Are Cheap Airlines More Dangerous?

On one of my first solo overseas trips, I stood at the gate in Kuala Lumpur’s sprawling airport, clutching a boarding pass for an airline I’d never heard of before booking my flight to Jakarta. Passengers crowded the departure gate, and I was genuinely nervous. Sure, I’d saved $380, but one nagging question lingered: Had I just gambled with my safety for a cheaper ticket?

After traveling to 110 countries on budget airlines across Asia, Africa, Europe and beyond, I’ve learned the answer is clear: No, I hadn’t. The delays? Absolutely. The cramped seats and chaotic boarding? You bet. But safety concerns? Never once.

To back up my experience, I talked to several travel experts to go deeper on the topic.

The reason comes down to something most travelers don’t realize: Airline safety regulations are nonnegotiable. Aviation authorities enforce identical standards regardless of ticket price.

George Novak, president and CEO of the National Air Carrier Association and former FAA attorney who has worked on aviation safety in more than 80 countries, states this clearly: “In the majority of markets, low-fare air carriers are as safe as their full-fare competition.”

In the United States, all Part 121 airlines, which cover every commercial carrier operating large aircraft on scheduled routes, operate under identical FAA rules. “There are no exceptions for size, revenue or fare structure,” Novak said.

This regulatory protection extends globally. “Even smaller air carriers in remote regions must maintain minimum safety standards,” Novak noted. “The International Civil Aviation Organization conducts rigorous safety and security audits of civil aviation authorities throughout the world.”

This is why that unfamiliar Jakarta carrier had to meet the same safety protocols as Delta or American Airlines. Budget airlines achieve lower prices through operational efficiency and service cuts. But understanding how they cut costs reveals why safety remains intact.

Budget airlines achieve lower prices through operational efficiency, not by compromising safety requirements.

“Budget airlines make their money by implementing cost-cutting measures. However, these cuts are purely cosmetic,” explains Dean Van Es, CEO of Fast Cover Travel Insurance. They pack more seats into aircraft, charge separately for bundled services and operate point-to-point routes bypassing expensive hubs.

These operational differences can affect your schedule, from delayed departures to last-minute crew changes. However, they don’t compromise safety.

Van Es reinforces this distinction: “Airlines have to follow regulatory requirements that cover everything from maintenance schedules and pilot training to safety checks. Airline regulators like the Federal Aviation Administration have strong powers that allow them to ground aircraft if they’re deemed unsafe for any reason.”

This distinction between operational inconvenience and safety risk becomes crystal clear when you examine how insurance companies evaluate budget airlines.

Insurance companies provide compelling independent evidence since their profits depend on accurately assessing risk. These companies employ experts whose entire job is spotting danger. This became clear to me when I realized I’d never been asked about airline choice across dozens of travel insurance purchases.

Chrissy Valdez, senior director of operations at Squaremouth, the largest travel insurance marketplace in the U.S., reveals something telling: “When travelers are purchasing insurance, travel insurance carriers do not inquire about which airline they are utilizing, as it is not seen as a risk factor.”

Consider what insurers do ask about: destination, travel dates, age, medical conditions, trip cost, political instability and weather risks. But the airline you choose? Not a concern.

Valdez’s claims data supports this assessment. “Year to date, we have had a total of 2,490 travel delay claims, with the majority being due to carrier delays,” she explained. Where budget carriers do appear in this data tells the real story: “Budget airlines typically experience more delays and cancellations due to their smaller aircraft fleets and fewer crew members.”

The pattern is clear: Insurance companies see budget airlines as operationally different, not safety risks.

Despite this evidence, perceptions persist. Jessica Kameko Rooks, a travel content creator who calls herself “the queen of surviving budget airlines,” explains why.

“Because budget airlines attract such a wide range of travelers from first-time flyers to those primarily focused on low-cost fares, you may encounter passengers who are less familiar with travel etiquette,” Rooks explained. “This can create a perception of a ‘rougher’ experience, but it’s not a reflection of the airline’s safety standards.”

When experiencing stripped-down service and chaotic boarding at rock-bottom prices, it’s natural to assume corners are being cut everywhere. We judge safety by what we see, but actual safety happens in maintenance hangars under strict regulatory oversight.

Here are a few of the most common fears:

Aircraft age concerns: This fear has it backward. Aviation authorities actually require more frequent inspections and stricter maintenance protocols for aging fleets. As Novak explains: “Older aircraft are subject to increased scrutiny from civil aviation authorities to ensure their ongoing airworthiness.”

Maintenance shortcuts: This assumes airlines control their maintenance schedules, which isn’t how aviation works. “A civil aviation authority will almost certainly shut down a carrier that fails to meet the minimum safety standards well before its operations endanger the flying public,” Novak emphasized. Aviation authorities set maintenance schedules, and airlines can’t change them to save money.

Pilot training: All commercial pilots must meet identical certification requirements regardless of which airline employs them. The same flight hours, simulator training, medical examinations and recurrent training apply whether you’re flying Spirit or United Airlines.

“Besides the fact that poor safety practices are simply bad business, low-fare airlines must meet the same safety standards as their larger, full-fare counterparts,” Novak concluded.

The evidence is clear. Insurers see no added risk, regulators enforce identical rules worldwide, and aviation experts confirm it. Safety compliance isn’t optional or negotiable.

“Fear of budget airlines keeps many from booking trips they otherwise could afford,” Rooks said. “Once travelers understand that ‘budget’ doesn’t equal unsafe, they realize the world is much more accessible than they thought.”

That’s why I’ll book any budget carrier anywhere I travel with peace of mind. And you can feel confident doing the same. The next time you see that $89 flight deal, book it confidently. The airline will charge you for carry-ons and make you pay for snacks, but regulations ensure they cannot compromise on what matters most. Bringing you safely to your destination.

That’s not up for negotiation at any price point.