Ten Asian budget airlines you need to know about

Want to maximise your budget on regional travel in Asia? Jetstar Asia and AirAsia are well known, but there are other low-cost carriers to consider.

Air Arabia

The Middle East’s largest budget carrier, Air Arabia.Credit: Getty Images

Based since 2003 in Sharjah emirate 30 minutes from Dubai, this is the largest budget carrier in the Middle East and has good connections with Etihad Airways thanks to a share-code agreement. Fares are low providing you resist add-ons such as meals and seat choices, though stowed baggage is additional. The company flies over 200 routes, mainly in India, the Middle East and Central Asia, but also as far afield as Southeast Asia, Europe and Morocco. See airarabia.com

HK Express

HK Express ranks first among Asian low-cost carriers for on-time departures.Credit: Getty Images

Keep an eye on this Cathay Pacific subsidiary, which took to the skies in 2005. The route network is relatively small – China, Japan, Malaysia, Philippines, South Korea, Taiwan, Thailand and Vietnam from its Hong Kong base – but rapidly expanding. Destinations such as Bangkok, Beijing, Phuket and trendy Vietnam island Phu Quoc were added this year. Don’t expect frills or sharp service, but HK Express is safe, reliable, and ranks first among Asian low-cost carriers for on-time departures. See hkexpress.com

Vietjet Air

Vietjet’s Skyboss premium seats are identical in width and recline to economy.

This Hanoi-based airline, launched in 2011, celebrated its 200-millionth passenger this year. Along with subsidiary Vietjet Thailand, it flies to many Asian cities and to Brisbane, Melbourne and Sydney, and aims to expand into Europe. It has a big domestic network across Vietnam and Thailand. Economy fares are a great deal, Sky Boss premium fares not so much, since you get the same narrow, uncomfortable seats with just a few perks. See vietjetair.com.au

IndiGo

IndiGo’s just-launched business class, IndiGo Stretch.Credit: IndiGo

India doesn’t have true low-cost carriers, as airlines must compete with Air India’s already low fares. Cash-strapped SpiceJet is struggling. IndiGo, however, has become the country’s largest airline since its founding in 2006, operating over 2000 flights daily to 88 domestic and 34 international destinations, including many European cities in partnership with Turkish Airlines. It has a fleet of 382 aircraft and is based in Delhi. Baggage is included; weight varies with destination. The airline has just launched its business class, IndiGo Stretch, on select routes. See goindigo.in

Spring Airlines

Spring Airlines claims to have the lowest fares, but beware taxes and baggage fees.Credit: Getty Images

This Shanghai-based airline, created in 2005, flies domestically in China and Japan and operates over 40 international routes to Japan, Hong Kong, South Korea, Southeast Asia and Taiwan. It claims to have fares 30 per cent lower than other airlines on the same routes, but beware taxes and baggage fees, including for excess-sized carry-ons. It launches regular spot sales at super-low prices, but high Chinese demand sees them sell out in an eye’s blink. See ch.com

Peach

Japan’s largest low-cost airline, Peach.Credit: Getty Images

Japan hasn’t fared well in the low-cost game, with start-ups often being bought out by major airlines. Those that survive aren’t rock-bottom cheap even during promotional sales but, given the sharp rise in the price of train tickets, worth considering for domestic travel. The largest low-cost airline Peach started in 2011 and is based in Osaka. On top of its 17 domestic destinations, it flies to Bangkok, Hong Kong, Kaohsiung, Seoul, Shanghai and Taipei. See flypeach.com

Scoot

Singapore carrier Scoot now offers long-haul flights to Athens and Berlin. Credit: Getty Images

Scoot, owned by Singapore Airlines and airborne since 2012, flies from Melbourne, Sydney and Perth to over 60 destinations in Asia via its base in Singapore, and has dared to venture into long-haul flights to Athens and Berlin. Regarded as reliable, safe and clean but otherwise basic, it will suit those with youthful endurance and an eye for a bargain fare. Long stopovers might be an issue if you’re after connecting flights. See flyscoot.com

Citilink

Citilink ranks well for value and service.Credit: Getty Images

If you want to get around Indonesia, Malaysia and Singapore then this Garuda-owned airline has plenty of options, and flies to a few other Asian cities, plus Perth. It began in 2001 and is based at Jakarta and Surabaya airports. Twenty kilos of baggage are included in fares, seating is all economy, and everything else is added on. Citilink ranks well for value and service, and is rated four stars by Skytrax. See citilink.co.id

Cebu Pacific

Cebu Pacific flies to Melbourne and Sydney. Credit: Getty Images

The Philippines’ largest airline by passenger number was an early starter on Asia’s low-cost scene, launching in 1988. It flies to Melbourne and Sydney and across eastern and Southeast Asia plus Dubai, and has a large domestic network. Its jaunty yellow livery is matched by the jaunty energy of its crew – you might even expect an on-board game and prize giveaways – although service isn’t as good on the ground. Domestic flights can be plagued by delays. See cebupacificair.com

Flydubai

Flydubai flies to many cities that Emirates doesn’t service. Credit: Getty Images

Since commencing in 2009 this airline has built up a network of 125 destinations in 58 countries across Asia, Africa and Europe, and carried more than 100 million passengers. It isn’t owned by Emirates but works closely with it – you can check baggage through from Australia – and flies to many cities that Emirates doesn’t service. That and its pricing make it attractive, although Flydubai often gets brickbats for delayed departures, poor service, and tight legroom. See flydubai.com