Best low cost carrier browsing site and advice

Hi to all. I just recovered my password, so no longer lurking and am back to posting. We are going to the South of France/then Spain (Monaco, Aix, and then Barcelona) for a week and need to meet up with friends traveling from London on 9/8/12. We are flexible on dates (could leave as early as 9/6) and departures, either ATL ideally or JFK and are trying to get to NCE. The JFK to NCE flight looks 'OK', but we are looking for alternatives, which are probably more than likely to happen.

Ideally, we were going to meet our friends in London and fly to NCE together, but apparently the BA ZED agreement with DAL is suspended??? Huge bummer as BMI had direct flights, but these are now operated/controlled by BA, and it appears the only direct flights from London are on BA. I'm a little worried about getting on 2 flights, so worried about connecting via Paris on AF or Zurich (I have taken the Swissair flight from LCY which is great, but connects in Zurich or Geneva).

Should I avoid London as the landing spot in Europe if I ultimately want to get to Nice? We have an DAL hire date of 2000. We also have United priviledges through a retired parent but don't want to use those if I don't have to (too much to figure out!)

Can someone help me with the name of the best search engine for LCC in Europe? I'm using Kayak and feel that I'm missing stuff (I'm also using IDdeals and ASU).

Thank you!

Matrix - ITA Software
might have to check LCC via their sites
I'd consider using AF from CDG (time and patience) as an option. Use ezeds when possible.
spend time in tripadvisor.com forums--they have air travel as well as country/city forums, too.
I would avoid London due to high taxes/fees leaving. Take a look at From 35 euros:* THALYS high-speed trains from Paris to Brussels to Amsterdam & Cologne for train options. He even has a section on taking the train to Morocco (w/ferry connection).
Keep in mind when you're dealing with Ryanair, easyjet, etc, that LCC have very strict policies for bags/check-in and fees to match. Met FA from Flybe--might want to check for GB departures.
I'd be looking at some otehr sources besides ASU--their prices are not as I expected. You might find more under the Delta Perks on travelnet.
TA folks can offer ideas for apts, which I would go for if you're 4 people.
Happy to see you as a non-lurker!

Thank you so much for your quick response. You're thinking along the same lines I am, but I'm running into a couple of roadblocks. The AF flights leave from Orly and we come into CDG (Hubby has a fairly low shuffle around tolerance). I checked Flybe, but flys from Southwick to Nice, not from London, I haven't checked other cities yet but all the LCC in Paris fly out of Orly. We are strictly carry on (well, I am always, but husband tries to check that int'l flight bag but I'm not going to let him). We are good to go on hotels as I have a ton of Starwood points so free in Monaco and Barcelona and we have a great apartment in Aix booked.

Tentative non direct plan is JFK to ZRH (21 in the front now and positive in the back), or ATL to CDG. I'm trying to avoid any negative in the back flight. I guess we need to give up on the idea of meeting our friends for a night in London.

Thanks again!

You can always take the bus to Orly from CDG. I haven't done it for years, tho.
Starwood points and cash are awesome!! I just referred Boss and he got his own Starwood Amex, and I picked up an extra 5K. He get's 30 to add to my 35. SPG is incredible in Asia. If you're Gold or Platinum, it's even better!

I love my Starwood card now. I signed up and got 30 as well and also travel regularly for my work. I have found Hilton and Starwood are the easiest points to use. This stay in France will get me to Gold (they even let you count award stays in your status requirement), and our traveling partners are lifetime platinum (with thier assigned conceirge at our disposal), so good traveling partners to have!