Can I buy flights with PayPal?

Yes. Many major European airlines accept PayPal at checkout, including Ryanair, Lufthansa, Air France, Eurowings, Transavia, and British Airways. Online travel agencies such as Booking.com and Expedia also accept PayPal for all carriers they list. Two notable exceptions: easyJet and Wizz Air do not accept PayPal on their own websites. For easyJet, book through an OTA like Booking.com or Expedia to pay with PayPal.

Does Ryanair accept PayPal?

Yes, Ryanair accepts PayPal directly on ryanair.com. You select PayPal at the payment step, get redirected to the PayPal login, confirm the payment, and return to the booking confirmation. Ryanair previously charged a 2% surcharge for PayPal, but this was abolished under EU PSD2 rules that ban consumer payment surcharges in the EEA. No extra fee applies for EEA customers paying in euros.

Does easyJet accept PayPal?

No. easyJet does not accept PayPal directly on easyjet.com or in its app. The airline accepts debit and credit cards and Apple Pay on its own site. If you want to pay for an easyJet flight with PayPal, book through an OTA like Booking.com or Expedia, both of which accept PayPal and carry easyJet inventory. Note that prices via OTAs may differ slightly from those on easyJet's own website.

Can I use PayPal Pay Later for flights?

In the UK, PayPal Pay in 3 is available for flights costing between £20 and £3,000, provided the merchant supports it. Jet2 is the only major UK airline to accept Pay in 3 directly at checkout. In France, the equivalent Payer en 4X (€30–€2,000, no fee) works on Air France and eDreams. In Germany, Ratenzahlung carries interest from 11.49% APR. Eligibility is assessed per transaction and is not guaranteed.

Is PayPal accepted for flights across Europe?

Yes, PayPal is accepted for flight purchases in most European countries. Ryanair, Lufthansa, Air France, and major OTAs like Booking.com and Expedia all accept PayPal EEA-wide. PayPal Pay Later installment products are only available in selected countries: UK, France, Germany, Spain, and Italy. Belgium, the Netherlands, and Austria can use standard PayPal for flight payments but do not have access to PayPal Pay Later.

What happens if my flight is cancelled and I paid with PayPal?

If your flight is cancelled, pursue the refund through the airline and your EU Regulation EC 261/2004 rights, not through PayPal Buyer Protection. PayPal's buyer protection scheme is designed for goods (item not received or not as described), not travel cancellations. UK travellers should also note that paying via PayPal rather than a credit card directly removes Section 75 Consumer Credit Act protection, which covers purchases over £100.

How to Book Flights with PayPal in Europe: Step-by-Step

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Quick answer

Yes, you can pay for flights with PayPal. Dozens of European airlines and booking platforms accept it at checkout, including Ryanair, Lufthansa, Air France, Booking.com, and Expedia. The checkout flow adds two to three extra clicks: select PayPal, confirm in the PayPal window, then return to your booking confirmation. One caveat: easyJet and Wizz Air do not accept PayPal directly on their own websites. For those routes, book via an OTA like Booking.com or Expedia, both of which accept PayPal for all carriers they list.

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How PayPal Works for Flight Purchases

PayPal works as a digital wallet at checkout on airline and OTA websites. You select it as your payment method, get redirected to the PayPal login page, confirm the total from your balance, linked bank account, or card, then return to the booking confirmation. No card number is entered on the airline's site.

One practical note for European travellers: if a flight is cancelled, pursue your refund through the airline and EU Regulation EC 261/2004, not through PayPal Buyer Protection. PayPal's protection scheme covers physical goods and is not designed for travel cancellations.

easyJet and Wizz Air do not accept PayPal directly on their own websites. For easyJet, book through Booking.com or Expedia, which accept PayPal for all carriers they list. For Wizz Air, no PayPal route currently exists.

Step-by-Step: Buying Flights with PayPal

Step 1: Search for your flight

Go to an airline that accepts PayPal, such as Ryanair, Lufthansa, Air France, Eurowings, Transavia, Vueling, Austrian Airlines, or British Airways. You can also use a booking platform like Booking.com or Expedia. Search for your route and select the flight.

Step 2: Complete passenger details and extras

Enter traveller names, contact information, and any optional add-ons such as checked luggage or seat selection. These are handled before you reach the payment page.

Step 3: Select PayPal at the payment step

On the payment page, look for PayPal listed under digital wallets or alternative payment options. Selecting it either redirects you to PayPal or opens a PayPal overlay directly in the browser.

Step 4: Approve the payment in PayPal

Log in to your PayPal account, review the amount and currency, then choose your funding source: PayPal balance, linked bank account, or linked card. If you qualify for PayPal Pay Later (Pay in 3 in the UK, Payer en 4X in France, or Ratenzahlung in Germany), that option appears here.

Step 5: Return to booking confirmation

After confirming in PayPal, you land back on the airline or OTA confirmation page. Your booking reference and e-ticket arrive by email within minutes.

Fees, Limits, and Availability

PayPal charges no transaction fee for purchases made in the same currency within the EEA. The main cost to watch for is currency conversion: PayPal adds a 3–4% markup above the mid-market rate when your account currency differs from the airline's billing currency. To avoid this, always select to pay in the airline's native currency at checkout, not in your home currency (PayPal, 2025).

Air France applies a non-refundable PayPal payment surcharge, even on refundable tickets, unless Air France itself cancels the flight (Air France, 2025). Most other EU airlines cannot legally add a PayPal surcharge under PSD2.

PayPal Pay Later for flights is available in selected countries: UK (Pay in 3, £20–£3,000, interest-free), France (Payer en 4X, €30–€2,000, no fee), Germany (Ratenzahlung, €99–€10,000, from 11.49% APR). Belgium, the Netherlands, and Austria are not currently included.

PayPal is accepted for standard flight purchases across most European countries. Some OTAs apply restrictions: 5vorFlug in Germany only accepts PayPal for departures within the next 30 days, for example. For most routes booked directly with a major European airline or through Booking.com and Expedia, PayPal works at checkout without restrictions.