Tim Conway Takes Flight: The Carol Burnett Show’s Funniest Budget Airline Sketch

Few sketches from The Carol Burnett Show have earned such lasting admiration as “The Lowest Cost Airline You Can Imagine.” This beloved classic showcases Carol Burnett, Tim Conway, and Harvey Korman transforming the everyday chaos of bargain air travel into a flawless symphony of comedy.

Set aboard a hilariously bare-bones budget airline, the sketch takes every familiar travel frustration and cranks it up to absurdity: seats barely big enough to sit in, luggage rules that put all the responsibility on the passengers, and announcements so confusing they practically become their own punchlines. Each joke lands with perfect timing, exaggerating real-life annoyances in a way that feels both painfully relatable and irresistibly funny.

The sketch endures because it blends sharp situational humor with masterful character work. Tim Conway’s expressive physical comedy, Harvey Korman’s desperate attempts to keep his dignity intact, and Carol Burnett’s subtle, knowing reactions create a comedic chemistry that’s impossible to resist. The simple set and straightforward staging only spotlight the trio’s brilliance, proving that truly great comedy doesn’t need elaborate effects—just timing, talent, and a touch of the absurd.

All these years later, the sketch still resonates because it taps into something universal: the anxiety, confusion, and unintentional comedy that so often come with flying on the cheap. Watching Burnett and her cast battle through the airline’s ridiculous policies is both nostalgic and surprisingly timely, reminding viewers that even life’s most frustrating moments can be transformed into unforgettable laughter. For anyone who has ever endured a budget flight—or simply loves timeless television—this sketch remains a shining example of Carol Burnett’s enduring comedic genius.