Air Asia

[cwilliam]

I want to go Bangkok to Hanoi round trip.Is Air Asia as good as the price?

[sriracha john]

A fairly comprehensive discussion of Air Asia, both negative (mostly, ) and positive:

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=50486&hl=

[thaivisitor]

Despite all the negativity, here are some facts you may want to know.

Asia Pacific Airline of the Year 2003 by Centre for Asia Pacific Aviation (CAPA)

Asia Pacific Low Cost Airline of the Year 2004 by Centre for Asia Pacific Aviation (CAPA)

For some comparisons on ratings although not conclusive, you may wish to check this out as Low cost airline Airasia is rated 3 stars, even better than Ryanair which has 2 stars (Raynair doesn't flies here).

http://www.airlinequality.com/Airlines/AK.htm

Personally, I think it's value for money if you book your flights early.

[sonthaya]

Ok, if you don't mind long delays

[thaivisitor]

Frankly speaking, I never had any problems or delays when I travelled on Air Asia. I have been travelling on them even since before they flew into Hatyai.

Nor did I had any problems when I travelled on Tigerair, Nokair or Thai Airways.

Only had a problem once when I travelled on 1-2-Go and I took it as one of those days when things just went wrong.

[sonthaya]

Frankly speaking, I never had any problems or delays when I travelled on Air Asia. I have been travelling on them even since before they flew into Hatyai.

Nor did I had any problems when I travelled on Tigerair, Nokair or Thai Airways.

Only had a problem once when I travelled on 1-2-Go and I took it as one of those days when things just went wrong.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Here is a copy of another thread reply to the same question::

My experience with Air Asia is they run about an hour late so consistently it is almost as if they design it that way. Had one unusual delay of about 4 hours with them too. I can't speak for that particular route with Air Asia, but Nok has been reliable for me.

Just remember to find the shortcut in BKK! There is a domestic transfer door that is very easy to miss. It's a somewhat small, innocuous, closed door on the left near an escalator and has rather lengthy wording written in Thai and english about using it for domestic transfer.

Even if you make the connection, your baggage may not. Bring your essentials on carry on.

[STEALTH K3]

I have flown with them about half a dozen times already they are cheap and cheerfull with no thrills. Ok they have been late but not by hours 30-40 mins nothing to worry about. I am stil going to use them in the future over any other airline after all how long is the flight to Vietnam an hour.

[cdnvic]

My wife has used them and found them pretty cramped, and she's only 5'5. So if you are tall you may want to take that into account.

cv

[COBBER]

I've only flown Air Asia a couple of times and considering that the fare was roughly 1/4 of the Thai Air alternative , i thought it was a pretty good deal.

[TRIPxCORE]

Flown them a few times. Are they usually late? Yes. Is it somewhat cramped? Yes. Do you save a lot of money? Yes. You get what you pay for.

[bdenner]

Flown them a few times.  Are they usually late?  Yes.  Is it somewhat cramped?  Yes.  Do you save a lot of money?  Yes.  You get what you pay for.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Ditto!

Never use em if I need to connect with International flights. What's an extra few hundred Baht for peace of mind?

[jackr]

Used them many times as well as all the others in Muang Thai. Nok Air are more reliable as far as budget airlines go in Thailand, but I find AA good enough and the birds are stonking. Can be a pain with the rabble rushing for the door during boarding, but if you have kids you get straight to the front anyway. Head for the Emer' Exit seats either side halfway down if you're 10-foot tall - seat in front missing.

[Krub]

The LCC are ok for point to point travel and if you do not mind the delays or cancellations without compensation.

You get what you pay for.

If you need to connect to international flight try to avoid them or make sure you have plenty of time between flights and/or a B plan handy

[spacebass]

So three days ago I booked a couple of flights on Air Asia web site, server too busy to issue confirmation, please phone Malayasia office, does this suck in cost money ? (no details) . They probably have my money I do not have a ticket.

So now I sit here with no idea whether I have a booking or how to get on the airplane if I have.

Pretty bad!

[pluto_manibo]

Air Asia are partners with AIS, so if you go to an AIS telephone center, they can do the booking for you for a small fee, 20 baht. This is also convenient when paying with credit card, because the website does not accept foreign credit cards in Thailand.

[thaivisitor]

Frankly speaking, I never had any problems or delays when I travelled on Air Asia. I have been travelling on them even since before they flew into Hatyai.

Nor did I had any problems when I travelled on Tigerair, Nokair or Thai Airways.

Only had a problem once when I travelled on 1-2-Go and I took it as one of those days when things just went wrong.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Here is a copy of another thread reply to the same question::

My experience with Air Asia is they run about an hour late so consistently it is almost as if they design it that way. Had one unusual delay of about 4 hours with them too. I can't speak for that particular route with Air Asia, but Nok has been reliable for me.

Just remember to find the shortcut in BKK! There is a domestic transfer door that is very easy to miss. It's a somewhat small, innocuous, closed door on the left near an escalator and has rather lengthy wording written in Thai and english about using it for domestic transfer.

Even if you make the connection, your baggage may not. Bring your essentials on carry on.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

If I'm not wrong, your travel insurance or standard airline insurance will compensate you for any delays 4 hours upwards.

Also, as far as I know, Air Asia does not make connecting flights.

So, pardon me if I'm a bit sceptical about the post.

[thaivisitor]

My wife has used them and found them pretty cramped, and she's only 5'5. So if you are tall you may want to take that into account.

cv

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

If I'm not wrong, the budget airlines in this region uses the same type of aircraft where the capacity is 148 pax. (I'm not sure about Nok as I've seen some "premium seats infront). So I think it'll be pack too in other budget airlines.

Needless to say, comfort level in budget airlines cannot be compared to full fledge airlines.

[thaivisitor]

Used them many times as well as all the others in Muang Thai. Nok Air are more reliable as far as budget airlines go in Thailand, but I find AA good enough and the birds are stonking. Can be a pain with the rabble rushing for the door during boarding, but if you have kids you get straight to the front anyway. Head for the Emer' Exit seats either side halfway down if you're 10-foot tall - seat in front missing.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Shouldn't be a problem if we don't join in the rush.

When I travel alone or even with friends, we normally go in towards the end and still able to find seats naerer the entrance/exit as we don't mind sitting by ourselves. There're bound to be many single seats scattered around.

[thaivisitor]

By the way, I'm not a spokesman for Air Asia.

Just giving my 2 baht worth based on my experiences and also my observations from various posts here.

[thaivisitor]

Air Asia are partners with AIS, so if you go to an AIS telephone center, they can do the booking for you for a small fee, 20 baht. This is also convenient when paying with credit card, because the website does not accept foreign credit cards in Thailand.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Are you sure about that? I've book from Thailand too, but it may be because I'm a Singaporean and they fly to/from singapore too.

Anyway, I believe travel agents will also do bookings for you with some service charge.

[LindsayBKK]

Air Asia are partners with AIS, so if you go to an AIS telephone center, they can do the booking for you for a small fee, 20 baht. This is also convenient when paying with credit card, because the website does not accept foreign credit cards in Thailand.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I used my Australian Visacard to go to Singapore a few months ago. And I would not fly with them again. Asians running to a plane just to get a front seat is imbarrassing to see. I walked to the back of the plane and couldn't care less what seat I got as long as I get there in one piece. Oh I had a crack in my window but not surprised cause it was an old 737. Jetstarasia have NEW (A320) planes and if you book more than 1 month you can get better deals. Oh you don't have to get a bus to the plane either. Airasia NO Thanks!

[madmitch]

Air Asia are partners with AIS, so if you go to an AIS telephone center, they can do the booking for you for a small fee, 20 baht. This is also convenient when paying with credit card, because the website does not accept foreign credit cards in Thailand.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Originally they didn't accept foreign credit cards but this was changed a long time ago and I've booked many flights with an English credit card.

I have found that they are very unreliable internally; I run a guesthouse in Phuket and always advise my customers not to book Air Asia if they have a connecting flight. On the other hand, I have had much better experiences flying to, from and within Malaysia.

Despite the bad experiences highlighted here, I'd give the Hanoi flight a go. I'm probably going to try it myself next year.

[thaiflyer1]

Originally they didn't accept foreign credit cards but this was changed a long time ago and I've booked many flights with an English credit card.

Ditto.

Regards delays from 4 flights ive taken, 2 have been on time and 2 20mins late in taking off.................i like them , cheap and cheerful.

[sriracha john]

Air Asia are partners with AIS, so if you go to an AIS telephone center, they can do the booking for you for a small fee, 20 baht. This is also convenient when paying with credit card, because the website does not accept foreign credit cards in Thailand.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I used my Australian Visacard to go to Singapore a few months ago. And I would not fly with them again. Asians running to a plane just to get a front seat is imbarrassing to see. I walked to the back of the plane and couldn't care less what seat I got as long as I get there in one piece. Oh I had a crack in my window but not surprised cause it was an old 737. Jetstarasia have NEW (A320) planes and if you book more than 1 month you can get better deals. Oh you don't have to get a bus to the plane either. Airasia NO Thanks!

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Maddening rushes to get onboard..... cracked windows... excruciating delays... suspect safety history...

Excuse my confusion, but it's getting quite difficult to tell these two modes of transportation apart:

AirAsia Jet

Bangkok Green Bus

[LindsayBKK]

The only difference is the red & white thing has wings! But both still Thai yes.