easyJet

easyJet stands out less by drama than by balance: it is a low-cost airline that still keeps a somewhat friendlier, less spartan feel than the harshest budget rivals. By our assessment, it does a solid job on short-haul European routes, with the usual low-fare model, paid extras, and a fleet-style operation that keeps the product simple. The real downside is the familiar one for this class of carrier: bags, seat choice, and flexibility all cost more, so the advertised fare is only the start. In practice it is the sort of airline where the app, the boarding rules, and the baggage page matter almost as much as the ticket itself. It sits in the middle of the low-cost pack rather than at the bare-bones edge, and that is why many travellers compare it with Ryanair more than with legacy airlines. easyJet is British, but what matters most is the predictable short-haul formula and the lack of extras in the base fare. It works best when the trip is simple and the expectations are too.