Backpacking through Southeast Asia? Here are several budget airlines offering cheaper flights within the the region.
More about SE Asia: 5 Websites about SE Asia | How to Pack for Southeast Asia
Air Asia – One of the larger airlines, Air Asia, is the first place I check for budget deals. They fly both domestically within countries and internationally between Asian countries and even to Australia. I’ve found their prices (at least within Thailand) to be consistently the lowest and they run regular promotions offering even cheaper flights.
As with most budget airlines, you need to pay for ‘extras’ like food and even seat assignment, but this usually isn’t an issue and their baggage fees are low. My only real gripe with Air Asia is that their website is difficult and annoying. When booking flights it’s often slow and can take a couple times to go through. You also need to be careful to uncheck all the little boxes for insurance/meals/seats/etc. that tack on fees and are automatically checked as you go through the booking process.
Jet Star – The budget airline from Qantas Airlines, Australia’s main carrier, Jetstar operates flights through the Asia Pacific with focuses on Australia, New Zealand Japan and Vietnam. The also have a major hub in Singapore so, for example, while there are few flights direct from Bangkok, you could fly from Bangkok to Singapore and then on to a number of destinations.
Nok Air – Nok Air is Thailand’s budget airline and answer/competition to Air Asia. It flies mainly within Thailand with a couple international routes to Laos and Myanmar. Prices tend to be slightly higher than Air Asia but a snack and baggage allowance is included. They also run regular promotions and deals to certain destinations tht are worth keeping an eye on.
Tiger Air – Based out of Singapore, Tiger Air operates flights to 50 destinations across 14 countries in Southeast Asia, as well as China, Japan, Korea and Australia. I haven’t used them before since I’ve never been to Singapore and most of the flights are either to or from the country and not in-between cities in other countries, i.e. I can fly from Chiang Mai to Singapore on Tiger Air but not Chiang Mai to Bangkok, but I appreciate that they clearly list all their extra fees and charges.
Have you flown with any of these budget airlines in Southeast Asia? What did you think?