Ryanair boss says $12 flights are no more. Here’s how to book a British Airways flight within Europe for 60 cents
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Ryanair’s famously low fares across Europe could soon be a thing of the past — at least for the foreseeable future.
The Irish carrier is known for offering astonishingly cheap flights for less than the cost of a train ticket to the airport. Intra-Europe flights to the likes of France, Italy, Spain and Portugal for just $6 were a regular pre-pandemic sight here at TPG. However, soaring inflation and fuel prices have combined to now make single-digit Ryanair fares as rare as a speedy security line at Amsterdam Airport Schiphol (AMS).
Michael O’Leary, Ryanair’s outspoken CEO, expects his passengers' average fares to rise by 10 euros (about $10) to around 40 euros (about $41) over the next five years. As fares rise across the aviation industry amid a cost-of-living crisis, O’Leary believes more passengers will move away from full-service airlines, instead paying less for a no-frills experience with Ryanair.
Related: How to make a Ryanair flight first class
Will bargain-basement fares ever return? As long as the Russian invasion of Ukraine — which shows no signs of easing — continues to put pressure on global fuel prices, it is unlikely we’ll see tickets quite as cheap as they once were for some time.
However, it’s not all bad news. You can still book flights to dozens of European destinations for just 60 cents each way by using points and miles.
British Airways' Reward Flight Saver option offers short-haul flights from just 4,750 Avios, plus 17.50 pounds (about $21) in fees, taxes and surcharges. However, the deal also gives you the option to use more Avios and less cash — as little as 1 pound (about $1) for a round trip. And if you don't have Avios in your account, you can transfer points to British Airways from American Express Membership Rewards, Capital One and Chase Ultimate Rewards.
Related: These are the best ways to redeem 100,000 British Airways Avios
These flights include a full-size checked bag, so overall, the journey will cost less cash than a cup of coffee. You also won’t be stung by extra fees at every opportunity like you might with an ultra-low-cost carrier. Check out our guide to British Airways’ Reward Flight Saver redemptions.
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