Budget airlines have transformed short-haul travel in Southeast Asia, but at what cost to passenger comfort? On a recent AirAsia flight from Bangkok to Hanoi, I paid extra for legroom yet still felt cramped in a seat that barely reclined. The cheap fare is tempting, but when you add baggage, seat selection, and meals, the price difference with full-service carriers narrows significantly. Is the no-frills model genuinely better for travelers, or are we just fooling ourselves with low base fares? I'm curious how others weigh price versus basic decency on a four-hour flight.