Erasmsus students. Photo: Shutterstock Ryanair is extending its partnership with the Erasmus Student Network (ESN) for the 2026/2027 academic year, marking the 10th consecutive year of cooperation between the airline and the international student organization. The renewed agreement will continue to offer Erasmus students exclusive travel benefits, including a 15% discount on four one-way flights.
The partnership, announced on Friday, October 30, is designed to make travel between students' home countries and their university destinations across Europe more affordable. Eligible ESN members can access the discount through a dedicated booking platform on Ryanair's website.
Over the past decade, Ryanair and ESN have worked together to support international student mobility, using the airline's extensive European network to connect young people with universities and destinations across the continent.
Ryanair says it has carried more than 1 million Erasmus students since the partnership began. The airline also reported a 5% increase in the number of Erasmus students travelling with it last year, reflecting continued demand for affordable travel among young people studying abroad.
Spain and Italy remain the most popular Erasmus destinations, together accounting for almost 40% of all ESN registrations.
Other markets are also recording significant growth. Ryanair reported a 32% increase in Erasmus bookings in Ireland and a 20% rise in Poland, the two highest growth rates highlighted in its announcement.
The figures point to continued demand for international study opportunities and travel between European countries during the academic year.
With a network covering more than 235 destinations across Europe, Ryanair is positioning the partnership as part of its broader effort to attract student travelers and support mobility between participating universities.
Ryanair. Photo: ShutterstockJade Kirwan, Ryanair's Director of Communications, said affordable air travel remains important for students pursuing academic opportunities abroad.
She welcomed the renewal of the agreement, noting that the airline had transported more than 1 million Erasmus students over the past decade and that demand had continued to grow.
Maja Gozdowska, Treasurer at ESN International, also welcomed the extension, highlighting the partnership's contribution to student mobility and intercultural exchange.
She said the collaboration had already reached several milestones, including more than 1 million bookings, and expressed hopes of building on those results during the next academic year.
The renewal means Erasmus students will continue to have access to discounted flights through the dedicated ESN platform throughout the 2026/2027 academic year.