Big Reveal: The Top 10 Features of Budget Airlines That Spark the Most Online Buzz

▲ Illustration of seating on a budget airline. (Photo / Reporter Cai Wenjun)

Travel Center / Comprehensive Report

In recent years, budget airlines have become increasingly numerous, offering more destinations. If you want to travel abroad without breaking the bank, choose a low-cost carrier.DailyView Network Thermometerhas released a list of the “Top 10 Features of Budget Airlines” that generate the most online discussion. Have questions about budget airlines? From whether meals are served onboard to if baggage requires extra fees, we unveil the mysteries of low-cost carriers all in one go.

▲ Meals are not included in the ticket price on budget airlines and must be purchased separately. (Photo / Reporter Cai Wenjun)

1. Meals Are Not Included
On regular airlines, whether for short or long-haul flights, snacks or full meals are usually provided, and you can also request water or other drinks. But on budget airlines, all meals and beverages come at an additional cost. If you don’t want to spend money on food during the flight, consider eating before boarding.

2. You Have to Buy Your Own Cup for Water
Is water free on budget airlines? Yes, but you’ll need to bring your own cup or buy a paper cup. Frequent flyers often carry an empty bottle to fill up at airport water fountains before boarding, avoiding the need to buy bottled (or paper cup) water.

3. Smaller Seat Pitch
To fit in more seats, some budget airlines reduce seat pitch, which can make the cabin feel especially cramped. However, passengers with special needs can pay extra for more spacious seats—decide what works best for you.

4. No In-Flight Entertainment
To keep costs down, budget airlines simplify their services. If you’re worried about getting bored, bring your own tablet. As long as you follow airline rules and don’t compromise safety, you can find ways to entertain yourself.

5. Flexible Routes
Are you spontaneous and likely to decide to travel on a whim? Then budget airlines’ last-minute deals are perfect for you. Due to high competition on many routes, remember to compare prices. Sometimes, booking different airlines for outbound and return flights can save you even more.

▲ Pay close attention to baggage weight limits when flying with a budget airline. Some tickets also exclude checked baggage and require you to purchase extra weight allowance separately. (Photo / Reporter Li Ziyi)

6. Strict Baggage Weight Limits
Many budget airlines do not include checked baggage in the ticket price. Passengers needing to check luggage must pay extra for the weight allowance. There are also limits on carry-on baggage weight, which vary by airline—be sure to check when booking.

7. Earlier Check-In Closures
To cut costs, budget airlines sometimes don’t use standard boarding gates and instead use buses to transport passengers to the tarmac, where you climb stairs to board. This requires more time to prepare for departure, so check-in counters close earlier than on regular airlines. Be mindful of closure times to avoid missing your flight.

8. Unstable Layovers
When taking long-haul flights with budget airlines, layovers are common. Waiting 7–8 hours for a connecting flight isn’t unusual, so mentally prepare for it. If faced with a long layover, ask the airline if you can switch to a flight the next day and explore another country or city instead.

9. Low Administrative Flexibility
Budget airlines automate many processes, and some don’t even offer onsite ticket purchases—you must book through online platforms. As a result, services like correcting a misspelled name, changing flights, or canceling tickets usually incur extra fees. Be very careful when filling out your booking details.

10. High Flight Frequency
Budget airlines operate on a “volume-based pricing” model, leading to frequent flights and many scheduling options. But because there are so many flights, delays can easily impact a whole chain of subsequent flights.