Keeping Your Sanity on Budget Airlines

Flying on budget airlines can save you plenty of money, but can make you want to rip your hair out from all the extra fees and nonsense that go along with it. In my years of being a budget traveler, I’ve flown Ryanair in Europe, JetStar in Australia and Asia, AirAsia in Asia and Spirit in the United States.

Each budget airline has their own set of rules that can make you want to shout obscenities at the airline counter, but if you come prepared, you can avoid the hassle and focus on how much money you’re saving.

Tips for Flying Budget Airlines

Research the Fees

I’m constantly surprised by how many people don’t know what the fees are when they book. Odds are that they’ll double by the time you get to the airport, so buy your bag ahead of time and make sure your boarding pass is printed off.

This applies to all checked bags for budget airlines, typically starting at $25 per bag until the day of your flight, but a few airlines even charge you for carry-ons. Read the fine print!

Pack Light

Most of the time, if you pack carry-on only, you won’t have to deal with fees or extra charges. This isn’t always possible if you’re going on a long-haul flight, but remember that budget airlines typically have smaller dimensions for baggage than your standard carriers.

Make sure you’ve measured the dimensions, as you may be forced to place it in the slot to ensure that it’s small enough or face extra charges.

But Put Up A Good Fight

Sometimes you’ll have an airline that just wants to get money out of you, assuming you don’t know any better. When I was told I would need to pay $50 for what I thought was a carry-on-sized bag for JetStar from Sydney to Melbourne, I was livid.

Then the man at the check-in counter told me that the lady at the front was getting a commission to make me check my bag and that it was fine. He said that if I went ahead and was the first one on the plane, it wouldn’t be a problem. The worst-case scenario was that I’d have to gate-check it.

Thankfully, I heeded his advice and came prepared the next time I flew with them a few weeks later by pre-purchasing a checked bag. Don’t hesitate to argue with the people about the dimensions of your bag if you honestly think they’re scamming you.

Bring Everything You Need

Budget airlines give you nothing for free. So if you’re going to want food or movies or a blanket, you’re better off bringing it yourself. Otherwise, you’ll be starving and fork over $7 for a can of Pringles. I recommend picking up at least a few snacks before you get to the airport, as well as a bottle of water.

If you’re flying for longer, bring a scarf as a blanket substitute and earplugs and an eye mask. And since most won’t include entertainment consoles, you’ll want to bring a book or your laptop to watch movies.

Get There Early

Flying with budget airlines is like running a race. Get there early to stretch. Most budget carriers don’t open their desks until two hours before the flight, so there is a mad dash to check in at once. Companies like Ryanair also don’t offer seat assignments without paying extra, so seats are first come first served, as is space in the overhead bins. Don’t be afraid to fight to keep your spot, either, as you know everyone else will be equally aggressive.

Locate the Airport

Budget airlines also fly in and out of airports that may not be the main ones, like London’s Stansted, Munich’s Memmingen, Melbourne’s Avalon, or Bangkok’s Don Mueang. I’ve had some frustrating experiences when I learned how far I still was from the city center. Look up ground transportation in advance, so you’ll know if there’s a bus or if you’ll be taking an $80 taxi.

What are your tips for surviving budget airlines?