Cheap Flights UK: How to Find the Lowest Total Fare
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Cheap flights from the UK: what makes a fare cheap
The cheapest flight from the UK is the one with the lowest total price: the fare, plus the bags you need, plus taxes such as Air Passenger Duty (APD). A base fare on easyJet, Ryanair or Wizz Air includes only a small under-seat bag, so a fare that already includes a cabin bag can cost less once you add one.
To find that fare, search all six London airports and your nearest regional airport, and book about 2 to 6 weeks before you fly, not months ahead. Expedia’s 2026 UK data found that booking 180 days or more ahead was the most expensive window.
Laters.com searches 650+ airlines and charges a $0 booking fee. You can pay in full or split the fare with Clearpay or Klarna. For flights within the UK, see UK domestic flights.
Cheapest UK airlines once your bags are added
Jet2 and British Airways include a full-size cabin bag in the fare. easyJet, Ryanair and Wizz Air include only a bag that fits under the seat in front of you, and anything bigger costs extra. Compare fares with the bags you will actually take.
| Airline | Free cabin allowance (Which?, July 2026) | Which? 2026 score | What to know |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jet2 | Personal item 40 x 30 x 15 cm plus a 10 kg cabin bag 56 x 45 x 25 cm, even on Economy Basic | 76% | Jet2 may move cabin bags to the hold. Keeping yours in the cabin costs £6.50 per leg. |
| British Airways | Cabin bag 56 x 45 x 25 cm plus a small bag 40 x 30 x 15 cm | 72% | A full cabin bag is included in the fare. |
| easyJet | Under-seat bag only, 45 x 36 x 20 cm, up to 15 kg | 67% | A large cabin bag added at the gate costs £60. |
| Ryanair | Under-seat bag only, 40 x 30 x 20 cm | 55% | “Priority & 2 Cabin Bags” costs £12.49 to £36 with the flight. Checking in at the airport costs £55. |
| Wizz Air | Under-seat bag only, 40 x 30 x 20 cm | 59% | A larger cabin bag costs extra. |
| TUI | Not in the Which? July 2026 comparison | 72% | Check the bag allowance before you book. |
The fees above come from each airline’s baggage page on September 17, 2026. For the full list, see low-cost airline bag fees compared.
The scores come from the Which? 2026 airline survey, published February 27, 2026. Which? ran the survey in October and November 2025, and it covered 6,894 short-haul flights. Jet2 came top of 14 short-haul airlines and is the only short-haul Which? Recommended Provider. Lufthansa scored 73%. At the Skytrax 2026 awards, Vueling was named Best Low-Cost Airline in Europe for the first time.
Long-haul from the UK: which airlines rate best
In 2024, 19.6 million passengers flew between London’s airports and the US, the largest share (12%) of London’s international traffic. For flights to the US, the Gulf and Asia, two 2026 ratings help: the Which? long-haul survey (2,618 flights) and the Skytrax World Airline Awards (announced September 18, 2026).
- Singapore Airlines: No. 1 at Skytrax 2026 and top of the Which? 2026 long-haul survey with 81%.
- Qatar Airways: No. 2 at Skytrax 2026, and World’s Best Business Class for the 13th time.
- Emirates: No. 6 at Skytrax 2026. One point behind Singapore Airlines in the Which? survey, and a Which? Recommended Provider.
- Virgin Atlantic: a Which? Recommended Provider, and No. 18 at Skytrax 2026.
- Lufthansa: No. 14 at Skytrax 2026, and 73% in the Which? 2026 short-haul survey.
Connecting flights are often cheaper than direct ones. MoneySavingExpert (MSE) found these return fares from the UK in September 2025:
| Destination | Direct | With one stop |
|---|---|---|
| Bangkok | £1,041 | £585 |
| Cape Town | £987 | £614 |
| Tokyo | £1,186 | £751 |
If you book the connection yourself on separate tickets, UK261 rules do not protect you if you miss the second flight. See how connecting flights work.
Which UK airport to fly from
London has six airports: Heathrow, Gatwick, Stansted, Luton, London City and Southend. Only Heathrow and London City are inside the Greater London boundary. The airport you choose changes which airlines fly your route and what you pay, so search all six at once.
Outside London, Manchester, Birmingham, Bristol, Edinburgh and Glasgow are alternatives. Add your nearest regional airport to the search and compare the totals.
Flying within the UK, for example London to Edinburgh? See UK domestic flights.
Where UK travelers flew most in 2025
UK airports handled a record 302 million passengers in 2025, up 2% from 295 million in 2024, according to the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA, February 24, 2026).
- Most popular destinations: Dublin, Alicante, Dubai, Malaga and Palma de Mallorca.
- Largest increases in passengers: Milan Linate (+453,000), Krakow (+326,000) and Malta (+301,000).
Enter your route in the search box to see current fares from 650+ airlines.
When to book and when to fly
Booking months ahead is not the cheapest strategy on average. Expedia’s 2026 Air Hacks report found these windows for UK economy tickets:
| Trip | Cheapest time to book | Average fare then | Average fare 180+ days ahead |
|---|---|---|---|
| UK domestic | 31 to 45 days before | £163 | £201 |
| International | 15 to 30 days before | £372 | £465 |
Expedia’s advice is to book closer to the trip, but not at the last minute. If you have to fly soon, see last-minute flights.
- Cheapest day: it depends on the route. MSE says Tuesday and Wednesday are usually cheapest. Expedia’s 2026 global data found Friday the cheapest day to depart, 18% below Saturday.
- Cheapest time of year: MSE gives the UK shoulder seasons as March to May and September to November. Expedia’s 2026 global data found June about 68% cheaper than December on average.
- If your dates are flexible, compare a few days either side and include fares with one stop.
What is added to a UK fare: Air Passenger Duty
Air Passenger Duty (APD) is a UK tax charged per passenger on flights departing the UK. The amount depends on distance and cabin: economy pays the reduced rate and premium cabins pay the standard rate. Rates per passenger for flights from April 1, 2026:
| Distance band | Reduced rate (economy) | Standard rate | Higher rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Domestic (within the UK) | £8 | £16 | £142 |
| Band A: up to 2,000 miles (most of Europe) | £15 | £32 | £142 |
| Band B: 2,001 to 5,500 miles | £102 | £244 | £1,097 |
| Band C: over 5,500 miles | £106 | £253 | £1,141 |
From April 1, 2027, the reduced rates rise to £15.49 (band A), £105.33 (band B) and £109.46 (band C). The rates above do not apply in Northern Ireland or the Scottish Highlands and Islands.
Children under 16 on the date of the flight pay no APD when they travel in the lowest class. Children under 2 without their own seat are exempt in any class. Full rates and exemptions: gov.uk Air Passenger Duty rates.
Paying later for a flight from the UK
For UK bookings, this page covers two pay-later providers on Laters.com: Clearpay Pay in 4 for flights (Clearpay is Afterpay’s UK trading name) and Klarna Pay in 3.
| Plan | How a £600 fare is paid | Interest | Late fees |
|---|---|---|---|
| Clearpay Pay in 4 | £150 at checkout, then £150 every 2 weeks: 4 payments over 6 weeks | 0% | £6, plus £6 more if still unpaid after 7 days, capped at £24 or 25% of the order |
| Klarna Pay in 3 | £200 at purchase, £200 after 30 days and £200 after 60 days | None | Up to £6 if a payment is still unpaid after 7 days |
To spread a larger fare over months, Klarna also offers financing, mostly over 6 to 24 months at a representative 21.9% APR, and Pay in 30 days.
Clearpay is for permanent UK residents aged 18 or over (the Channel Islands are excluded) with a UK Visa or Mastercard. Prepaid cards are not accepted, and there is no sign-up fee.
Both plans are credit. Approval is not guaranteed, and late fees apply if you miss a payment. Since July 15, 2026, the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) has regulated buy now, pay later (Deferred Payment Credit) where the lender and the seller are different businesses. Under the FCA rules:
- Lenders must check that you can afford the repayments.
- Lenders must contact you if you miss a payment.
- Section 75 of the Consumer Credit Act is available.
- You can complain to the Financial Ombudsman Service.
Agreements taken out before July 15, 2026 are not covered. See the FCA guide to buy now, pay later.
Laters.com charges a $0 booking fee and adds no surcharge for paying later. You repay the provider, and the e-ticket is issued once your first payment clears. Some payment logos at the bottom of this page are for providers in other countries. More on fly now, pay later on 650+ airlines.
If your flight is delayed: UK261 compensation
Under UK261 rules, you may be able to claim compensation when your flight arrives more than 3 hours late. The amount depends on the distance:
| Flight distance | Example route | Compensation |
|---|---|---|
| Under 1,500 km | Glasgow to Amsterdam | £220 |
| 1,500 to 3,500 km | East Midlands to Marrakesh | £350 |
| Over 3,500 km, 3 to 4 hours late | London to New York | £260 |
| Over 3,500 km, more than 4 hours late | London to New York | £520 |
No compensation is due for delays caused by extraordinary circumstances. Self-transfer bookings on separate tickets get no protection for a missed connection. Source: CAA guide to flight delays.
Cheap flights UK: quick answers
What is the cheapest airline in the UK?
It depends on your bags. With only a small under-seat bag, compare easyJet, Ryanair and Wizz Air. If you need a full cabin bag, Jet2 and British Airways include one in the fare, while easyJet charges £60 for a large cabin bag added at the gate. Jet2 also scored highest in the Which? 2026 short-haul survey, with 76%.
When is the cheapest time to book flights from the UK?
Expedia’s 2026 data puts the cheapest window at 31 to 45 days before departure for UK domestic economy and 15 to 30 days before for international economy. Booking 180 days or more ahead was the most expensive window for both.
Which London airports should I search?
All six: Heathrow, Gatwick, Stansted, Luton, London City and Southend. The airlines and prices differ by airport, so search them together and add your nearest regional airport.
Can I pay for flights monthly in the UK?
Yes, with credit. Klarna financing spreads the cost mostly over 6 to 24 months at a representative 21.9% APR. For shorter plans, Clearpay splits the fare into 4 payments over 6 weeks and Klarna Pay in 3 into 3 payments over 60 days, both without interest. Approval is not guaranteed.
Do children pay Air Passenger Duty?
Children under 16 on the date of the flight are exempt when they travel in the lowest class. Children under 2 without their own seat are exempt in any class.
Book your flight from the UK
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