International Journal of Tourism and Hospitality in Asia Pasific
Vol 8, No 3 (2025): October 2025

Understanding Customer Satisfaction in Budget Airlines: A Malaysian Case Study

Lay Hong Tan (Universiti Sains Malaysia, Jalan Sg Dua, 11800 Minden, Pulau Pinang, Malaysia)
Choon Ling Sim (Universiti Sains Malaysia, Jalan Sg Dua, 11800 Minden, Pulau Pinang, Malaysia)
Jia Hui Tan (Universiti Sains Malaysia, Jalan Sg Dua, 11800 Minden, Pulau Pinang, Malaysia)
Jing Hui Tan (Universiti Sains Malaysia, Jalan Sg Dua, 11800 Minden, Pulau Pinang, Malaysia)
Ke Rou Tan (Universiti Sains Malaysia, Jalan Sg Dua, 11800 Minden, Pulau Pinang, Malaysia)
Qiu Yu Tan (Universiti Sains Malaysia, Jalan Sg Dua, 11800 Minden, Pulau Pinang, Malaysia)
Shi Wei Tan (Universiti Sains Malaysia, Jalan Sg Dua, 11800 Minden, Pulau Pinang, Malaysia)
A. J. Ali (Universiti Sains Malaysia, Jalan Sg Dua, 11800 Minden, Pulau Pinang, Malaysia)
Daisy Mui Hung Kee (Universiti Sains Malaysia, Jalan Sg Dua, 11800 Minden, Pulau Pinang, Malaysia)



Article Info

Publish Date
20 Oct 2025

Abstract

Customer satisfaction is a crucial determinant of brand loyalty and long-term success in the competitive airline industry. Low-cost carriers, in particular, must continually enhance service quality to maintain customer trust and market advantage. This study aims to examine the factors influencing customer satisfaction among passengers of low-cost airlines in Malaysia. A quantitative research design was employed using an online questionnaire distributed via social media to frequent travelers, resulting in 150 valid responses. Data were analyzed using regression analysis, with customer satisfaction as the dependent variable and perceived convenience, perceived benefits, perceived security and privacy, and perceived trust as independent variables. The results show that perceived convenience (? = 0.110), perceived security and privacy (? = 0.210), and perceived trust (? = 0.334) have positive and significant effects on customer satisfaction, while perceived benefits (? = –0.026) show a minor negative relationship. The model explains 26.5% of the variance in customer satisfaction and is statistically significant (F = 14.555, Durbin-Watson = 1.825). These findings highlight the importance of building customer trust, ensuring transaction security, and enhancing convenience to strengthen satisfaction and loyalty. The results provide practical insights for low-cost airlines to improve service quality and sustain competitiveness in Malaysia’s aviation market.

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Journal Info

Abbrev

IJTHAP

Publisher

Subject

Humanities

Description

IJTHAP aims to enhance theoretical development in the field of hospitality and tourism. In order to promote those innovations and fresh ideas, the journal alsso accepts conceptual research, book review, as well as essays of experience belongs to hospitality practitioners. The mission of IJTHAP is to ...