Travelling, anyone?

Low cost carriers with cheap airfares have made air travel more accessible these days. With the dollars saved, one can visit more places.

If you are not fussy and are prepared to endure some discomfort in return for cheaper fares than the more expensive full-service flights, then travelling on no-frills flights shouldn't be a problem.

What can you expect from a low-cost carrier flight?

You can get some good bargains with airfares and hotel accomodation combined when offers crop up every now and then, online. However, children above the age of two have to pay adult fares.

Online bookings are straightforward and convenient. With a no-frills flight, it means that you pay for the basic airfare and the airport tax. You need to pay extra if you have baggage to check in and if you wish to reserve a seat, you have to pay for that privilege. Otherwise you sit where you are assigned when you check in and more often than not, it will be right at the back of the plane, near the toilets. Meals on board can also be pre-ordered online, or you can choose to purchase inflight.

In Malaysia, the discomfort is having to walk under the hot sun to board your aircraft or when it rains, you are likely to get wet, even though umbrellas are provided. The aircraft also has comparatively less leg room so those who are tall and have long legs will find it very cramped and uncomfortable, especially if the flight is more than two hours' duration.

However, as everyone knows, you get what you pay for.

There is healthy competition among aircraft carriers and the traveller gets to choose whichever suits his budget and travel schedule. Sometimes flights are timed at unearthly hours, so it is up to you. You can mix and match, using different carriers.

Bon voyage!