Summary
- JetBlue has a fleet of 288 aircraft, primarily consisting of Airbus A320s and A321s, with the newly introduced A220-300.
- easyJet operates a fleet of 328 aircraft, all Airbus models, with a focus on the A319 and A320.
- IndiGo has a fleet of 359 aircraft, dominated by the Airbus A320, and has the largest number of new aircraft on order.
Low-cost airlines have been soaring thanks to their affordable fares and reach in the secondary cities. Whether in North America, Europe, or Asia, budget carriers hold a large chunk of the domestic and regional market share.
Simple Flying explores some of the largest low-cost carriers in terms of their fleet size. The current fleet information is obtained from Planespotters.net.
5 JetBlue
Current fleet: 288
| Type | Number | Average age |
| Airbus A220 | 24 | 1.4 years |
| Airbus A320 | 128 | 18.3 years |
| Airbus A321 | 94 | 6.0 years |
| Embraer ERJ-195 | 42 | 15.3 years |
US-based JetBlue is at the bottom of our list with 288 aircraft. Founded by entrepreneur David Neeleman in 1999, the airline began operations in 2000. It quickly expanded service from its New York hub. In 2014, it launched Mint as a premium offering on flights from New York to Los Angeles and San Francisco.
Today it operates a majority Airbus fleet, with 128 Airbus A320s and 60 A321s leading the way. These are joined by the newly introduced Airbus A220-300 (it currently has 24 active aircraft). The Airbus A321neos are the latest addition to the JetBlue fleet. The carrier is currently operating 25 A321neos. It also operates the Embraer ERJ190, with 42 aircraft currently.
4 easyJet PLC
Current fleet: 328
| Type | Number | Average age |
| easyJet UK | 172 | 10.5 years |
| easyJet Europe | 126 | 9.8 years |
| easyJet Swiss | 30 | 7.8 years |
easyJet and Ryanair have long been fierce competitors in the European low-cost market, and it is not surprising they are both on the list of largest low-cost fleets. easyJet operates through three airline companies - easyJet UK (with 172 aircraft), easyJet Europe (with 126 aircraft), and easyJet Switzerland (with 30 aircraft). Combined, this offers a fleet of 328 aircraft. The airline used to base almost all of its aircraft in the UK. However, the UK's exit from the European Union prompted the airline to form easyJet Europe in 2017.
The airline operates an all-Airbus fleet, dominated by the Airbus A319 and the A320. Future orders through easyJet UK are all for the A320neo and A321neo, with nearly 100 A320neos and 15 A321neos on the books.
easyJet Switches To 100% Reusable Cutlery & Cups For Crew In Sustainability Drive
The reusable items are set to cut easyJet's plastic waste by up to 71 tonnes each year.3 IndiGo
Current fleet: 359
| Type | Number | Average age |
| ATR 42/72 | 44 | 4.1 years |
| Airbus A320 | 216 | 4.9 years |
| Airbus A321 | 97 | 2.8 years |
| Boeing 777 | 2 | 15.8 years |
India's IndiGo Airlines is number three on our list, with a total fleet of 359 aircraft. It only started service in 2005, and within six years, it had become India's largest operator. The airline operates a fleet of 359 aircraft, including Airbus narrowbodies, ATR 42/72, and two widebody Boeing 777s. The Airbus A320 dominates the fleet - with 186 A320neos and 30 A320s. It also operates 91 A321neos.
The airline also has the largest number of new aircraft on order - an impressive 500+ aircraft (Airbus A320neo and A321neo aircraft plus 15 more ATR72-600s). This will include the A321XLR for international flying, in addition to the newly acquired Boeing 777-300ER aircraft.
2 Ryanair Group
Current fleet: 579
| Type | Number | Average age |
| Ryanair | 302 | 10.8 years |
| Ryanair UK | 13 | 15.0 years |
| Malta Air | 171 | 6.4 years |
| Buzz | 66 | 7.1 years |
| Lauda Europe | 27 | 16.6 years |
Irish low-cost airline Ryanair operates flights across Europe, and was the first of the main low-cost airlines in Europe to start a service. It has built a fleet of 302 aircraft. When aircraft operated through its subsidiaries Rynair UK, Buzz, Malta Air, and Lauda Europe are included, this rises to an incredible 579 aircraft.
11 New Domestic Routes: Ryanair Invests $1.4 Billion In Biggest Ever Moroccan Summer Schedule
Ryanair will increase connectivity between Europe and Morocco ahead of the 2030 FIFA World Cup.Ryanair operates a majority Boeing 737 fleet, but the Airbus A320 has been added by Lauda Europe. It still operates one Boeing 737-700 aircraft, but the main aircraft is now the Boeing 737-800. The Boeing 737 MAX is a major part of the strategy going forward. It started taking delivery of the Boeing 737 MAX 200 in 2021. It now operates 86 aircraft and has a further 122 aircraft on order.
1 Southwest Airlines
Current fleet: 817
| Type | Number | Average age |
| Boeing 737-700 | 387 | 18.5 years |
| Boeing 737-800 | 207 | 8.5 years |
| Boeing 737 MAX 8 | 223 | 2.4 years |
The United States' first major low-cost airline still tops the list as the largest. Southwest Airlines currently operates a fleet of 817 aircraft. This makes it the fourth-largest operator by fleet size globally - behind American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, and United Airlines.
It is well known for its all Boeing 737 fleet, and is the largest Boeing operator today. The Boeing 737-700 makes up the largest share of the fleet, at 387 aircraft, with over 100 aircraft in the past. From the Next Generation Series, it also operates the larger 737-800, with 207 aircraft. Historically, it has also operated the Boeing 737-200, Boeing 737-300 and Boeing 737-500 as well as the Boeing 717.
Southwest Isn't Planning To Start Boeing 737 MAX 7 Flights This Year
The low-cost carrier also removed six aircraft from its contractural order book.In the last two years, the airline has been taking deliveries of its Boeing 737 MAX 8 fleet. It currently operates a whopping 223 737 MAX 8 aircraft, with a average fleet age of 2.4 years.