By S. Murali

IS it cool to say you love budget airlines?

No?

Well, then brand me uncool and stash me in a closet, for I must confess that I have a crush on the Tigers and Lions of the air.

Why?

Because they are cheap and they take me places. Who needs frills on a short flight?

Not convinced?

Let me give you my numbers.

I have taken more than 20 flights on budget airlines over the past few years and have NEVER had a problem.

Not a single delay. Not one piece of luggage lost. No potato chips running out on the flight. No stewardesses spilling coke on me. Nothing.

Indeed, if there are any memories, they are happy ones.

Of seats being empty next to me, allowing me room to stretch out and catch a nap.

Of counter staff agreeing to place me at the emergency exit so that I get more leg room (and save lives, if necessary).

Of new Airbuses with comfortable seats, unlike some older aircraft used by the more established airlines.

On my most recent flight, it started raining heavily just before boarding.

With no aerobridge linking airport to plane, the passengers had to brave the downpour for about 100m to reach the aircraft.

A woman in front of me immediately stared daggers at her husband, exclaiming loudly that it would be the first and last time she flew budget.

What did I do? I cheerfully accepted the umbrellas provided by Tiger Airways staff to all passengers and managed to reach the aircraft without getting too wet.

Expectations vs reality

Perhaps that is where the problems lie, in the vacant space between expectations and reality.

How can people who pay for a three-star hotel expect five-star service?

Of course, I am not belittling the genuine complaints of some passengers who have taken budget flights.

And there is clearly room for some of these airlines to improve, especially in dealing with customers.

I am sure that I would be cheesed off too if my flight were delayed or postponed without explanation.

But to simply brand budget as bad is unfair.

There are perhaps millions of passengers who have enjoyed no-frills travel on these airlines, but they are mostly silent.

Each of us has saved hundreds or thousands of dollars in the process.

That's what budget travel is about.

If you can't stand a few drops of rain, then go splash some cash on pricey tickets.

Want royal treatment? Pay a princely sum.

This article was first published in The New Paper on Dec 24, 2008.