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Title: The Low-Cost, Budget Airlines We Actually Fly
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Blog Entry: On the heels of the news that Reader’s Choice Award-winning airline JAL is launching a budget airline in 2020—sure to be up to JAL’s top-notch standards—we thought about all the horror stories we hear (and have experienced for ourselves) on budget airlines. And then we thought, but what about the cheap airlines we actually like? Well, here they are: the eight airlines that’ll get you from A to B in a cost-effective way—if you play the fee game right, that is. This list is by no means exhaustive—and it’s a little subjective—but we like to think it’s the cold hard truth of what you sacrifice to fly on a dime. Shanghai to Taipei flights Where to Fly: The airline flies hundreds of flights daily around the continental U.S. (and will soon be adding flights to Hawaii!). Plus, there are flights to the Caribbean and Central America to choose from. Fee Decoder: Southwest may be one of the only almost fee-free low-cost airlines. You won’t be charged for changing your flight, you just have to pay the difference in fare. There’s no cancellation fee either; instead, the cost of your flight will just come back to you as future flight credit. Something you will have to pay for? Stronger drinks, as wine and liquor are about $7. Since there are no assigned seats—it’s first come, first served—you don’t have to pay for that either. (And yes, that means exit rows are free for all and a free-for-all.) Bag Check: Your first two checked bags are free. Most traditional carriers can’t even say that. Carry-ons, including an overhead-bin bag and a personal item, are free as well. Keep Me Busy: Most Southwest planes don’t have seat-back entertainment, so be sure to bring your own device. (If you want to watch movies or TV on your phone, make sure to download the Airtime Player app before your flight.) You can stream free live TV, as well as free on-demand TV shows, on your own device. Movies are all $5, and Wi-Fi access is $8. Happiness Spectrum: Some people find the Southwest boarding process a cattle call: you’re assigned a group letter and individual number, based on how quickly you check in 24 hours before departure. I don’t mind it though, because it keeps people from bunching up at the gate. I find the flight attendants and staff to be helpful and friendly, and it’s the one airline where I usually end up talking to my fellow passengers—on purpose.