Air Asia are planning flight from Europe to Malaysia for 80 dollars starting from July. Cheap flights to China and India also. An AirAsia spokesman stated they expected "a different type of traveller"
Thoughts?
AirAsia to provide long haul cheap air travel
In regards to the new TH-visa-regulations, which force many people to travel senseless around and to spend their money outside TH, Air Asia isn't a bad choice for traveling... IMO.
Of course, you can't expect a 1st class service, but it's acceptable for short-distance flights.
However, I doubt that it is a pleasure to travel under similar circumstances for several hours, i.e. to Europe.
AirAsia has firmly ordered 100 airbus A320 and has options on 30 other machines.
It's reported, that the Malaysian headquarter proofs to order 70 additional aircrafts, means all together 200 new machines.
For the future long-distance flights they are interested in A 330 + B 777 (20 aircrafts).
The fleet is about 5 years old and definitely on expansion course, because of the high inquiry.
Of course, you can't expect a 1st class service, but it's acceptable for short-distance flights.
However, I doubt that it is a pleasure to travel under similar circumstances for several hours, i.e. to Europe.
AirAsia has firmly ordered 100 airbus A320 and has options on 30 other machines.
It's reported, that the Malaysian headquarter proofs to order 70 additional aircrafts, means all together 200 new machines.
For the future long-distance flights they are interested in A 330 + B 777 (20 aircrafts).
The fleet is about 5 years old and definitely on expansion course, because of the high inquiry.
Budget long-haul is the next big thing in the airline industry, Oasis recently announced the intention to operate out of Hong Kong but they are a new start-up, Air Asia have a lot more experience. There are rumours that they have been talking of a joint venture with Virgin and Easyjet, but both are denying it.
I think there will be a lot of poor people from the UK and elsewhere coming over. A lot of them are living in Cha Am now! Already the sights on the beach look more akin to Blackpool or Skegness, whats worse a lot of them will have deep-veined thrombosis.
With Romania and Hungry joining the EU, there will be many east European migrant workers travelling west with pensioners and long term unemployed travelling to the far east.
With Romania and Hungry joining the EU, there will be many east European migrant workers travelling west with pensioners and long term unemployed travelling to the far east.
It sounds brilliant to me - I just hope that they choose London as European base. Better still, Easy Jet fly out of Bristol 
Trouble is, the Airport Taxes will cost more than the cheapest flights, but thats no different to the current domestic and European cheapest fares.
I for one would be prepared to suffer 12 hours discomfort, and have a lot more spending money for the holiday.
Trouble is, the Airport Taxes will cost more than the cheapest flights, but thats no different to the current domestic and European cheapest fares.
I for one would be prepared to suffer 12 hours discomfort, and have a lot more spending money for the holiday.
Championship Plymouth Argyle 1 - 2 Leeds Utd 
Points 46; Position 23 RELEGATED
Points 46; Position 23 RELEGATED
Why not spend some thousand $$, and fly really comfortable with Smintair?Winkie wrote:When I travel long distance I want my ticket to cost $800, not $80!
Even smoking is permitted !
http://www.smintair.com/index.html
I wonder if you bought 4 seats together you could lift up the armrests and lie down and sleep all the way for $320?Winkie wrote:When I travel long distance I want my ticket to cost $800, not $80!
Economy always means economy in the 'hidden' areas - aircraft safety systems, maintenance etc...
Winkie
[b]Winkie wrote:[/b]
[quote]Economy always means economy in the 'hidden' areas - aircraft safety systems, maintenance etc...[/quote]
In my work I often have to fly (short distance). I normally have 2 carriers at my disposal - British Airways and Easy Jet. I would opt for Easy Jet every time.
Easy Jet aircraft are newer and cleaner. As far as I know, they are also well maintained. I've never had a problem with Easy Jet, and I would say on 80% of the flights I've been on with them, they've arrived early.
Regarding safety, you may have read that there are problems at Bristol International Airport at the moment. The problems are because the Easy Jet pilots are saying the runway is unsafe when its wet, and refuse to use it. BA are continuing regardless.
[quote]Economy always means economy in the 'hidden' areas - aircraft safety systems, maintenance etc...[/quote]
In my work I often have to fly (short distance). I normally have 2 carriers at my disposal - British Airways and Easy Jet. I would opt for Easy Jet every time.
Easy Jet aircraft are newer and cleaner. As far as I know, they are also well maintained. I've never had a problem with Easy Jet, and I would say on 80% of the flights I've been on with them, they've arrived early.
Regarding safety, you may have read that there are problems at Bristol International Airport at the moment. The problems are because the Easy Jet pilots are saying the runway is unsafe when its wet, and refuse to use it. BA are continuing regardless.
Last edited by Big Boy on Sun Jan 07, 2007 2:40 am, edited 1 time in total.
Championship Plymouth Argyle 1 - 2 Leeds Utd
Points 46; Position 23 RELEGATED
Points 46; Position 23 RELEGATED
I work in airline maintenance and I welcome budget airlines, it's not maintenance that gets cut back, it's all the over staffed office departments. For instance the european airline I am working for at the moment employs less than thirty people to maintain the electronic systems on its aircraft and over one hundred to run its IT department!
That's no joke. Every ounce over 90 kilos that you are, those economy seats for long hauls could very well kill you, unless you get up and walk every two hours or so.Jockey wrote:whats worse a lot of them will have deep-veined thrombosis.
I used to love to fly, now it's a damn bore and that's probably an over 50 thing. It's just not fun anymore.
I would prefer putting on the headset, reclining my seat and then the cabin filled up with sleeping gas, to be replaced by oxygen 1 hour before landing. Pete
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JimboPSM
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News article from BBC Business News: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/6233295.stm
For the airline to make a profit, the number of seats actually available at $80 will be pretty minimal; I could not see anywhere where it says whether the price includes airport taxes and security charges (I think those would be additional and could easily amount to more than $200).Long-haul budget airline unveiled
Malaysian aviation tycoon Tony Fernandes has unveiled a new no-frills long-haul airline, Air Asia X.
The venture - a tie-up between Air Asia and Fly Asian Express (FAX) - will launch in July and fly to destinations in India, China and Europe.
The new airline aims to carry half a million passengers in its first year, Mr Fernandes said.
Air Asia X will also link up with other low-cost carriers to boost its connectivity and flights network.
Earlier this week, media reports had suggested the firm was hoping to form alliances with UK no-frills carrier Easyjet and Richard Branson's airline Virgin. The two companies later denied the reports.
"Air Asia X's network will cover destinations which are more than four hours in flight duration from Kuala Lumpur, offering daily point-to-point frequencies to popular destinations in China, India and Europe," Air Asia and FAX said in a statement.
The two are working to put together a fleet of up to 20 aircraft for Air Asia X.
Cheap flights
Mr Fernandes told the BBC that Air Asia X flights to London would be priced from $80 to $450 (£41 to £231) return.
He is the majority shareholder in FAX and the man behind Air Asia, which he turned into the most profitable low-cost carrier in Malaysia after he bought it as a bankrupt company in 2001.
FAX is a small airline covering remote routes in Malaysia.
Air Asia, which started with two planes, now has a fleet of 50 aircraft and flies to destinations in South East Asia and China.
The airline also plans to significantly increase its own fleet of aircraft.
Air Asia has ordered 100 A320 planes from Airbus and could now double that order, deputy chief executive Kamarudin Meranun said.
The group is expected to finalise its fleet expansion plan by the end of the month.