I’ve flown nearly every budget airline in Europe and the Middle East, and when it comes to low-cost carriers in the region, Pegasus Airlines has become a key player. Based in Turkey, Pegasus is often compared to Ryanair or Wizz Air, but with a few unique features that stand out, especially for price-conscious travelers connecting through Istanbul.
In this review, I’ll break down how Pegasus performs on punctuality, pricing, comfort, and reliability, drawing from multiple flights I’ve taken between Europe, Turkey, and the Middle East. While it’s not luxury travel, it delivers exactly what it promises: efficiency and affordability, with fewer headaches than many of its budget competitors.
What Is Pegasus Airlines Known For?
Pegasus Airlines is a well-established Turkish low-cost carrier headquartered in Istanbul. Founded in 1990 and operating under the Pegasus Hava Taşımacılığı A.Ş. name, the airline has evolved into a dominant player in the regional aviation market. Its main hub is Istanbul Sabiha Gökçen International Airport (SAW), with additional bases in Izmir and Antalya.
The airline operates a young and efficient fleet of over 100 aircraft, primarily Airbus A320neo and Boeing 737-800s. As of 2024, the average fleet age is around 5.2 years, making it one of the youngest fleets among European LCCs. Pegasus serves more than 120 destinations across 49 countries, focusing heavily on domestic Turkish routes and connecting Europe, the Middle East, and parts of Central Asia.
From my experience flying them dozens of times in different markets, Pegasus stands out for its frequency, wide route network, and aggressively priced fares. You don’t book Pegasus for luxury, you book it because it gets the job done at the lowest possible price point.
How Does Pegasus Airlines Compare to Other Budget Airlines?
Pegasus Airlines holds its own among Europe’s major low-cost carriers. Compared to Ryanair, Wizz Air, and EasyJet, it often undercuts prices, especially on routes to and from Turkey. According to a 2023 study by Kiwi.com, Pegasus offered the lowest average fare per kilometer among LCCs operating in Eastern Europe and Western Asia.
However, Pegasus’s pricing model is more nuanced. The airline operates a tiered pricing system: Basic, Essentials, and Advantage. Only the higher tiers include perks like checked baggage or seat selection. When comparing apples to apples with Wizz or Ryanair, the final cost, after adding a 20 kg bag and a reserved seat, often lands in the same ballpark. That said, if you travel light and don’t mind middle seats, Pegasus will usually come out cheaper.
In terms of service, I find Pegasus to be more consistent than Wizz Air, especially in terms of on-time performance and aircraft cleanliness. However, they still lack some of the digital maturity you see in EasyJet’s operations.
Sample One-Way Fares (Booked 3 Months in Advance)
| Route | Basic Fare (EUR) | Flex Fare (EUR) |
| Istanbul – Berlin | 42 | 88 |
| Amsterdam – Istanbul | 55 | 103 |
| Istanbul – Baku | 49 | 96 |
| Antalya – London | 59 | 105 |
Pegasus also regularly offers seasonal flash sales, and it’s one of the few budget airlines flying to secondary cities in Central Asia and the Caucasus (e.g., Tbilisi, Bishkek, Erbil).
Is the Booking Process Straightforward?
Pegasus’s website is simple but aggressive in upselling. The fare structure is clear, but you need to pay close attention to the type of ticket you’re buying.
Fare Types
| Fare Type | Includes Seat? | Cabin Bag | Checked Bag | Change Flexibility |
| Basic | Yes | 1 small personal item | No | No changes/refunds |
| Essentials | Yes | 1 cabin bag | 15–20 kg | Low change fee |
| Advantage | Yes | 1 cabin + checked bag | 20–25 kg | Lower change fees |
| Comfort Flex | Yes + seat selection | Cabin + checked bags | 25 kg | Free changes (except fare diff) |
You must manually deselect extra add-ons, including travel insurance, SMS alerts, and checked baggage if you’re not careful.
Tip: Book in Turkish Lira via Pegasus’s Turkish site (if available), you can often save 10–20% due to currency pricing differences.
Baggage Rules: Clear But Strict
| Baggage Type | Basic Fare | Paid Add-On | Notes |
| Cabin Bag | 1 small item (max 8kg) | Upgrade for 8-12 euro | Must fit under seat |
| Checked Bag | Not included | 15-35 euro | 15–25kg depending on route |
| Oversize Baggage | Not allowed without special booking | High fees apply |
Pegasus enforces weight limits strictly, including hand luggage. Weighing scales are common at gates, and overweight bags are charged aggressively.
Comparison: Pegasus vs. Other Budget Airlines
| Feature | Pegasus Airlines | Ryanair | Wizz Air | Turkish Airlines |
| Base Fare | Very low | Very low | Very low | Higher |
| Baggage Policy | Strict | Strict | Strict | 30kg included |
| Seating Comfort | Average | Poor | Poor | Good |
| On-Time Rate | 84.60% | ~79% | ~82% | ~85% |
| In-Flight Catering | Buy on board | Buy on board | Buy on board | Full meal |
| Airport Experience | SAW (efficient) | Often secondary | Often secondary | IST (world-class) |
Pegasus offers a cleaner, more reliable product than Ryanair or Wizz, but lacks the full-service feel of Turkish Airlines.
What Can You Expect Onboard Pegasus Airlines Flights?
The onboard experience is efficient but basic. Seats are standard slimline models with a pitch of around 29 to 30 inches (73–76 cm), which is typical for low-cost airlines. The Airbus A320neos have slightly better ergonomics than the older Boeing 737s, so I recommend those if you’re sensitive to comfort.
There’s no complimentary food or drink. In-flight meals and beverages are available for purchase, and the menu is surprisingly diverse, ranging from Turkish börek and simit to international sandwiches and sweets. Pricing is fair: expect to pay around 3–5 euro for a sandwich.
Entertainment options are non-existent. No screens, no Wi-Fi. Bring your own content or download Pegasus’s mobile app, which includes a basic in-flight magazine and route map. For short flights under 2.5 hours, this isn’t a big issue, but on longer journeys, say, Istanbul to Dubai, you’ll feel the void.
I’ve noticed the cabin crew to be efficient and respectful, though not overly attentive. Their English proficiency is hit-or-miss depending on the route.
Is Pegasus Airlines Safe and Reliable?
Yes, Pegasus Airlines maintains a solid safety record. They are fully IOSA (IATA Operational Safety Audit) certified, which is a global standard for operational safety. They’ve had two major incidents in the past decade: one runway excursion in 2020 in Istanbul and another in 2018 in Trabzon. Both were serious but led to renewed safety protocol enforcement.
Fleet maintenance is managed in-house by Pegasus Technic, which meets EASA Part 145 standards. The average fleet age being just above 5 years is a strong indicator of proactive asset management.
In terms of reliability, the airline achieved an on-time performance (OTP) rate of 83.4% in 2023, placing it above Wizz Air and comparable to EasyJet. Delays do occur, especially during peak summer travel, but in my experience, flights departing from Istanbul SAW are usually well-managed.
What Is the Check-In and Boarding Experience Like?
Pegasus’s check-in process is largely digital and functional. Online check-in opens 48 hours before departure and closes 60 minutes before takeoff. The mobile app is useful for generating boarding passes and getting flight notifications, although it occasionally freezes or fails to save documents offline.
At the airport, check-in counters are clearly marked, but queues can be long during busy travel periods. Istanbul SAW and Izmir airports have dedicated Pegasus self-service kiosks that speed things up. I advise checking in online to avoid unnecessary delays.
Boarding is conducted in groups but can be chaotic depending on the airport. Priority boarding is available at an extra cost (starting around 6 euro), and in busy hubs like Düsseldorf or London Stansted, it’s worth it to beat the queue.
What Are Common Complaints About Pegasus Airlines?
The most frequent complaints center around:
- Hidden fees: especially for baggage and seat selection.
- Delayed or canceled flights: particularly on busy summer routes.
- Customer service: long wait times and unresponsive support channels.
According to Trustpilot, Pegasus scores around 2.3 out of 5 based on 4000+ reviews. About 32% of negative reviews cite additional charges that weren’t made clear at booking. Another 21% involve customer service issues during delays or missed connections.
In my own experience, transparency around pricing is the biggest gap. If you don’t read the fine print or understand the fare tiers, you might end up paying more than you planned.
How Transparent Is Pegasus Airlines About Its Pricing?
Pegasus Airlines uses a modular fare system:
- Basic: Only includes a personal item (not even a cabin bag).
- Essentials: Adds a cabin bag and sometimes checked luggage.
- Advantage: Includes seat selection, checked bag, and flexibility.
The booking interface on flypgs.com reveals these options clearly, but third-party platforms (like Kiwi or eDreams) often obscure them. Taxes and fees are displayed upfront, but optional services, like extra baggage, meal pre-orders, or seat upgrades, only show up deep into the booking process.
One important note: Pegasus charges for everything, including printing a boarding pass at the airport. If you’re not digitally savvy, you might incur additional costs.
Who Should Consider Flying Pegasus Airlines?
Pegasus is ideal for:
- Budget travelers who want the lowest fare from A to B.
- Short-haul passengers within Turkey or nearby European cities.
- People with flexible schedules who can absorb minor delays.
Less ideal for:
- Business travelers needing punctuality or connectivity.
- Families needing consistent service and baggage included.
- Luxury-seeking flyers who value comfort, lounge access, or premium seating.
If you’re flying from Amsterdam to Istanbul and only taking a backpack, Pegasus is hard to beat on price. But if you’re heading to Dubai with two checked bags and a tight layover? You’re better off with Turkish Airlines.
How Does the Pegasus Airlines Mobile App Perform?
The Pegasus app is functional but not exceptional. It supports:
- Mobile check-in
- Flight status alerts
- Boarding passes
- Ancillary purchases (baggage, meals, seats)
App ratings stand at 3.9 on iOS and 3.5 on Android (as of May 2024). Compared to the Turkish Airlines app, arguably the best in the region, Pegasus lacks intuitiveness and speed. Still, it does what it needs to, and I’ve used it without major issues on over 25 flights.
Are There Loyalty Rewards or Frequent Flyer Programs?
Pegasus offers the BolBol loyalty program, which is functional but basic:
- Earn BolPoints for flights and add-ons.
- Spend BolPoints on future tickets, partially or in full.
- No tiers or elite status, making it flat and non-competitive.
You can also earn points on co-branded credit cards in Turkey. However, the lack of partnerships with global airline alliances limits its value for international frequent flyers.
If you’re flying domestically in Turkey a dozen times a year, BolBol is a decent way to save money. Otherwise, the program doesn’t offer compelling perks.
What Is the Overall Verdict on Pegasus Airlines?
I rate Pegasus Airlines as a 3.5 out of 5 for overall performance. It’s not without flaws, hidden fees, limited service, and inconsistent customer support, but it delivers what it promises: affordable, reliable short-haul travel.
For seasoned travelers who understand the LCC model and plan accordingly, Pegasus offers unbeatable value on many routes. If you expect full-service standards from a budget airline, you’ll likely be disappointed.
But if you want to fly from Berlin to Antalya for €39 and get there (mostly) on time, Pegasus delivers.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Pegasus include food or drinks?
No. All food and beverages are paid on board or pre-ordered.
Is there in-flight entertainment or Wi-Fi?
No. The airline offers no screens or connectivity.
Can I bring a cabin bag with the basic fare?
Only a small under-seat item (e.g., handbag or laptop). Overhead-sized bags require an upgrade.
Can I select a seat?
Yes, but it costs extra. Exit rows and front-row seats offer more space.
Is Pegasus safe?
Yes. Pegasus meets EU and Turkish aviation standards and has a modern Airbus fleet.