Air Asia - Bangkok to Clark?

[CheshireTom 1,377]

Anyone got any further info?

 

 

"AirAsia eyes 10 Airbus units

by Jeremiah F. de Guzman

 

AirAsia Inc., the unit of AirAsia Group in the Philippines, said over the weekend it will deploy up to 10 Airbus 320 in the first three years of its operations to serve Southeast Asian destinations.

 

AirAsia Philippines chairman Antonio Cojuangco told that the carrier’s maiden flight is set in October.

 

“We will start with two Airbus 320. We still don’t have specific routes. We still have to go through applications first,” Cojuangco said.

 

He said first aircraft would be delivered in August and the second in October or November. The airline, he said, had applied for four regional destinations that he did not disclose.

 

The carrier earlier said it wanted to launch flights from the Philippines to Kuala Lumpur, Singapore, Jakarta, Bangkok, Hong Kong and China.

 

Cojuangco also said AirAsia Philippines planned to increase its fleet from just two this year to eight to 10 Airbus 320 in the next three years."

 

 

"AirAsia Philippines earlier announced it would set up base at Diosdado Macapagal International Airport in Clark, Pampanga province.

 

DMIA, which is 85 kilometers away from Ninoy Aquino International Airport, is the main airport serving the immediate vicinity of the Clark Special Economic Zone."

[bigdelta 46]

Having their base at Clark is good for mongering in PI.Clark to BKK-one mongering center to another.

[tomcat76 327]

These discount "low-cost" airlines can be undependable and a real hassle. Yes, the fares are very competitive, but when things happen it's the passenger left holding the bag. In the airline world they're definitely seen as second-class citizens, and as a passenger you notice the difference. I've experienced very frustrating delays with Cebu Pacific on the BKK end of flights to CRK. If it's one of those times when the immigration lines are backed up, you need to get checked in just as soon as the counter opens up (and heaven help you if you're caught in line behind a big tour group - you'll get to stand by and watch all the johnny-come-lately's trapse right by you to the front of the line while the counter crew scratch their heads trying to figure out what to do...). And if you're on a connecting flight, you'll have to come all the way out through immigration and check-in again (so try to avoid any short-fused transfers). Some of the websites for the discount airlines can be screwy, and you might find yourself making expensive international calls to sort things out. 'Hopefull AirAsia will have their act together.

[CheshireTom 1,377]

Hopefull AirAsia will have their act together.

 

Most folk seem to agree that, generally speaking, they do. Good advice about timings at Suvarnabhumi but the issues apply just as equally to full-service airlines.

 

 

[jacko 8,815]

These discount "low-cost" airlines can be undependable and a real hassle. Yes, the fares are very competitive, but when things happen it's the passenger left holding the bag. In the airline world they're definitely seen as second-class citizens, and as a passenger you notice the difference. I've experienced very frustrating delays with Cebu Pacific on the BKK end of flights to CRK. If it's one of those times when the immigration lines are backed up, you need to get checked in just as soon as the counter opens up (and heaven help you if you're caught in line behind a big tour group - you'll get to stand by and watch all the johnny-come-lately's trapse right by you to the front of the line while the counter crew scratch their heads trying to figure out what to do...). And if you're on a connecting flight, you'll have to come all the way out through immigration and check-in again (so try to avoid any short-fused transfers). Some of the websites for the discount airlines can be screwy, and you might find yourself making expensive international calls to sort things out. 'Hopefull AirAsia will have their act together.

I am more of the opinion that you need to be selective of which ones you use, and of course if things do not work out, really expect them to backpedal and decline to assist you. The one you mention, Airasia, particularly the Thai wing of it, have served me well for quitte a number of times in and out of BKK. That and better schedules and prices than say Thai Airways.

I use them to get around SE Asia, to go between LOS and UK, I step it up a notch.

[kuranda_bagman 135]

Like Jacko I've used the Thai operation of Air Aisa without any problems in the past - Friendly staff, good prices, sensible flight times and mostly on time.

[bigdelta 46]

I've used them 5x without any issues.

 

 

I am more of the opinion that you need to be selective of which ones you use, and of course if things do not work out, really expect them to backpedal and decline to assist you. The one you mention, Airasia, particularly the Thai wing of it, have served me well for quitte a number of times in and out of BKK. That and better schedules and prices than say Thai Airways.

I use them to get around SE Asia, to go between LOS and UK, I step it up a notch.

[nkped 1,208]

To divert the thread only a little bit, do the good experiences with Air Asia include flights within Thailand?

[ingo67 8]

I've used Air Asia to go to Chiang Mai, KL-Malaysia and Phnom Pehn.

No better, no worse than any other shorthaul carrier I have used in Europe.

[tomcat76 327]

Most folk seem to agree that, generally speaking, they do. Good advice about timings at Suvarnabhumi but the issues apply just as equally to full-service airlines.

 

 

 

With a "regular" airline, you don't have to leave the secure area and go through immigration in order to check-in for your connection. 'A real pain, esp. if the outbound immigration lines are long. Would like to try AirAsia, but it doesn't serve N America.

[CheshireTom 1,377]

With a "regular" airline, you don't have to leave the secure area and go through immigration in order to check-in for your connection.

 

The same applies to many AirAsia --> AirAsiaX connecting flights e.g. BKK-KUL-LON. However, I was referring specifically to BKK and since no regular airline currently serves the BKK-CRK route you're going to be going through immigration irrespective of the carrier.

 

 

 

 

[the_inspector 6]

I've used AirAsia several times when in Thailand, all the flights i have been on have been internal flights.

 

Every time i have used them the flights have been on time and the staff very helpful (beautiful to), only 1 complaint i have about them is when flying from Phuket to Bangkok between my girlfriend and i we were 2kg over the allocated limit (I had pre purchased extra baggage) and we were made pay for the 2kg if i remember correct it was 400THB per KG.

 

I know some will say i should not have been over the allocated limit but in all the times i have flew, which is alot as i fly every other week due to work i have never been made pay for 2kg over