Low-cost: a growing phenomenon
In 2025, the low-cost airline sector continues to post impressive numbers. More and more travelers are choosing budget tickets, attracted by unbeatable fares and an extensive network of connections that allows them to reach European and Mediterranean destinations for just a few dozen euros. This trend has cemented the low-cost model as the undisputed leader in air transport, partly at the expense of traditional carriers.
But not everything that glitters is gold: along with the savings, 2025 has seen a surge in complaints about delays, sudden cancellations, and lost or delayed luggage. The inevitable question many passengers ask is: is it really worth saving money if the risk of disruptions is so high?
The paradox of saving
The great promise of low-cost airlines is “travel while spending little,” and in many cases, the goal is achieved. However, the savings become relative when you consider the extra costs: checked baggage, priority boarding, change fees, hotel nights lost due to delays. Often the final price comes close to that of a traditional carrier, without offering the same reliability.
The modern passenger is therefore faced with a choice: accept the risk of a cheap but potentially troublesome trip, or invest a little more for greater stability.
Poor assistance and crisis management
One of the most criticized aspects of low-cost airlines is the handling of assistance during disruptions. In many cases, passengers have reported being left without clear information, unreachable call centers, and few solutions offered on-site. Some smaller airports, chosen by low-cost carriers to cut costs, lack adequate facilities to accommodate hundreds of stranded travelers. In these situations, frustration turns into real anger: it’s not just the flight that’s missing, but the entire support system.
Your rights and the support of DelayFlight24
Even though traveling with low-cost airlines can involve disruptions, passengers are never without tools. EU Regulation 261/2004 protects travelers by providing compensation of up to €600 per person for avoidable delays and cancellations, as well as the right to meals, drinks, and airport assistance.
However, navigating exceptions, paperwork, and vague company responses is not easy. This is where DelayFlight24 comes in: a platform that simplifies the process, analyzes your case for free, manages the entire claim with the airline, and works to obtain your compensation.
There are situations in which the airline is not required to pay compensation, even if the passenger’s inconvenience is real. These include:
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Strikes by air traffic control staff, which often have continental repercussions;
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Extreme weather events, such as the storms in August that paralyzed Northern Italy;
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Technical problems in air traffic management systems (radar or software), which are beyond the airline’s control.
In these cases, passengers are still entitled to assistance, but not to financial compensation.
On the other hand, under Regulation 261/2004, passengers can claim compensation in the following cases:
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Delays of more than 3 hours, unless caused by extraordinary circumstances (bad weather, airport emergencies);
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Cancellations with less than 14 days’ notice, if no suitable alternative is offered;
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Overbooking, a frequent practice in low-cost airlines, which leads to denied boarding.
Compensation ranges from €250 to €600 depending on the distance of the flight. Passengers are also entitled to assistance (meals, drinks, hotel accommodation if necessary) during the wait.
In a summer like 2025, marked by cheap but often problematic flights, relying on a team of experts can make the difference between giving up on your claim and turning it into real compensation.
Check if you are entitled to compensation
Conclusion
The 2025 experience shows that flying low cost is a great opportunity, but also a challenge: you save on the ticket price, but not always on the quality of the trip. For passengers, the difference lies in knowing their rights and asserting them. And this is not just about refunds: it’s about respecting time, vacations, and the peace of mind of those who travel. Trusting a partner like DelayFlight24 means turning the frustration of a delay or cancellation into a concrete win, with no upfront costs and no stress. In a world where low-cost airlines will continue to dominate the skies, the true strength of the traveler will be the awareness of never being alone in the face of disruptions.