I flew with budget airline Jetstar for the first time this summer to Singapore and back. The plane tickets were much cheaper than big airlines like Cathay, at just over $1400, but if you want to check in luggage or have a meal on board, you'll have to pay extra. I added about $100 per-way to be able to have 15kg of check in luggage allowance.
With the HKIA, most, if not all, budget airlines' check-in counters are over at terminal two. So if you're travelling with Jetstar, this means going to terminal two, checking in, and then having to go back to terminal one again. That morning, I didn't know I was supposed to check in at terminal two until I got to the airport so I had to go from terminal one, to two, then back again. I was lucky I had arrived earlier!
As for the flight itself, the plane is tiny, but that doesn't matter - it's not something that would affect your flight experience. Seats and aisles are a little tight, but not unbearable. There is no in-flight entertainment - aka TV - to speak of, so make sure you have something loaded on your phone/tablet/laptop to read or watch.
Meals are insanely expensive on board. I remember that a nasi lemak (fried rice) was SGD11, which is around HKD66! Instant noodles - just Nissan - was SGD5, so about $30 in HK currency. My friend happened to have a load of cup noodles with her to bring back for relatives in Singapore and she gave us one each, thinking that we can just an attendant to help us add hot water, but we were told that just that - giving us hot water - will cost us SGD5 each! It was ridiculous. Eventually we managed to ask another nicer flight attendant who agreed to help us, but told us 'only this time' as they're normally allowed to do this.
Despite the cup noodle debacle, I would take Jetstar again. It's quite a bit cheaper than taking regular airlines, it's not uncomfortable, and it gets me where I need to be. Food is an issue though - I'll be sure to prepare something (that doesn't require hot water) before I board next time! read more