Student Discounts on Flights—Which Airlines Still Offer Them?
June 16, 2025
6 min read
I remember sitting on the edge of my daughter’s twin bed, laptop balanced on one knee, while she panicked about booking her first solo trip abroad. She had been accepted into a summer program in Paris (cue proud mom moment), and between tuition, passport fees, and a sudden need for "internationally approved" power adapters, the costs were climbing faster than I could say non-refundable.
I figured if college students could get Spotify, Amazon, and half the internet at a discount, surely they could fly for less, too. And sure enough—with a little digging and more than a few tabs open—I found not just one, but several major airlines still offering student flight discounts. I ended up snagging her a flight on Lufthansa for hundreds less than what I was seeing on Google Flights. Since then, I’ve made it a mission to bookmark every student-friendly airline out there—and share the list with every mom (or student) who needs it.
If you or someone you love is heading off to study abroad, visiting family, or chasing that “find yourself” summer between semesters, these are the airlines you’ll want to have on your radar. Not all student discounts are splashed across their homepage—you often have to know where and how to look.
Triptuition: Ever searched “cheap student flights” and ended up with the same $1,200 round-trip prices? That’s because many student deals aren’t surfaced on typical search engines. You usually have to go directly through the airline—or a partner program.
1. United Airlines
United’s “Travel for College” program may not be the flashiest, but it gets the job done. Students aged 18 to 23 can sign up via the United app and get access to exclusive fares, primarily for domestic and select international routes. You have to be a MileagePlus member (free to join), and the discounts show up automatically when you book through the app.
What worked for us: My daughter and I used this for a Thanksgiving trip home from college in Chicago, and it shaved off about $85 compared to what I found through third-party booking sites. Not massive, but when you’re piecing together student life on a budget, every little bit helps.
Trip Trick: United’s student fares often appear only in the app, not on desktop. Download the app, log in, and search with your student’s DOB on file.
2. Emirates
Emirates offers student travelers up to 10% off economy and business class fares when booked through their dedicated student page, plus an extra 10 kg of baggage or one additional piece—an incredible perk if your student is moving abroad for a semester or longer. The deal is available to students aged 16 to 31 with a valid student ID or university admission letter.
And yes, Emirates = luxury. So if your student is flying a long-haul (think U.S. to Dubai or Asia), this is a game-changer.
3. Air France
Air France offers student discounts through their “Youth Pass” for travelers aged 18 to 29. This membership unlocks lower fares, flexible change policies, and priority standby if flights are full. Perfect for students doing a semester abroad or traveling between EU cities.
When I booked for my daughter’s summer in Paris, we saved nearly $190 on a round-trip flight through the student portal. I had to call their customer service line to clarify a few details, and to their credit, it was a human (and a helpful one) who answered right away.
Trip Tale: I made the rookie mistake of using Expedia first, thinking I’d compare. The exact same Air France flight—same dates, same times—was nearly $200 more through third-party sites. Book direct, folks.
4. Scandinavian Airlines (SAS)
SAS doesn’t shout about their student fares, but they quietly offer some of the most competitive deals for students traveling between the U.S. and Scandinavia. The SAS Young Ticket is available to travelers aged 12–25 and offers lower prices, even on last-minute bookings.
They cover major hubs like Stockholm, Oslo, and Copenhagen—so if your student is studying or backpacking through the Nordics, this is one to bookmark. Look for the “Youth” category when booking on their site.
Trip Trick: Student and youth fares often come with more flexible change policies, so if your travel dates might shift, these fares can save you future stress—and fees.
5. Lufthansa
This one’s personal. Lufthansa is where I found the best student fare for my daughter’s trip to Germany last summer. Their dedicated Student Offers page includes discounted fares and, like Emirates, often allows an extra checked bag. You’ll need to book through the Lufthansa site and show proof of enrollment, but once verified, the booking process is smooth.
Bonus: Lufthansa offers extensive connections to other European cities, so it’s great if your student plans to travel between countries during their stay.
6. Qatar Airways
Qatar’s “Student Club” through its Privilege Club program is genuinely one of the most generous offerings out there. Benefits include:
- Up to 20% off fares
- One free date change
- Extra baggage allowance
- Upgrade to elite status after graduation
You’ll need to sign up online and verify student status. If your student is headed to Asia, Africa, or the Middle East, Qatar’s routes and service levels are tough to beat.
Triptuition: The best student programs often require joining the airline’s loyalty club. Even if you’re not points-chasing, it’s usually free—and unlocks hidden perks.
7. Turkish Airlines
Turkish Airlines’ student discount program includes up to 20% off on domestic and select international routes, with extra baggage and free changes on many tickets. They serve more countries than almost any other airline, making them a smart pick for students studying in less touristy regions.
To access the deal, students must join the Miles&Smiles loyalty program and register their student status. I’ve recommended this one to a friend whose daughter was studying in Morocco—and she ended up flying via Istanbul for hundreds less.
8. Singapore Airlines
Singapore Airlines doesn’t advertise student fares prominently, but they do exist. You’ll find them through partner programs like StudentUniverse or through their KrisFlyer student program (available in select countries). The perks often include discounted pricing, flexible change policies, and an extra checked bag.
The key here is booking directly through their verified student portals. For premium long-haul comfort (especially Southeast Asia), they’re worth seeking out.
Smart Students (and Parents) Fly Better
As a mom, I’m constantly toggling between keeping costs down and setting my daughter up for success—whether that’s packing an extra granola bar or knowing she’ll have a smooth flight halfway across the world. Student discounts on flights are one of those underutilized gems that can do both: help your budget breathe and give your student a better travel experience.
So yes, you can still travel smart—even when tuition’s looming and dorm supplies are taking over your living room. You just need to know where to look, what to ask for, and which airlines still treat students like the VIPs they actually are.
And if you’re reading this with multiple browser tabs open and a cup of cold coffee beside you? You’re doing great. Really. Print this out, take a breath, and start with the airline your student is flying most often.
