What's Air Asia like?

Having left it too late to book a flight Brisbane-Bangkok prior to Christmas on our preferred mode of transport, Singapore Airlines, we were looking at paying around AUD$4,900 for a return flight for 2 adults & 1 child. Then a mate (Corvettelover on TD) booked us on Air Asia out of the Gold Coast to Bangkok via Kuala Lumpur for AUD$2,100. A huge saving ableit with a seven-hour layover in KUL on the way over.

Having never flown on a 'low-cost' airline, a few questions come to mind(apart from the obvious - Will we make it??).

Firstly, what are the in-flight facilities like? i.e. Do they feed you? Can you get a beer? Movies? Do you have to pay for food and drinks? Should we bring our own?

Secondly, has anyone ever flown into/out of KUL via the LCCT (low-cost carriers terminal) ? What's the duty-free shopping like in the LCCT? Do they have a good range of spirits & ciggies at reasonable prices?

You won't get in flight massages mate!

But the snacks and beverages and will flow freely at no cost to you.

Free movies too. It is not any different than if you had paid twice that price.

At least it was like that the last time I flew with Air Asia

you didn't get the inflight massage?

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Originally Posted by raycarey

you didn't get the inflight massage?

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Not from the flight crew...........but the wife :)

I flew by air asia last year from kl to bk very basic only snacks served I do not think they had beer I cannot remember if they had duty free at LCCT the terminal is very basic I would not like to wait there for 7 hours it is nothing like the kl terminals and 21 klms away from them and a long way out of kl

Kuala Lumpur is one hour away by a special bus from LCCT to KL Sentral, only RM9 and RM8 ( there are two rival bus companies ) They ply every half hour!!

Depending on your time of arrival, I say , have a short visit to KL. The Museum, Central Market, Chinatown is only RM5 from the KL Sentral

I have only flown within Thailand and between Singapore and Bangkok a few times with them.

Pay for everything.

No movies.

No infant seat belts and no change table in the toilets (have to change them on your seat - not much fun if the plane is full)

Apart from that they are fine :)

I have flown Air Asia many times and they are very good if you don't want to pay full price flying on Thai or Singapore airlines.

They are a no frills airline and you pay for drinks and food if you require it, so bring your own drinks with you and eat before you board.

They use all new aircraft but the seats are placed close together to make up there profits and the trick is to get an exit row seat with the extra leg room if your flying a long route but for short trips of a few hours who gives a toss.

I flew Bangkok to Xiamen in china, this was 4.5 hours and a bit too long in the cramped seats so I always grab an exit row these days.

One cant complain considering the price of the ticket but if your not happy with this you can pay double and fly Thai. :)

airasia has recently bought brand new airbuses380

Err, Umm,

Are you sure about that?

A380's are those huge big mother fokers and Singapore airlines have got the first one in the world.

Maybe your mistaken. ?

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Originally Posted by terry57

Err, Umm,

Are you sure about that?

A380's are those huge big mother fokers and Singapore airlines have got the first one in the world.

Maybe your mistaken. ?

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oooops sorry sorry my bad
just looked it up
it's the A320's

Not sure,:)
they aren't on The airbus customers orders even as an option customer.

As to Op, get what you pay for, I used them on a BKK / KL return 2 yrs ago and swore would never use them again, every cockup in the book, but if needs must I suppose I would and hope maybe they have improved.

I hate Airaaisa, another consideration, is that there is not allocated seating, get your own.

Luggage allowance?? limited i would think.

4,900 vs 2,100 -- I like them already.

It's like getting your hotels and meals paid for during your vacation.

But if the thought of being slightly uncomfortable for a few hours is worth 2,800, then take a pass.

Only flew Air Asia once BKK to Udon, 45 minutes.

For internal flights No Kair are much better, but you get what you pay for, and certainly AirAsia are good value for money.

^
agreed. for domestic flights, nok air is the best carrier IMO. partly because IME the flights are rarely sold out and there's plenty of room.

i fly very often on air asia they are a very good budget no frills airline i usually fly with them for no more than 2h or 2.5 hours to malaysia or up to chiang mai or down to phuket as said in earlier post they are quite cramped no food as such just snacks available compared to the other airlines for the same legs they are as much as half price cheaper.i flew into KL yesterday and saw 2 new much bigger aircraft for there new service air aisia X to fly from KL to europe etc i read virgins branson was involved in this venture. Hope this info helps

7 hr stopover in KL is not too bad - depending if it is a day or night stopover.
If you are from Oz I believe you can get a Visa on Arrival.
If its a day stopover and you have not been to Malaysia before might be worth getting a visa + taxi and go to Port Dickson or KL - you will get a couple of hours in either and grab a beer and see something different ! :)

I saw a marvellous ad yesterday for 1-2-go, advertising one-way tickets to Phuket.

masters at avertising these people....

You need to get out of the Air Asia terminal in KL. It's basically a bus shed with a few seats and thousands of people milling around, but with only seven hours stop over you'll be struggling. 45 minutes immigration and bags. an hour and a half for the bus to KL and the same back doesn't leave a lot of time. You could always nip over to the main airport terminal for a look around.

I know its an Hour +half by bus , Thats why I suggested taxi @45 mins.
My brother did it last week on his way here and really enjoyed the break !
Cheers

The other alternative is " Tiger Airways".

Much the same as " Air Asia " but you can book seats with extra leg room for $25.

Well worth it and I'm saving 50% 0n an airfare from Perth to Singapore.

The trick is to pay the extra $25 for the extra leg room and its like being in business class.

Heres the big tip on there A320 aircraft.

Seat row # 13 is the best on the plane as it reclines and is in the exit row with excellent leg room and you can book it on the Internet.

Trust me punters as I fly these planes every 8 weeks.:)

Cheers

^You're a pilot Terry. Crikeys no wonder Tiger are offering cheap fares.

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Originally Posted by JoGeAr

What's Air Asia like?

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OK. Cheap, don't crash (yet), and you get to meet new friends with no seat number assignments.

Got to tell you beggars,

I should be the friggin pilot as I fly so often, but I like it down the back as I can chat up the lovely lookin crumpet Air hostey's.

Not that I score, but they have to pretend that they like me or I'll dob them into the pilot for being unsociable like. :)

Foking good being me beggars. :frog:

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Originally Posted by terry57

Not that I score, but they have to pretend that they like me or I'll dob them into the pilot for being unsociable like.

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Besides you have those annoying "Customer Satisfaction" surveys they always give you to put complaints in writing. Ever notice when things get really botched up they never offer you one!:confused:

^

yes, especially when I ask for a pen and they tell me to fok off. :)

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Originally Posted by Texpat

But if the thought of being slightly uncomfortable for a few hours is worth 2,800, then take a pass.

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if it was only a matter of comfort it would be a no brainer, wouldnt it!?

but add to that the number of times low budget airlines are deplayed, in fact the last 3 footy trips I've done, the blokes have been delayed minimum 2 hours in airport and up to 7 hours ( ie not returning till after midnight on a sunday evening, work the next day )

if time is not critical, that's ok then. but if it is.... beware.

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Originally Posted by kingwilly

delayed minimum 2 hours in airport and up to 7 hours

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KW... Air Asia?

^ ya got it in one, but i dont bother with those pricks !

Thanks for all the input, both positive and negative (Thanks KW!!). As I said, this is the first time on a budget airline for me and not sure of the procedures. I worked for an QANTAS for 12 years (back in the days when it was an international airline only) and have travelled extensively, especially around Asia but that was always on recognised carriers (at severely discounted prices :)). Airlines like Garuda, Biman and Indian Airlines were always a no-no, but now that I'm on a disability pension, I don't have much choice price-wise.

Anyway, back on topic.B asiclly, sightseeing is out as we arrive KUL at 0105am and depart for BKK at 0750am. Not gonna be a lot of fun as we're travelling with our four-year-old son. Mind you he loves airports and aircraft so he'll probably have a ball while Mummy and Daddy are gonna be absolutely knackered. At least we're not on a tight schedule and will be in LOS for two months (and may need that time to recuperate!!).

Well, if all goes to plan, we'll be arriving at 0855am Monday 3rd December and heading straight down to Bangsaen. Might have a bit of cleaning to do as the house has been locked up for 14 months. The wife's brother and his wife kept an eye on the place while we were away, watered the plants, collected the mail, paid the bills etc., so at least everything is still there. Didn't give them the keys to the house, though !!

The wife will be taking our son up to Nakhon Phanom to see the family for a fair bit of the time, so I can see that I'll be forced to venture down to Pattaya on the odd occasion. May catch up with a few of you for a drink or nine !! I will definitely be in Pattaya over Christmas as my brother is booked in at Shagwell Mansions (love that name) for two weeks from 21st December.

I've just priced Air Asia and Thai Air for return flights, Bangkok / Phuket. Air Asia are 3,443THB including tax per adult. They will also charge my one mth old baby 632THB for the priviledge of flying with them. Thai Airways will cost 4,140 THB inclusive and children under two are free. There is not much in it for domestic flights and I know who I'd rather fly with. Certainly not the red penis.

For flying around Asia I suggest you give Tiger Airways a crack as an alternative to Air Asia.

I fly with them regularly from Perth to Singapore and then Singapore to Bangkok.

Never had a delayed flight yet, the value is excellent especially if you are flexible with your dates and can book well ahead of departure.

All new A320 planes with no frills, hence the price.

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Originally Posted by sledge

I've just priced Air Asia and Thai Air for return flights, Bangkok / Phuket. Air Asia are 3,443THB including tax per adult. They will also charge my one mth old baby 632THB for the priviledge of flying with them. Thai Airways will cost 4,140 THB inclusive and children under two are free. There is not much in it for domestic flights and I know who I'd rather fly with. Certainly not the red penis.

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Did you price up Nok Air as well (basically Thai, but with cheekier air hostesses)?

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Originally Posted by Marmite the Dog

Did you price up Nok Air as well (basically Thai, but with cheekier air hostesses)?

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Shit, I just looked on the net. 2,180 THB inclusive of taxes. The other prices were for May when I plan on going but Nok Air wouldn't search that far a head so threw in Feb for travel date. What's their crash landing record like?
I do like cheeky girls especially in short skirts showing off a little cheek.

Having flown Air Asia return from Bangkok to Kuala Lumpur, and also mostly within Thailand, I would say it is of good value.

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Originally Posted by sledge

What's their crash landing record like?

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They haven't yet.

Basically, they're the same airline as Thai, they even code share. You can choose your seat online too.

I just flew with AirAsia from the Gold Coast to KUL last week,and thought they were o.k.It is definately a budget airline,but for $490.00 return to KUL,you cant complain.
The fare itself was around $470 including taxes,but they charge you $7 for your bag up to 15kg,$7 for a meal.If you want a blanket and pillow - another $7. No inflight entertainment,but I just loaded up a few movies on my ipod & that got me through.
Also on the morning flight I took , there was was a reasonable connection (3hrs) to BKK

I've heard horror stories about delayed AirAsia flights, but I've never had a problem with 'em.

ditto, usually arrive within minutes of schedule...two days to reconfirm that...