another bad day at Don Mueang with Air Asia

[zoza]

As I have flown Air Asia from this Airport in the last  four months and had a poor trip through this Airport

I planned our trip and factored in 3.5 hours to get checked in and catch my flight.

I honestly was not prepared for what we encountered, 

it took about twenty mins to work out what was going on and then took another ten to find the end of

the queue we needed to get in.

it was a bit of a raffle as you chose your Queue and had to hope that your machine was issuing both

baggage and passengers boarding passes, we were unlucky we got Baggage only machine.

You do not check in to Don Mueang like you do in other Airports the checkin desks cannot be approached

until you have used the self checkin machines and printed out your boarding pass and Baggage pass.

you then get in another long Queue to actually ''checkin'' like you used to.

It was bedlam with most people struggling to use the machines, when we finally got in the checkin Queue

I asked the brit in the queue how he done with the machines, he said no I asked an A.A staff and she told

him he had to check in first ? I asked if he had printed anything out? he was blank and I tried to tell him he had

been told to get in the machine checkin queue. so I pointed to every one in the queue all holding baggage paperwork

he looked sick as he realised he was going to miss his flight. I got my wife to hold our place in the queue

and we managed to get his checkin to checkin paperwork. (another addon was AA staff instructed the

passengers that you had check the cctv in baggage to check your baggage had gone through.) 

after about 2 hr.50 mins we where ready to go to the immigration queue, which to be honest was quite quick

and we were last on the plane but we made it. I decided I will avoid useing Dom Mequeue again or A.A as

life is too short and every one is stressed out, talk about jumping through hoops.  

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[R123]

OP: Thank you for the post and you have helped many of us to know which airline/airport to avoid!

[MekkOne]

Here we go again, someone that didn't get how AirAsia works...

As per low-fare company AirAsia got a quiet straight forward policy, pay for service, you want a better service you pay a higher price, AirAsia is meant to be a air company for commuters, not for holiday makers, so the best way to travel using it is the lightweight way, only a cabin baggage and nothing more, the prices that the company applies are actually encouraging this kind of travel and not the checked baggage one. It is simple, if you want to fly as in a traditional airline do not aspect a much cheaper price if you want a fast check in service an onboard meal and a fast boarding.

 

a little price comparison between AA e BA just to understand that the service of AA is very expansive...

 

 

[zoza]

1 hour ago, MekkOne said:

Here we go again, someone that didn't get how AirAsia works...

As per low-fare company AirAsia got a quiet straight forward policy, pay for service, you want a better service you pay a higher price, AirAsia is meant to be a air company for commuters, not for holiday makers, so the best way to travel using it is the lightweight way, only a cabin baggage and nothing more, the prices that the company applies are actually encouraging this kind of travel and not the checked baggage one. It is simple, if you want to fly as in a traditional airline do not aspect a much cheaper price if you want a fast check in service an onboard meal and a fast boarding.

 

a little price comparison between AA e BA just to understand that the service of AA is very expansive...

 

 

When I used AA four months ago it was a normal checkin procedure, ok it was still crap from Dom M, but I was flying to Bali for a friends wedding so I just booked the flight and got on with it.

but I am usually only an hour on the plane and I fly from Utapao which has normal checkin , that is why I said no more Dom M or AA ...the post was to alert people of the ''new checkin procedure  and the redicolus amount of time spent just checking in''  not about how much it costs, more about this airline from this airport = a perfect storm.

I have used AA from Udon Thani to bkk and Utapao for ten years only had one problem when flying from Dom Mqueue last August.

[MekkOne]

I never had a problem using AA, just check in online as you are suppose to do and travel without chack baggage as you're supposed to do. that it's simple as it is.

[zoza]

17 minutes ago, MekkOne said:

I never had a problem using AA, just check in online as you are suppose to do and travel without chack baggage as you're supposed to do. that it's simple as it is.

Well its a pity there are not to many more like you about, as 95% of the massive queues that snaked from and through the terminal were all 

clutching their printed out boarding passes and baggage id forms when

we got to checkin-checkin and some poor travelers did not know how

or if they had to get print outs or not. that was our problem the vast majority like me had no idea what was going on. absolute chaos. 

[fruitman]

40 minutes ago, MekkOne said:

I never had a problem using AA, just check in online as you are suppose to do and travel without chack baggage as you're supposed to do. that it's simple as it is.

As soon as you enter Don mueang there are masses of people there who are all in the super long queue's...it really is unheard of but it seems they wont fix this issue, it was already like that last year.

 

There is no staff, you have to search for them to find out that you really have to go in that queue, there's no way around it.

 

I won't use don meang anymore...it's terrible...

[zoza]

40 minutes ago, fruitman said:

As soon as you enter Don mueang there are masses of people there who are all in the super long queue's...it really is unheard of but it seems they wont fix this issue, it was already like that last year.

 

There is no staff, you have to search for them to find out that you really have to go in that queue, there's no way around it.

 

I won't use don meang anymore...it's terrible...

 I did not realise it had been going on so long, I thought I had just caught them on a bad day last August, and then yesterday it was even worse

thanks for your input... bye bye  Don Mqueue.

[Nyezhov]

50 minutes ago, zoza said:

Well its a pity there are not to many more like you about, as 95% of the massive queues that snaked from and through the terminal were all 

clutching their printed out boarding passes and baggage id forms when

we got to checkin-checkin and some poor travelers did not know how

or if they had to get print outs or not. that was our problem the vast majority like me had no idea what was going on. absolute chaos. 

Prepared travelers usually dont have a problem. See MekkOnes post. Nok Air same same.

 

 

[fruitman]

13 minutes ago, zoza said:

 I did not realise it had been going on so long, I thought I had just caught them on a bad day last August, and then yesterday it was even worse

thanks for your input... bye bye  Don Mqueue.

We had the same situation last year, we came through the door and there were loads and loads of people standing right behind it...after 10 minutes we realised that really was the queue for air asia which we booked...halfway that queue we found out that they were 2 queue's, one for checked in and one for not or something like that...or for with or without lugggage.

[KhunBENQ]

Don Mueang, AirAsia, peak season.

What would I expect

If you look for more fun try a trip tomorrow or Saturday (28, 29), start of the long NYE weekend.

I catched a headline saying 1.5 mio passengers expected on a day.

Fortunately I rarely have the need to use Don Mueang.

I used AirAsia from U-Tapao and Phuket and that was bearable (crowded check-in but OK).

 

And of course the oncoming days will be terrible at Suvarnabhumi too.

It would need an emergency to get me to travel through all the "festive season".

 

[phkauf]

Another bad day for AA at DMK is EVERY day! That place is an absolute sh!tshow between the chaos at AA with their multiple check-in lines and no directions, a few self check-in kiosk machines (well hidden in the back) and the hordes of Chinese tour groups everywhere else. I avoid it if at all possible. 

Combined with AA's hyper-vigilance of weighing carryon bags, lackadaisical approach to having an on-time schedule and the need to be bused out to the aircraft on the outer reaches of the airport. It's not worth the few baht savings for me.

You get what you pay for, but in AA's case I feel cheated because I think I get even less. 

[milesinnz]

Air Asia.. check in online with your smart phone: But be aware when I tried to use their APP, it does not work (might work for you).. but go to the website, and it does work. Go to some cheap shop who will print out the document emailed to you (email it to them when you are at their shop), and this will count as your boarding pass.. on single flights anyway... multi city flights it's different, and only the first flight acts as a boarding pass, so go to the desk where you are supposed to confirm your details, and point out that subsequent to the first flight documents,  it clearly states that the other flight documents are not to be used as boarding passes. Demand that this desk issue boarding passes, and they did for me - as of course it was easy for them as all my details had already been confirmed by my online confirmation. So while Air Asia is not perfect by a long way (Jetstar is not better), their flights are really cheap. And of course keeping their flights cheap, puts pressure on the other carriers to keep their prices down.

[kokesaat]

Our daughter and two friends visited 2 weeks ago and we traveled from DM to Udon and Udon to Phuket on Air Asia.  Our daughter and friends don't travel lightly.......so I made reservations for them at 30kg each.  I did an online checkin 24 hours before our flight departed.  We arrived at DM one hour 20 min before which was plenty of time to checkin (no machines needed) and have a quick bite to eat.  One big plus.......3x30kg+my 20kg = 110kg and the weight was considered a group weighin.  We all had carryon bags that easily weighed more than 7kg but no problem with boarding.  The same worked for our flight from Udon to Phuket.

I paid a few hundred baht more for our tickets for the extra weight and and premium seat......got a meal to boot!  No complaints from this traveler.

 

[Bangkok Barry]

I just can't understand why you have to queue to print out a baggage tag and then queue again for the check-in desk. Why can't Air Asia work like every other airline I've used over the past 50 years and print the baggage tag out themselves at the check-in desk.

After suffering the chaos there myself I wrote to them suggesting the revolutionary idea of using the same system that all other airlines use (ASAIK) and they thanked me for my comment and said it would be considered.

I've now realised that I've foolishly booked a domestic flight with luggage using AA, and will probably book with Thai Smile instead and swallow the loss. Air Asia just isn't worth the hassle if you have luggage.

[marqus12]

airasia app and do not need to print anything, only hand luggage

or not at all. I often see even old people with large bags
I can not understand why they are doing it ... everything can be bought on the spot.

[Burma Bill]

AIR ASIA is ideal for me living in Isaan. I use its "FLY_THRU" service to many destinations in ASEAN. Check myself and baggage in at desk in Khon Kaen - no machines. Get boarding pass, go to International Departure Lounge where KK Immigration processes my passport (this service is only available for Air Asia passengers, not Thai Smile, Nok Air or Thai Lion Air). Arrive DMK to change planes BUT I am in transit. Air Asia ground staff escort me to relevant International departure area. Most conveniently, collect my checked in baggage at DESTINATION. No hassle in DMK.

[PerkinsCuthbert]

This is either very new or you are mistaken. I checked in at DMK for MNL in the old-fashioned way three weeks ago. Admittedly it was crowded and difficult to perceive which line was which, but once queued up it took about twenty minutes to reach the check-in desk, where I presented my passport and received a boarding pass. I did not print out my boarding pass beforehand, and I made sure I had under 7kg of cabin baggage. Altogether not too bad an experience.

[Ajarnbrian]

9 hours ago, MekkOne said:

Here we go again, someone that didn't get how AirAsia works...

As per low-fare company AirAsia got a quiet straight forward policy, pay for service, you want a better service you pay a higher price, AirAsia is meant to be a air company for commuters, not for holiday makers, so the best way to travel using it is the lightweight way, only a cabin baggage and nothing more, the prices that the company applies are actually encouraging this kind of travel and not the checked baggage one. It is simple, if you want to fly as in a traditional airline do not aspect a much cheaper price if you want a fast check in service an onboard meal and a fast boarding.

 

a little price comparison between AA e BA just to understand that the service of AA is very expansive...

 

 

Wrong, Air Asia markets itself for leisure travel, not just work commutes. You pay more to check-in bags so this is a service you have paid for when you get to the airport to check in. Of course you can expect longer check in time and other services at a lower level compared with a full service airline. But there is no excuse for any airline to have a confusing and excessively time consuming check in procedure as described here. 

[NewGuy]

My experience from AA flights is when the flight date approaches, check in on-line, and print out what’s sent to the screen or arrives immediately by email. Be aware that you can only check in 24 hrs or less than scheduled departure time, at least at the price points I book.

 

You can ask your hotel’s desk staff to help you out, then forward AA’s email to them for the printing.

 

Take that paper to any airport that AA uses (have only been to about 15 so far) and elbow your way to check-in luggage (which is my fate), get a boarding pass, et Robert est ton Oncle.

 

 

[lagavulin1]

8 hours ago, MekkOne said:

I never had a problem using AA, just check in online as you are suppose to do and travel without chack baggage as you're supposed to do. that it's simple as it is.

If you pay with an AA credit card you get to board first whatever price you paid and a free coffee on the plane. 

[bontang]

12 hours ago, R123 said:

OP: Thank you for the post and you have helped many of us to know which airline/airport to avoid!

Air Asia @Don Mueanghave being Lousy for a for a long time they treat Customers like  Animals never explain where you Que I will never use that Mob ever again, Jet Star is light years ahead of that Mob,

[Gazza0308]

So can someone tell me please.......does Air Asia have a checkin desk.... i am flying out 9th january at 7am......i was going to get to Don Mueang betweem 4.30 and 5am.....i had called air asia after i booked and the girl told me that checkin closes 1 hour before the flight leaves.

Do i have to check in through the machine first?

This is my first time using air asia....i dont want to miss my flight

[GreasyFingers]

3 hours ago, Bangkok Barry said:

After suffering the chaos there myself I wrote to them suggesting the revolutionary idea of using the same system that all other airlines use (ASAIK) and they thanked me for my comment and said it would be considered.

Yes this is exactly the problem. New year will be difficult but wait for Chinese New Year if you are a masochist.

If you have over a thousand people not knowing what queue to get in (or even know there is a queue as you are so far from a check in counter) you would think their budget would allow for for sufficient on floor staff to help.

[Jaggg88]

4 hours ago, Bangkok Barry said:

I just can't understand why you have to queue to print out a baggage tag and then queue again for the check-in desk. Why can't Air Asia work like every other airline I've used over the past 50 years and print the baggage tag out themselves at the check-in desk.

After suffering the chaos there myself I wrote to them suggesting the revolutionary idea of using the same system that all other airlines use (ASAIK) and they thanked me for my comment and said it would be considered.

I've now realised that I've foolishly booked a domestic flight with luggage using AA, and will probably book with Thai Smile instead and swallow the loss. Air Asia just isn't worth the hassle if you have luggage.

Many airlines are using this system now. I travelled from London HR to Vienna on Austrian Airways and had to weight my baggage at a machine to print a ticket and also did the same from Leeds and Bradford airport to Crete on Jet2.com.

[NanLaew]

8 hours ago, Nyezhov said:

Prepared travelers usually dont have a problem. See MekkOnes post. Nok Air same same.

 

 

MekkOnes and other hand carry-only travelers are in a minority on AirAsia. They have nightmare queues at Don Meuang because most passengers have checked bags.

 

There's no denying that hand-carry is the way to go and like an earlier poster, their check-in is a breeze at Udon where they only serve 2 destinations but at U-Tapao where they now serve maybe 5 domestic and 5 international destinations, as I experienced personally about 3 weeks ago, it can be a real struggle, even after finally relocating their check-in to the new terminal. Only after inching forward with my backpack for the best part of 45 minutes with loads of checked-bag customers while their check-in computers were on the blink, it was only when I was 2 pax/2 minutes away from the counter did one of the girls suddenly announce (in Thai only) that hand-carry only pax could go and check in way over the other side of the departures hall at their ticketing desk!

 

Yes, they are LCC's and you get what you pay for but the claim that they are a commuter airline and not a recreational or vacationer carrier is totally wrong. Their initial marketing logo was (and still is?) "Now everyone can fly." My emphasis but you get my point. They are strictly a point-to-point operation with the onus and risk completely on the pax brave enough to chance a multi-sector itinerary.

 

Last year, I flew domestic in and out of DMK on Thai Lion and I was connecting by the free shuttle bus to/from an international flight out of BKK. With hand carry, it was a breeze. Before that, I have used Nok Air with Bangkok as my destination. I was working at the PTT office at Ladprao so it was a brilliant commute from up-country. Their check-in at DMK was well staffed and fast. But a couple of months ago, I used AirAsia and that conga line malarkey that the OP is talking about was a total pain in the ass. Even with doing the online check-in, there's no dedicated bag-drop for those doing the internet check in, just get in line with rest. So why even bother?

 

Anyway, you pay your money and you make your choices but I wonder if any of the AirAsia cheerleaders recall the pleasure of catching a flight in and out of the converted hangar that masqueraded as their original home 'hub' airport at KUL? It wasn't even connected in any shape or form to the main KUL terminal despite being just across the apron and a couple of runways away. Unless you count the infrequent appearance of a red-jacketed lady squawking for remaining passengers for Bintula or Bali or Bangkok, long lines of largely clueless proles shuffling along without a semblance of management and control in sight. Sounds like AirAsia's landside operations at the venerable old Don Meuang are rapidly headed the same way.

 

There's cheap... and then there's AirAsia.

[Nyezhov]

2 minutes ago, NanLaew said:

There's cheap... and then there's AirAsia.

Sure beats the bus

[NanLaew]

30 minutes ago, Nyezhov said:

Sure beats the bus

Funnily enough after a couple of transits through their cattle shed at KUL, shuffling along with the poor(er) and the gormless I pondered their exhortation that "Now anyone can fly" badly needed the modifier "...but I sure wish this lot had caught a bus instead!"

[anon537687643]

Another Air Asia shit show


Sent from my iPhone using Thaivisa Connect

[samsensam]

11 hours ago, MekkOne said:

I never had a problem using AA, just check in online as you are suppose to do and travel without chack baggage as you're supposed to do. that it's simple as it is.

 

yes, easy as that. i breeze through DM every time.

 

i love completely avoiding those huge queues and ram packed check in areas.

 

it is a budget airline, surely people know how these companies operate by now?!