Budget Airlines Singapore
Budget Airlines in Singapore, also known as Low Cost Carriers (LLCs), offer cheap flights and air tickets to customers. These low cost airlines have revolutionized the travel industry, making air travel more accessible than ever before.
The best budget airlines in Singapore for 2024 are Scoot, Jetstar, Air Asia, Cebu Pacific, and Lion Air. I’ve reviewed them based on features including legroom, seat comfort, customer service and in flight meals.
Offering competitive prices without compromising on customer experience, these airlines have become a popular choice among both local and international travellers.
In this article, I ranked and reviewed the best budget airlines in Singapore for 2024 to help you make an informed decision for cheap flights for your next adventure.
Quick Summary
- The best budget airlines in Singapore for cheap flights include Scoot, Jetstar, Air Asia, Cebu Air and Lion Air.
- These airlines offer affordable fares for flights to and from Singapore Changi Airport, catering to budget-conscious travellers.
- The best budget airlines in Singapore provide sufficient legroom, comfortable seats, good customer service and delicious in flight meals.
What Are The Best Budget Airlines In Singapore?
Here are the best budget airlines in Singapore for 2024. We have included both budget airlines based in Singapore and budget airlines operating in Singapore.
Budget Airlines Based In Singapore
1. Scoot
Scoot, a subsidiary of the prestigious Singapore Airlines, has emerged as an industry leader in the low-cost aviation market.
Known for its exceptional value, Scoot provides an economical, yet comfortable, flying experience. It operates a sizeable fleet of modern aircraft that connect Singapore with various international destinations.
With an emphasis on reliability and customer service, Scoot continually strives to ensure a memorable and pleasant journey for its passengers, making it a top choice for budget friendly flights among budget conscious travellers.
Singapore Airlines (SIA) and Scoot have entered into a codeshare agreement, enabling both airlines to offer seats on the same flights.
This strategic partnership allows for seamless travel options, enhanced convenience and cheaper flights for passengers from the two airlines of Scoot and SIA.
It also helps to be associated with a world-renowned brand like SIA that is famous for its world class service.
Key Features
| Features | Rating 1-5(5 as the highest) |
| Legroom | ★★★☆☆ |
| Seat comfort | ★★★☆☆ |
| In-flight entertainment (films, TV, WiFi) | ★★☆☆☆ |
| Onboard experience | ★★★☆☆ |
| Customer service | ★★★☆☆ |
| Value for money | ★★★★☆ |
| Check-in boarding | ★★★★☆ |
| Cleanliness | ★★★★☆ |
| Food and beverage | ★★★☆☆ |
Cities Scoot Flies To
Scoot flies to over 18 countries and 75 cities. Check them all out below:
| Country | Cities |
| Japan | Osaka, Tokyo, Sapporo (Hokkaido) |
| Vietnam | Ho Chi Minh City, Hanoi |
| Australia | Sydney, Perth, Melbourne, Gold Coast |
| China | • Kunming• Nanchang• Wuhan• Ningbao• Xi’an• Zhengzhou• Nanning• Jinan• Qingdao• Guangzhou• Nanjing• Changsha• Haikou• Wuxi/Suzhou• Hangzhou• Fuzhou• Shenyang• Tianjin |
| Germany | • Berlin |
| Greece | • Athens |
| Hoong Kong SAR, China | • Hong Kong |
| India | • Tiruchirappalli• Hyderabad• Coimbatore• Trivandrum• Amritsar• Visakhapatnam |
| Indonesia | • Denpasar• Balikpapan• Yogyakarta• Lombok• Manado• Semarang• Makassar• Palembang• Surabaya• Jakarta• Pekanbaru |
| Laos | • Vientiane• Luang Prabang |
| Macau SAR, China | • Macau |
| Malaysia | • Ipoh• Penang• Kuantan• Kota Kinabalu• Langkawi• Kuala Lumpur• Miri• Kuching |
| Philippines | • Cebu• Manila• Davao• Clark |
| Saudi Arabia | • Jeddah |
| Singapore | • Seoul• Jeju |
| Taiwan China | • Taipei• Kaohsiung |
| Thailand | • Phuket• Hat Yai• Bangkok (Suvarnabhumi)• Krabi• Chiang Mai |
Fees and Fares
Scoot Airlines applies additional fees for baggage, seat selection, ground products/special handling, inflight meals and shopping, as well as administration and booking fees.
All of these fees can differ depending on where you are going.
| Service | Fee |
| Carry-on bag | $20 for every 1kg excess weight |
| First checked bag cost | $30 |
| Travelling with pets | n/a |
| Seat selection fee | Free |
For a precise estimation of the fees required for your flight, you can refer to Scoot Airline’s comprehensive fares and fees chart (upon visiting the webpage, simply type in your country of origin and your destination).
2. Jetstar Asia
Jetstar Asia Airways, a well-renowned name in the low cost airlines industry, operates as a part of the esteemed Qantas Group.
Most of the airline’s ownership is held by Westbrook Investments Pte Ltd, a Singaporean company. Its headquarters are located in Singapore Changi Airport.
Jetstar Asia currently operates a fleet of over 18 A320 aircraft, connecting destinations across the globe while providing affordable air travel in the form of cheap flights.
Offering a blend of affordable ticket prices and commendable service, Jetstar has earned a reputation for delivering a satisfactory flying experience to its passengers as compared to other budget airlines.
Its expansive network of direct flights connects Singapore with various destinations across Asia Pacific, making it a go-to choice for budget conscious travellers seeking value for money without compromising on comfort and service.
This airline mostly travels to 22 popular tourist destinations and major cities in Southeast Asia and Northern Asia.
| Features | Rating 1-5(5 as the highest) |
| Legroom | ★★★☆☆ |
| Seat comfort | ★★★☆☆ |
| In-flight entertainment (films, TV, WiFi) | ★★☆☆☆ |
| Onboard experience | ★★☆☆☆ |
| Customer service | ★★★☆☆ |
| Value for money | ★★★★☆ |
| Check-in and boarding | ★★★★☆ |
| Cleanliness | ★★★★☆ |
| Food and beverage | ★★★☆☆ |
Cities Jetstar Flies To
Jetstar Asia flies to over 7 countries and 12 cities. Check them all out below:
| Country | Cities |
| Cambodia | • Phnom Phen |
| Indonesia | • Denpasar• Jakarta• Surabaya |
| Malaysia | • Kuala Lumpur• Penang |
| Philippines | • Angeles City• Manila |
| Singapore | • Singapore |
| Thailand | • Bangkok• Phuket |
| Vietnam | • Ho Chi Minh City |
Fees and Fares
Jetstar Asia imposes various fees such as payment fees, refund fees, refund administration fees, change fees via jetstar.com, change fees via the Jetstar Contact Centre, change fees via GDS, booking fees, ancillary fees, extra services fees and more.
The fees imposed by Jetstar can vary based on factors such as your specific circumstances, country of origin, and intended destination.
For the most accurate calculation of your air tickets, we recommend that you visit Jetstar Asia’s fees and charges section on their official website.
Best Budget Airlines Operating in Singapore
The best budget airlines operating in Singapore are Air Asia, Cebu Pacific, and Lion Air.
These low cost carriers don’t have a base in Singapore, but they operate a high volume of budget flights for both inbound and outbound travel.
Like most budget airlines, these low cost airlines that operate in Singapore offer incredibly affordable flights to various destinations in Asia.
3. Air Asia
Air Asia, also known as Capital A Berhad, is a leading Malaysian airline that specializes in providing affordable flights to popular destinations within the Asia Pacific region.
With an extensive fleet, this budget airline holds the distinction of being the largest airline in Malaysia. Air Asia is also the largest budget airline in Southeast Asia.
With flights to over 115 destinations, Air Asia currently operates domestic and international flights from Kuala Lumpur, Kuching, Johor Bahru and Langkawi via its hubs in Malaysia; as well as other regional hubs in Bangkok (Thailand), Jakarta (Indonesia), Manila (Philippines) and Taipei (Taiwan).
| Features | Rating 1-5(5 as the highest) |
| Legroom | ★★★☆☆ |
| Seat comfort | ★★★☆☆ |
| In-flight entertainment (films, TV, WiFi) | ★★☆☆☆ |
| Onboard experience | ★★★☆☆ |
| Customer service | ★★★★☆ |
| Value for money | ★★★★☆ |
| Check-in boarding | ★★★★☆ |
| Cleanliness | ★★★★☆ |
| Food and beverage | ★★★☆☆ |
Cities Air Asia Flies To
Air Asia boasts an impressive low cost flights network, servicing over 165 destinations across 25 countries.
The budget airline’s reach extends well beyond Malaysia, with destinations in places as diverse as Brunei Darussalam, Australia, China, India, Japan, and the Middle East, among others.
This wide variety is part of what makes Air Asia a popular choice for budget-conscious travelers looking for a comfortable travel experience to explore Asia and beyond.
Check them below:
| Country | Cities |
| Malaysia | • Kuala Lumpur• Penang• Johor Bahru• Kota Kinabalu• Langkawi• Kuching• Kota Bahru• Sibu• Kuala Terengganu• Miri• Tawau• Alor Setar• Sandakan• Bintulu• Ipoh• Ningbo |
| Philippines | • Manila• Cebu• Kalibo Boracay• Clark• Puerto Princesa• Davao• Tacloban• Iloilo• Tagbilaran• Caticlan Boracay |
| Australia | • Brisbane• Sydney• Perth• Melbourne• Gold Coast |
| Cambodia | • Sihanoukville• Siem Reap• Phnom Penh |
| Japan | • Tokyo Narita• Osaka• Sapporo• Tokyo• Nagoya |
| Maldives | • Male |
| South Korea | • Seoul• Incheon• Busan• Jeju |
| United States | • Honolulu |
| Thailand | • Bangkok• Phuket• Chiang Mai• Krabi• Hat Yai• Chiang Rai• Khon Kaen• Surat Thani• Udon Thani |
| Singapore | • Singapore |
| Bangladesh | • Dhaka |
| Hong Kong China | • Hong Kong |
| Laos | • Vientiane• Luang Prabang |
| Myanmar | • Yangon• Mandalay |
| Sri Lanka | • Colombo |
| Vietnam | • Ho Chi Minh City• Hanoi• Da Nang• Nha Trang |
| Indonesia | • Jakarta• Bali• Makassar• Lombok• Medan• Surabaya• Semarang• Bandung• Yogyakarta – Adi Sucipto• Pekanbaru• Palembang• Pontianak• Silangit• Banda• Aceh• Padang• Solo |
| China | • Xi’an• Shanghai• Shenzhen• Wuhan• Kunming• Chengdu• Beijing• Chongqing• Hangzhou• Guangzhou• Changsha• Nanjing• Shantou• Nanchang• Guilin• Nanning |
| Brunei Darussalam | • Brunei |
| India | • Bhubaneswar• Hyderabad• New Delhi• Chennai• Kochi• Jaipur• Kolkata• Tiruchirappalli• Amritsar• Mumbai• Bengalaru• Visakhapatnam• Chandigarh• Guwahati• Bagdogra• Srinagar• Goa• Pune• Ranchi |
| Macao China | • Macao |
| Saudi Arabia | • Jeddah |
| Taiwan | • Taipei• Kaohsiung |
Fees and Fares
Air Asia imposes charges for extra services including baggage, seat selection, infant handling, flight changes, cancellations, payment processing, and booking services.
All of these fees can differ depending on your circumstances and where you are going.
| Service | Fee |
| Carry-on bag | $25 for every 3kg excess weight |
| First checked bag cost | $60 |
| Travelling with pets | n/a |
| Seat selection fee | $7 |
To get the exact estimate of the fees you need to settle for your flight, you can check out Air Asia’s fares and charges chart.
4. Cebu Pacific
Cebu Pacific is an airline from the Philippines known as the first budget airline in Asia.
It is popular across Asia Pacific regions for its budget friendly airfares as well as high-class service.
Cebu Pacific takes its name from a renowned city in the Philippines, celebrated for its stunning beaches and captivating culture. This choice reflects the airline’s commitment to embracing the essence of this remarkable destination.
Originally named Cebu Air in 1988, the airline underwent a name change in 1996 and became Cebu Pacific.
| Features | Rating 1-5 (5 as the highest) |
| Legroom | ★★★☆☆ |
| Seat comfort | ★★★☆☆ |
| In-flight entertainment (films, TV, WiFi) | ★★☆☆☆ |
| Onboard experience | ★★★☆☆ |
| Customer service | ★★★★☆ |
| Value for money | ★★★★☆ |
| Check-in boarding | ★★★★☆ |
| Cleanliness | ★★★☆☆ |
| Food and beverage | ★★★☆☆ |
Cities Cebu Pacific Flies To
Cebu Pacific flies to over 20 countries and 69 cities. Check them all out below:
| Country | Cities |
| Australia | • Melbourne • Sydney |
| Brunei | • Bandar Seri Begawan |
| Cambodia | • Siem Reap |
| China | • Beijing, Guangzhou, Shanghai, Xiamen |
| Guam | • Guam |
| Hong Kong | • Hong Kong |
| Indonesia | • Denpasar• Jakarta |
| Japan | • Fukuoka• Nagoya• Niigata• Osaka• Tokyo |
| Kuwait | • Kuwait City |
| Macau | • Macau |
| Malaysia | • Kota Kinabalu• Kuala Lumpur |
| Philippines | • Cotabato• Tawi-tawi• Legazpi• Naga• Virac• Cauayan• Tuguegarao• Butuan• Siargao• Surigao• Tandag• Clark• Subic• Cebu• Dumaguete• Tagbilaran• Davao• Calibayog• Catarman• Tacloban• Laoag• Busuanga• Puerto Princesa• San Jose• Manila• Cagayan de Oro• Camiguin• Ozamiz• General Santos• Bacolod• Caticlan• Iloilo• Kalibo• Roxas• Dipolog• Pagadian• Zamboanga |
| Qatar | • Doha |
| Saudi Arabia | • Dammam• Riyadh |
| Singapore | • Singapore |
| South Korea | • Busan• Seoul |
| Taiwan | • Kaohsiung• Taipei |
| Thailand | • Bangkok• Phuket |
| United Arab Emirates | • Dubai• Sharjah |
| Vietnam | • Hanoi• Ho Chi Minh City |
Fees and Fares
For passengers on Cebu Pacific, exceeding the permitted baggage weight of 7kg incurs a fee ranging from $24 to $55.
Check out the price table below:
| Baggage classification | Cost |
| 20kg baggage | $24 to $29 |
| 32kg baggage | $35 to $45 |
| 42kg baggage | $45 to $55 |
With Cebu Pacific, there’s no need to fret about unexpected charges, apart from the excess baggage fee.
Rest assured that all expenses will be clearly communicated to you when you purchase your ticket. Experience peace of mind and transparency throughout your journey.
Because of its lower prices, this budget airline is considered one of the most affordable travel options that fly in and around Singapore.
5. Lion Air
Lion Air, a prominent player in the low cost airline industry in Singapore, hails from Indonesia, exhibiting a substantial presence in Southeast Asia.
Renowned for its affordable fares and broad network, Lion Air provides an economical option for travelers seeking to fly to diverse destinations at low costs without straining their pockets.
This low cost airline continues to strengthen its commitment to passenger satisfaction, prioritizing safety and service quality despite being a budget carrier.
| Features | Rating 1-5(5 as the highest) |
| Legroom | ★★★☆☆ |
| Seat comfort | ★★★☆☆ |
| In-flight entertainment (films, TV, WiFi) | ★★☆☆☆ |
| Onboard experience | ★★★☆☆ |
| Customer service | ★★★☆☆ |
| Value for money | ★★★☆☆ |
| Check-in boarding | ★★★★☆ |
| Cleanliness | ★★★☆☆ |
| Food and beverage | ★★☆☆☆ |
Cities Lion Air Flies To
Lion Air flies to over 11 countries and 30 cities. Check them below:
| Country | Cities |
| China | • Fuzhou• Wuhan |
| Indonesia | • Ambon, Maluku• Balikpapan• Banda Aceh• Bandar Lampung• Bandung• Banjarmasin• Batam• Bengkulu• Biak• Denpasar• Gorontalo• Jakarta• Jambi city• Jayapura• Kendari• Kupang• Labuan Bajo• Langgur• Makassar• Manado• Manokwari• Medan• Merauke• Padang• Palangkaraya• Palembang• Palu• Pangkai Pinang• Pekanbaru• Pontianak• Praya, Lombok• Samarinda• Semarang• Sorong• Surabaya• Surakarta• Tanjung Pandan• Tarakan• Ternate• Timika• Yogyakarta |
| Malaysia | • Kuala Lumpur• Penang |
| Saudi Arabia | • Jeddah• Medina |
| Singapore | • Singapore |
Fees and Fares
Lion Air, while being a budget airline, has certain charges for additional services. This includes fees for extra baggage, priority boarding, seat selection, and flight changes.
Baggage costs vary depending on weight and size, with a standard allowance of 7kg for cabin baggage.
Any excess baggage is charged per kg, with rates varying based on the flight route.
Other charges such as priority boarding and seat selection are optional services that passengers can avail for a more comfortable journey.
It’s recommended to check Lion Air’s official website for the most accurate and updated information on their fees and fares.
6. T’Way Air
T’Way Air, the newest contender in the budget airline market in Singapore, has its roots in South Korea.
Lauded for its competitive fares and extensive route network, T’Way Air offers an economical alternative for travelers intending to explore various destinations without placing a hefty burden on their budget.
Despite its status as a low-cost carrier, T’Way Air does not compromise on passenger comfort and safety, ensuring a satisfying and cost-effective journey for its riders.
Budget Airlines Singapore
In conclusion, the best budget airlines in Singapore offer a plethora of options for cost-effective travel.
Local low cost airlines like Scoot and Jetstar Asia are highly popular in Singapore as they offer multiple options of direct and connecting flights in and around Southeast Asia and the rest of Asia.
With other budget airlines like Air Asia, Cebu Pacific, and Lion Air in the mix, you can ensure that they offer affordable flights and a comfortable journey without stretching your wallet.
Each of these budget airlines brings something unique to the table, be it the cheapest flights, an extensive network of destinations, customer service, or value for money.
If you’re looking to plan your next family vacation, corporate retreat or overseas team building event, you can consider booking flights from any of these budget airlines in Singapore.
Therefore, whether you’re planning a business trip or a vacation (maybe to get your K-Pop fix in South Korea?), these budget airlines in Singapore have you covered, making travel accessible and affordable.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What is a cheap and good airline in Singapore?
The best cheap and good airlines in Singapore are Scoot, Jetstar, Air Asia, Cebu Pacific, and Lion Air. These airlines are budget airlines, also known as low cost airlines or low cost carriers (LCC)
What is the different between budget airlines and full airlines?
Budget airlines offer cheaper flights compared to full airlines. With the lower price of air tickets, budget airlines offer less services during the flight experience as compared to traditional airlines.
What are the cheapest months to fly in 2024?
The cheapest months to fly in 2024 is during the off-season months of January, February and November. During these months, flight fares are typically cheaper due to fewer travelers.
Is Tiger Airways still available in Singapore?
No, Tiger Airways is no longer operational in Singapore. The airline, which was one of the pioneers of budget travel in the region, was rebranded and merged into Scoot in July 2017. Since then, all Tiger Airways flights and services have been under the Scoot budget airline brand.
Is Jetstar or Scoot better?
Both Jetstar and Scoot offer competitive prices and services as budget airlines. If you prioritize more legroom and a wider assortment of in-flight entertainment and meal options, Scoot might be the better choice. However, if you are looking for cheaper add-on options like baggage and seat selections or more frequent promotional deals, Jetstar would be the airline to go for. Ultimately, the choice between Jetstar and Scoot depends on individual preferences and specific travel needs.
Which budget airlines are under Singapore Airlines?
Scoot is the budget airline and low cost airline under Singapore Airlines
