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Generally, discounts on flights are available for students and young adults. However, figuring out which airlines offer these discounts and whether you are eligible can be tricky. This article will take a closer look at which North American and European airlines are offering student and young adult discounts and under what terms.
North American carriers
Airlines based in North America are not particularly generous with student or young adult flight discounts. Currently, only two airlines actively promote these types of discounts.
United Airlines
United Airlines offers flight discounts to young adults, providing a 5% discount on United Economy and Basic Economy seats. This discount applies to flights within the US and some international routes. The promotion also covers flights with a “UA” flight number operated by partner airlines like Air Canada, All Nippon Airways (ANA), Austrian, Brussels, Lufthansa, and Swiss.
Photo: Markus Mainka | Shutterstock
To get a young adult discount:
- You have to be aged between 18 and 23
- You must be a MileagePlus loyalty member
- Book flights through the United app
According to the airline, this promotion ends on December 31, 2025.
Air Canada
Air Canada offers students a flight pass. It is a pre-paid package of four or six one-way flight credits in Economy Standard or Flex fare. Student flight passes range from about $1,000 for travel within Halifax to up to $4,000 for flights connecting Europe to Western Canada.
To receive this discount, you must have a valid student ID, and passengers must be Aeroplan loyalty members. It is worth noting that the flight credits can only be used for your own travel.
Some airlines, such as Frontier Airlines and Hawaiian Airlines, have offered student discounts briefly in the past.
European carriers
Unlike North American airlines, European carriers are known for being generous with student flight discounts. In fact, at least 11 European-based airlines offer discounts for students or young adults.
Scandinavian Airlines (SAS)
Scandinavian Airlines (SAS) offers flight discounts for young travelers aged 12 to 25. While the airline doesn’t specify the exact discount, it is possible to find fares with up to an 80% reduction, especially for last-minute short-haul travel.
Photo: Vincenzo Pace | Simple Flying
For instance, a round-trip between Copenhagen (CPH) and Vilnius (VNO) costs just 89 with a SAS Youth ticket, compared to 205 for an adult on the same route.
Lufthansa
Lufthansa offers discounted fares for students on both one-way and round-trip flights from selected countries. Along with these special fares, students also receive an increased baggage allowance free of charge.
To qualify for these student fares, you must be at least 16 years old and either currently enrolled in a higher education institution or have proof of acceptance into one. Student fares are offered from the following origins:
Photo: Lufthansa
Air France
Air France is another major European airline offering special prices for those who are studying. According to the carrier, passengers booking student tickets must be between 18 and 29 years old, and full-time students enrolled in an educational institution. Here is how it works:
- Choose your destination
- Select your flight (the student rate will appear in the first left column, if available)
- Book your flight
The student rate allows you to check up to two pieces of baggage, each weighing up to 23 kg, at no extra cost. Additionally, all tickets purchased at the student rate can be changed for free on flights between Metropolitan France and Overseas France. For all other flights, a change fee of 220 ($242) applies.
Student fares are only valid for trips of at least 21 days, except between France and Guadeloupe/Martinique/Runion/French Guyana, where they are valid for trips of at least seven days.
KLM Royal Dutch Airlines
KLM is another European airline offering cheaper flights for students. Booking student fares with KLM is fairly straightforward. Be sure to choose “Student” as your passenger type. This will ensure that the student fare is automatically applied as you continue booking an intercontinental flight.
Photo: Minh K Tran | Shutterstock
Below, find the conditions that will score you a student discount:
- You have to be between 18 and 29 years old
- You have to be a full-time student
- Student fares are only available in economy class
- Student fares are only valid for trips of at least 21 days
- Student fares might not be available on all flights and for all destinations
Like Air France and Lufthansa, the Dutch flag carrier allows students to check up to two bags, each weighing up to 23 kg, free of charge.
Aegean Airlines
The airlines program, GenAIRation Aegean, offers students and young adults between 18 and 25 a 15% discount on all international and domestic flights. The carriers GenAIRation program is directly tied to its Miles+Bonus loyalty program, meaning that you will earn miles, which can later be used to redeem free flights and cabin upgrades.
In addition to a 15% discount, the airlines youth program provides one free 23kg checked bag for two round trips per year, complimentary onboard WiFi, and a 50% off voucher for traveling with your pet.
If you’re eligible, here is the registration link.
Notably, passengers can also combine GenAIRation Aegean with any other discounted offers available on Aegeans website.
Turkish Airlines
The Turkish flag carrier offers 20% 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 have to be a Miles&Smiles loyalty member
- Verify your student passenger type in the Discount Types section in your Miles&Smiles account
- Login to your Miles&Smiles account after your student status is approved
- Select the Student passenger option and book your flight
Photo: Vincenzo Pace | Simple Flying
Iberia
Iberia runs a program called Iberia Joven, which provides flight discounts for young people and students. If you’re under 30 years old or studying abroad, you can access these exclusive deals.
Passengers under 30 years old can receive a special rate with a 10% discount. If they book for themselves and at least four other passengers, they can get a 15% discount. Meanwhile, active students can bring an extra bag and make one free change for their return flight. Additionally, the special flight price will be valid throughout the year.
Ryanair
The European low-cost giant has partnered with the Erasmus Student Network (ESN) to offer students exclusive benefits.
Through this partnership, Erasmus students can access an ESN booking platform, where they can get a 10% discount on flights booked through the Ryanair website and receive one free checked bag on four one-way flights or two round trips.
If you’re an Erasmus student, start by registering at ESNcard.org. After that, log in or sign up on MyRyanair to access the Erasmus tab in your dashboard.
The ESN discount applies to travel during the academic year, from September 1 to June 15.
ITA Airways
ITA Airways offers special fares for young adults aged 12 to 25 on the date of boarding. These discounted fares are available on all flights operated by the airline to destinations in Italy, Europe, North Africa, and the Middle East.
Photo: Alexey Bakharev | Shutterstock
While the airline does not disclose the exact percentage of the discount, it does mention that the fares are specially reduced for this age group.
The fare is not valid for itineraries subject to Territorial Continuity rates: from Rome and Milan to Cagliari (and vice versa)
Norwegian Air
Travelers aged between 12 and 25 can get a special discount on flights with Norwegian Air . To get the special fare, passengers must use the campaign code UNDER26 when booking their flight.
Virgin Atlantic
Virgin Atlantic offers a one-time student discount available until December 31, 2024. This offer applies to flights departing from Bangalore, Delhi, or Mumbai to London or any of Virgin Atlantic’s US destinations.
Students can enjoy generous baggage allowances: 87kg in Upper Class (2 x 32kg bags + 1 x 23kg bag) and 69kg in Premium, Economy Classic, and Economy Delight (3 x 23kg bags).
This post was brought to you by Simple Flying. Written By Vyte Klisauskaite.
