Despite not leading the ranking, TAP Air Portugal occupies seventh place and is the "cheapest airline in Europe for travel in 2026."
The cheapest European airline is the Hungarian Wizz Air, which recorded a seat-kilometre price of €0.0433.
In second place in the ranking is easyJet, with an average seat-kilometre cost of €0.0521, followed by Ryanair (€0.0556). Ryanair ranks third with an average cost of €0.0696, according to a statement from AirAdvisor.
The analysis of the 23 European companies was also divided into three categories: high-volume or low-cost airlines, large national airlines, that is, carriers focused on specific geographic markets, which include TAP, and significant regional airlines.
To develop the ranking, AirAdvisor divided the evaluation into three categories: "high-volume or low-cost airlines, large national airlines, that is, carriers focused on specific geographic markets, which include TAP, and significant regional airlines."
Quoted in the press release, Anton Radchenko states that "the study methodology evaluated revenue per available seat kilometre (RASK) by dividing each airline's total annual passenger revenue by the total available seat kilometres operated in fiscal year 2025." Thus, the analysis obtained "a true picture of what passengers actually spend on a trip, including baggage, seat selection, and other extras."
Anton Radchenko comments that, overall, the average revenue per available seat-kilometre of nine European airlines decreased, and five increased from 2024 to 2025. TAP's indicator went from €0.0713 in 2024 to €0.0696 last year. That is, a reduction of €0.0017. Finnair's cost also improved compared to the previous year, falling from €0.0797 to €0.0622. The same happened with Norwegian Air Shuttle, which decreased from €0.0760 to €0.0680,” reads the statement.
The expert also notes that the AirAdvisor ranking aims to guide passengers toward cheaper trips. Which, according to Anton Radchenko, “represents a considerable financial impact on the distances that passengers usually travel.”
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To go along with Portugal having among the lowest wage earners in Europe.
By Dijon from Madeira on 25 Jun 2026, 10:06
This is such a confusing article to follow, if I'm reading it correctly. It opens with a headline about TAP but then we are given figures for the top three airlines - but no mention of TAP. We are given a figure for Ryanair (0.0556 euro) but then this is immediately told : “Ryanair ranks third with an average cost of 0.0696 euro...” Only near the bottom of the article are we finally given a figure for TAP (the headline airline of the article): 0.0696 euro for 2025. So that's the same as Ryanair then, the third airline in the ranking? – according to the second figure given for Ryanair. I suggest the article needs a rewrite with correct and clear data and better priorities, please!
By David Collins from UK on 25 Jun 2026, 11:27
Rubbish - do a search right now - airfares across Europe are visible on 10-15 online platforms, and check TAP booking pricing. It is nowhere near!
Do not be fooled by price/seat kilometre flown metrics - this is a calculation made by the airlines themselves to benchmark their performance - which just shows that TAP are flying less passengers, charging more for their seats, but on average across all seats on the flight, the cost of a flight is lower.
By Anthony Williams from Beiras on 25 Jun 2026, 18:00