Flight search · Comparison

Aviasales vs Skyscanner: which one finds the cheapest flight?

Both are legit metasearch engines with no booking fees — they just show what airlines and OTAs sell. But their inventory and pricing differ enough that checking both on the same route regularly saves $50–$200. Here's when to use which.

The Eastern & Asian coverage champion

Aviasales

Best for: Europe↔Asia routes, hidden-city itineraries, flexible-date calendar search

Free · 700+ airlines · 200+ OTAs
Best coverage for Middle East, Central Asia, Russia bypass routes
Powerful 'Cheap month' calendar for flexible dates
Combines multi-airline itineraries automatically
Faster raw search response
Sometimes surfaces sketchy OTAs — verify the seller before paying
UI density can feel busy vs Skyscanner
The Western-market polish leader

Skyscanner

Best for: UK/US domestic, mainstream international, price alerts, Everywhere search

Free · 1200+ providers
'Everywhere' search — cheapest destination from your city
Best-in-class price alerts and predictions
Cleaner mobile app, easier for beginners
Wider Western OTA coverage
Weaker on non-Western routes
Cache can lag — quoted price sometimes gone at checkout

Head-to-head

AviasalesSkyscanner
Booking feesNoneNone
Airline coverage700+ airlines1200+ providers
Eastern Europe / AsiaExcellentGood
UK / US domesticFairExcellent
Flexible dates viewCalendar + Cheap monthWhole month grid
'Anywhere' searchYes (Map)Yes (Everywhere)
Price alertsBasicAdvanced
Multi-city / open-jawStrongGood
Pick Aviasales if…

…you're flying to/from Eastern Europe, the Middle East, Central Asia or want the aggressive multi-airline stitching that finds hidden savings.

Pick Skyscanner if…

…you're on a UK/US domestic route, want the slickest price-alerts, or you're doing an 'Everywhere' dream trip and want the widest cast.

FAQ

Are Aviasales and Skyscanner the same company?

No. Aviasales is a Russian-origin metasearch (now global via JetRadar) with strong coverage of Eastern Europe, Middle East and Asia. Skyscanner is UK-based (owned by Trip.com Group) with the widest Western coverage.

Which finds cheaper flights?

Aviasales usually wins for Europe↔Asia and hidden-city / multi-airline itineraries. Skyscanner wins for UK/US domestic and mainstream international routes. Always check both — differences of $50–$200 on the same route are common.

Do either of them charge booking fees?

Neither charges a fee — they're metasearch engines that redirect you to the airline or an OTA. Any fee comes from the final booking site, so always verify the total before paying.

Which app is better?

Skyscanner has the more polished app with better price alerts and Everywhere search. Aviasales has faster search and better calendar view for flexible dates.

Are the prices real?

Both are real, cached quotes. If the price jumps on the OTA/airline page it's usually because the fare class sold out — refresh Aviasales/Skyscanner and rebook the next cheapest option.

Still not sure?

Tell the AI concierge your destination and dates — it'll pick the right platform and pre-fill the search.

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