2bearbear Featured on Straits Times: 20 Years of Budget Aviation

As a result, shopping in Bangkok and weekend getaways in Bali have become commonplace for the husband and wife in their 40s.

The ability to take these short trips means they no longer have to plan their travels strategically, which they did in the past because of higher fares on full-service airlines.

Mr Lim and Ms Yap said that because budget airlines usually offer a no-frills experience, the flight is reduced to being a mode of transport rather than a product to “enjoy and savour”.

They added that they would choose to fly to nearby locations on budget airlines because they do not need to pack too much and would not need check-in baggage allowance.

Nevertheless, the couple did travel to Athens, Greece, in 2022 on a 12-hour Scoot flight, which was the longest budget flight they had taken. This was because it was the only airline that flew non-stop between Singapore and Athens, and cost almost half the price of a regular ticket on a full-service carrier.

Mr Lim said being “cooped up” in a seat for 12 hours without food or entertainment that would otherwise have come with using a full-service airline was “trying”, though they still managed to get by with pre-downloaded electronic books on their phones.

He noted that they may consider taking long-haul budget flights again, but only if they can save 30 per cent or more on the air tickets compared with those sold by full-service airlines.

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Mr Lim and Ms Yap noted that most people now understand the concept of no-frills travel on budget airlines, and can accept not having in-flight meals or entertainment.

Then and now
Having flown with budget airlines for about 20 years, Mr Lim and Ms Yap have observed significant changes to the product offerings. These include the introduction of newer Boeing 787 planes to Scoot’s fleet, compared with the refurbished Boeing 777s that it used to operate.

Service has also improved, and it is no longer as “rudimentary” as in the past.

Mr Lim and Ms Yap noted that there is now “little difference” between flying in economy class on a full-service carrier and a budget airline.

Whether it concerns food preferences or the purchase of duty-free items, cabin crew on low-cost carriers are equally attentive and “all smiles” towards passengers, compared with those on full-service airlines, they added.

However, the couple felt that there are now fewer discount codes and sales pushed forward for budget flights compared with the early days of budget aviation, possibly because of the increased market share of low-cost carriers.

Even so, intensifying market competition has still kept prices lower than those of full-service carriers, benefiting travellers in general, they added.

More routes flown exclusively by budget carriers have also been introduced.

Wanted: More comfortable seats, free USB charging

Among the features Mr Lim and Ms Yap wish to see are on-board entertainment systems, which will come in handy on medium- and long-haul flights.

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