Ryanair launches 48 hour flash sale with flights from €16.99 to over 230 destinations

Holidaymakers looking for a cheap getaway may want to move quickly after Ryanair announced a new 48 hour flash sale starting this Tuesday 21 April, with fares from €16.99. The low cost airline says the promotion covers travel in May and June and includes more than 230 destinations across Europe and beyond.

For travellers in Spain, Ireland, the UK and other parts of Europe, it could be one of the most attractive short break sales before the busy summer season begins.

The offer is limited in time and seats are expected to go fast, especially on popular city break and sunshine routes.

What Ryanair is offering in the new flash sale

According to the airline, the promotion runs for two days only and is available through the Ryanair website and mobile app.

The sale focuses on travel during May and June, a period many passengers target for cheaper pre summer holidays, half term trips or long weekend breaks before peak July and August prices arrive.

Ryanair says more than 230 destinations are included, covering beach escapes, city breaks and quick European getaways. While final prices depend on route, date and availability, the airline has advertised entry fares from €16.99.

As with most flash sales, the cheapest seats are usually limited and may disappear quickly once demand rises. That means flexible travellers often get the best value.

Popular routes already catching attention

Examples released with the promotion include several low fares from Ireland. Flights from Dublin include cities such as Brussels, Hamburg, Luxembourg, Stockholm, Turin, Girona, Milan and Paris Beauvais.

From Cork, discounted fares include Brussels, Paris and Girona. Passengers flying from Shannon may also find offers including Madeira.

Other routes mentioned separately include Liverpool to Madrid from £19.99.

For travellers based in Spain, Ryanair typically includes domestic and international routes depending on airport schedules, with departures from a wide range of regional airports.

Anyone considering a trip from Alicante, Malaga, Palma, Valencia or Barcelona may want to check quickly, as local availability can change fast.

Why these sales matter right now

Airfares often rise as summer approaches. By late spring, many families have already booked holidays, while others start searching once school dates, work leave and weather plans become clearer.

That makes April and May an important booking window.

Low fares for travel in May or June can appeal to different types of passengers.

Some want a quick weekend in Italy or Portugal. Others may be looking for a cheap family break before school holiday prices jump.

Many remote workers and retirees also use this quieter period to travel while destinations are less crowded. In short, timing matters as much as price.

How to get the best chance of a cheap ticket

Frequent travellers know flash sales reward speed and flexibility. If you can travel midweek, avoid peak times and depart from more than one nearby airport, you usually have a better chance of finding the headline fares.

It also helps to search more than one destination. Many people start with a fixed city in mind, but cheaper bargains often appear on routes they had not considered.

For example, a sold out fare to Rome may sit beside a cheap option to Bologna, Porto or Krakow. Travellers should also check baggage rules and add on costs before booking. A cheap base fare can rise once extras are included.

Still, for passengers travelling light, these deals can represent genuine value.

Could Spain travellers benefit most?

Spain remains one of Ryanair’s biggest markets, both for incoming tourists and residents travelling abroad.

That means airports across the country often feature heavily in promotions.

Alicante, Malaga, Palma, Ibiza, Valencia, Seville and Barcelona are among the locations many passengers watch closely during Ryanair sales.

Routes to the UK, Italy, France, Portugal, Germany and Morocco are often popular. Seats for weekend departures and school holiday dates may go first, so travellers with open dates usually have the advantage.

Why booking early can pay off

Even outside flash sales, early booking can save money. But when a promotion lasts only 48 hours, waiting too long can mean missing the best fares entirely.

Prices in these sales often move quickly as seats are snapped up. A route showing €16.99 in the morning may be significantly higher by evening.

That is why airlines use short promotions. They create urgency and drive quick bookings. For consumers, the key is simple: compare carefully, move fast if it suits you, and only book trips you genuinely plan to take.

The bigger picture for summer 2026

With summer travel demand expected to stay strong, this sale may be an early sign of the battle for bookings between budget airlines.

Passengers benefit when carriers compete. For now, Ryanair has fired the opening shot with a short sharp promotion that is likely to attract heavy traffic.

For bargain hunters dreaming of a spring or early summer escape, the next 48 hours could be worth a look.