Budget Airlines vs Major Airlines: Is Budget always cheaper!

When deciding which airline to fly with for my recent trip to Japan, I weighed the pros and cons of budget airlines against significant airlines. On the one hand, budget airlines are well known for their low fares and no-frills approach to flying.

Ultimately, I decided to fly with a major airline, as I valued comfort over price. However, I soon discovered that budget airlines could sometimes be cheaper, depending on your flying route. On the other hand, major airlines offer a more comfortable flying experience, with more legroom and better in-flight entertainment.

For example, day trips from Seoul to Jeju Island are often much cheaper when you book with a budget airline. So, if you’re flexible with your travel dates and destinations, it’s worth checking out both options before you book your flight.

Recently I made the exciting decision to have a trip to Japan for the first time, with Osaka being the port of call for my first trip to Japan.

Exciting times ahead, and with the excitement came the fun of looking for flights, agonising over a few prices, and having a little debate on whether I should fly with a low-cost airline or go with the comforts of a major airline.

Is flying with a low-cost airline always the cheaper option?

Budget Airlines vs Major Airlines: Is Budget always cheaper?

Anyone who knows me knows I often fly with a low-cost carrier, with Air Asia being my number one choice. While I’ll continue to use their services in the future, at times, you need to ask yourself, for this particular occasion, is a low-cost airline the way to go for this trip?

Generally, I would say yes if you are looking for the cheaper option. Still, sometimes those, significant airlines like Qantas, Emirates or Singapore Airlines throw too good a special that it can’t be refused. That’s what I found on this occasion when booking my trip to Japan, and my eyes light up at the prospect of flying with an airline with a few extra comforts and luxuries.

While AirAsia still had the lower price, the Singapore Airlines flight was slightly more expensive due to its current promotion. Since Singapore Airlines includes luggage, meals, entertainment and a little more comfort with extra leg space, it made this decision a no-brainer in the budget airlines vs central airlines argument.

Another thing you need to consider when booking a flight with a low-cost airline is that the first price you see may not be the final price. Remember that luggage, seat choice, and meals are additional and extra costs will apply if you add such specific products to the booking.

It can make you think sometimes, and the question will be asked, is the lower price, the cheaper option? Sometimes it will be, and most times it will be, but on some occasions, it won’t be the case, and that is why you need to do your due diligence and conduct a little research before you pay the final bill. Like I did before making the final payment for my trip to Osaka.

In conclusion, a low-cost flight will usually be your cheapest option, especially when their great promotions come out, for instance, the AirAsia mega sale, which is ridiculously cheap and too good to refuse.

However, sometimes it’s good to spoil yourself in life, and when you fly with a preferred airline at the right price, you must choose to travel in style.

Happy travels, and enjoy searching for those awesome travel deals to make you travel more often.