I hate to start a new thread for what seems to be a path well travelled, but here I am.

Next July we (3 total) are going to be traveling Rome-Prague-Paris. Since we don't want to lose time/money taking trains, we will fly the routes. In addition, Rome-Prague is not a direct route on trains.

I've found SmartWings and EasyJet on these routes. SmartWings will cost me about EU162 FCO-PRG, EU182 PRG-CDG. EasyJet does only the PRG-CDG route and can be as cheap as EU89 (no checked bags, etc). Drawback on the EasyJet PRG-CDG flight is the late arrival (11pm).

Does anyone have any experience with either of these airlines? I'd like to know why I would spend the additional money on SmartWings. Are their boarding processes like Southwest Airlines? Which airline experience will be the least uncomfortable/like a cattle carrier? Are there other LCC options on the Rome-Prague route?

I've done some research on these two and comfortable that they are legitimate airlines with regard to safety and reliability. So unless somebody has insider info WRT safety, no need to comment there.

Hello!

for Rome-Prague you could also use WizzAir , http://wizzair.com .

From easyJet and SmartWings I would take easyJet. They are simmilar to Southwest, compared to SmartWings cheaper and I would say more reliable. Anyway SmartWings won't be so different. The only advantage on service on SmartWings is that you get some small baguette, but service center, if something goes wrong and you have canceled flight or so is poor. And SW is part of TravelService, what is czech charter airline.. and during summer, its common that SW routes are flown by TS. So you can easy get some delay etc.

I don't know how is it on smartwings, but on easyjet, boarding is like "First come, first seated", unless you would like to buy priority boarding.

i've flown wizzair and have found them to be totally fine. many have good things to say about easyjet, so i don't think you can go wrong there.

So I looked at the Wizzair schedule and see that they have one flight daily FCO-PRG arriving after 11pm. The price for 3 seats is EU165, EU3 more than SmartWings. Wizzair doesn't fly PRG-CDG.

So, is Wizzair a lot better than Smartwings? I guess the only thing I'm concerned with on the easyJet PRG-CDG flight is arriving in Paris so late (11pm). I'd rather be doing the transfer to the hotel at a better time of day. SmartWings arrive at 2:15pm or 8:30pm.

I would never ever (again) fly Easyjet on a tight holiday schedule. They are (outside the UK departure airports) not reliable, cancel here and then for all and no reasons, do take no responsibility and leave you stranded. No way.

Most LCCs are like that. Chances are though, your flight won't get cxled, as only a low % do.

In any case, OP -- I'd travel on whatever fits your timetable best, but don't expect the flights to be on time. They'll be close to on time, but not necessarily on time.

Pls allow to disagree. Most European LCC are not like that. Easyjet is notorious for cancalleations. Percentage is low on their main routes to and from the UK, however, is high away from these main routes.