A Ryanair Boeing 737-800. Ryanair is the largest low-cost airline in Europe and second largest in the world. Eurowings Airbus A320-200 An Airbus A319 of EasyJet, the largest budget airline in the United Kingdom.

As of 2026, Ryanair remains the undisputed largest low-cost airline in Europe by almost every metric, including passenger volume, route network, and scheduled international flights. The Irish-based ultra-low-cost carrier (ULCC) serves over 230 destinations across nearly 40 countries, operating a fleet of more than 500 aircraft. In the first half of 2026 alone, Ryanair scheduled nearly 490,000 round-trip international flights, more than doubling the volume of its closest competitor, EasyJet. Following Ryanair and EasyJet, Wizz Air holds the third position, focusing heavily on Central and Eastern European markets. Ryanair's dominance is built on its model of high frequency, secondary airport hubs, and aggressive cost-cutting, which allows it to offer the lowest base fares in the industry. While it is often criticized for its strict baggage and seating fees, its scale is so vast that it serves as the primary air bridge for millions of Europeans and international tourists traveling within the continent.