Summary

• Low-cost carriers (LCCs) have expanded significantly and are influencing domestic travel in the United States.
• States like Florida, California, Texas, Nevada and New York have the most low-cost airline seats this year.
• Although low-cost airlines offer cheaper prices and more comfort, the majority of seats are still available on established airlines.

In an industry where demand for premium and luxurious flight experiences is rampant, regardless of price, finding cheap flights is still a priority for many travelers. The low-cost airline market has grown significantly over the past decade. According to the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), low-cost airlines (LCCs) carried 984 million passengers in 2015, representing 28% of all scheduled passengers worldwide. Demand continues, with the market expected to reach more than $440 billion globally by 2030.

While these airlines have influenced domestic flights in the U.S., it is clear that some states have more low-cost flights than others. This can be attributed to differences in each airline, such as their operating model, location, and frequency of flights. Regardless, some travelers simply have a different preference than spending the least amount necessary to get from point A to point B. However, there are some differences between LCCs and ultra-low-cost carriers (ULCCs).

Budget airlines like Southwest Airlines or JetBlue Airways strive to offer low-cost flights, but usually offer better amenities and no hidden fees. For example, Southwest’s base fare may be $99 one-way, but it also offers free checked baggage, free soft drinks, and a small snack. ULCCs often have an even lower base fare, such as Frontier Airlines, which sells one-way flights for $45. However, passengers on board are likely to spend more money, for example, on purchasing food and drinks or carry-on luggage.

The five states with the most seats on low-cost airlines this year include two on the east coast, one in the center of the country and two on the west coast, according to flight database and statistics provider OAG.

1 Florida

62,446,113 seats

The Sunshine State has the most low-cost airline tickets, with over 62 million. This is largely due to the presence of Spirit Airlines. The airline operates an extensive network from Fort Lauderdale–Hollywood International Airport (FLL). In 2021, the airline carried 3.56 million passengers at the airport, according to Statista. Spirit also serves the nearby Miami International Airport (MIA), competing particularly with Southwest.

However, the two airlines’ domestic routes within Florida begin in FLL. Southwest has a particularly strong presence at Orlando International Airport (MCO). The airline had the largest market share at the airport in 2023 with 19.30%, followed by:

• Spirit: 16.90%
• Delta Air Lines: 12.52%
• Limit: 12.32%

With over 70 million seats, traditional airlines still have the majority of seats scheduled in Florida this year. Low-cost carriers have a 46.2% market share in Florida, while traditional airlines have 53.8%.

2 California

51,047,269 seats

The Golden State has the second highest number of low-cost airlines this year, with over 51 million. It accounts for 36.1% of the market share, compared to the traditional airlines, which have 63.9% of the market share. Compared to Florida, traditional airlines have many more seats than low-cost airlines, with over 90 million. This is because two main airports are hubs for the traditional airlines:

• Los Angeles International Airport (LAX): American Airlines, Delta, United Airlines
• San Francisco International Airport (SFO): United

Although SFO is not a hub for American or Delta, the two airlines maintain busy operations at the airport, with popular and premium transcontinental connections to John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) and Boston Logan International Airport (BOS).

3 Texas

42,751,685 seats

The Lone Star State ranks third with over 42 million seats and a 32.5% market share. Frontier has grown significantly over the years at Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport (DFW) and competes directly with American. However, Southwest offers more domestic service at several airports:

• Dallas Love Field (DAL)
• San Antonio International Airport (SAT)
• William P. Hobby Airport (HOU)
• Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (AUS)
• Rick Husband Amarillo International Airport (AMA)
• El Paso International Airport (ELP)
• Midland International Aerospace Port (MAF)
• Lubbock Preston Smith International Airport (LBB)

With 88,655,948 seats, traditional airlines have more than twice as many seats as low-cost carriers and ULCCs. This is due to American Airlines’ large network at DFW and United’s extensive operations at George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH) in Houston.

4 Nevada

26,123,608 seats

Nevada ranks fourth with just over 26 million seats on low-cost airlines. The majority of the state’s traffic comes from Harry Reid International Airport (LAS), but airlines also serve Reno-Tahoe International Airport (RNO). Southwest is the leading provider of low-cost airline seats. In 2021, the airline carried 13.7 million passengers at LAS, according to Statista. Allegiant Air also has a strong presence in Sin City.

Interestingly, Nevada is the only state in the top five with more LCC seats than its established rivals.

• LCCs have 66.7% of the market share this year
• Traditional airlines have 13,034,391 seats, representing a market share of 33.3%

5 new York

25,062,481 seats

New York has 25 million low-cost seats this year, which is about a quarter of the market share. The Big Apple is naturally a popular market, as almost every airline in the US flies to at least one of the metropolitan area’s airports. Similar to California, the established airlines have hubs at the airports, with American and Delta explicitly designating two of the three airports as hubs:

• JFK: American and Delta
• LaGuardia Airport (LGA): American and Delta
• Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR): United

In the low-cost space, it’s more common for airlines to fly to either one or two airports in the New York metropolitan area. Southwest serves only LGA, while Spirit serves LGA and EWR. Allegiant operates only at EWR, and Frontier serves both LGA and JFK. JetBlue serves all three airports, as do American and Delta.

Every airline is different, but the bottom line is that their fares are often cheaper than those of their established competitors. Although low-cost carriers have made a name for themselves in the industry, the established airlines still dominate the industry with more seats.