London - Kuala Lumpur £99 one way including taxes

Moonchild

Air Asia X have finally announced their 5 times a week flight from Stansted to Kuala Lumpur, and they are now bookable. Flights start from 11 March 2009.

http://www.airasia.com/site/my/en/page.jsp?reference=london2008

Things to note (for your 13 hour flight!).

- NO checked baggage included - pay between £4 (15kg) - £20 (25 kg) per way

- NO meals included - £7 each way

- NO drinks included

- NO pre-assigned seating

As for credit card surcharges? No idea, maybe the first to book can advise. No doubt you will have to use a Bank of Atlantis Leprachaun Card to escape processing fees (only for cards issued between 1890-1891).

Also, unsure re- inflight entertainment.

Anyway, currently tonnes and tonnes of seats @ £99 each way available, and remember Air Asia have zillions of destinations within Asia.

I'm not sure if they have yet got 100% regulatory approval, but if it's not a 100% hyper critical trip, then get booking!

richardw

Yes don't forget Oasis Hong Kong aswell

lynn44

just replied on another thread 1st July 09 £41 without taxes return 11th July £99

dmg24

lynn44 wrote: »

just replied on another thread 1st July 09 £41 without taxes return 11th July £99

£41 plus taxes = £99, as per the OP!

Moonchild

richardw wrote: »

Yes don't forget Oasis Hong Kong aswell

Not just Oasis?

Don't forget Phuket Air or Air Maldives either if heading that way.

Or the zillions of airlines flying West.

I think the critical thing is that NO-ONE has ever made long haul budget airlines
work.

My issue is that there is a minimum cost price for each passenger (taxes, fuel, aircraft cost, staff costs) before a profit is made. And that is higher than £99 per person each way. So people paying more money will subsidize the 'headline fares' (i.e. just like Business Class customers pay for economy passengers on flights to the States).

You see, after the £198 flights are sold out, would you pay the next highest fare at £400, or would you pay £425 to fly Malaysia Airlines, or any of the middle eastern carriers (which are full service).

And how many people would pay £600 or £800 return, if there is choice and competition?

Or, if they are relying on their Business Class Seats selling, how many businesses will actually allow their staff to fly on this airline with unhelpful schedules, less flights should something go wrong, and no promise of re-protecting should your flight be cancelled. Especially in light of other long-haul budget airline failures.

So, yes, it's currently low cost, book your rear behinds off.

But I wouldn't touch them with a barge pole!

However, Tony Fernandes and Richard Branson will give it a fair crack of the whip i'm sure, that's two big egos & reputations you're looking at.

traveller

I'm really tempted to go for this, but know nothing about KL and am frantically trying to find out, as this could be the difference between us having a trip next year,lol.:rotfl:

Moonchild

traveller wrote: »

I'm really tempted to go for this, but know nothing about KL and am frantically trying to find out, as this could be the difference between us having a trip next year,lol.:rotfl:

I would say don't worry too much about KL, have a look at the Air Asia site and look at the vast number of beaches you can reach from there cheaply (i.e. Bali, Langkawi, East Coast Malaysia, Borneo etc etc) and combine it with a city break.

Note to all - I couldn't find any details about re-protecting you from their domestic (or intra-regional) low cost flights to the London flight. They might not guarantee the flight (i.e. if your short-haul flight is delayed, and you miss the London flight, tough, buy another ticket!).

So for this reason, I would recommend at least a day in KL at the beginning and end of your stay. I have flown Air Asia 3 times, and yet to arrive anywhere close to 'on time'!

And if you book other airlines from KLIA, remember that Air Asia uses the low cost terminal which is absurdly far from the main terminal (about 25 minutes on a bus that travels at 100 mph!). And buses are every half hour. And cost.

traveller

Thanks moonchild,I've never heard of this airline:o , do you reckon they'll still be heare next august,lol.

Tozer

traveller wrote: »

Thanks moonchild,I've never heard of this airline:o , do you reckon they'll still be heare next august,lol.

They'll still be around. Lucky them launching after the oil price is back to normal levels.

You may have seen them on TV - they sponsor Man Utd.

Flown Air Asia many times and really impressed.

They have an excellent business model and are huge in the Far East. Bought a load of new Airbus aircraft and are doing very well.

fifeken

I've used them several times and although I've heard a few scare stories about them they've always treated me well and got me there on time so moonchild's comments are not always the case.

The comment about not guaranteeing connections is valid though. They are point to point only so connections are up to you.

I've got mixed feelings about whether I'll use them. If I'm £100 return to get to Stansted and £100 return from KLIA to my final destination in Asia then the total £400 cost is getting towards what I can get full service from. Of course the figures need played about with and a few days in KL or thereabouts is quite appealing anway so I might be tempted.

I had to laugh at their £5 charge (each way) for a "Comfort Kit" which I imagine is the blanket and pillow that I throw into the overhead locker as soon as I get on a plane!

divadee

i am so tempted but cant really afford it, and we went there this august. It would of been a very cheap way of seeing my mum and dad who live in singapore though.

By the way if people need a hotel try and book in the Renaissance that is where we stayed this year, but make sure it is the west wing. This is the newer of the 2 wings. It is located within walking distance of the petronas towers and the kl tower.

facilities are great swimming pool is fantastic. we paid approx £92 per room per night incl buffet breakfast and buffet evening meal.