Budget airlines have transformed how we fly, but I'm not convinced they've actually made air travel better for the average person. When I compare the $49 base fare to the final price after seat selection, baggage fees, and the mandatory check-in counter charge, the savings shrink fast. On a recent domestic flight, my 'cheap' ticket cost nearly as much as a legacy carrier when everything was added up, yet I got half the legroom and no free water. Are we really better off, or are we just paying the same money for a stripped-down experience that looks affordable on the surface?