Asia is known for being home to some of the most notable budget airlines in the world. At a very low price, flyers can travel with low budgets all across the region.
Whether you are traveling miles for business or leisure, here are the top 9 budget airlines in Asia that you might want to consider for your next trip:
AirAsia
- About
AirAsia is probably the leading airline choice among passengers nowadays with its all-you-can-fly scheme that starts at a monthly fee of just $160. Aside from that, AirAsia operates flights to almost all notable destinations across the Asian region. Its growing operational structure include airline affiliates such as AirAsia Berhad, AirAsia Indonesia, Thai AirAsia, Philippines AirAsia (PAA), AirAsia India, AirAsia X, Thai AirAsia X, and Indonesia AirAsia X. With its extended network, AirAsia has already revolutionized traveling, continuing to offer low fares as it embraces innovation.
- Key Offerings
While you can buy inflight meals during pre-booking/online booking, you can also purchase meals, beverages, duty free merchandise, and inflight entertainment options onboard any flight. The menu varies and some items are subject to availability but rest assured that you are given a wide range of options. Moreover, AirAsia also provides Asian travel guides to help you explore your next destination better. The modules are free and can be downloaded anytime from the airline’s official website.
- Safety Measures
Being committed to high standards of safety, AirAsia operates a fleet of brand new Airbus A320 units, one of the world’s most reliable aircrafts. Its fleet is one of the youngest in Asia, operating for less than four years.
- Baggage
Each passenger is entitled to a carry-on bag and a personal item of up to 7 kg on board. For those flying on economy class flights, there is no free check-in baggage allowance. You can purchase check-in baggage allowance during pre-booking for additional fees. Business class passengers, meanwhile, have a free baggage allowance of up to 20 kg.
- Entertainment and Convenience
For long-haul flights, you can also save yourself from the boredom with the 10.1-inch Samsung Galaxy Tab that comes with a headset for every booking. AirAsia offers a wide selection of songs, movies, and games.
- Customer Experience
AirAsia has a customer satisfaction rating of 6 out of 10. Passengers are highly pleased with the staff and the cost-efficiency of the airline’s services. Key areas to improve include inflight entertainment and food items. Meanwhile, Skytrax has a three-star rating on AirAsia.
- IndiGo
- About
IndiGo began its operations in 2006 with just one aircraft. As it continues to expand its services, Indigo is committed to providing low-cost fares and on-time flights to ensure a hassle-free and enjoyable trip for its clients. Presently, IndiGo offers flights to about 40 Southeast Asian destinations. This year alone, Indigo has received the following recognitions: 1) International Award for Excellence in Air Cargo under the Cargo Airline of the Year Category at Air Cargo India; 2) Best Domestic Airline by the Ministry of Tourism, Tamil Nadu; and 3) Bial Pinnacle Awards for the Best On-Time Airline (Domestic), the Fastest Growing Airline, the Airline of the Year (Domestic), and the Flyers Favorite Airline (Domestic).
- Key Offerings
To guarantee low cost fares, IndiGo does not include complimentary meals in any flight. However, you can purchase meals while on board. IndiGo offers economy class flights only. You can avail of its premium services for additional charges such as pre-selected seat, cancellations, priority check-in, etc.
- Safety Measures
IndiGo oversees a healthy and safe practice of replacing its aircrafts regularly through sale and leaseback agreements. Through this, there is no need to conduct repairs every now and then, ensuring the safety of passengers wherever they may be headed. If that doesn’t impress you well enough, IndiGo is also one of the airlines with the best turnaround time. Its aircrafts can be ready for the next flights following landing and takeoff in less than 30 minutes.
- Baggage
Every IndiGo passenger is entitled to a 15-kg and 20-kg free checked baggage allowance for domestic and international flights respectively. The free cabin baggage allowance, on the other hand, is only up to 7 kg. Excess baggage allowance can be purchased during pre-booking.
- Entertainment and Convenience
As a low-cost carrier, IndiGo does not provide inflight entertainment services. In place of movies, TV shows, and music, the airline has its own exclusive inflight magazine, Hello 6E.
- Customer Experience
Customers gave IndiGo a rating of 8. Its strongest areas include its staff and value for money. Its weakest point, on the other hand, is its inflight entertainment options.
- Jetstar Asia
- About
Even if Jetstar Asia only serves routes across China, Indonesia, Japan, Singapore, and Thailand with 18 A320 aircrafts, passengers can enjoy loyalty programs as they earn Qantas frequent flier points every time they fly. Since 2007, Jetstar Asia has constantly been a part of the Top 10 Airlines by Passenger Carriage at the Changi Airline Awards. From 2013 to 2015, it has received AsiaOne People’s Choice Award for Best Budget Airline. Other significant recognitions of JetStar Asia include the Platinum Award for Foreign Airline at Kuala Lumpur Mayor’s Tourism Awards 2014, the Low Cost Carrier of the Year at the Payload Asia Awards 2014, The Foreign Airline of the Year in Southeast Asia at the KLIA Awards 2013, the Partner of the Year at the Changi Airline Awards 2012, and the Largest Growth in Passenger Traffic from Singapore at Changi Airline Awards 2011.
- Key Offerings
Its recognitions are further justified by Jetstar Asia’s compelling services. If you are booking a flight online and you happen to see a cheaper fare from other airlines, Jetstar Asia will beat that by 10%.
- Safety Measures
In 2013, Jetstar Asia has been registered under the IATA Operational Safety Audit (IOSA), an internationally acclaimed safety evaluation program that assess that assess the safety standards of an airline. This means that Jetstar Asia has fully met over 900 safety guidelines and practices, ensuring the state-of-the-art operational systems of the airline.
- Baggage
Economy fares do not come with free checked baggage allowance. However, each passenger can avail of a checked baggage allowance of 15 kg to 40 kg for additional charges.
- Entertainment and Convenience
For international flights, flyers can enjoy movies, TV shows, music, and games on Jetstar Asia’s 787 Dreamliners. Inflight entertainment options can be purchased during pre-booking. Business class passengers, meanwhile, are entitled to a complimentary inflight entertainment.
- Customer Experience
Jetstar Asia has a rating of 6/10. Flyers commend the airline for the seat comfort and staff service it provides. On the other hand, it has a three-star rating from Skytrax.
- Lion Air
- About
Being the largest Indonesian-based airline company, Lion Air specializes in exploring the beautiful archipelago of the country. It began operating in 2000 with flights from Jakarta to Pontianak and vice versa. Living up to its motto, “We Make People Fly”, Lion Air now operates international flights as well, including Asian countries such as China, Malaysia, and Singapore.
- Key Offerings
If you reside in Indonesia, this might be the perfect low-cost airline for you especially if you consider yourself a wanderlust. Presently, Lion Air flies to 100 domestic destinations. There is also a privileged service called Lion Fast. With it, you can pick your preferred seat, enjoy a priority baggage, boarding, and check-in, and even avail of a convenient VIP shuttle service to your destination.
- Safety Measures
Earlier this year, Lion Air received the International Standard Safety and Security Assessment (ISSA) certification from the International Air Transport Association (IATA).
- Baggage
Economy passengers on domestic flights have a free 15 kg checked baggage allowance while those on international flights have a free 20 kg checked baggage allowance.
- Entertainment and Convenience
As a low-cost carrier, Lion Air does not have inflight entertainment services available presently. However, there are merchandise and food items that can be purchased on board.
- Customer Experience
Passengers gave Lion Air a satisfaction rating of 4 out of 10. While its services are compelling enough, Lion Air has further rooms for improvement. Nonetheless, it has a two-star rating from Skytrax.
- Nok Air
- About
Nok, which means bird in Thai, is a symbol of friendship and freedom in Thailand’s culture. The airline is grounded in its aim to give its flyers the most comfortable experience despite the complexities of the real world. As it strives to identify with consumer behavior and go along with the changing patterns of consumer demands, it is Nok Air’s genuine desire to bring its clients safely wherever they need to be.
- Key Offerings
If you wish to fly with extra privileges and additional comfort, you can avail of Nok Premium Seat. You can enjoy benefits such as priority check-in, boarding, and baggage. You can also enjoy the convenience of selecting your own seat and even an extra legroom.
- Safety Measures
Nok Air understands that uncompromised safety is a top priority. It employs an international-standard maintenance system on its aircrafts. Furthermore, Nok Air is the recipient of safety certifications from the Europe’s Joint Aviation Authority (JAA), US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), and Department of Civil Aviation of Thailand (DCA).
- Baggage
Regular economy passengers are entitled to a 15 kg free checked baggage allowance. Business class passengers, on the other hand, have up to 20 kg of free checked baggage allowance.
- Entertainment and Convenience
Nok Air understands the increasing demand for 24/7 connectivity. In line with this, Nok Air offers free inflight WiFi up to 8 Mbps. As you browse on your smartphones and tablets, you wouldn’t even notice finally reaching your destination.
- Customer Experience
Nok Air has a 7/10 satisfaction rating. Customers rated its strongest keypoints: staff, cost-efficiency, and comfort. The airline has a three-star rating from Skytrax.
- Scoot
- About
Scoot is primarily geared toward the youth and even those who are young at heart. The company wants to relive the real essence of traveling: experiencing and connecting. While being one of the newest airlines in the world, Scoot has already expanded vastly since it opened its doors in 2011.
- Key Offerings
With ScootBiz (economy class), a passenger is already entitled to a preferred seat, a complimentary meal with beverage of choice, free checked and carry-on baggage allowances.
- Safety Measures
Scoot is composed of a team that seeks to provide reliability and safety at a low cost. Each team member is committed to delivering Scoot’s promises and living up to its core safety standards.
- Baggage
Economy class passengers have a free checked-in baggage allowance and carry-on baggage allowance of up to 30 kg and 15 kg respectively.
- Entertainment and Convenience
With Scoot’s economy flights, passengers are allowed to rent iPads and elongated Stretch seats. Business class passengers, on the other hand, have access to 10.4-inch personal displays and 38-inch pitch. Flyers can also stream movies and TV shows on their devices during their flight.
- Customer Experience
Being highly regarded for its cabin crew, Scoot has a customer satisfaction rating of 6 out of 10. Moreover, Skytrax graded Scoot with a three-star rating.
- Skymark Airlines
- About
Skymark Airlines, Inc. began offering its services in 1998 to serve the best interests of Japan’s aviation industry. Presently, Skymark Airlines has 18 routes network covering Hokkaido to Okinawa. The company seeks to provide cheap domestic flights in an intensely competitive market to give customers the best flight quality they deserve.
- Key Offerings
Skymark Airlines offers blankets, candies, and tissues for free as part of its inflight services. For young travelers aged six to 11 years old who are travelling on their own, their parents and/or guardians can avail of the Star Kids service. With this airport service, Skymark Airlines provides special assistance to the kids provided that their parents and/or guardians should be at the departure and arrival.
- Safety Measures
While still being new in the industry, Skymark Airlines prides itself with its Safety First principle. Regularly, the staff conducts safety inspections in every division to make sure that all operations are in their best conditions.
- Baggage
Economy class passengers can bring a checked baggage of up to 20 kg for free. Excess baggage charges apply for baggages weighing more than 20 kg.
- Entertainment and Convenience
In 2013, Skymark has teamed up with Panasonic to provide free inflight WiFi connectivity to its passengers. The service is available for domestic and international passengers flying on the fleets of Airbus A330 and A380 respectively.
- Customer Experience
Skymark is one of the highest rated airlines with a rating of 9. Passengers are highly satisfied with its cabin crew and their services.
- SpiceJet
- About
In 2014, SpiceJet offered up to 50% discounts in most of its fares, making it one of the most competitive low-cost airlines in India. Aside from the cheap flights, SpiceJet also guarantees zero-delays for a more efficient customer experience. The airline’s main goal is to provide low-cost fares that will enable everyone to travel frequently.
- Key Offerings
With SpiceJet, you can bring your own food on board whether you are flying domestic or international. If you are on a tight budget, this is practical since inflight meals can really be expensive. Not all airlines allow outside food on board! Moreover, SpiceJet offers special student promotions and discounts.
- Safety Measures
Staying true to its promise of practicality and affordability is not an hindrance for SpiceJet to offer contemporary interiors and state-of-the-art functionality in its aircrafts. Moreover, its cabin and maintenance crews are well-trained and highly knowledgeable, reassuring flyers of utmost comfort and safety.
- Baggage
Domestic flight passengers are entitled to a free checked-in baggage allowance of up to 15 kg. International flight passengers, on the other hand, have 20 kg to 30 kg free checked baggage allowance depending on their route.
- Entertainment and Convenience
As a budget airline, SpiceJet offers very little inflight entertainment. Its focus, however, is generally centered on passenger convenience. You can avail for extra legroom, onboard meals, priority seat, and other privileges.
- Customer Experience
SpiceJet has a customer satisfaction rating of 5 out of 10. While the low-cost fares are efficient enough, the ratings suggest that SpiceJet can further work on its food items on board and inflight entertainment options.
- Tiger Air
- About
Tiger Air is one of the world’s most remarkable airlines, having been the recipient of the coveted Center for Aviation (CAPA) Low Cost Airline of the Year awards in 2006 and in 2010. Presently, the Singapore Airlines Ltd. subsidiary serves to 41 destinations throughout Asian countries such as Vietnam, Thailand, Taiwan, Singapore, Philippines, Myanmar, Maldives, Malaysia, Macau, Indonesia, India, Hong Kong, China, and Bangladesh. Just this year, it has been named as the Best Low Cost Carrier-International at the South Indian Travel Awards, Best Low Cost Carrier at AsiaOne People’s Choice Awards, and one of the Top 5 Airlines by Passenger Carriage at the Changi Airline Awards.
- Key Offerings
For passengers visiting Singapore, Tigerair offers a special service of a free tour in the country. If you are going to Singapore for leisure, you might as well take advantage of this offering. Avail of Tigerconnect in order to be eligible for a 2.5-hour sightseeing with a choice of Heritage Tour or City Sights Tour.
- Safety Measures
In 2012, the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) granted Tiger Air with a new safety certificate after satisfying all necessary requirements.
- Baggage
To guarantee the most affordable fares, Tiger Air does not offer free checked baggage allowance. However, you can purchase a checked baggage allowance when you book your flight for an additional cost. Different weight options are available at different prices.
- Entertainment and Convenience
To enjoy your travel without getting bored, Tiger Air has its own inflight magazine, Tiger Tales, that is offered for free. Passengers can also avail snacks, liquor, and other beverages on board.
- Customer Experience
Tiger Air has a rating of 6 out of 10. Its strongest points lie in its staff, convenience, and reasonable costs. It is also one of Skytrax’s three-star airlines.
*Ratings are taken from leading airline review website, http://airlinequality.com.