Wizz Air Named Cheapest Airline for 2025 Christmas Travel, Ryanair Falls in Ranking
Wizz Air has been named the cheapest airline in Europe for 2025 by AirAdvisor, which analyzed revenue per available seat kilometer (RASK) to reveal the true cost of flights beyond advertised prices.
Many people in the Canary Islands are already booking flights for their Christmas holidays. While websites are full of deals for this time of year, travellers often buy tickets without knowing which airline is truly the cheapest. A company called AirAdvisor, which helps passengers with compensation claims, has put together a list of the most affordable airlines for 2025.
Christmas trips to European markets, snowy cities, mountains, and ski resorts are popular choices for holiday getaways. These trips usually require flying, so planning ahead is key.
When buying tickets, finding the lowest price is the main goal, which often means spending a lot of time searching and comparing. Now, a specialist website is making this easier with an updated ranking of the cheapest airlines.
The Christmas travel rush is approaching, but before that comes Black Friday, a major date for booking flights. Many families buy tickets for their winter holidays during this period. AirAdvisor reports that air ticket sales have jumped by 800% in November over the last five years.
Contrary to popular belief, Ryanair isn't the cheapest airline. According to AirAdvisor's European ranking, another budget airline has taken the top spot. The company warns that the initial ticket price alone isn't enough to determine if a flight is truly cheap.
AirAdvisor's report uses RASK (Revenue per Available Seat Kilometer). This measures how much an airline earns for every kilometre it offers passengers, including extra charges. Essentially, it shows the real cost a traveller ends up paying, beyond the advertised price.
"A nine-euro ticket can easily become ninety euros once you add luggage, a seat, or even the option to sit with your family," explains Anton Radchenko, CEO of AirAdvisor. This makes the study particularly helpful for those wanting to book Christmas flights without unexpected costs.
The Hungarian airline Wizz Air has come out on top in AirAdvisor's ranking. The company states that this airline has the lowest RASK on the continent, at €0.0417. Wizz Air not only offers the best price but is also more accessible than many other budget carriers like Ryanair and Vueling.
Here's AirAdvisor's updated top 10:
Iberia is the most affordable Spanish airline, and it's tied with its budget subsidiary, Vueling. Iberia was the second cheapest airline in the EU in 2023 but has dropped in the rankings due to higher fees and operating expenses. The biggest surprise is Ryanair, which is now barely in the top ten, a significant change from just a few years ago.
As the busy December season approaches, travellers now know which airlines offer the best value for a budget-friendly Christmas holiday.