7 Budget Airline Secrets They Pray You Never Find Out

Let’s be honest—budget airlines can feel a bit like that mate who always swears they’ve found a “bargain holiday,” only for the costs to start creeping up the moment you say yes. On paper, it’s all sunshine and £9.99 flights to somewhere exotic. But once the extras start piling on—bags, seats, boarding passes—it’s suddenly not quite the steal it seemed.

I’ve had my fair share of adventures flying on a shoestring. I’ve rocked up to Ryanair flights in flip-flops, played suitcase Tetris with Wizz Air’s overhead lockers, and jogged (okay, sprinted) through airports trying not to miss an easyJet connection. Along the way, I’ve picked up a few lessons—some frustrating, some funny, all useful—about what budget airlines don’t always shout about upfront.

So if you're booking a flight that costs less than your last takeaway, it pays to know what you're getting into. Here are 7 things budget airlines might not tell you—but definitely should—before you hit that ‘confirm booking’ button.

1. The Ticket Price Is Just a Teaser

You spot that £9.99 fare and feel like you've just hit the jackpot. A tenner to fly to another country? It sounds too good to be true—and that’s because it usually is. That headline price is just the bait. By the time you’ve added a cabin bag, selected a seat so you're not stuck between two strangers at the very back, and paid for priority boarding to avoid gate-side stress, that £9.99 flight quickly balloons into something closer to £60–£100.

Budget airlines are masters of the upsell. Every little thing that used to be included—like taking a small suitcase or choosing where you sit—is now an “optional extra.” And let’s be real: if you’re travelling for more than a day, you’ll probably want at least one of those extras.

The trick is knowing what you’re actually paying for when you book. Read the fine print, check what’s included, and don’t assume that carry-on bag is part of the deal—because on some airlines, even that’s an extra cost now. If you're not careful, you’ll end up spending more than you would’ve with a traditional airline that throws in the basics without charging you piece by piece.

2. Baggage Rules Will Break You

One of the biggest lessons I’ve learned from flying with budget airlines? Never assume your carry-on is actually included. What most of them call a “cabin bag” is more like a glorified handbag—a small personal item that needs to fit under the seat in front of you. Think tiny backpack or laptop bag, not your usual overhead roller case.

If you want to bring a proper cabin suitcase—the kind you'd normally take on a weekend trip—get ready to pay extra. And they’re strict about it. I’ve watched people get pulled aside at the gate, red-faced and frustrated, slapped with a £50 fee because their bag was a couple of centimetres too big. No mercy, no exceptions.

I’ve been there too. Once, in a heroic attempt to avoid fees, I layered up three outfits at once and stuffed my pockets like a travelling squirrel. I looked more ready for the Arctic than a city break, but hey—I saved £30.

So unless you’re a minimalist packing ninja or you’ve mastered the dark art of vacuum-packing your life into a rucksack, don’t underestimate luggage rules. Budget airlines make their money from these “extras,” and trust me, they know exactly how to catch you out.

3. Seat Selection Is a Game of Chance (or Cash)

If you're hoping to sit next to your partner, mate, or even your kid, think again—it's not a guarantee. With budget airlines, seats are often assigned randomly unless you pay to choose your spot. I’ve been on flights where couples ended up on opposite sides of the aisle or even across the rows. Not exactly comforting when one of you is clutching the snacks and the other is trying to calm down a nervous flyer.

And if you're trying to save a few quid by skipping seat selection? Be prepared for the possibility of sitting between two strangers who have no regard for the armrest truce. It's like a battle for space that you didn’t sign up for. Nothing ruins a flight like trying to awkwardly claim your territory while the person next to you sprawls out like they own the place.

I’ve been there—crammed between two total strangers, praying I wouldn’t get elbowed in the ribs. It’s not the worst thing in the world, but it’s definitely not the relaxing, stress-free flight you thought you were booking. So, if you want to sit next to someone you know, be ready to pay for the privilege. It’s a little extra, but it’s worth the peace of mind.

4. Forgot to Check In Online? That’ll Be £60

One time, I made a rookie mistake: I forgot to check in online before heading to the airport. I walked up to the Ryanair counter, thinking everything was fine, only for the staff to casually say, “No problem—that’ll be £55.” £55! To print a boarding pass. I couldn’t believe it.

It’s crazy, but with budget airlines, airport check-in fees are no joke. What should be a simple task—getting your boarding pass—can end up costing more than the actual flight if you’re not careful. Trust me, you don’t want to learn this lesson the hard way like I did.

The key takeaway here? Always, always check in online as soon as it opens. This usually happens 24 to 48 hours before your flight, so make it a habit to get it done as soon as you can. Even better, save the digital boarding pass straight to your phone. That way, you’re not scrambling at the airport, and you won’t be hit with any surprise fees.

It may seem like a small thing, but it can save you a lot of stress—and a lot of money—on the day of your flight.

5. Delays and Cancellations Are More Likely

Here’s something that probably won’t show up in your booking confirmation: budget airlines operate on a razor-thin margin. With tight schedules, minimal staff, and no backup planes in case something goes wrong, when things do go awry, they tend to snowball quickly.

I learned this the hard way once when a flight was cancelled with just three hours' notice. The next available seat? Not for another 48 hours. Customer support was practically non-existent, and I found myself scrambling to find an alternative, shelling out for a last-minute hotel, and desperately hoping for a refund that seemed more like a pipe dream than a reality.

When you’re dealing with budget carriers, you don’t have the luxury of a smooth, hassle-free experience. Delays, cancellations, and last-minute changes are more common than you’d think, and without any backup plans, you’re on your own. That’s when travel insurance becomes essential. It’s a small extra cost, but it could save you a lot of headaches (and money) if things don’t go as planned.

If you're flying low-cost, make sure you’re covered for those unexpected hiccups. Trust me, it’s worth it.

6. Every Little Thing Costs Extra

Thirsty mid-flight? That’ll be £3 for a tiny bottle of water. Feeling peckish? Expect to pay £5 for a snack that’s about as satisfying as a cardboard box. And if you miss your flight by just five minutes? Don’t expect any mercy—no flexibility, no credit, just a straight-up “tough luck” from the airline.

It’s the little charges that really get you—the ones that sneak up on you like a pickpocket on a crowded street. I’ve seen “administration fees” tacked on just for the privilege of booking the flight. And don’t even get me started on priority boarding, which somehow ends up including about 80% of the plane.

It’s not just one or two fees here and there. Before you know it, these hidden charges can pile up, leaving you with a much higher bill than you expected. What seemed like a cheap getaway suddenly becomes a financial headache, and your "affordable" flight starts looking less and less like a deal.

The key is being prepared. Read the fine print, anticipate the extras, and decide whether those “conveniences” are worth the cost. If not, you might just find that your budget-friendly flight is a lot more expensive than you bargained for.

7. Customer Service? Good Luck

Ever tried to get a refund or rebook a flight with a budget airline after your flight was cancelled? I have, and let me tell you—it’s a marathon. I spent four hours on live chat, endured three disconnected calls, and had a full-on meltdown in an airport café before anything got sorted.

The reality is, budget airlines keep costs low by cutting corners—and customer service is often one of the first areas to suffer. When something goes wrong, don’t expect much help. There's usually no real-time support at the airport, and when you try to reach out online, you’re met with slow, robotic responses that do little to solve your problem.

So, how do you survive the madness? First, always take screenshots and keep receipts of everything, no matter how small it seems. And if you find yourself getting nowhere, escalate the issue through social media. It’s crazy how quickly things start moving when you tweet about being stranded in a foreign airport or stuck in a terrible situation. It’s like they suddenly care once the public can see your frustration. Trust me, it works—just make sure you're prepared to fight for your rights.

Final Thoughts: Are Budget Airlines Worth It?

Budget airlines can be a great deal—if you know exactly what you’re getting into. If you travel light, don’t mind where you sit, and have backup plans for delays or cancellations, budget carriers can save you a ton of cash. I’ve hopped across Europe for less than the cost of a night out in Liverpool. It’s a perfect option for the flexible traveler who just wants to get from A to B on a budget.

However, if you’re traveling with kids, have tight schedules, or simply want a more relaxed, stress-free experience, it might be worth paying a little extra for a full-service airline. Budget airlines often come with hidden fees, cramped conditions, and minimal service, which can quickly turn your journey into a hassle.

Remember, sometimes the cheapest flight isn’t the best value. You might end up paying for things that would have been included with a more traditional carrier, like a checked bag or seat selection. Plus, no one wants to start their holiday fighting over armrests or paying £6 for a lukewarm sandwich. It’s all about balancing cost with comfort—and sometimes spending a little more is totally worth it.

Have you ever flown with a budget airline? Got any wild stories or survival tips? Drop them in the comments—I’d love to hear them. And if you found this post useful, give it a share and follow for more brutally honest travel tips.