Air Asia X - Cheap Flights Asia to Australia, UK and Europe
| Air Asia X is a long-haul budget airline that launched flights in November 2007. Air Asia X is based in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia and flies to cities in Australia, China and UK with future plans to serve other destinations in Europe, Asia and the Middle-East. |
Air Asia X has evolved from budget short-haul carrier Air Asia and its subsidiary Fly Asian Xpress. Air Asia Bhd is listed on the Kuala Lumpur Stock Exchange and has satellite operations in Thailand and Indonesia, carrying around 20 million passengers annually. It has a fleet of 74 aircraft (Boeing and Airbus) - with a very large order placed with Airbus for more aircraft deliveries, including 25 new Airbus A330s for Air Asia X up to 2012.
Air Asia X services under the "D7" code are currently as follows:
Kuala Lumpur (KUL) to Gold Coast (OOL), Australia - The was the first Air Asia X flight route and took off on November 2nd 2007 using a leased aircraft. Flights D7 2702 / 2703 operate 4 times a week.
Kuala Lumpur (KUL) to Perth (PER), Western Australia - Daily service using the first brand new A330 aircraft delivered to Air Asia X. Started November 2008.
Kuala Lumpur (KUL) to Melbourne (MEL), Australia - This daily operation also started in November 2008.
Kuala Lumpur (KUL) to London Stansted (STN) - Air Asia X operates a 5-times-weekly service to London Stansted using a leased Airbus A340-300 (ex-Air Canada) which carries 386 passengers (including 30 in "XL" premium economy with a 60" pitch). Special offer "Promo" fares from London to KUL come in at around £410 return. (XL promo from £1,000 return). Daily flights will start in July 2009.
Kuala Lumpur (KUL) to Hangzhou (HGH), China - This 5-times-weekly service was started in February 2008.
Kuala Lumpur (KUL) to Tianjin (TSN), China - 5-times-weekly service.
Kuala Lumpur (KUL) to Taipei (TPE) - Set to start on July 1st 2009, five times per week.
In general Air Asia X's "Promo" airfares do undercut the standard fares of major carriers. For example, one-way promo fares from Perth to KL start at AUD 199. Return fares from Melbourne to KL can be had for AUD 598.
Note: On top of that you do have to pay for extras: checked luggage will cost from AU$ 7 / MYR 20 for 1-15kg - and innovatively, higher weight bands in 5 kg increments will cost successively more - with 36-40kg coming in at a hefty AU$ 182. A meal will cost AU$ 7 / MYR 20, as will a 'comfort kit'. You will also pay extra for advanced seat assignment and in-flight entertainment.
There is also a Premium Economy XL section on the A330 planes with 38" seat pitch - XL Promo fares from Melbourne to KL return come in from AUD 1140, with Perth - KL at AUD 720 return.
Other destinations being considered in Europe are Manchester, Prague and Moscow. Expansion of the network is expected in Australia with Newcastle and Adelaide further possibilities (Sydney is deemed to costly to serve). Wide and extensive coverage is expected throughout Asia and the Middle East: Dubai, Sharjah, Bahrain, Amristar, and various cities in China and Japan. In the longer term it is though they will utilise Airbus A350s and widen their destinations further to include Africa.
Once this full route network is established it could provide some cheap flight opportunities between Europe - Asia - Australia for both leisure and business travellers - but remember, you will have to book connections on separate tickets.
From Kuala Lumpur passengers will be also able to connect (again on separate bookings) to Air Asia's short-haul network around South-East Asia.
Back in August 2007 Virgin's Richard Branson took a 16% stake in the new airline which means closer co-operation with Australia's Virgin Blue and other Virgin airlines could be on the cards - though code-sharing is unlikely.
The best advice for using Air Asia X is get on their email list, and try to book the "promo" fares in advance. Due to their popularity, it can be hard to find some promo fares as they sell out quickly. Also do check for special offers from major airlines, they can be almost as cheap.
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