Aviasales Reviews: Cheap Flights or Just Hype?

The search for cheap flights is something every traveller experiences. In 2025, with global travel rebounding and airfare costs rising due to fuel prices, demand, and airline restructuring, finding affordable tickets has become both an art and a science.

This is where flight metasearch engines like Aviasales come into the picture. The platform claims to help you compare flight prices across multiple airlines and travel agencies, saving you time and money. But does Aviasales truly deliver on its promise, or is it simply another marketing hype?

In this detailed Aviasales Reviews, we will break down Aviasales from every angle how it works, its features, the pros and cons, real traveller reviews, comparisons with other popular search engines, and practical tips for maximising savings. By the end, you’ll have a clear answer to the question: Is Aviasales worth using for cheap flights in 2025?

What Is Aviasales?

Aviasales is a flight metasearch engine that was founded in 2007. Unlike online travel agencies that directly sell tickets, Aviasales acts as a search platform that gathers data from hundreds of airlines and online travel agencies. Once you find a suitable ticket, you are redirected to the airline’s or agency’s website to complete the booking.

Here are some quick facts about Aviasales:

• Founded in 2007.
• Officially registered in Hong Kong under Go Travel Un Limited.
• Main operational centre in Phuket, Thailand.
• Strong presence in CIS (Commonwealth of Independent States), Eastern Europe, and Asia, while expanding globally.
• Known for innovative tools like price alerts, flexible calendars, and travel maps.

This distinction is important. Since Aviasales is not the seller, it does not hold responsibility for refunds or cancellations that lies with the airline or agency where you finally book.

How Aviasales Works?

Using Aviasales is simple, and this is one of the reasons it has grown popular among travellers. The process generally goes as follows:

1. Entering Travel Details

The first step when using Aviasales is entering your basic travel information. On the homepage or in the mobile app, you can quickly add your departure city, destination, dates of travel, and number of passengers. The system also allows you to select the type of trip, whether it is a one-way journey, a return ticket, or a multi-city route. The interface is kept straightforward and user-friendly, making it accessible even for people who have never used a flight search engine before.

2. Generating Search Results

After you have entered your details, Aviasales starts scanning through a vast network of airlines and online travel agencies. This search takes only a few seconds and brings up a wide range of available flights. Each result typically shows key information such as the price, total flight duration, number of stops, departure and arrival times, and airline. For travellers, this feature saves a huge amount of time compared to manually searching on different airline websites one by one.

3. Using Filters for Precision

Once you have your list of flights, the filters provided by Aviasales help you refine the options further. You can select flights based on whether you want direct routes or connections. Departure and arrival times can be narrowed down to fit your schedule. The filters also allow you to choose a specific airline if you prefer to fly with one company. Another valuable filter is baggage selection, which lets you differentiate between tickets that include checked luggage and those that are hand-luggage only. You can also sort the results by cheapest option, shortest duration, or a combination that offers the best value for money.

4. Selecting the Right Deal

After filtering the results, you can focus on the flights that match your needs. When you click on a chosen fare, Aviasales presents you with the details and prepares to connect you with the provider. This stage is critical because it shows you which airline or travel agency is actually offering the ticket. Some options may come directly from the airline, while others might be listed by third-party booking platforms.

5. Redirecting to the Partner Website

Unlike an online travel agency, Aviasales does not sell tickets itself. Instead, once you select a fare, it redirects you to the partner website to finalise your booking. This could be the airline’s official page or the online travel agency that is selling the ticket. All payments, customer support, refunds, and cancellations are handled directly with the provider, not with Aviasales. This makes it important for travellers to choose reputable agencies when completing their bookings.

6. Assisted Booking Option

In some cases, Aviasales offers an assisted booking option. This feature allows you to enter passenger details on the Aviasales platform before you are redirected. By doing this, part of the booking process is already complete when you reach the partner site. It saves time and reduces the chances of mistakes, especially when booking for multiple passengers.

Key Features of Aviasales

Aviasales has grown into one of the most popular flight search engines because of its traveller-focused tools. Instead of just showing prices, it provides practical features that make planning easier, more flexible, and often more affordable. These tools are designed for different kinds of travellers, from budget-conscious students to families and business professionals. Below are some of the standout features that set Aviasales apart.

1. Price Calendar

The price calendar is one of the most powerful tools offered by Aviasales. It allows travellers to see the cheapest days to fly in a monthly view, giving a clear picture of fare fluctuations. Instead of checking day by day, you can instantly identify which dates offer better value. This is especially useful for travellers who have flexible schedules, as shifting the departure or return date by just one or two days can result in significant savings. The calendar also helps travellers plan ahead, since it shows trends that indicate the best booking windows.

2. Price Map

For those who love spontaneous adventures, the price map is a standout feature. By entering your budget and travel period, Aviasales displays destinations available within that price range. This means that even if you are unsure about where to go, the map helps you discover affordable destinations that fit your budget. It’s particularly useful for holiday planning when you want to explore multiple options or for quick weekend getaways where price is the main deciding factor. Many travellers use the price map to uncover hidden gems they wouldn’t have considered otherwise.

3. Price Alerts

Price alerts are designed for travellers who prefer to wait for the perfect fare before booking. Once you set up an alert for a specific route, Aviasales tracks the price and sends you notifications when it changes. These alerts can be received via email or directly on the Aviasales mobile app. This tool removes the need for constant manual checking and is especially valuable for long-haul routes or seasonal destinations where prices fluctuate frequently. For budget-conscious travellers, price alerts can be the difference between paying too much and securing a bargain.

4. Flexible Search Options

Aviasales provides flexibility in how you search for flights. You can choose one-way trips, return tickets, or multi-city itineraries. This is particularly beneficial for business travellers who need to attend meetings in different cities, or for backpackers planning multi-stop adventures. Families also appreciate the ability to organise round trips easily, while solo travellers who don’t know their exact return date can take advantage of one-way searches. This flexibility ensures that Aviasales caters to all kinds of travel needs.

5. Mobile App

The Aviasales mobile app is another key feature that has contributed to its popularity. Available on both iOS and Android, the app is designed with a clean interface and fast search capabilities. Travellers can search for flights, set price alerts, and access the price calendar and map directly from their smartphones. The convenience of having these features on the go makes it easier to book tickets anytime, whether during commutes, work breaks, or spontaneous travel planning sessions.

6. Travelpayouts Affiliate Program

Beyond helping individual travellers, Aviasales also supports bloggers, influencers, and travel websites through its Travelpayouts affiliate program. This feature allows content creators to integrate Aviasales search tools into their own platforms and earn commissions when users book flights through them. It benefits both the affiliate, who gains income, and the audience, who gets access to the same powerful search tools directly from trusted blogs or websites.

Pros of Using Aviasales

Travellers who frequently use Aviasales point out several benefits:

• It saves significant time by comparing fares across multiple airlines and agencies in one search.
• The price calendar and map help flexible travellers discover cheaper options.
• It is available in multiple languages and currencies, making it accessible worldwide.
• It provides transparent information, clarifying that bookings are made on external platforms.
• Frequent flyers appreciate the price alerts feature that helps secure discounts.

Five advantages frequent flyers highlight:

1. Reliable notifications when fares drop.
2. Wide database coverage of airlines and OTAs.
3. Easy-to-use mobile app.
4. Helps discover hidden deals with flexible dates.
5. Localised services for different countries.

Cons and Limitations of Aviasales

Like any platform, Aviasales is not perfect. Here are some common drawbacks reported by users:

• Prices sometimes change between Aviasales and the final booking page because fares are constantly updated.
• Refunds and cancellations are complicated since Aviasales is not the actual seller.
• Some travellers face issues with third-party agencies listed on Aviasales.
• Customer service depends entirely on the airline or agency chosen, not Aviasales.
• Assisted booking is limited and not available for all flights.

Main concerns travellers mention:

• Fare discrepancies during checkout.
• Frustrations with agency reliability.
• Misunderstanding of Aviasales’ role as a search tool, not a booking agent.

Real Customer Experiences

Customer experiences with Aviasales are mixed, which is typical for any metasearch engine.

Positive reviews often mention finding excellent deals that were not visible on other platforms. Many travellers like the ability to explore cheaper routes through the price map. Frequent travellers and budget-conscious students particularly highlight the usefulness of the price alert system.

Negative reviews usually revolve around problems with third-party agencies. For example, a traveller may find a low fare through Aviasales, but when redirected, the agency might impose hidden baggage fees or make refunds difficult.

In general, most complaints are not about Aviasales itself but about the sellers it lists. This reinforces the importance of carefully choosing the agency or airline after finding deals.

Is Aviasales Safe and Legit?

The short answer: yes, Aviasales is safe.

Aviasales never processes payments directly. All transactions occur on the airline or agency’s official website. This makes Aviasales as safe as its partners. It is a legitimate business with over a decade of global operations and millions of monthly users.

That said, safety also depends on the agency you choose. Some third-party agents may not have the best reputation. Travellers should always check reviews of the seller before completing bookings.

The Aviasales Mobile App

The Aviasales app is available on both iOS and Android. Users often describe it as one of the easiest flight search apps to navigate.

Strengths of the app include:

• Quick search results.
• Clean, modern interface.
• Price alerts delivered instantly to mobile.
• Integration with the price calendar and map.

Weaknesses noted by users:

• Occasional crashes reported in older versions.
• Still relies on redirection to external booking sites.

Aviasales for Business Travellers

Aviasales is not just for budget backpackers. The platform also helps business travellers manage costs.

• Companies can book last-minute tickets more affordably.
• The search engine offers flexibility across multiple airlines for urgent trips.
• Business travellers appreciate the calendar function to adjust schedules around price changes.
• Paperwork and booking confirmations are provided by the final airline or agency, not Aviasales itself.

Comparing Aviasales with Competitors

When compared with other platforms, Aviasales holds its own.

• Versus Skyscanner: Both are metasearch engines. Skyscanner has stronger global coverage, while Aviasales often provides better results in CIS and Asian regions.
• Versus Kayak: Kayak is popular in North America and Europe. Aviasales feels lighter and faster for casual searches.
• Versus Google Flights: Google Flights has a clean design and accurate pricing but does not cover as many OTAs. Aviasales often highlights hidden agency deals that Google doesn’t show.

Tips to Maximise Savings with Aviasales

Travellers can save more by using these strategies:

1. Stay flexible with travel dates to take advantage of cheaper days.
2. Use price alerts to monitor routes you plan to travel.
3. Always double-check baggage policies on the agency or airline site.
4. Consider searching in incognito mode to avoid cookie-based fare increases.
5. Compare Aviasales results with direct airline websites before booking.
6. Explore the price map to discover cheaper alternative destinations.
7. Book early but not too early fare alerts can guide timing.

Who Should Use Aviasales?

Aviasales is most beneficial for:

• Budget travellers looking for the lowest fares.
• Students and backpackers who have flexible travel dates.
• Families searching for affordable vacation tickets.
• Frequent flyers who want quick price comparisons.
• Business travellers who need flexibility in last-minute bookings.

Must Read:

• Booking.com Reviews: Real Traveller Experiences
• Trip.com Reviews: Why Travellers Trust It?
• 12Go Travel Review: Safe or Risky Choice?

FAQs:

Final Verdict: Cheap Flights or Just Hype?

After examining all aspects, the verdict is clear: Aviasales is not hype it’s a valuable tool for finding cheap flights, but it has limits.

It works best when you understand its role as a search engine rather than a booking agency. Many negative experiences arise because travellers expect Aviasales to handle cancellations or refunds, which it cannot do.

For 2025, Aviasales remains a strong choice, especially for travellers in CIS, Asia, and regions where it has strong partnerships. It is safe, easy to use, and highly effective for flexible travel planning.

If you want guaranteed customer support, booking directly with airlines may be better. But if saving money and exploring price options is your goal, Aviasales is worth including in your travel planning toolkit.