No-frills airline

A no-frills airline (also called a budget or low‑cost carrier) has a business model built around minimizing operating expenses. It strips out all non‑essential services to offer passengers low fares.

Rather than bundling things like checked baggage, seat selection, in‑flight meals, lounge access, or flexible ticket changes, a no‑frills airline offers these as add‑ons.

It typically uses secondary airports for lower landing fees and single-class cabins with minimal passenger comfort—limited legroom and non-reclining seats. Loyalty programs, if they exist, are usually simpler and less rewarding than those of full-service carriers (FSCs).