Here's Richard Quest's quick take on his round-the-world trip on budget airlines, with photos from the field. At 40 minutes, Easyjet was the shortest flight. There was no Wi-Fi or recline on seats. It's faithful to the original low-cost model with some frills for business. A solid product.
Easyjet: London to Brussels: ($24.15) —
Here's Richard Quest's quick take on his round-the-world trip on budget airlines, with photos from the field. At 40 minutes, Easyjet was the shortest flight. There was no Wi-Fi or recline on seats. It's faithful to the original low-cost model with some frills for business. A solid product.
CNN
Quickest turnaround, but brutal boarding process. No seat-back pocket and the safety card is laminated on the seat. The crew sells lottery cards. Non-EU citizens can't use the app for boarding passes.
Ryanair: Brussels to Prague ($25.59) —
Quickest turnaround, but brutal boarding process. No seat-back pocket and the safety card is laminated on the seat. The crew sells lottery cards. Non-EU citizens can't use the app for boarding passes.
CNN
We got a free meal on a five-hour flight -- a flagrant breach of the low-cost model! Has a business section and seat-back video. No app.
FlyDubai: Prague to Dubai ($183.11) —
We got a free meal on a five-hour flight -- a flagrant breach of the low-cost model! Has a business section and seat-back video. No app.
CNN
The flight was from Sharjah Airport. Air Arabia is faithful to the low-cost model. You pay for everything on board.
Air Arabia: Dubai to Colombo ($120.58) —
The flight was from Sharjah Airport. Air Arabia is faithful to the low-cost model. You pay for everything on board.
CNN
The original Asia low-cost airline and stays true to the model. No credit cards are accepted on board. There is no alcohol for religious reasons, although AirAsia X serves it. Carries adverts on overhead bins.
AirAsia: Colombo to Singapore ($121.98) —
The original Asia low-cost airline and stays true to the model. No credit cards are accepted on board. There is no alcohol for religious reasons, although AirAsia X serves it. Carries adverts on overhead bins.
CNN
Uses new 787 Dreamliner, with business section, seat-back video and proper seat power. Crew go out of their way to show what they call Scootitude -- dancing in the aisles and handing out chocolate and masks to children.
Scoot: Singapore to Sydney ($230.98) —
Uses new 787 Dreamliner, with business section, seat-back video and proper seat power. Crew go out of their way to show what they call Scootitude -- dancing in the aisles and handing out chocolate and masks to children.
CNN
This was the longest flight: eight hours, 56 minutes. Plane was a new 787 with leather, powered seats, business section and seat-back video. Jetstar has the best paid-for amenity kit. Clean, efficient flight.
Jetstar: Sydney to Honolulu ($348.49) —
This was the longest flight: eight hours, 56 minutes. Plane was a new 787 with leather, powered seats, business section and seat-back video. Jetstar has the best paid-for amenity kit. Clean, efficient flight.
CNN
This was the oldest plane (a 24-year-old 757) with a dated interior. There are no hot drinks and no meals -- but it's cheap.
Allegiant: Honolulu to Los Angeles ($365.75) —
This was the oldest plane (a 24-year-old 757) with a dated interior. There are no hot drinks and no meals -- but it's cheap.
CNN
JetBlue has the best food and the most freebies: Wi-Fi, basic TV and a snack zone. It has the most legroom in a standard seat (32-inch pitch). Planes feature business section, seat-back video and proper seat power.
JetBlue: Los Angeles to New York ($482.10) —
JetBlue has the best food and the most freebies: Wi-Fi, basic TV and a snack zone. It has the most legroom in a standard seat (32-inch pitch). Planes feature business section, seat-back video and proper seat power.
CNN
This was the newest plane: a two-week-old 787-9 with business section, seat-back video and proper seat power. Norwegian's a pioneer in long-haul low-cost flights.
Norwegian: New York to London ($442.20) —
This was the newest plane: a two-week-old 787-9 with business section, seat-back video and proper seat power. Norwegian's a pioneer in long-haul low-cost flights.
CNN