One of Europe's leading low-cost airlines, Flybe can offer travellers cheap airfares on flights across the UK and Europe.

The airline is one of the UK's top non-London centric airlines and operates flights to more out-of-the-way airports such as Bristol, Leeds and Exeter, meaning that you won't have to travel as far to catch your flight.

In fact, Flybe is the single largest airline from Birmingham, Southampton, Belfast City, Norwich, Exeter and the Channel Islands.

Around 80 per cent of Flybe's flights are domestic, though it also offers great value flights to many popular sun and ski destinations, including Limoges, Bordeaux, Malaga, Faro and Berne.

In March 2007 the airline acquired British Airways' low-cost arm, BA Connect, creating a business with more than £500 million in revenue that will fly almost 10 million passengers per year.

It will operate more than 150 routes, flying from 22 airports in the UK and 34 in Europe, including major commercial centres such as Paris, Milan and Frankfurt.

In January 2007, Flybe's website was named the top airline site in the Wanderlust Travel Awards. The award was the result of a public vote and so was reflective of customer satisfaction.

The company says that it believes in offering low airfares on its flights, but not low services, continuing to focus on the service it provides in order to satisfy its customers.

Flybe's punctuality statistics for the week ending February 19, 2007 showed that 90 per cent of its flights arrived on time, with 98 per cent arriving within 60 minutes of their scheduled arrival time.

Passengers with Flybe Economy Plus tickets can enjoy free executive lounge access across the UK and Europe, fully changeable tickets, dedicated check in and the most generous baggage allowance of any UK low fare airline among the benefits.

Flybe customers can also make the most of their flight with up to 31 inches of legroom – more than any other low fare airline, as well as pre-assigned seating and local, convenient regional airports.

A range of snacks and refreshments are also available on flights from Flybe's Deli in the Sky.

For the lowest airfares that Flybe has available, make sure you book your flight through Major Travel.

Flybe grew out of Jersey European Airways, which formed in 1979 and was later amalgamated with Blackpool-based charter airline Spacegrand. It became the first domestic airline to offer two classes on its flights when its business class service was launched in 1993.

The airline changed its name to British European in 2000, before rebranding as Flybe and changing its business model in 2002.

The carrier is planning to invest $1.2 billion in new aircraft, which will take the fleet to more than 80 Bombardier Q400 and Embraer 195 aircraft by 2010. It will have one of the youngest and most environmentally friendly fleets in the world and aims to dramatically reduce per-seat fuel consumption.