I flew from Florida to Italy for $260 using budget airlines. My first flight was cheap, but my experience felt anything but.

Flying budget airlines from Orlando to Venice cost only $260. An eight-hour flight on Norse Atlantic was comfortable, with purchasable meals available, though not included. A two-hour easyJet flight to Venice was fine, but less impressive. Experienced lost luggage but resolved through Norse's customer service during a bomb scare at London Gatwick. Overall, budget airlines can provide satisfactory experiences even on longer routes.

Despite offering an impressively low price tag for an international flight, Norse Atlantic's in-flight experience exceeded that of other budget-friendly airlines. The Economy Light option that I flew was surprisingly comfortable with a decent array of purchasable food options, which, while not complimentary, felt like a good trade-off given the price.

My two-hour flight on easyJet was satisfactory, but it did not match the level of comfort I experienced with Norse Atlantic. Budget airlines often have a bad reputation, but this experience showed that it's possible to fly transatlantic with minimal discomfort and reasonable amenities.

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