Beware Air Asia Flights

[roamer]

Off topic I know but will relay the airline story.

Couple of years ago a friend of mine was flying from Brisbane to London via Tokyo. This was a the time that bloody big volcanic ash hit Europe and he was informed his flight from Tokyo to UK had been cancelled.

So he contacts the Airline and insurance company, both the same answer.

He can still fly to Tokyo so no refund. If he cancells he loses x amount. So his options were to lose the lot or fly to Tokyo for a holiday instead of his brother's birthday in the UK.

How strange, same airline all the way but wouldn't refund his booking as he could make it to Tokyo and they hadn't cancelled that part of the trip.

Nothing strange about it. Neither airlines or insurance companies covered themselves in glory on that one. The interesting point was that European airlines had to pay compensation under EU rules, apart from that other airlines just played pass the ball with the insurance companies.

[how241]

AirAsia has an insurance scheme designed for these types of occurrences. Only a few dollars, if I remember rightly one must UNTICK the box if you want to take the chance that everything will go smoothly.

I'm not defending their actions but most all low cost carriers have the same 'missed flight' policy. BUT have the insurance option.

Yes, it's about $ and you need to uncheck the box if you don't want it.

[hagler]

yeah lets all hope AA and the rest of the LCC's shut up shop and we can go back to the days of only full service airlines with ridiculous fares and rubbish service.

disclaimer: 92 flights with Air Asia last year for business and not one late more than 30 minutes, not one missed, not one problem and even got a nice birthday song sung to me on the flight on that day so call me biased.

[roamer]

yeah lets all hope AA and the rest of the LCC's shut up shop and we can go back to the days of only full service airlines with ridiculous fares and rubbish service.

disclaimer: 92 flights with Air Asia last year for business and not one late more than 30 minutes, not one missed, not one problem and even got a nice birthday song sung to me on the flight on that day so call me biased.

We should all fly with you then you obviously live a charmed life.Their cancellation stats alone are over 6% on some routes. The rest of us live with stats like those below, and they have a lot of routes that don't fare this well. Oh btw, if AirAsia were to be measured by published schedules and not the rescheduled lists they put out the real OTP figure would be far worse.

Edited February 13, 2013 by roamer

[geriatrickid]

I have nothing but excellent experience with AA. But I do triple check my online booking ( click or just not click check boxes) , allow enough time for connecting flights etc.

But you can always opt for Thai Airways first class, see if they are anything better.

TG is significantly better. International 1st class gets you an escort through passport control, a buggy ride to the lounge for a meal and a massage and then expedited transfer to the departing flight. A seat in 1st usually has a minimum 78" -90" pitch and is a lie flat vs 29.5" pitch on FD. Even economy on TG usually offers a 34" seatpitch. No excess surcharges and if something goes wrong TG personnel scramble to help.

The best bargain in Thailand is business class on TG internal flights. Often for a ridiculously low extra fare, you avoid the checkin lines, have lounge access, priority boarding & luggage service , meal and beverage service, and are taken care of when something goes wrong. I'll gladly pay the 2000 extra baht to keep my dignity and travel with reduced stress and hassle. My time and comfort is worth something. I don't want to be crammed on a plane and treated like a commodity. I have used FD on the HKT SIN route only when I have no luggage and no time constraints. FD is not an airline for business people with appointments, nor is it the airline for worry free travel.

Edited February 14, 2013 by geriatrickid

[candypants]

yeah lets all hope AA and the rest of the LCC's shut up shop and we can go back to the days of only full service airlines with ridiculous fares and rubbish service.

disclaimer: 92 flights with Air Asia last year for business and not one late more than 30 minutes, not one missed, not one problem and even got a nice birthday song sung to me on the flight on that day so call me biased.

the birthday song would be enough to make me never use them again

[LawrenceChee]

I agree and use TG on internal business the rates are insanely affordable ...4000 baht plus for one way

Better when they have offers ...their regular rate is 2400 baht plus for economy and that is on even par with AA plus all the hassle of luggage food blanket boarding is all taken care of

[stevenl]

I like them. I have booked many flights and have had no problems. If you turn up late you will have a problem. If your bag is too heavy you will have a problem. Turn up on time with the correct paid for baggage and no problem.

Pay full price and get the benefits, pay a promotional price and live with it

And if Air Asia turn up late you have a problem. When they don't turn up for "operational reasons" you have a problem. When they cancel your flight you have a problem.

It doesn't have to be your fault to have a problem with them.

All true, but you know that in advance. So book and accept, or book elsewhere, but complaining here about something that you should have known in advance is useless, makes IMO the OP look not very smart and IMO not fair towards the airline as well.

[NanLaew]

AirAsia is not only a low-cost carrier but more significantly it is a point-to-point carrier. Even connecting with flights on their own network, the onus is on the passenger to consider the layover times, baggage transfers, terminal changes, etc.. The terms and conditions that your agree to when you check the box on the very first fight selection page (and subsequently makes up two pages of your ticket and contract of carriage) indicates that you are aware what type of carrier they are and accept all the risks. If you treat them the same way as a full-fare carrier that is also a networked carrier, then that is hardly AirAsia's problem.

Your only highlighting on one part of their operation where you can lay some blame on the customer. Point to Point carrier, OK 5 hours should be enough then ? Not if you're someone I know who was booked on their Penang> Hong Kong route they are now cancelling who has an onward connection he can't now meet. No doubt one of thousands. AA's responsibility ? A refund and that's it. Ditto the Air Asia X routes from Europe.

When they cancelled Bangkok-Langkawi route the first many people knew of it was when they turned up at the airport.

As a low-cost, point-to-point carrier, AirAsia isn't party to the safety net of agreements available to network airlines whereupon in the event of a flight delay or cancellation, they have the option (at their discretion) to offer the inconvenienced pax money, lodging, alternative flights, alternative carriers or some variation/combination of these. You can't claim against terms and conditions that specifically do not include such agreements, ie. AirAsia's T&C.

As a point-to-point carrier, it does not matter whether the pax considers a 1 hours layover or a 1 year layover as adequate. The terms and conditions of the ticket indicates that the airlines very limited liabilities cover the individual booking ONLY and they have never, ever considered a multi-segment routing as an integrated ticket. You complete the first sector and disembark, the terms and conditions end. You commence the second sector and the NEW ticket's terms and conditions apply until it lands, on time or late.

It's not deceptive, illegal when you accept them for what they are and stop making them something they never, ever intended or pretended to be.

[NanLaew]

Try Thai Airways website next time.

They take your money but do not issue a ticket.

Refer my topic - http://www.thaivisa....is-a-nightmare/

I still have not received any funds back on the credit card after a week.

Totally unfair. Some members have had recent issues with the THAI online booking system and an equal amount of others report it's working normally.

The time for a refund to post is something for your bank to resolve with whatever credit card charge clearing house they are contracted with and nothing to do with THAI. Whenever I have required refunds from THAI, they always say 'up to 4 weeks' because they have no control over the refund once it has been issued against another banks credit card system and 4 weeks is a worst-case but common scenario. In my instance, the refunds post within 3 days.

[roamer]

I like them. I have booked many flights and have had no problems. If you turn up late you will have a problem. If your bag is too heavy you will have a problem. Turn up on time with the correct paid for baggage and no problem.

Pay full price and get the benefits, pay a promotional price and live with it

And if Air Asia turn up late you have a problem. When they don't turn up for "operational reasons" you have a problem. When they cancel your flight you have a problem.

It doesn't have to be your fault to have a problem with them.

All true, but you know that in advance. So book and accept, or book elsewhere, but complaining here about something that you should have known in advance is useless, makes IMO the OP look not very smart and IMO not fair towards the airline as well.

IMHO the people who are not very smart are those who defend a company that has a deliberate policy of making its website difficult for those less au fait with airline bookings and the possible pitfalls. There is no other reason to have your website set up in such a manner other than the fact you wish to trap the unwary.

That is the company you defend.

If you have the knowledge and ability to go through their flight stats you'll find that their high flight cancellation route is due to their pulling of flights that are not economically viable,...bump the passengers onto the one that follows up 3 or 4 hours later. Are they concerned those customers will miss connecting flights? Don't make me laugh.

I wonder how many of its defenders would accept such a situation should it happen to them , where you have been screwed over in such circumstances with the equanimity they all seem to possess in abundance ? I somehow doubt it.

I do not have a problem with the LCC model, I just do not accept that these issues which repeat themselves constantly have to be part of the model.

[roamer]

AirAsia is not only a low-cost carrier but more significantly it is a point-to-point carrier. Even connecting with flights on their own network, the onus is on the passenger to consider the layover times, baggage transfers, terminal changes, etc.. The terms and conditions that your agree to when you check the box on the very first fight selection page (and subsequently makes up two pages of your ticket and contract of carriage) indicates that you are aware what type of carrier they are and accept all the risks. If you treat them the same way as a full-fare carrier that is also a networked carrier, then that is hardly AirAsia's problem.

Your only highlighting on one part of their operation where you can lay some blame on the customer. Point to Point carrier, OK 5 hours should be enough then ? Not if you're someone I know who was booked on their Penang> Hong Kong route they are now cancelling who has an onward connection he can't now meet. No doubt one of thousands. AA's responsibility ? A refund and that's it. Ditto the Air Asia X routes from Europe.

When they cancelled Bangkok-Langkawi route the first many people knew of it was when they turned up at the airport.

As a low-cost, point-to-point carrier, AirAsia isn't party to the safety net of agreements available to network airlines whereupon in the event of a flight delay or cancellation, they have the option (at their discretion) to offer the inconvenienced pax money, lodging, alternative flights, alternative carriers or some variation/combination of these. You can't claim against terms and conditions that specifically do not include such agreements, ie. AirAsia's T&C.

As a point-to-point carrier, it does not matter whether the pax considers a 1 hours layover or a 1 year layover as adequate. The terms and conditions of the ticket indicates that the airlines very limited liabilities cover the individual booking ONLY and they have never, ever considered a multi-segment routing as an integrated ticket. You complete the first sector and disembark, the terms and conditions end. You commence the second sector and the NEW ticket's terms and conditions apply until it lands, on time or late.

It's not deceptive, illegal when you accept them for what they are and stop making them something they never, ever intended or pretended to be.

Shame you didn't answer the point. I talked about a cancelled ROUTE. You wouldn't be so sanguine about if it was your routing that got cancelled. Or if you turned up at the airport for a route they had cancelled and listened to bare faced lies about they had emailed you and sent you SMS's....a whole queue of people whose spam filters were at fault supposedly.

If your happy to fly with an airline management that doesn't give a flying crap about its customers, that's your lookout. But stop spreading this, "it's all in the T&C's" crap, few people have either the knowledge , time, or ability to wade through pages of legalese. Most people expect large companies to deal with them using a modicum of fairness, which by and large happens. Most of the complaints about AA could be avoided if they were not earning money out of the problems that cause the complaints.

" It's not deceptive," AA are still able to indulge in practices due to weak consumer laws in Asia that their European counterparts have long had to rein in. The reason they had to do so ? Whole flurries of rulings that these practices were , guess what, deceptive.

Seems that this world divides into two schools of people, those that have been shafted by Air Asia and those who have not yet had that dubious distinction. If you fall into the latter category then stick around, your turn will come

Edited February 14, 2013 by roamer

[sscsamui]

The worse Airline Ever.... Neve fly them and never have a problem....

[roamer]

I'm sure that many of you will enjoy this,

[MrWorldwide]

The worse Airline Ever.... Neve fly them and never have a problem....

I guess you've never flown with Tiger Airways. That's OK - many of Tiger's paying customers haven't either .....

[NanLaew]

I'm sure that many of you will enjoy this,

I liked this post MUCH better than your ramblings in #42.

You will note that I 'defend' (your words, not mine) AirAsia and THAI with equanimity. Both airlines are the bugbear of many, many resident tourists, retirees and miscellaneous hangers-on in LOS. I fly AirAsia infrequently, usually one-way domestic when their schedules fit mine. I fly THAI frequently, domestic and international, once again when their schedule fits mine. If ever I change my booking criteria to prioritize cost, I would still limit AirAsia to one-way, domestic flights because I understand and appreciate the well-documented and very public pitfalls of their perfectly legal business model. It just takes one passenger to NOT show up at the airport because they did receive and acknowledge the sms or email advising them of flight cancellation, to invalidate the wailing and gnashing of teeth of the few that did show up.

You, and many others, can carry on using the airline that you suggest is 'out to get you' or you can fly another. You do have that choice don't you?

Edited February 15, 2013 by NanLaew

[UbonOz]

If you would like to add another smile to your dial regarding LCC baggage, check the link below.

[stoli]

I like them. I have booked many flights and have had no problems. If you turn up late you will have a problem. If your bag is too heavy you will have a problem. Turn up on time with the correct paid for baggage and no problem.

Pay full price and get the benefits, pay a promotional price and live with it

I don't understand. You mean they say "$300 we will treat you right, or for $200 price we can treat you like crap?" Is that what promotional means to you? Where is that the law of the land?

[PEP]

Hardly worth the read from several obviously miss informed readers who don't read the script and then blame Air Asia.. My suggestion ;- Throw that old Chestnut back into the fire"!

[MobileContent]

I stopped totally booking any flights with Air Asia, specially Bangkok - Kuala Lumpur.

I missed a flight three months ago to KL by coming 10 minutes late. OK, it was my fault but a last minute meeting with my CEO was a priority.

AA offered me to buy a new ticket at 5000 Baht but I noticed I could fly on Lufthansa for 3980 Baht and I took that flight.

[MobileContent]

yeah lets all hope AA and the rest of the LCC's shut up shop and we can go back to the days of only full service airlines with ridiculous fares and rubbish service.

disclaimer: 92 flights with Air Asia last year for business and not one late more than 30 minutes, not one missed, not one problem and even got a nice birthday song sung to me on the flight on that day so call me biased.

It would be interesting to know the routes you fly. I had often delays with Air Asia both on flights from Singapore and Kuala Lumpur.

[FDog]

I'm sure that many of you will enjoy this,

I liked this post MUCH better than your ramblings in #42.

You will note that I 'defend' (your words, not mine) AirAsia and THAI with equanimity. Both airlines are the bugbear of many, many resident tourists, retirees and miscellaneous hangers-on in LOS. I fly AirAsia infrequently, usually one-way domestic when their schedules fit mine. I fly THAI frequently, domestic and international, once again when their schedule fits mine. If ever I change my booking criteria to prioritize cost, I would still limit AirAsia to one-way, domestic flights because I understand and appreciate the well-documented and very public pitfalls of their perfectly legal business model. It just takes one passenger to NOT show up at the airport because they did receive and acknowledge the sms or email advising them of flight cancellation, to invalidate the wailing and gnashing of teeth of the few that did show up.

You, and many others, can carry on using the airline that you suggest is 'out to get you' or you can fly another. You do have that choice don't you?

Perfectly legal business model? Oh don't make me laugh

No, what they do is act illegally and hope they don't get caught, or, when they get caught they hope the amount of money they have screwed off their passengers will cover all the fines.

http://www.news.com....0-1226539477064

Edited February 17, 2013 by FDog

[Pinot]

I'll fly the cheap flights on AA knowing that the website is deviously and purposely deceptive. I'd like to declare I'll never fly AA again...but too keenio.

[MrWorldwide]

I stopped totally booking any flights with Air Asia, specially Bangkok - Kuala Lumpur.

I missed a flight three months ago to KL by coming 10 minutes late. OK, it was my fault but a last minute meeting with my CEO was a priority.

AA offered me to buy a new ticket at 5000 Baht but I noticed I could fly on Lufthansa for 3980 Baht and I took that flight.

I'm sorry, but I completely fail to see how any of that was Air Asia's fault. I guarantee you that Lufthansa have their own rules re anyone rocking up 10 minutes late for checkin, and it wouldn't matter if you had a meeting with Angela Merkel herself ....

[zaZa9]

My second flight with AA resulted in me turning up before time for my flight (Phuket-KL) to be told of a 4 hour 'delay'.

I commented that I had timed out twice on their website whilst painstakingly filling in my home address, my home phone number , my email address , and my mobile phone number amongst a myriad of other details , like refusing insurance twice.

Politely I asked if an sms wasnt possible to have informed me of this.

I recieved a 'Sorry Sir" , and facing a 6 hour layover in KL , returned to my friends hotel in Patong.

I arrived back at the agreed time.

The same lovely girl told me there was now a 3 hour delay and , "Sorry Sir."

I mentioned that I had spoken to her about hoping to be getting an sms.

She said she recalled that , but she had no authority to sms anybody.

I also believe the on line booking service to be 'tricky'.

[NanLaew]

I stopped totally booking any flights with Air Asia, specially Bangkok - Kuala Lumpur.

I missed a flight three months ago to KL by coming 10 minutes late. OK, it was my fault but a last minute meeting with my CEO was a priority.

AA offered me to buy a new ticket at 5000 Baht but I noticed I could fly on Lufthansa for 3980 Baht and I took that flight.

I'm sorry, but I completely fail to see how any of that was Air Asia's fault. I guarantee you that Lufthansa have their own rules re anyone rocking up 10 minutes late for checkin, and it wouldn't matter if you had a meeting with Angela Merkel herself ....

MC never claimed it was anyone else's fault but his own.

MC pointed out that great last-minute, deals on network carriers are available so next time you miss an onward or connecting flight through either AirAsia's OR YOUR OWN incompetence, you do not have to take a big dry one up the arse from AirAsia on an alternative flight, especially in and out of KL. I have used the Lufthansa 3-times weekly loads of times (the other days they do an equally cheap shuffle to Saigon). Qatar and Ethiopian are also flying that sector so there's plenty cheap alternatives to ANY Thai-based or owned airlines if that is anyone's major criteria when whining on TV making a booking.

[dick90]

Somebody mentioned Air Asia Insurance.I would not recommend this to ANYONE.My wife got DVT whilst travelling on an Air Asia flight.No arguments proved by the hospital that this was the case.We tried to contact them.No reply for an emergency.Sent an Email , they replied in 3 days after we had flown back to Thailand.We were stuck in the hotel for 3 days.Our 3 day holiday ruined we had to pay for the hotel ,doctor etc.No help from Air Asia.They argued about paying anything but did pay the minimum possible B20,000. I am still paying the hospital bills B100s of B1000 out of pocket. No offer to pay for the hotel or give us another flight so we could take the break again.AND THIS WAS CAUSED ON THEIR FLIGHT.I hope AIR ASIA,s MD reads this.So please don,t rely on this insurance its worthless.

[overherebc]

Somebody mentioned Air Asia Insurance.I would not recommend this to ANYONE.My wife got DVT whilst travelling on an Air Asia flight.No arguments proved by the hospital that this was the case.We tried to contact them.No reply for an emergency.Sent an Email , they replied in 3 days after we had flown back to Thailand.We were stuck in the hotel for 3 days.Our 3 day holiday ruined we had to pay for the hotel ,doctor etc.No help from Air Asia.They argued about paying anything but did pay the minimum possible B20,000. I am still paying the hospital bills B100s of B1000 out of pocket. No offer to pay for the hotel or give us another flight so we could take the break again.AND THIS WAS CAUSED ON THEIR FLIGHT.I hope AIR ASIA,s MD reads this.So please don,t rely on this insurance its worthless.

May I direct you guys to google 'Fascinating Aida Cheap flights'

[Fgis]

Sorry to say, but afaik, for international 'connecting' flights, from one country via KL LCCT to another country, Air Asia is requesting 3h between arrival and departure.

You bocked all flights by yourself via Internet, did you?

You got two booking numbers, right?

You had no fly-thru option or didn't book it, right?

How comes, that it's Air Asia's fault, here?

Your risk, your 'fun'!

3 hours is a joke and cheating customers only because airlines do not wan that everybody comes together 1 hour before checkin closes.

Luckily many of the other stupid passengers follow this and I can always arrive 5 mns before checkin closes.

[Ulic]

The AA website is awful. The airline is there to hold you to the minute on closures. It is the way they

make money. But sometimes it is the only reasonable choice. Allow plenty of time for connections.

Also there insurance for missing connecting flights is bogus. Covers only some airlines. Always

a roll of the dice, yet I find myself using them with great angst.