Is Air Asia really terrible?

[@richardcaldwell9160]

Thanks Patrick, a lovely review. I first visited Bali in 1978, and it was unreal. For 3 months I lived in a losman @ $1 a day. Went back in `1985 & it was still magical. How blessed are we x

[@PlanetPatrick]

It’s very beautiful. I do hear that there’s been some issues with tourist numbers the last couple of years so I was blessed to be in a quiet corner.

[@markframpton4500]

We flew on three flights with them in 2017: KL to Kuching, Kuching to Kota Kinabalu, Kota Kinabalu to KL. First two flights were great, third was terrible. Huge delays which meant booking an earlier flight to be able to catch our connecting flight back to the UK. Then that flight was delayed and ended up leaving at the time our original flight was due to depart. On the plus side, the staff were all friendly.

[@PlanetPatrick]

That sounds like a close shave! I think you did get lucky with the friendly staff.

[@andrewrobinson2565]

My top criterion for an airline is whether the flight ✈️ arrives or not. 👍

[@PlanetPatrick]

That is a reasonable demand. But it can be nice to have facilities and comforts too!

[@tinglestingles]

We flew with them last week from KL to Kuching on Borneo. A shorter flight. Larger leg room, I'm 6 ft too. Food ok-ish. Late departure but early arrival. We're flying with them again in January to Penang. The service seemed generally good. I much prefer the Vietjet airline with their dancing crew!

[@PlanetPatrick]

Now that is like to try!

[@subansuwannarat4235]

Traveled with them years .not the slightest problem

[@PlanetPatrick]

Good to hear that

[@MrGroganmeister]

I found them great too. And the cheap meals were ok.

[@skylineXpert]

I remember stories about how they flew to London from Malaysia with their a340s

[@alexmcwhirter6611]

In fact it was AirAsiaX (the long haul division) which flew ex-KUL to Stansted originally and latterly to LGW. AirAsiaX also flew to Paris ORY. Although this airline launched with headline-grabbing low fares, they didn't last ! AirAsiaX couldn't compete with the full service airlines, especially the Gulfies, and it retreated from Europe in 2012 never to return.

[@PlanetPatrick]

That’s fascinating!

[@PlanetPatrick]

I see a detailed note here from Alex who discusses the same thing!

[@timX99squad]

without Air Asia i dont think i will start travel abroad on my early years, Flight are expensive for 21 years old just graduating from college , start Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, Japan now i use Air Asia for flight below 3 hours, and using Singapore Airlines for a longer journey(Japan, Europe)

[@PlanetPatrick]

I agree a full service airline makes sense for those longer flights

[@tghadi]

I can fly on Air Asia only for flights that are 2 hours max. Any longer than that, i won't feel comfortable

[@PlanetPatrick]

This makes a lot of sense

[@BonkersAboutAlice]

We fly them often. For the price it's fine. Those seats are, let's say, not built for westerners.

[@PlanetPatrick]

That’s a kind way to put it (especially for this big westerner!)

[@hamkasu]

yup terrible. only use them when mas or malindo is not available

[@PlanetPatrick]

I’ve flown mas but not malindo (is that now Batik?) - mas was definitely better than AA

[@zanetrotter]

Stay away from Cebu Pacific
Trust me
Not a good airline

[@PlanetPatrick]

Haven’t tried them - should I add to the list?!

[@zanetrotter]

@ yeah definitely mate