SMH Air Asia X review

[Jeffrey O'Neill]

AA-X provided a free flight for the reviewer - Airline review: AirAsia X economy class

I was a bit disappointed to see it was the ex Air Canada plane which has a different seating configuration to the rest of the AA-X fleet. Not a bad plane to catch if you book the XL seats as I've read you get a near lay flat business class seat for the price.

It would have been nice if they noted there's only 1 of these planes and you're more likely to get a standard configured AA-X plane. My conspiracy paraonoia gene is a bit itchy over this review

 

[docjames]

Given the reviews dont pay for their seats (i would think), you can bet the AAX was very happy to offer them seats on the ex-AC plane rahhter than the usual fleet.

Of course, this is the depth of journalism we know and love here in Australia......

 

[Jeffrey O'Neill]

Doc

yes. I thought it was pretty poor that they didn't highlight the plane was not a standard config.

I think AA-X are pretty short sighted though, as they're really setting up most people for disappointment if the review tempts them to thry their bus with wings service.

 

[FL360]

I think AAX is getting a bit greedy now for its OZ pax...

Because of my parent's complexity of routings I was looking for MEL => HKG one way for my parents travelling next May 2010, AAX was one of the choice for MEL=>KUL=>HKG, AAX's MEL=>KUL price actually went up quite a lot, last year it was about 199 AUD one way low season, for 2010 their standard price is about 279 AUD... so AAX / AK MEL=>KUL=>HKG is about 390 AUD which includes terrible seats, no service and a long wait in the terrible LCCT...(Low class commuter terminal)

until I did a search for other alternatives, SQ one way MEL=>SIN=>HKG is about 550 AUD,

Unless people with a fetish of AAX services or the LCCT you know what the sane choice is...

so now SQ sells comparatively cheap one way tic as well,
which is a good news...

 

[Jeffrey O'Neill]

If only more full service carriers would take after VAustralia and bring out 1 way fares.

Would make life so much easier, but also bring in more competition.

Would be nice to be able to book flights out of asia as they tend to be cheaper than out of australia.

If you can get a XL seat for around 800 return it's not too bad a deal, but I doubt I will put myself thru the torture of a standard AA-X seat again.

Just ned JQ to get back to flying to KL :mrgreen:

 

[bushtuckerman]

I agree with Jeffery...it was a pretty lame review. Actually it was more like a free plug. The man has no credibility.

I also agree that AAX is setting itself up for criticism. Perhaps thay are trying to emulate Tiger and Jetcrap*...over-promise and under-deliver, and piss everyone off.

Interesting that QF are looking to tie a deal with Air Asia. I just hope it brings better choices and more flights to the lucrative SYD-BKK route, which QF has let slip.

Cheers
Bush

 

[dajop]

Interesting that QF are looking to tie a deal with Air Asia. I just hope it brings better choices and more flights to the lucrative SYD-BKK route, which QF has let slip.

I think you will find that Qantas Limited (as opposed to QF) were looking to cut a deal with Air Asia around sourcing, and sharing resources (ground handling etc) for Jetstar operated services. I suspect that is very much centred on the Asian routes of Jetstar Asia - which is where the synergies really lie. It would be surprising if there was marketing cooperation between Jetstar and Air Asia, let alone between Qantas and Air Asia.

And what on earth are you talking about QF letting the SYD-BKK route slip? It's operated by a four class cab747 daily, with an additonal option of codesharing on BA flight. As has always been the case. On the other hand the almost equally populous MEL has to make do with 3xweekly QF group services - on Jetstar (but to be fair there are double daily services on TG, good on TG).

 

[bushtuckerman]

Dajop what drugs or planet are you on?

 

[odysseus]

Given the reviews dont pay for their seats (i would think), you can bet the AAX was very happy to offer them seats on the ex-AC plane rahhter than the usual fleet.
......

The conspiracies come out whenever something positive is said in a review!

Of course, this is the depth of journalism we know and love here in Australia......

Travel doesn't come cheap, particularly when it has to be written soon, and in advance of a deadline. When it comes down to it, it's often a case of get the flight free, or don't get a review at all.

And it's not uncommon for reviewers of expensive items to be given the item as a test... for example, car reviewers don't pay for their cars either.

You'll note that the comments are because they disclosed that it was free - it would be more suspicious if they didn't disclose.

 

[dajop]

Dajop what drugs or planet are you on?

I am I missing something in relation to the SYD-BKK route? Or the AirAsia/Qantas tie up?

 

[bushtuckerman]

Quote: I think you will find that Qantas Limited (as opposed to QF) were looking to cut a deal with Air Asia around sourcing, and sharing resources (ground handling etc) for Jetstar operated services. I suspect that is very much centred on the Asian routes of Jetstar Asia - which is where the synergies really lie. It would be surprising if there was marketing cooperation between Jetstar and Air Asia, let alone between Qantas and Air Asia.

Anyone can quote from a news paper dajoop, and if you use it as your reference you're a fool. How about some original analysis.

Quote: I suspect that...you are just quoting someone else without the courtesy or professionalism to acknowledge the source.

Qantas reduced their flights on the Bangkok run more than a year ago and flick-passed their award seats to Jet*.

You clearly have no idea what you are talking about.

I would suggest that instead of picking on someone, you get your own house in order first.

 

[docjames]

odysseus, my comments were directed at the fact that it is a total puff piece. I have no problem with people being given things for free to review, but at least show some contemplation of whether what you are being told/given truly reflects reality. (For the record, this is what drug companies do to doctors all the time - given them a slanted view on the pros of a medication - so i do have some experience at interpreting / showing independant thought when presented with a one-sided view of something).



May as well be reading a AAX press release for all the thought / consideration in the article in the SMH.

 

[dajop]

Anyone can quote from a news paper dajoop, and if you use it as your reference you're a fool. How about some original analysis.

Qantas reduced their flights on the Bangkok run more than a year ago and flick-passed their award seats to Jet*.
.

I was using the Qantas announcement, and articles referenced in a thread on AFF in this discussion that point to this being a cost saving joint venture - particularly around fuel. Probably the most pertinent of those articles was from the Australian. If you look at the QF announcement, the best source, it only mentions a tie up between Jetstar and AirAsia, no mention of Qantas:

... Jetstar, and AirAsia have entered discussions regarding a potential cost saving joint venture

And as for Bangkok, it does depend on which week you look at, I will admit there are some weeks where there are only 5 QF operated flights - as well as daily codeshares on BA - and some weeks still seem to have a daily flights operating. Which was I understand was more to do with the GFC and being unable to sustain both BA and QF flights every day of the week and not terribly different to other reductions in frequency (IIRC SYD-SFO, HKG-LHR, LAX-JFK all had some cuts in frequency). From April onwards these seem to have restored to daily services, and from then on excellent availability of FF seats (as with most QF routes - until then FF seats seem tight). This is vastly different from routes that have been entirely handed over to Jetstar (such as CNS-Japan, DRW-SIN, xx_-DPS, MEL-CHC etc).

 

[harvyk]

May as well be reading a AAX press release for all the thought / consideration in the article in the SMH.

Wait a sec, you mean to say that wasn't a press release? :shock:

You know what they say, if it sound like ..it, and looks like ..it. then chances are it's a piece of .. well balanced and fair journalism.

 

[paulk]

Most recently, my wife and I were stranded in Abu Dhabi when AirAsiaX announced they were canceling service to/from Abu Dhabi in January this year. They didn’t notify us (their stranded passengers) until Feb 10th. Neither did they offer any accommodation nor answer our emails asking for help. We had to get back to Malaysia on our own. They won’t reimburse our additional expenses either.

They said they would refund the Abu Dhabi/Kuala Lumpur portion of our trip, but it will take them 30-50 days to process the refund. Such an attitude!

Watch out for these guys. If you are considering using AirAsiaX, It might be a good idea to develop a plan B... just in case.