What you need to know

By John Walton | CNN

You’ve seen them on TikTok and on Instagram: people flying on the new generation of long-haul, low-cost airlines where the fares sound too good to be true.

Flights from New York to Paris for $200? They’re out there, if you’re able to be flexible, and if you’re willing to skip extras — depending on the airline, that could include checked bags, meals, entertainment and the bar cart.

But what’s different on each of these independent airlines? Let’s break it down.

Comparing long-haul, low-cost carriers to other airlines that bill themselves as “full-service,” you’ll often get the same newer planes like the Boeing 787 and Airbus A350, sometimes with the same seats and entertainment screens. To an extent, airline food is airline food, and many folks already pack their own meals even on full-service airlines.

These carriers can be a great deal if you go into them with the understanding that you’re paying low-cost fares, so you should expect a low-cost experience onboard.

Overall, set your expectations low, remember how little you paid, and then you might be pleasantly surprised.