Booking on iFly
Key airline rules to consider when choosing a fare
When searching for airline tickets online on your own, it is important to understand that an airline fare is not just the price of a flight, but a set of clearly regulated carriage conditions. Each ticket is issued based on fare rules approved by the airline and standardized in accordance with IATA requirements.
In the Amadeus, Sabre, and Travelport booking systems, a fare includes restrictions on refunds and changes, baggage allowances, seat selection conditions, and mileage accrual. A common mistake—even among experienced users—is choosing the cheapest fare without carefully reviewing its rules.
What to look for when comparing fares and baggage conditions
In practice, the cheapest airline ticket within Europe often does not include checked baggage. This is especially typical for low-cost carriers and basic fares offered by full-service airlines.
- whether baggage is included in the ticket price;
- allowed weight and dimensions of carry-on luggage;
- conditions for paid or complimentary seat selection;
- penalties for changing travel dates or routes.
Search queries such as “air ticket without baggage fare conditions” or “cheap European flights without luggage” usually appear after passengers encounter additional charges at the airport.
Core principles of proper flight search and airline offer selection
Professional flight search is not limited to entering travel dates and routes. An experienced airline ticketing specialist analyzes alternative departure and arrival airports, minimum connecting time (MCT — Minimum Connecting Time), fare type (public or private fare), as well as seasonal restrictions and transit visa requirements.
This is why queries like “how to search flights correctly using Amadeus” or “how to compare airline fares” remain relevant among independent travelers.
Comparison of low-cost airlines and full-service carriers
| Criterion | Low-cost airlines | Full-service airlines |
|---|---|---|
| Base fare | Low | Above average |
| Baggage | Usually charged separately | Often included |
| Fare flexibility | Minimal | Medium / high |
| Airports | Often secondary | Main hubs |
| Service | Limited | Full service |
Airline fares: advantages and limitations
| Fare type | Advantages | Limitations |
|---|---|---|
| Basic | Lowest price | No baggage, non-refundable |
| Standard | Balanced conditions | Limited changes |
| Flex | Changes and refunds without penalties | Higher price |
Airline fare families and baggage conditions
When professionally comparing airline tickets, it is important to consider airline-specific fare families. Even at the same ticket price, conditions may differ significantly. In booking systems, such fares may look similar, but in reality they include different sets of services.
Examples of fare families used by popular European airlines
| Airline | Fare family | Baggage | Seat selection | Change / refund | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lufthansa (LH) | Light | Carry-on only | Paid | Non-refundable | Short trips |
| LOT (LO) | Standard | 23 kg | Partial | Changes allowed | Via Warsaw |
| Wizz Air (W6) | Wizz Go | 20 kg | Included | With fee | Leisure travel |
| Ryanair (FR) | Regular | 10 kg | Included | Partial | Most popular package |
Conclusion
The process of searching and booking airline tickets requires specialized knowledge of the aviation market, airline routes, fare rules, visa requirements, and booking system logic. Even experienced users of Amadeus, Sabre, and Travelport should evaluate offers comprehensively.
To avoid mistakes and unexpected costs, it is advisable to use ifly.ua, which allows you to compare airline offers on a selected route and choose the most suitable fare based on actual travel conditions.