Generally, there are discounts on flights for students and young adults. However, it can be difficult to find out which airlines offer these discounts and whether you are eligible. This article takes a closer look at which North American and European airlines offer student and young adult discounts and under what conditions.
North American airlines
Airlines based in North America are not particularly generous when it comes to student or youth discounts. Currently, only two airlines actively offer these types of discounts.
United Airlines
United Airlines is offering young adults flight discounts, granting 5% off seats in United Economy and Basic Economy. This discount is valid on flights within the United States and some international routes. The promotion also applies to flights with a “UA” flight number operated by partner airlines such as Air Canada, All Nippon Airways (ANA), Austrian, Brussels, Lufthansa and Swiss.
Photo: Markus Mainka | Shutterstock
How to get a young adult discount:
- You must be between 18 and 23 years old
- You must have a MilesPlus Loyalty member
- Book flights through the United app
According to the airline, this promotion ends on December 31, 2025.
Related
How to use the United Airlines discount for young adults
United Airlines offers students up to 5% discount on certain flights and classes.
Air Canada
Air Canada offers students a flight pass, a prepaid package of four or six single flight credits in Economy Standard or Flex fares. Student flight passes range in price from about $1,000 for travel within Halifax to up to $4,000 for travel between Europe and Western Canada.
To receive this discount, you must have a valid student ID and passengers must Airplane Loyalty program members. Please note that the flight vouchers can only be used for your own travel.
Some airlines, such as Frontier Airlines and Hawaiian Airlines, have briefly offered student discounts in the past.
European airlines
Unlike North American airlines, European airlines are known for offering generous discounts on flights to students. In fact, at least eleven European airlines offer discounts for students or young adults.
Scandinavian Airlines (SAS)
Scandinavian Airlines (SAS) offers flight discounts for young travelers aged 12 to 25. Although the airline does not specify the exact amount of the discount, fares with up to 80% discount can be found, especially for last-minute short-haul trips.
Photo: Vincenzo Pace | Easy flying
For example, a round-trip flight between Copenhagen (CPH) and Vilnius (VNO) with a SAS Youth ticket costs only €89, compared to €205 for an adult on the same route.
Lufthansa
Lufthansa offers discounted fares for students on both outbound and return flights from selected countries. In addition to these special fares, students also receive an increased baggage allowance free of charge.
To be eligible for these student rates, you must be at least 16 years old and either currently enrolled in higher education or have a letter of acceptance to higher education. Student rates are offered by the following locations:
Photo: Lufthansa
Air France
Air France is another major European airline that offers special fares for students. According to the airline, passengers booking student tickets must be between 18 and 29 years old and be full-time students enrolled in an educational institution. Here’s how it works:
- Choose your destination
- Select your flight (the student fare will be shown in the first left column if available)
- Book your flight
The student fare allows you to check in up to two pieces of luggage weighing up to 23 kg each for free. In addition, all tickets purchased at the student fare can be changed free of charge on flights between mainland France and overseas France. For all other flights, a change fee of €220 ($242) applies.
Student fares are only valid for journeys of at least 21 days, except between France and Guadeloupe/Martinique/Réunion/French Guiana, where they are valid for journeys of at least seven days.
KLM Royal Dutch Airlines
KLM is another European airline that offers cheaper flights for students. Booking student fares with KLM is pretty straightforward. Be sure to select “Student” as your passenger type. This will ensure that the student fare is automatically applied when you book an intercontinental flight.
Photo: Minh K Tran | Shutterstock
Below you will find the conditions under which you can receive a student discount:
- You must be between 18 and 29 years old
- You must be a full-time student
- Student fares are only available in Economy Class.
- Student rates only apply to trips of at least 21 days
- Student fares may not be available on all flights and to all destinations.
Like Air France and Lufthansa, the Dutch airline allows students to check in up to two pieces of luggage, each weighing up to 23 kg, free of charge.
Aegean Airlines
The airline’s program, GenAIRation Aegean, offers students and young adults between 18 and 25 years old a 15% discount on all international and domestic flights. The airline’s GenAIRation program is directly linked to its Miles+Bonus loyalty program, which means you earn miles that you can later redeem for free flights and cabin upgrades.
In addition to a 15% discount, the airline’s youth program offers a free 23 kg checked bag for two round-trip flights per year, free onboard Wi-Fi and a 50% discount voucher for traveling with your pet.
In particular, passengers can also combine GenAIRation Aegean with any other discount offers available on the Aegean website.
Turkish Airlines
The Turkish airline offers 20% discount on domestic flights, up to 15% on international transit flights and up to 20% on flights between Turkey and Northern Cyprus. To get a Turkish Airlines Student discount:
- You must be a Miles&Smiles loyalty member
- Check your student passenger type in the “Discount Types” section in your Miles&Smiles account.
- Log in to your Miles&Smiles account after your student status has been approved
- Select the “Student” passenger option and book your flight
Photo: Vincenzo Pace | Easy flying
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Iberia
Iberia operates a program called Iberia Joven that offers flight discounts for young people and students. If you are under 30 or studying abroad, you can access these exclusive offers.
Passengers under 30 years of age receive a special rate with a 10% discount. If they book for themselves and at least four other passengers, they receive a 15% discount. Active students can bring an extra piece of luggage and make a free exchange for their return flight. In addition, the special rate applies to flights all year round.
Ryanair
The European low-cost giant has partnered with the Erasmus Student Network (ESN) to offer students exclusive benefits.
Through this partnership, Erasmus students have access to an ESN booking platform where they can receive a 10% discount on flights booked through the Ryanair and receive one free checked bag on four one-way flights or two round-trip flights.
If you are an Erasmus student, first register at ESNcard.org. Then log in to MyRyanair or register to access the Erasmus tab on your dashboard.
The ESN discount is valid for travel during the academic year from 1 September to 15 June.
ITA Airways
ITA Airways offers special fares for young adults aged 12 to 25 on the day of boarding. These discounted fares are valid on all of the airline’s flights to destinations in Italy, Europe, North Africa and the Middle East.
Photo: Alexey Bakharev | Shutterstock
The airline does not reveal the exact amount of the discount, but mentions that the fares for this age group are particularly reduced.
“The tariff is not valid for journeys subject to the territorial continuity tariffs: from Rome and Milan to Cagliari (and vice versa)”
Norwegian Air
Travellers between 12 and 25 years of age receive a special discount on flights with Norwegian Air To receive the special fare, passengers must use the promotional code UNDER26 when booking their flight.
Virgin Atlantic
Virgin Atlantic is offering a one-time student discount available until December 31, 2024. This offer is valid on flights from Bangalore, Delhi or Mumbai to London or any of Virgin Atlantic’s US destinations.
Students can enjoy generous baggage allowances: 87 kg in Upper Class (2 x 32 kg pieces of luggage + 1 x 23 kg piece of luggage) and 69 kg in Premium, Economy Classic and Economy Delight classes (3 x 23 kg pieces of luggage).
