late night—tends to be cheaper.
Try using flexible date search tools on booking sites. It’s surprising how much you can save just by shifting your trip a day or two.
Holidays and big events usually mean higher prices. If you can, plan ahead or wait until things calm down. Flexibility is your friend, especially with budget airlines like Spirit or Southwest.
Booking Directly with Airlines
Booking straight through the airline’s website is usually safer and sometimes cheaper. Some budget airlines have deals you won’t find on third-party sites.
You also dodge those sneaky extra fees some booking engines tack on. If you need to change or cancel, the airline can help you faster if you booked with them.
If you see a deal on another site, check the airline’s own page before you buy. You might get the same fare, minus the hassle.
Loyalty programs and picking your seat usually work better when you book direct, too.
Utilizing Fare Comparison Tools
Fare comparison websites pull prices from a bunch of airlines, making it easier to spot a deal quickly. Sites like KAYAK, Skyscanner, or Airfarewatchdog let you filter by price, number of stops, and which airline you’d rather fly.
Set up alerts for your favorite routes. That way, you’ll get a heads-up when fares drop, and you don’t have to check every day.
Just watch out—some sites might skip certain fees or miss out on the really cheap airlines. It’s worth double-checking on the airline’s own site.
Honestly, comparing a few sources is your best shot at getting the real price from St. Louis.