Budget Travel - Have you flown Air Asia.

I have been transiting out of bkk, and on many occasions have flown Air Asia, a discount airline. I see others there as well, Thai, Nok Air, Bangkok airways. They seem to be cheap, you pay for eveythig once on board, seem to run late quite a bit, only by a 1/2 hour. Just have not seen discussion about them and would like to hear others comments, especially if there is a good alternative.

I've been flying Air Asia for 4 years, I think. I've never had a bad experience, though I'm sure that could happen. I've flown other low cost airlines in Asia, and can't say I've had problems with them, either.

On one flight, the CEO, Tony Fernandes was on board, and walked down the aisle, and shook hands and talked to many people. This was 3 or 4 years ago, and there were horrid check-in problems in BKK, which I mentioned to him. Very gracious.

I've even flown on Adam Air, which got shut down just a few weeks after I flew them, and the service was fine. I've flown on about 8 different Asian low cost airlines.

I am about to fly with AirAsiaX from MEL to KUL. From everything I have been told its going to be interesting, but will be happy to provide more details once i get back from this trip if you want.

I fly Thai Air Asia +-10x/year, often they depart early.
Two weeks ago was on UTH-BKK 08.35, left UTH 08.20, ETA arrival BKK 09.40 but landed 09.20, got me at Bell Bus Travel desk at 09.45 after dropping bags for the night at Chubbs to catch 10am bus to Pattaya.

I check their website regularly and mostly book promotions.
I have flights planned for December 2009, Januari 2010 and into April 2010.
For January 2010 have trip UTH-BKK-HKT return 2 pax, paid early 2009 the ridiculous amount of 2200 baht 2 bags included, you can't take the bus for that money, well hotels will be expensive on Phuket in Januari :eek:

Delays are sometimes late afternoon and early night when their tight turnaround schedule gets perturbed, I had a few and some rescheduled for 30 min to 1 h, luckily they send an sms message to my mobile.

I can't complain flying for less than petrol for my car.

I am about to fly with AirAsiaX from MEL to KUL. From everything I have been told its going to be interesting, but will be happy to provide more details once i get back from this trip if you want.

come back after you've flown it and talk about the seat pitch. I'd like to know. :)

I've flew AA from KUL to SIN and back so a total of two times. Thank god the flight is only 50 minutes or so. It's not fun to be 6'2 and in those planes. Very uncomfortable. Check in was OK. The plane was on time. The only thing i don't like is at that time (this was 2 years ago) it seems to be very hard to not pay for the insurance.. there was no box to check it off? Someone also complained about this on a different site.

No complaints here. 3 flights in 2006, 3 in 2007 and 4 in 2009. Almost all were "zero" fares or other deals. Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, Cambodia, and Vietnam. No problems, although IMO booking flights without adequate transit time is asking for trouble anywhere, let alone SEAsia.

come back after you've flown it and talk about the seat pitch. I'd like to know. :)

Fine for me.

I've flew AA from KUL to SIN and back so a total of two times. Thank god the flight is only 50 minutes or so. It's not fun to be 6'2 and in those planes.

I'm 6'2" as well and had no problems. Oh wait, even with open seating I managed to score an exit row :D :D :D

This was SIN-BKK, so a little longer, but no complaints, about five years ago or so. This was to visit friends in Thailand after scoring a $550 all in IAH-SIN fare :p

Flew Jet:-:Asia on the way back. Liked them better, as they had assigned seating.

Oh, and AA is American Airlines, kinda like AC is Air Canada.

EmailKid

I've done ~10x OOL-KUL trips and a bunch of inter-asia ones. No dramas. I always suggest buying food beforehand as it's cheaper, and I always get the munchies on flights :)

I did KUL-SIN back in May. Boarding was a bit of a mess, but sorta like any other budget airline. Sat next to a real nice gentleman. Only thing that I thought was a bit off was that there were many open seats, but had the my 3 side full. I could have moved, but there conversation was great with my seatmate. They should have spread out passengers a bit more. Seat was fine for a short flight and food/drinks were offered obv at a cost. I'd fly them again.

I have been transiting out of bkk, and on many occasions have flown Air Asia, a discount airline. I see others there as well, Thai, Nok Air, Bangkok airways. They seem to be cheap, you pay for eveythig once on board, seem to run late quite a bit, only by a 1/2 hour. Just have not seen discussion about them and would like to hear others comments, especially if there is a good alternative.

Air Asia is very good at what they are. A LCC. No complaints at all for the price. Nok Air is clearly superior on routes they share IF the price is comparable. Thai and Bangkok Airways are both very nice airlines but neither is a LCC so it is not a fair comparison to LCC's

Air Asia does have some assigned seating now. I think you can pay extra for it when booking the ticket, or they will assign it when you check in. I've never had a totally full plane (maybe 80% full was the worst). So, you can usually find something good. I had a whole row to myself my last trip CGK-BKK, last month.

It's one of the best ultra-LCCs out there IMO.

My experience also has been that they are a low-frills, good service airline. Nice FA, seats are tight, the planes aged, but my flights have been under 2 hours. They sure seem to have the passengers, very efficient.

One of the better LCCs in the world.

My experience also has been that they are a low-frills, good service airline. Nice FA, seats are tight, the planes aged, but my flights have been under 2 hours. They sure seem to have the passengers, very efficient.

They've been receiving quite a few new A320s; depends which route if you get one or not.

One of the better LCCs in the world.



They've been receiving quite a few new A320s; depends which route if you get one or not.
I saw only new A320s on the main Air Asia (AK--the one based out of Malaysia).

Thai Air Asia and Indonesian Air Asia had the older planes, including a 733 that had lots of caulking around the door (:eek: I'll post a pic when I get home! ;)). But on regular Air Asia, you're basically guaranteed a new A320.

Flew them from Bangkok to Chiang Rai and then Chiang Mai to Bangkok.

Bit late both times. Paid for Express boarding and was lucky enough to get 1c both times. Very friendly staff and there was an off duty staff member beside me who was good to talk to, she even got me some free cake. :cool:

Would be very happy to travel with them again.

One trap for new players, there is (was Nov 08) a desk at Chiang Mai airport with their signage but is totally unattended because they fly from the other terminal.

I've flown with the various Air Asias' more than 40 times.

They vary in quality Air Asia Indonesia (QZ) have a dreadful reputation for on time performance and changing the schedules at the last minute. To be fair though, since they changed the bulk of the schedule to international instead of domestic they seem to be improving.

Malaysia Air Asia (AK) are better, although they also have issues with on time performance. If I had free choice between QZ and AK flights, I would choose AK every time.

In my more limited experience, Thai Air Asia seems to be more like its Indonesian cousin that its Malaysian one.

Thai Air Asia and Indonesian Air Asia had the older planes, including a 733 that had lots of caulking around the door (:eek: I'll post a pic when I get home! ;)). But on regular Air Asia, you're basically guaranteed a new A320.

About half the Indonesia Air Asia fleet is now A320's.

I have noticed the Asian LCCs changing the baggage fees. Some charge $$$, especially if you did not pay for the extra kg prior to the airport. It seems as soon as I learn the rules, they change them. :(

Explore

there is a sale on air asia for the next few days.

there is a sale on air asia for the next few days.

The sale is actually always on everyday

I It seems as soon as I learn the rules, they change them. :(

It appears AirAsia no longer includes ticketable taxes into their quoted ticket price (it's now a seperate line item). Only a few months ago they had an easy one stop pricing.Irritating.

just received a notification that my next air asia flight has changed its schedule by 4hrs (leaving earlier). This is rather annoying as we planned to spend 24hrs in Kota Kinabalu and are now only left with one morning instead of morning and afternoon. Plus the notification came only 5 days before departure. Has happened to friends of mine as well.

I've done ~10x OOL-KUL trips and a bunch of inter-asia ones. No dramas. I always suggest buying food beforehand as it's cheaper, and I always get the munchies on flights :)

I've seen people buy pop and food on a SIN-KUL flight... What? They can't wait 45 minutes without eating or drinking?? :D

I've seen people buy pop and food on a SIN-KUL flight... What? They can't wait 45 minutes without eating or drinking?? :D

I get a bit airsick, and eating crackers or something regularly helps out with that ... but even I could probably handle 45mins :)

I've seen people buy pop and food on a SIN-KUL flight... What? They can't wait 45 minutes without eating or drinking?? :D

Instead of complaining, thank them for helping AirAsia earn some $$s.

The planes/flight experience is fine for a LCC. The schedule/cancellation snafus for Indo based flights is something to be aware of. You may not want to be scheduled on the last flight out of the day. They have canceled in the past when the load levels were too low.

Have flown AirAsia many times, and find it gets the job done. However be forewarned that when the gates open the pushing and shoving begins to get to the seats. Some pay extra but don't think it is worth it. I usually get an exit row and don't even have to rush to get it. Usually there is an FA standing in it as people board, and most Asians are too polite to ask the FA to move, I just smile and nod at the seat and they smile back and move for me.

... I just smile and nod at the seat and they smile back and move for me.

Hm,

that's some good advice :D

My one and only AirAsia flight about five years ago was fine, as I scored the exit row :)

Of course they didn't have priority seating back then, but I was the second person on the plane .... they didn't let me sit in the first row, which would have been even better, so I slummed it back in one of the two exit rows seats with infinite legroom :D

EmailKid

[QUOTE=sfo;12850456]Have flown AirAsia many times, and find it gets the job done. However be forewarned that when the gates open the pushing and shoving begins to get to the seats. Some pay extra but don't think it is worth it. I usually get an exit row and don't even have to rush to get it. QUOTE]

This doesn't really apply since they introduced allocated seating on all flights. Allocated for everybody, not just those paying extra.

Does anybody have recent (last 2 months) experience successfully purchasing from the Air Asia website using a US-based credit card? I've heard rumors this has become nearly impossible.

Does anybody have recent (last 2 months) experience successfully purchasing from the Air Asia website using a US-based credit card? I've heard rumors this has become nearly impossible.

I purchased via their site about 3 months ago with a US AMEX. AMEX first declined the charge, but I called them, then resubmitted the transaction and all went through.

FWIW, our AirAsia experience was great. Flew BKK-HAN return, took the first flight out each time to avoide delays, and all flights were on time, etc. I'd have no problem flying them again.

Does anybody have recent (last 2 months) experience successfully purchasing from the Air Asia website using a US-based credit card? I've heard rumors this has become nearly impossible.
i bought a couple of those "free" tickets last week. paid the taxes with amex with no problems.

I bought 2 tickets 2 days ago. 1st was REP-KUL second was KUL-HKT, the second one was charged in Malaysian currency for some reason but otherwise had no problem charging them to my Chase Mastercard.

Speaking of my flights I paid extra and selected the exit row 14C for both flights. Seats in first few rows were available. How is leg room in row 1? I think that for my REP-KUL flight I'd like to get off the plane as soon as possible so wondering if I should change to row 1.

Has anyone been on the REP-KUL flight, any ideas of its on time performance?

This is also going to be my first time in KUL and I'm only there for one day a Monday leaving on Tuesday morning. I really want to try to go up to Petronas tower to do the tour but since it's closed on Mondays and my Air Asia flight is at 1245pm on Tuesday morning should I even bother trying to do the 9am tour if I can get a ticket? This would mean that I would have to get back to my hotel (hotel right by central station) pick up my bags and get to KUL LCCT, check in and check a bag. How is security, check in process at KUL LCCT?

Thanks,
greendx

Speaking of my flights I paid extra and selected the exit row 14C for both flights. Seats in first few rows were available. How is leg room in row 1?

Have only flown BKK-HAN, and on the outbound we chose row 12 (exit). On the return we went with 1BC, which was muhc better. On the left side seating, row 1 is the door, so you have plenty of room. Beware 1A has the door partly in your way, so go for C if you're on your own. Next time I'd definitely choose row 1 over the exit rows further back.

I bought 2 tickets 2 days ago. 1st was REP-KUL second was KUL-HKT, the second one was charged in Malaysian currency for some reason

IIRC, AK decides what currency to charge you in based on the departing city of your flight.

The first would have been charged in USD, because (IIRC) that is AK's policy for flights departing Cambodia. (The USD seems to be basically the de facto currency of Cambodia, anyway, so that makes sense.)

The second would have been charged in MYR, because it was departing KUL.

Has anyone been on the REP-KUL flight, any ideas of its on time performance?

I did REP-KUL-HAN on AK last October. I don't recall any major issues--it was on-time and a fine flight. I planned a long (6 or 8 hours; can't remember) layover just in case. I'm almost sad the flight wasn't delayed--a long layover in the LCCT isn't too enjoyable! (There's apparently a for-fee lounge somewhere, as well as a nearby airport workers' cafeteria with good, cheap food, I wish I'd have known about.)

This is also going to be my first time in KUL and I'm only there for one day a Monday leaving on Tuesday morning. I really want to try to go up to Petronas tower to do the tour but since it's closed on Mondays and my Air Asia flight is at 1245pm on Tuesday morning should I even bother trying to do the 9am tour if I can get a ticket? This would mean that I would have to get back to my hotel (hotel right by central station) pick up my bags and get to KUL LCCT, check in and check a bag. How is security, check in process at KUL LCCT?

Keep in mind how far KUL is from KL itself. Even on the KLIA Ekspres train, it's a LONG ride out to the terminal--about a half an hour, and the train was doing about 90-100mph the whole way. I didn't do one of the buses directly to the LCCT, but it's going to be even longer than the high-speed train--I'd expect a ride of about an hour. (Although the Ekspres train departs every 15 minutes, the total time would probably be longer because of the lengthy ride around the runways to the LCCT and the lengthy and confusing transfer from the KLIA Ekspres station to the shuttle bus depot.)

Security isn't bad at the LCCT (for kastam/imigresen and security, I don't think it took more than 5-10 minutes for my KUL-HAN flight), but I wouldn't plan on cutting it that close.

And the Petronas Towers is a largely managed experience: once you've waited in line and gotten your tickets, you then are forced to sit through a Petronas Corp propaganda film (where I met another FTer!) before queuing for the elevator to the skybridge. Once on the skybridge, you're allowed a certain amount of time (around 10 minutes, IIRC) to look around before heading back down. This is all to say that you're stuck for a set time and can't just run in and "do" the towers in 10 minutes. I'd allow at least an hour from the time stamped on your tickets--and remember, you may not even get a ticket valid immediately (depending on how early you arrive in the morning to sit and wait for the ticket office to open).

If you can get on the 9am tour, you'll be done around 10 and hopefully ready for an 11am departure from Sentral (not sure what the bus schedule is). If that's the case, you'll be to the airport hopefully by noon, which is doable but tight. But that's not a lot of margin for error...