Want to fly around the world and come home without emptying your wallet? Well, here’s good news! Airlines including Turkish Airlines, Emirates, Lufthansa, Air Canada, FlySafair, and United Airlines have special 10-20% student flight discounts. This makes buying those tickets all the more convenient on your pocketbook. In this guide, we will teach you how to get those deals. Let’s dive in.
Who offers university student flight discounts
First, here’s a quick peek at what famous airlines offer.
| Benefits & bonuses | Required documents | Where can you fly? | Baggage bonus | Who qualifies? | |
| Turkish Airlines | 15% or 20% discount on domestic & international air trips. | Student ID or official document confirming status (uploaded or shown at sales office). | Domestic (Türkiye) & International (Economy Class). | Extra 40kg or 2x23kg checked allowance. | Miles&Smiles member, age 12-34, verified status. |
| Emirates | Up to 10% Eco, 5% Premium/Biz discounts. | Student ID or school acceptance letter (shown at check-in). | Over 140 countries worldwide. | Extra 10kg or 1 extra piece (exceptions apply). | Emirates Skywards member, age 16-31, student ID/acceptance. |
| Lufthansa | Discounted fares, flexible booking, refunds. | Proof of enrollment or acceptance into higher education (verified online via Travel ID). | From specific origin countries to certain destinations (Lufthansa Group flights). | Most fares: 2x23kg checked. USA/Mexico: 1x23kg checked. | Travel ID member, age 16+, enrolled/accepted higher ed, verified status. |
| Air Canada | Pre-paid Flight Pass with one-way credits. | Campus ID card (shown at check-in). | Within specific North American & International zones. | No luggage bonuses. | Aeroplan member, full/part-time student, valid ID, Canadian resident/school. |
| FlySafair | Regular student-oriented promotions. | No docs required. | Domestic routes within South Africa (specific cities). | Free 7kg carry-on. Can purchase up to 40kg checked. | Students on routes relevant to universities. |
| United Airlines | 5% discount for young adults aged 18-23. | Date of birth in MileagePlus account to confirm age. | Within U.S., to/from select international (from U.S.), some partners (UA code). | Not included. | MileagePlus member, age 18-23. |
Turkish Airlines
- International flights: Up to 20% discount on domestic flights
- Domestic flights: Up to 15% on international transit flights
- Other flights: Up to 20% on flights between Türkiye and TRNC (Northern Cyprus)
- Baggage benefits: 40kg allowance on international flights (or 2x23kg for piece concept flights)
- First change free: One complimentary change on international flights (fare differences may still apply)
- Extended stay: Up to a 12-month stay between outbound and return flights
How to register
First, you must be a Miles&Smiles member. If you’re not a member yet, join online. It will not take long. How you register depends on where you are studying and your citizenship.
If you are a Türkiye citizen and studying in Türkiye:
- Simply log in to your Miles&Smiles account.
- Click on “Personal Details.”
- Then, select “Student” from the “Discount Types” and click “Save.”
- The system will automatically scan your status via the Ministry of Education’s (MEB) database.
If you’re an international student from Türkiye or elsewhere (no matter what your citizenship):
- Log in to your Miles&Smiles account.
- After that, navigate to the “My Personal Information” section.
- Search for the “Add Discounted Passenger Type” and click “Fill in the form” under “Student (International)”.
- Then fill out the “Student Discount Application Form” with your Miles&Smiles login credentials.
- You might be required to upload documents.
You may also visit a Turkish Airlines sales office.
Ensure that your educational ID card (university, college, high school, language school, etc.), ISIC card, student certificate, and/or transcript (for non-residents):
- clearly displays name, surname, and date of birth;
- contains institution information and/or emblem;
- includes a proper wet signature, label, or stamp of responsible officials;
- conforms to the information in the Miles&Smiles account.
Verification usually takes around seven working days (track the progress in a Miles&Smiles account).
Documents in languages other than Turkish or English may take longer to process. Original records may be requested during check-in.
Who is eligible to get student flight discounts?
- International trips: Applicants aged 12-34.
- Domestic flights: 12-25 age limits.
- Must be registered in the MEB system.
- Status is valid for one year; reapplication is required annually.
Emirates
- Fare discounts: Up to 10% off Economy Class and 5% off Premium Economy and Business Class fares
- Extra baggage: Additional 10kg or one extra piece of luggage (excluding Canada/USA routes)
- Flexible changes: Free date changes on Flex/Flex Plus fares; $50 fee for Saver fares
- Wi-Fi access: Complimentary Wi-Fi plans for Emirates Skywards members, including unlimited chat
Registration & booking
- First, create an Emirates Skywards member account (if not already):
- If you’re 18 or older, join directly.
- If you’re 16-17, a parent or guardian needs to complete the enrollment.
- After that, book your reservation on the Emirates website or app (!by March 31, 2026!).
- Apply promo code STUDENT during booking.
You must also have a campus card from an accredited educational institution or a college or university acceptance letter, and be able to show it on demand at an airport check-in counter.
Note: If you don’t show a valid document, you may lose your benefits and have to pay extra for your ticket.
Destinations
- Emirates student flight discounts are available for Emirates’ network of over 140 destinations worldwide.
- Special offers apply to all cabin classes, with varying discount percentages.
Who is eligible?
- Full-time students between 16 and 31 years old.
- Emirates Skywards members.
- Must be enrolled in an accredited high school, college, or university.
- Limited to one person per purchase.
- Not combinable with previously purchased tickets.
Lufthansa
- Significant savings on select routes
- Enhanced baggage allowance (typically 2 x 23kg)
- Flexible rebooking conditions
- Refundable tickets (cancellation fees may apply to fares)
Registration & verification
- Create a Lufthansa Travel ID account.
- Verify your status in the ‘Profile’ section.
- Search fares directly from the form on the fare page.
- Look for the “Student” icon when selecting flights.
For verification, you must be:
- Aged 16+ at the time of verification;
- Currently enrolled in a higher education institution, OR have proof of acceptance.
Also, remember that your verification lasts for one year. After a year, simply verify again.
Meanwhile, if verification issues occur, email generationfly@dlh.de.
Destinations
Origin-based fares available from:
- Brazil
- France
- Hong Kong
- India
- Kenya
- Korea
- Mainland China
- Mexico
- Nigeria
- Singapore
- Thailand
- United Kingdom
- USA
Note: All flights in the itinerary are operated by the Lufthansa Group.
Baggage bonus
Lufthansa’s specials are only available on routes listed above.
- Most routes: 2 checked bags, each up to 23kg.
- USA/Mexico routes: 1 bag, up to 23kg.
- Cabin baggage: 1 item up to 8kg plus one small personal item.
If you need even more space, you can buy extra baggage online.
Who is eligible?
To be eligible, you need:
- Be aged 16+.
- Currently enrolled in higher education or with proof of acceptance.
- Verified Travel ID.
- Only available in Economy Class.
- Limited to one person per flight.
(The offer is not available through the Lufthansa app)
Air Canada
- 4 or 6 one-way flight credits in Economy Standard or Flex fare
- Valid for 12 months following the purchase date
- Locked-in pricing per flight credit
- No blackout dates, even in peak travel periods
- Booking up to 2 hours before the flight
- Free seat selection in advance
How to register/book
- Firstly, you must have an Aeroplan membership (free to join).
- Then, choose a destination and purchase a ticket online from your Aeroplan account.
Booking, changing, or canceling reservations can be done:
- Online through the Air Canada website.
- Via the Flight Pass mobile app.
Where can you fly?
The deal offers numerous travel zones to choose from:
Popular domestic zones:
- Atlantic
- East West Connector
- Western Commuter
- Across Canada
- Eastern Commuter
International zones:
- France and the U.K.
- Europe and North Africa
- Colombia
- Brazil
- Asia
Each zone has specific origin and destination requirements and covers different cities. Tickets are valid on Air Canada, Air Canada Express, and Air Canada Rouge (codeshare flights are allowed on certain international passes only).
Who qualifies?
- Full-time and part-time learners with an ID card.
- Must be a Canadian resident registered at a Canadian school.
- Must have a valid Aeroplan membership and email address.
The pass is valid for 12 consecutive months from the purchase date, with the option to extend for an additional 3 months for a fee.
Sometimes, Air Canada has special offers – for example, a limited-time four-credit pass. Therefore, it’s recommended that you stay in touch for updates.
FlySafair
- Regular special promotions on flight tickets throughout South Africa
- Pay Later – delaying flights for up to 24 hours without obligation
- Multiple payment solutions without requiring a credit card
- Flexible baggage options for moving to/from residence halls
How to book
There is no specific registration process or special membership required to access special fares. Thus, booking is available through their usual system on the FlySafair website.
Plus, various payment options are accepted:
- Major credit cards.
- Secure Instant Deposit (EFT payments).
- In-person payments at Pick’n Pay tills nationwide.
- Shoprite Checkers supermarkets.
- RCS Store Cards.
- Zapper.
Destinations
FlySafair flies to several major cities in South Africa. They specifically mention routes to and from:
- Johannesburg (OR Tambo and Lanseria airports)
- Cape Town
- Durban
- Port Elizabeth
- East London
- George
Routes are specifically designed to connect university towns and cities. It is convenient to travel between home and school.
Baggage info
Every passenger is allowed a free carry-on bag of up to 7kg. This includes one small suitcase and a smaller personal bag.
If you need to bring more, such as when moving into or out of a residence, you can add checked luggage for an extra fee. As a result, you are allowed to bring up to 40kg of checked baggage in total (e.g., select a 20kg checked bag and then add a second 20kg bag).
They also transport sports and musical equipment, such as guitars, bicycles, or surfboards, for a fee.
Who qualifies?
- No specific membership program is needed.
- The service is available to everyone studying in South Africa.
- No special identification requirements.
Additional benefits
Finding the cheapest airfares over a month is easy with the Low Fare Finder tool.
Additionally, subscribe to the newsletter and social media updates to stay informed about promotions.
United Airlines
- 5% discount on United Economy and Basic Economy seats
- United Economy and Basic Economy seats
- MileagePlus mileage credit based on the purchase discount fare
- Full refund for cancellations within 24 hours of booking
How to register
- You must be a MileagePlus member (join now).
- Must be between 18 and 23 years old.
- Your date of birth must be listed correctly on your MileagePlus account.
How to book
The reservation process:
- First, sign in to your MileagePlus profile through the mobile app only (not available on the website or other travel sites).
- Then, select the “young traveler discount” in the Book Flight section.
- After that, price reduction will automatically apply to eligible tickets.
Destinations
- All United or United Express-operated flights within the U.S.
- United or United Express-managed flights to/from select international destinations originating in the U.S.
- Select partner departures with “UA” numbers, including Air Canada, ANA, Austrian, Brussels, Lufthansa, and Swiss.
Who is eligible?
- MileagePlus participants aged 18 to 23 (even non-students).
- No identification document or verification required.
- Only available for individual tickets.
Note: Student flight discounts apply to tickets ordered after the promotion end date as long as the payment is made before December 31, 2025.
There is also a FareLock feature for reserving tickets at a discounted price.
Other platforms for student flight discounts
Besides going directly to certain websites, there are other places to find deals. They work differently. Instead of one airline offering the sale price, they negotiate special airfares with different operators.
Two popular platforms are:
- StudentUniverse.com: This is a well-known site that offers discounted fares for youth. You’ll need to verify your status to book through them.
- Flyla.com: Another platform that aims to connect young learners with exclusive deals. They gather discounted options in one place.
These platforms act as aggregators. They bring together college student flight discounts from various places onto a single website. As a result, this saves you time compared to checking each website individually. It’s another great tool to help you score those valuable savings on your next trip!
Conclusion
So, you see? Journeys don’t have to empty your bank account just because you’re young. After all, exploring the world is part of learning and growing, and special student flight discounts help make it happen.
Now it’s your turn!
- Take some time to look into these programs.
- Figure out which one works best for your plans and destination.
- Then, go through the steps to get yourself verified.
And hey, while you’re planning your adventure, don’t forget about staying connected once you’re abroad. Getting an eSIM like Ohayu before you travel can help you connect to local mobile networks in 120+ destinations. If you use eSIM as a data source, it can be cheaper than roaming bills from your home operator.
With these tips and special offers, you’re ready to start planning your next fantastic trip. Happy travels!
