One of the reasons the low cost airlines have been so successful is because the fact that passengers reserve their flights directly, either over the phone or electronically, means that no agent commission has to be added to the price.

While Internet has affected most sectors of the economy, the travel industry has literally been transformed by the possibilities offered by online reservation. Consumers no longer have to go along to the local travel agents to book hotels, trains, flights etc. And the young, low-cost airlines have been the quickest to recognise the advantage of having quick, user-friendly websites to encourage online booking.

See below for a quick review of what we think are the best low-cost airlines offering online purchase of cheap flights to Spain. Click on the airline’s name to access its website.

Easyjet: Excellent website, very easy to register and to book flights online.

Refunds on cancelled flights are not possible, but Easyjet do let you change the details of a booking (name, flight, day….) either over the phone or, as from this year, online, although you are charged for the change. Easyjet do flights to the following Spanish airports: Alicante, Almería, Asturias, Barcelona, Bilbao, Ibiza, Madrid, Mallorca, Malaga, Murcia, Menorca and Valencia.

Ryanair: The directors of this company have confirmed rumours that the airline plans to offer free tickets in the future if its onboard gambling games prove to be as profitable as Ryanair expects. Check the site for regular sales to top destinations in Spain which are often as low as 14p. Ryanair is Europe’s largest low-cost airline and offers flights to the following Spanish airports: Girona, Barcelona, Murcia, Valencia, Zaragoza, Santiago de Compostela, Almeria, Vitoria, Santander, Jerez, Seville, Granada, Malaga and Valladolid.

Thomsonfly: Flight from 24 UK airports to the following destinations in Spain: Malaga, Alicante, Mallorca, Valencia, Mallorca, Ibiza, Barcelona and Gerona. Best deals available to customers who book early. For example, flights for October to Malaga are now on offer at just £1.49.

Jet2: Based at Leeds Bradford with hubs at Manchester and Belfast. The airline flies to the following destinations in Spain: Alicante, Barcelona, Ibiza, Malaga, Murcia, Palma, Menorca, Tenerife, Valencia . The company has just launched a special offer of flights to Spain in June and July starting from £15 one-way.