When booking a flight, the choice often comes down to price versus comfort — low-cost airlines versus full-service carriers. But when something goes wrong, like a flight delay and cancellation, do your passenger rights differ depending on the airline?
When comparing a low cost airline vs full service airline, the main differences are in comfort and service — but when it comes to passenger rights and compensation, they’re mostly the same.
Continue reading to learn more.
Check your compensation online.
Low-Cost Airline vs Full-Service Airline: What’s the Difference?
Before diving into UK261 flight compensation, it helps to understand how the two types of airlines operate.
Low-Cost Airlines
Low-cost carriers (LCCs) — such as Ryanair, Wizz Air, Norse, easyJet, and Jet2 — focus on keeping fares as low as possible by:
- Charging separately for extras like baggage, seat selection, and meals.
- Operating short routes (around four hours or less) and keeping their planes flying as much as possible with minimal ground time to cut costs.
- Often using secondary airports with lower landing fees.
- Not offering connecting flights. Many low-cost airlines do not offer connecting flights. If you want to combine multiple low-cost flights, you’ll need to book each separately — a process known as a self-transfer. This option is less safe than a regular connecting flight, as you’re responsible for making your own connection if there are delays or cancellations.
These airlines keep operations simple — usually offering one cabin class, no connecting flights, and limited onboard services. Check-in is often done online, and customer service is mostly digital to reduce expenses.
Low-cost carriers (also called budget airlines) are ideal for price-conscious travelers or those taking short trips with light luggage. However, they offer less flexibility and fewer perks, meaning any changes, add-ons, or mistakes during booking can quickly increase the total price.
Full-Service Airlines
Full-service carriers (FSCs) — like British Airways, Lufthansa, Finnair, Emirates, or Delta — provide more perks to their customers.
- Meals, drinks, and checked baggage are often included in the fare price. The exception is the Economy Light fare, which excludes checked baggage, though it’s not available on all airlines and routes.
- FSCs offer multiple fare classes, loyalty programs, long-haul connectivity, connecting flights, and codeshare flights.
- The leading full-service airlines are often part of global airline alliances, which give passengers more flexibility and convenience.
- Their tickets usually include protections for missed connections on the same booking.
While tickets with full-service carriers tend to be more expensive, travelers benefit from greater comfort, flexible booking options, and better customer support in case of disruptions. For long-haul or multi-leg journeys, the extra cost often pays off in reliability, convenience, and overall travel experience.
When comparing a low cost airline vs full service airline, the main differences are in comfort and service — but when it comes to passenger rights and compensation, they’re mostly the same.
Are You Entitled to Compensation?
Whether you fly low-cost or full-service, your rights as an air passenger are protected by law — especially in the EU and UK.
Rights of Airline Passengers Under EU261/UK261
If your flight departs from or arrives in the EU/UK (and is operated by an EU or UK airline), you’re covered by EU261 or UK261 regulations.
You’re entitled to compensation if:
- Your flight is delayed by 3 hours or more on arrival,
- Your flight is cancelled without sufficient notice, or
- You’re denied boarding due to overbooking.
This applies to all airlines, both low-cost and full-service.
The ticket price, fare type, and airline category don’t affect your right to compensation.
How Much Is Flight Compensation (EU261/UK261)?
- €250 / £220 — flights up to 1,500 km
- €400 / £350 — flights 1,500–3,500 km
- €600 / £520 — flights over 3,500 km
Compensation doesn’t apply if the delay or cancellation was caused by extraordinary circumstances, such as extreme weather or air traffic control strikes. But if a flight is delayed/flight cancelled due to technical issues, you might be entitled to flight compensation.
Read more: How to Claim Compensation?
Compensation for Non-EU Flights
If your trip takes place outside Europe, or you’re arriving in Europe on a non-European carrier, your compensation rights will depend on the local laws of that region and the airline’s specific policies.
In the United States, compensation for delays is limited, but you may get refunds for cancellations or denied boarding.
In Canada, the Air Passenger Protection Regulations (APPR) offer similar rights to EU261, with fixed amounts based on delay duration.
The right to care for stranded passengers also depends on the airline’s policy and the country’s regulations.
Other regions may follow different standards or rely on airline goodwill policies.
Read more: Flying With a Non-EU/Non UK Airline
Check your compensation online.
Does Airline Type Affect Compensation?
In short — no.
Your rights depend on where you’re flying from and which airline operates the flight, not whether it’s a budget or full-service carrier.
Both must comply with the same legal standards for passenger compensation and care. The main difference lies in how easy it is to claim flight compensation and the level of support you receive.
Key Differences in Practice
Full-service airlines usually handle rebooking, meals, and accommodation automatically when issues occur. You are offered care often without asking for it.
Low-cost airlines may require you to submit online forms or claim reimbursement afterward.
Customer service responsiveness and refund/compensation speed often differ — full-service airlines tend to process claims faster.
Read more:
- Your Flight Refund Is Taking Forever. What Can You Do About It?
- Your Flight Compensation Claim Is Denied. Now What?
When comparing a low cost airline vs full service airline, the main differences are in comfort and service — but when it comes to passenger rights and compensation, they’re mostly the same.
Featured photo by Martijn Stoof from Pexels