Ode to Budget Airlines
Oh, Frontier! Everyone loves to hate you. You and your cardboard seats and tin can tray tables. You and your parceled out services and snug leg room. Everyone loves to hate your lack of amenities and your constantly changing flight times. Amongst the unpopular crowd of airline carriers, you’re the leper. Yet your flights are full every time...
Every year the airline industry conducts polls, asking the people what they want from their flight experiences. And every year, without fail, the number one thing we all want?: cheaper flights. Almost every carrier has stepped up to the challenge. Big names like United offer “basic economy” in their Friendly Skies. Southwest features stunningly inexpensive “wanna get away” deals periodically so you can Feel the Love. Then there’s Frontier. If you can pack into a small backpack, don’t mind your ass falling asleep on any flight longer than two hours, and find that price is your number one roadblock to travel, then their cheap fares are your best friend. Round trip for under $50? Turns out you can’t afford not to go!
It’s easy to hate on an airline that charges extra right down to the ice cube, but I’d like to serve up a gentle reminder that Frontier actually fills a missing gap in the American airline industry. Those of you who have traveled around Europe are familiar with the huge variety of budget airlines (RyanAir anyone?). These cheap seats get you from Point A to Point B with no frills and low fares. If seeing MORE is your mantra, then budget airlines are your best friend. From a last minute trip to meet friends at the beach, to a long weekend away I could only justify with inexpensive flights, I’ve more than once been grateful to the budget airlines of the world for making travel possible when my finances were tight.
Overall, I think the most important thing to remember when flying a low cost airline is that you get what you pay for. If you want a cushy seat, on time arrivals, and free pretzels and soda, you can easily find some of the cheaper seats on the big name airlines, where you’ll still pay for your carry on. But with a little finagling, you can make your cheap seats feel luxury. Sit on that big winter coat for added cushion. Stock up on snacks and buy a fun beverage in the airport to carry on. Challenge yourself to pack less so your items truly fit under the seat. Then put your headphones on, pick up your book, and tune out for your quick jump to anywhere-but-here. Oh, and don’t forget to smile, cuz being on a plane—even if it’s nothing fancy—is still a luxury.