4 lesser-known budget airlines that offer full-service perks such as free check-in baggage and Wi-Fi

During my flight on Cebu Pacific some years ago, my reverie was interrupted by a flight attendant with a mic in one hand and a brand new neck pillow in the other. It turned out that a trivia session with prizes to be won – presumably the airline’s way of making up for the lack of in-flight entertainment – was underway.

A TV screen isn’t the only sacrifice a budget traveller makes. There’s also comfort, meals, and baggage entitlements. But a fresh crop of low-cost carriers emerging amidst the pandemic is changing things up, with flatbeds that don’t cost an arm and a leg and even pet-friendly cabins.

If we were you, we wouldn’t plan our next vacation before checking out the four low-cost (and one full-service) airlines below.

1. ZIPAIR

So, you bought Japanese yen during the dip in 2023. Why stop there? The savings continue on Zipair Tokyo, a low-cost subsidiary of Japan Airline. The budget-friendly bird has spread its wings from Tokyo to the US, Hawaii, and Canada, but closer to home, the route between Narita International Airport and Singapore was launched in Sep 2021.

Hardware: Zipair is to Japan Airlines what Scoot is to Singapore Airlines, with a fleet of double-aisle aircrafts on lease from the big boys. In economy, the backrest and seat move simultaneously when you recline, sparing you from the side-eye from that passenger behind you. Business class takes this up a notch with seats that transform into flat beds, equipped with dividers for extra privacy.

In-flight experience: The service between Singapore and Narita International Airport is a redeye flight. But if you despise sleeping in an upright position, juice up your personal devices to access Zipair’s in-flight entertainment portal.

Food is chargeable, and you can either pre-order a meal online or grab a snack mid-air.

Unique offerings: Zipair offers free Wi-Fi for all, not just the high flyers. And for travellers under seven years old, Zipair offers a flat rate of approximately S$46 per sector (S$92 for a round trip), because why pay full price for a fun-sized human?

Fares and inclusions: Carry-on baggage is capped at 7kg. As of January 2024, a round-trip from Singapore to Tokyo in June costs approximately S$844 and S$2,717 for economy and business class, respectively.

2. T’WAY AIR

T’way Air goes way back, starting out as Hansung Airlines in the 2000s and rebranding as a low-cost carrier in 2010. But it wasn’t until May 2022 that the service between Singapore and Seoul was launched, right on schedule for the year of revenge travel.

Hardware: T’way Air operates both single- and double-aisle aircrafts, with economy seats boasting charging ports and electronic holders and business class seats reclining to 165 degrees – perfect for clocking a few REM cycles before you land in the morning.

In-flight experience: T’Way Air makes up for what it lacks in the in-flight entertainment department with “special events”, ranging from calligraphy demonstrations to musical performances.

Meals can be pre-ordered or purchased onboard from over 20 food options; there’s something for every palate from kimchi fried rice to vegan tortillas. Just remember to pack some Korean won; they only accept cash in select currencies and credit cards linked to Korean banks.

Unique offerings: Free check-in baggage on a budget airline? You heard that right. T’way Air offers all passengers 10kg of carry-on (that’s 3kg more than most low-cost carriers) and 15kg of check-in baggage, because those sheet masks and honey butter almonds won’t lug themselves home.

Pets are welcome in economy class, but only if they’re a dog, cat, or bird of at least eight weeks old and weigh no more than 9kg with their carrier. And then there’s the Pikachu Jet TW, complete with pocket monsters-themed boarding music and amenities. Pro-tip: Tire out your kids in the first hour by turning the plane into a Pokemon gym – gotta catch 'em all, even at 30,000 feet.

Fares and inclusions: As of January 2024, a round-trip from Singapore to Seoul in June costs approximately S$663 and S$1,553 for economy and business saver class, respectively.

3. JEJU AIR

Jeju Air’s legacy rivals that of T’way Air, with nearly two decades of history and 50 Asia-Pacific destinations in its network. While the low-cost carrier isn’t the most efficient way of getting from Singapore to Jeju Island, the service to Busan – debuted in 2019 – will spare you some hassle.

Hardware: Jeju Air operates single-aisle aircrafts with two classes, economy and business lite, but don’t hold your breath for luxury on the latter. It’s more premium economy than business class, really, and you can decide if a seat pitch of around 107cm is worth the top-up.

In-flight experience: Like T’way Air, Jeju Air doesn’t offer in-flight entertainment but has a roster of activities like magic shows and tarot card readings. Meals can be pre-ordered or purchased onboard, with food and alcohol pairings like steak and wine, and fried chicken with beer.

Unique offerings: Spot the “pet meal” option on the menu? Well, Jeju Air is also handing boarding passes out to dogs, cats, and birds of at least six to eight weeks old. The other catch is that they have to weigh less than 7kg, so it looks like only small doggos will get to explore the sandy beaches of Busan.

Fare and inclusions: Carry-on baggage is capped at 10kg. As of January 2024, a round-trip from Singapore to Busan in June costs S$228 and S$808 on the economy and business lite class, respectively. (Business lite is available only on the inbound flight.)

4. VIETJET

Now, Vietjet has been around since 2007, but the service between Singapore and Vietnam only joined the party in 2014. They’re not just stopping in the Asia Pacific – word on the runway is that European destinations are next on their hit list.

Hardware: On Vietjet’s single- and double-aisle aircrafts, selected seats in economy come with perks like priority disembarkation and added bedroom, and those in business class recline to 180 degrees, transforming into a flatbed. 

In-flight experience: The seats do not come with in-flight entertainment, but Vietjet’s website says they’ve hosted Lady Gaga and Marilyn Monroe lookalikes onboard to keep passengers entertained. We’re keeping our fingers crossed for a surprise appearance by Filipino drag star Taylor Sheesh.

Meals can be pre-booked or purchased onboard, if you’d like to kickstart that weekend getaway with the first of many banh mis and dig into the mysterious “Singapore noodles” on the way home.

Fares and inclusions: Carry-on baggage is capped at 7kg. As of January 2024, a round-trip from Singapore to Ho Chi Minh in June costs approximately S$271 for economy. 

BONUS: STARLUX

Born in the throes of a pandemic in January 2020, Starlux rolled out the service between Singapore to Taiwan in September 2021. Technically, it may not be a low-cost carrier, but it’s one to watch, especially when Taiwan is the apple of every Singaporean traveller’s eye.

Hardware: Starlux operates both single- and double-aisle aircrafts and four cabin classes: Economy, business, premium economy, and first class.

The seats in economy feature bendable and adjustable backrests and headrests, while business class flaunts fully flat beds over 2m long, accompanied by a 17.3-inch TV screen.

First class is where things get bougie. Every passenger gets a mini bar, 32-inch TV screen, and seats that come with a zero-gravity mode, courtesy of NASA space technology.

In-flight experience: As with most full-service airlines, each seat comes with an in-flight entertainment system. The selection is modest and, frankly, not the most updated, but it’s enough for a flight under five hours.

Pre-ordering of meals is available for all classes, not just the high flyers, and the F&B department is where Starlux shines. From a Michelin-starred restaurant to local artisans, the menus pay homage to the culinary scene of Taiwan. Did someone say boba on a flight?

Unique offerings: While complimentary Wi-Fi is exclusive to passengers in business and first class, unlimited texting is on the house for folks in economy and premium economy.

Fares and inclusions: Carry-on baggage is capped at 7kg in economy and premium economy and 14kg in business and first class.

As of January 2024, a round-trip from Singapore to Taipei in June costs approximately S$720 in economy, S$848 in premium economy, S$2,415 in business class and S$6,075 in first class.