AirAsiaX - Update

[CheshireTom 1,377]

Some updates from the ceremony to mark the first of AirAsiaX's receipt of its first A330.

 

Worth noting is that Stansted appears to be pretty much confirmed as the UK destination and the flights will be by A340 rather than A330. The passengers won't notice any difference, apart from the number of engines, but it does mean they can do STN-KUL non-stop rather than having a stop in the middle-east which was the original understanding. A big bonus especially for those guys who may want to do Angeles (or just about anywhere else in Asia) as well as Thailand since AirAsia flies from KUL to Clark daily. Just need flights now from KUL-U-Tapao to complete the jigsaw.

 

 

AirAsia X going to London

 

SEPANG: Long-haul low-cost carrier, AirAsia X, is expected to launch its maiden flight to Standsted, London, by end of next year, says its chief executive officer Azran Osman Rani.

 

Speaking to reporters after the welcoming reception for AirAsia’s Airbus A330-300 here yesterday, he said the company had already secured the landing rights for the London destination and would fly on a daily basis using the A340.

 

“If all goes well, we should be ready to launch the UK route by end-2008 and commence sales and bookings in February,” he said, adding that the two A340 aircraft would arrive in October and November next year.

[ben99 0]

Thanks 4 the update

 

Any idea how much a STN-KUL return will be?

 

It would have 2 be a big discount from £500 2 tempt me away from Emirates, flying from Birmingham.

 

How cheap can these fares be?

[Brown1950 67]

Interesting to note that Manchester is now on the Air Asia Route Map ! Publicity flight using new A330 (AK001) arrives Manchester 1st Oct and returns back to KUL on 5th Oct (AK002) - Rumours are this will coincide with some positive news on a new KUL-MAN service for later 2008.

[CheshireTom 1,377]

Interesting to note that Manchester is now on the Air Asia Route Map ! Publicity flight using new A330 (AK001) arrives Manchester 1st Oct and returns back to KUL on 5th Oct (AK002) - Rumours are this will coincide with some positive news on a new KUL-MAN service for later 2008.

 

Brown1950,

 

Thanks for that info. I noticed yesterday that Manchester was on their route map but assumed it was a throw-back to them negotiating routes/landing slots. I would assume the length of time that the aircraft appears to be on the ground means that there will be a major AirAsia/ManU publicity drive going on. Has United got a home game against Roma on the 2nd?

 

I only realised the last couple of days that BA doesn't fly to KUL so it would make sense to have the first route down south, if that is in fact the case.

 

Any idea if their biz class has flat bed or lie-flat seating?

Edited September 28, 2007 by CheshireTom

[torrenova 644]

I'll take a 28" pitch for a trip to Singapore from Bangkok but not to London from KL. Then you'll have to re-check your baggage or even buy another ticket to get from KL to BKK. No back up planes, having to buy a blanket or water etc. Sounds bloody terrible for long haul.

 

How much ? well the taxes should be the same so lets say a GBP500 flight is GBP 375 flight, GBP 125 taxes then they have GBP125 taxes to start.

 

I doubt I would fly with them whatever the fare. Now thier business class, if they have one may be worth investigating.

[CheshireTom 1,377]

I'll take a 28" pitch for a trip to Singapore from Bangkok but not to London from KL. Then you'll have to re-check your baggage or even buy another ticket to get from KL to BKK. No back up planes, having to buy a blanket or water etc. Sounds bloody terrible for long haul.

 

How much ? well the taxes should be the same so lets say a GBP500 flight is GBP 375 flight, GBP 125 taxes then they have GBP125 taxes to start.

 

I doubt I would fly with them whatever the fare. Now thier business class, if they have one may be worth investigating.

 

Andy,

 

You've made a lot of assumptions, .............

 

Where does it say the seat pitch will be 28"? Even domestic Thai Air Asia has a 31/32" seat pitch.

 

Not everyone lives within spitting distance of Heathrow so changing flights ain't a big deal and better done in KL than LHR.

 

Taxes? Your confusing taxes with surcharges. Two totally different things.

 

Yes, they will have biz class .......

[safc 6]

Andy,

 

You've made a lot of assumptions, .............

 

Where does it say the seat pitch will be 28"? Even domestic Thai Air Asia has a 31/32" seat pitch.

 

Not everyone lives within spitting distance of Heathrow so changing flights ain't a big deal and better done in KL than LHR.

 

Taxes? Your confusing taxes with surcharges. Two totally different things.

 

Yes, they will have biz class .......

no way is the seat pitch 31/32 on thai air asia domestic routes.more like 28.possibly 29 at best.

[CheshireTom 1,377]

no way is the seat pitch 31/32 on thai air asia domestic routes.more like 28.possibly 29 at best.

 

I'll give you that ............. my mistake

 

However, the AirAsiaX flights will operate with a 31 inch pitch .........

 

Azran Osman-Rani, AirAsia X’s CEO said “AirAsia X aims to build on AirAsia’s tradition of innovating the short haul, low-cost carrier model by introducing a number of features unique to the long-haul service. These include a target seat configuration of over 390 seats – more than 100 more than traditional users of the A330-300 – while maintaining a comfortable seat pitch of 31” and a recline similar to that offered by international legacy carriers.”

[Brown1950 67]

The first A330-300 (leased) Airbus will have a 396 seat configuration in 'Y' class however regarding 'J' class no info has been released. The layout in Y will be 3--3-3 configuration. Until the first A340 (2009) is delivered the service from KU to UK will be via Dubai.