Air asia

[bob85]

Looking at booking my next trip to Thailand and seems Air Asia is going to be my cheapest option. Flying Perth to Bangkok via KL for just over $500.

This seems really cheap. I'm wondering if anyone else has flown with them and can tell me what it's like?

Charge extra for baggage, food, meals etc?

Smaller seats or anything than competitors?

 

Any feedback would be appreciated!

[Buzzy]

I have flown with air asia several times and have enjoyed all my flts. If you check their website you will see they now charge for baggage and on top of that they weigh your carry on and charge if it's over weight. I think the carry on limit weight is 15 lbs. My bag was under the 15 lbs but my mates was over. It took a little talking and smiling but they let him on with his carry on bag being over weight and did not charge him and the bag was almost 30 lbs. Have a great day.

 

Jon

[CoopsWA]

Ive travelled to bkk vi Air Asia a few times and again this week coming.

 

If you understand the deal then you can make it work.

 

Also they now do transit for bkk instead of having t

[Big Casino]

Ive used them for local flights internal and to Vietnam however you need to go through the full booking process to see the cost as they do add on luggage, cost for pr booking seats and sometimes meals.

 

Big Casino

[SeaEmDee]

I have used Air Asia for flights within South East Asia on my last two trips! Even though my employer pays for all travel expenses it is good to have low rates for the short hops, this means that if there are reasonable business class fares for the long hauls I am allowed to book them.

 

What has been said about going through the entire booking process before getting the exact rate is correct however if you have your details stored online with them through a user name and log in it makes the process a little quicker.

 

Yes they charge extra for baggage and meals but if you compare the rate you will get to a mainstream airline Air Asia should and will be cheaper especially if they have promotional fares available. You are also able to reserve the seat you want at additional cost, I always go for the exit row, as I am about 6 foot 4 inches the extra leg room is rely nice to have even though you are not able to recline the seat.

 

I have booked the premium class once for a flight from Seoul to Kuala Lumpur as it was an overnight flight, price was ok, seats were very good with full flat recline. I have check this option for flights from London and Paris but find it to be a little expensive when comparing it to mainstream airlines from an Airport closer to where I live. This is probably due to to the rates for Airport taxes and security that have to be paired locally. for a longer flight I would always check into this option.

 

One draw back can be the carry on allowance of one bag per person of 7kg maximum. I have taken about 10 flights so far with Air Asia and only had my carry on checked once before boarding. I would believe if the flight was full they would be more likely to check. Low cost airlines have reduced all costs in the equation however one cost all airlines share is the fuel. The more weight the more fuel they need to get from A to B. It might seem trivial but after all the flights throughout one year I am sure this would add up.

 

Up to now I have had no issues with Air Asia and will continue to use them in future. It is no frills flying, but it works just like they say it will. I haven't experienced long delays yet nothing more that 10-15 mins. The last two delays caused by a passenger coming late and the other due to congestion at the runway having to wait for about 5 planes to start before we could take off.

 

The Air Asia hub in KL is quite the place, tons of people, tons of flights, you may have to walk quite a distance outside under cover to your plane but it's still well done in my opinion. The staff at all locations I have been to are friendly and helpful. I would just suggest you use the online check in or the automated check in terminals at the airport if they have them and then go to a bag drop off counter to check in your baggage, usually I allow about 2 hours before departure as I have baggage, if you don't you can allow less time.

 

There is also an Air Asia iPhone app that is quite handy for checking flight status, mobile check in, booking flights etc.

 

Hope this helps

Edited April 4, 2011 by hatcher

[GoldCoastJon]

I've flown with them a couple of times from the Gold Coast to KL and then on to BKK. Flights were always on time and the service good considering it's a basic low cost airline. The seats are small and if you have a large arse then it maybe a squeeze. The price will start to go up considerably when you start buying pre paid meals, choosing your seat, adding baggage allowance. The sneaky buggers also have insurance included when you book online, to cancel this option you have to un select it or you will be charged for it.

 

If the price is right i'd go for it!

 

Cheers

Jon

[Gone with the wind]

I've never had a problem with them and enjoy the savings.

You get what you pay for and I've paid as low as $270 return from Melb, but usually around $500.

The seats are small so hope for some vacant seats around you that you can claim for some extra room.

Also, look at Optiontown for cheap flatbed seats.

[bigbird]

Ive flown with air asia many times now and without a doubt they are the best low cost airline out there.

clean modern aircraft, on time and the hottest hosties around. as for baggage yes 7kg is max carryon but you can also

take a laptop bag as well. so seeing as my laptop is small fill the lappy bag with clothes as well and you can get

14 kg in hand luggage no problems also try the premium bed seat back to perth on the redeye from KL

[andyaus]

Looking at booking my next trip to Thailand and seems Air Asia is going to be my cheapest option. Flying Perth to Bangkok via KL for just over $500.

This seems really cheap. I'm wondering if anyone else has flown with them and can tell me what it's like?

Charge extra for baggage, food, meals etc?

Smaller seats or anything than competitors?

 

Any feedback would be appreciated!

 

They have "specials" on Friday afternoon. Once you get the price then ring the Jetstar phone lines and get a price on the same fares....Once you get that they will confirm the price and then take 10% off..

 

I got my last trip down to $420 inc taxes from Perth to BKK

 

Watch out for a cheap price one way and an inflated return price. You can book singles and shop each price. By the time I had finished I had 4 different prices and

had them combined on one itinerary. This is important for luggage transit through Singapore.

[Scumbag]

14 kg in hand luggage no problems

Don't count on getting that all the time. I have been on flights where they have been strict on hand luggage.

 

I posted in another thread that Air Asia will now check through your luggage at KL. No need to go through immigration there any more.

[GoldCoastJon]

I'm looking at them for my next trip in July. Prices aren't that good at that time, while i recommend them because they are low cost, i'm finding that for a couple hundred more I can fly direct with Thai and not worry about the stop over in KL.

[philkrenshaw]

I flew Air Asia from Bangkok to Hong Kong. Even with all the tiny charges (checking bags, choosing seat, etc.) it ended up about half the cost of flying on any other airline. I would use them again.

[LRanger]

Have flown AA a few times from Mel-KL-BKK all pretty good. Book the cheapest ticket and see the "optiontown" page on AA to

buy an upgrade for $150, well worth it i think.

[Atlantic]

Air Asia is great value. I often use them to fly from BKK to Phuket and return with my GF.

 

I would use them to fly anywhere. Its best to do it all on line and get the seat you want and the baggage extra you want. You can even book your meal (if you want one ) on line.

If you want wider seats they have 'Red' ones available(they dont cost much extra) but the standard seats are fine for me.

 

The basic cost to Phuket three weeks ago was only 750bht each way with baggage it cost about 1000bht(2000bht return) Considering BKK Airlines were charging 3700 return same sort f schedule its an absolute bargin.

 

Planes are modern and staff smart well trained. Its agood budget airline.

[ringadingding]

Mate. I understand using Air Asia for cheaper fares, but I end up wasting lots of time from Melbourne when using them. So, I prefer to use Jetstar which is direct form Melbourne, timing is perfect as it gets me to BKK at 8:45 PM and it costed me $500 when I booked for May on Friday using Friday Frenzy.

[crossfield]

I rate Air Asia as good as Virgin Blue in Australia..... no problems at all and use them when I can

[LRanger]

Also consider getting yourself a Jetstar Mastercard - Platinum. It is amazing how often they send me a $200

voucher, so then you can fly direct to BKK without stuffing around with the stop in KL on AA. On this last

April trip I had already bought a promo price ticket on Jetstar Mel-BKK then only $275 less the voucher so

$75 to upgrade to Starclass - nice start to the trip for sure.

 

Always compare the prices as AA aren't that cheap now, I even flew Emirates out of Sydney to BKK at NYE cheaper

than AA or Jetstar.

 

I like the idea of screwing Jetstar on their price guarantee. It has to be same direct route and on same day

though, eg like Mel-Singapore,where the JS depart time is far better than the 3.30am shocker on Emirates.

[biggles]

I have been flying with them for years now and no problems. I fly gold coast to KL then on to either BKK or Clark. One tip added to the above, if you book your flights as two separate journeys (perhaps trying to get a cheaper fare on one leg of the trip) then you have to pick up your luggage, go thru immigration and customs, leave the airport, and check in again... If you book the trip as on one itinerary then you can check your luggage in at the starting point and it will be transferred to the other flight. You also exit thru the transit door at KL LCCT straight into the depature area, no immigration or customs.

[Gone with the wind]

I have been flying with them for years now and no problems. I fly gold coast to KL then on to either BKK or Clark. One tip added to the above, if you book your flights as two separate journeys (perhaps trying to get a cheaper fare on one leg of the trip) then you have to pick up your luggage, go thru immigration and customs, leave the airport, and check in again... If you book the trip as on one itinerary then you can check your luggage in at the starting point and it will be transferred to the other flight. You also exit thru the transit door at KL LCCT straight into the depature area, no immigration or customs.

 

This is a great added improvement. The LCCT is a bit of a shambles so avoiding immigration and check in is a bonus.

[yankee99]

Although i have never flown them. My booking problems that i have a very hard time finding the promotional fare both ways. I have gotten the email and within seconds started searching only to find 1/2 the fare available...

[kopite]

How soon should I turn up to check my luggage in? I have 3 flights over the next few weeks with them and have already done self check in online for all 3. How soon do I need to turn up to actually check my luggage in and go to gate?

 

The itinerary slip I printed out says counter closes 45 mins before take off so would an hour and half do it?

 

Cheers

[ippyboy]

I'm flying with them in 2 mths, One trip to phuket years ago, I flew jetstar to singapore then air asia for the first time, got one beer on the jetstar flight then when I asked for another got a filthy look and when she finally got it was told jetstars one drink policy, fuck me it was a 6 hr flight, got onto the airaisa flight and they couldn't get my drinks fast enough, yer I have to transit in KL, but it's only a couple of hours, and hell I had to spent nearly a day before in airports, Can't wait Thailand I miss you.

[philkrenshaw]

How soon should I turn up to check my luggage in? I have 3 flights over the next few weeks with them and have already done self check in online for all 3. How soon do I need to turn up to actually check my luggage in and go to gate?

 

The itinerary slip I printed out says counter closes 45 mins before take off so would an hour and half do it?

 

Cheers

Last year I flew Air Asia from Bangkok to Hong Kong. It was a 6 AM flight so I figured the airport wouldn't be too crowded. I was wrong. I got there and Air Asia had a LOOOOOONG line for checking in. I barely made my flight before the door closed. I'm not sure on line checkin would save any time, since I didn't see anywhere for checking bags besides at the counter for all the people who are also getting their boarding pass. I'd suggest 2 hours early to be sure. I'm not sure how it will be at other airports besides Bangkok. I think the line moved slowly because Air Asia did not have many people working at the counter. If they are doing that to save money, I'd expect the same problem at other airports.

[Gone with the wind]

How soon should I turn up to check my luggage in? I have 3 flights over the next few weeks with them and have already done self check in online for all 3. How soon do I need to turn up to actually check my luggage in and go to gate?

 

The itinerary slip I printed out says counter closes 45 mins before take off so would an hour and half do it?

 

Cheers

 

Yes 90 minutes is adequate. Since you have checked in online you need only to look for the 'bag drop' counter for internet check in guests which is usually quite short.

[Winthorp]

How soon should I turn up to check my luggage in? I have 3 flights over the next few weeks with them and have already done self check in online for all 3. How soon do I need to turn up to actually check my luggage in and go to gate?

 

The itinerary slip I printed out says counter closes 45 mins before take off so would an hour and half do it?

 

Cheers

 

Are you flying Air Asia from Gatwick to Kuala Lumpur? I'd be very interested in hearing about that flight?