AirAsia was founded 20th December 1993 as a government-owned conglomerate. It began operations on 18th November 1996. The airline belongs to Tony Fernandes, former Time Warner executive who purchased the indebted airline for $0.26 on December 2nd, 2001.
AirAsia is the largest low-cost airline owned by Malaysia. It is headquartered in Kuala Lumpur International Airport, Malaysia. By fleet size and destinations served, it is the largest airline in Malaysia. AirAsia operates scheduled domestic and international flights to more than 165 destinations across 25 countries in South East Asia, East Asia, South Asia, Oceania, and the Middle East. The main hub of AirAsia is at KLIA2, the low-cost carrier terminal at Kuala Lumpur International?Airport (KLIA) in Sepang, Selangor, Malaysia. AirAsia has affiliations with 4 airlines; Thai AirAsia, Indonesia AirAsia, Philippines AirAsia, and AirAsia India operating from hubs in Don Mueang International?Airport, Soekarno-Hatta International Airport, Ninoy Aquino International Airport, and Kempegowda International Airport respectively. It's sister airline, AirAsia X, operates long-haul flights.?AirAsia is the current sponsor of the Malaysian national football team, Singapore national?football team and Queens Park Rangers.
AirAsia has subsidiaries namely AirAsiaBerhad, AirAsia Indonesia, Thai AirAsia, Philippines AirAsia, AirAsia India, AirAsia Japan, AirAsia X, Thai AirAisa X, and Indonesia AirAsia X. AirAsia X operates long haul flights exceeding 4 hours. AirAsia has been consecutively named the world's best low-cost carrier airline for 8 years.
The airline has about 76 aircraft in its fleet. AirAsia is Airbus's single largest customer after it ordered more than 200 Airbus A320neos at the Paris Air Show.
Routes AirAsia Operates Flights on
The routes and airports which AirAsia serves constantly changes per time, but there are a few regular routes which AirAsia have operated domestic and international flights. The most popular flight?routes of AirAsia includes:
South East Asia: Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam.
East Asia: China, Hong Kong, Japan, Macau, South Korea, Taiwan.
South Asia: Bangladesh, India, Sri Lanka.
Oceania: New Zealand and Australia.
Middle East: Iran, Abu Dhabi.
Below is a list of common routes operated by AirAsia and the average fares.
| Routes Operated by AirAsia |
Flight fare ($) One way |
| Kuala Lumpur to Sihanoukville |
22 |
| Kuala Lumpur to Surat Thani |
27 |
| Johor Bahru to Jakarta |
37 |
| Kuala Lumpur to Osaka-Kansai |
74 |
| Kuala Lumpur to Sydney |
98 |
| Melbourne to Shanghai |
391 |
| Ho Chi Minh City to Shanghai |
289 |
| Bangkok to Shanghai |
235 |
| Kota Kinabalu to Hong Kong |
64 |
| Bangkok to Hong Kong |
101 |
AirAsia Fleet
The airline has about 76 aircraft in its fleet consisting of 73 Airbus A320-200 and 3 Airbus A320. It has ordered more than 365 aircraft, majorly Airbus. AirAsia is Airbus's single largest customer after it ordered more than 200 Airbus A320neos at the Paris Air Show and 100 AirbusA321 at the Farnborough International Air Show in 2016.
The livery of AirAsia consists of a red painting on the body of the aircraft. Written in white paint is AirAsia and the slogan of AirAsia-Now Everyone Can Fly.
Travel Packages Offered by AirAsia
AirAsia does not serve alcohol or pork on its regional group flights in accordance with Sharia laws. It, however, sells wine and beer on board AirAsia X flights.
It offers only
Economy Class on its aircraft as it is a low-cost?airline. The Economy Class offers a seat pitch of 29.5 inches and a width between 18 and 21 inches. Food and beverages are offered to passengers on a "
buy-on-board" programme. Passengers may rent a portable device on AirAsia X long haul flights to watch movies TV, play music and games.
AirAsia's Red Lounge is located at to
klia2 International Departure. The lounge is open round the clock and is available for Premium Flatbed and Premium Flex guests travelling out of Kuala Lumpur. 3 hours access to the lounge is charged at RM79 or 18USD for walk-in guests but the first 3 hours in the lounge is complimentary for Premium Flatbed and Flex guests and all children below 2 years old. Pre-booking is charged at RM69 or 16USD for 3 hours access.
AirAsia also provides a Travel Insurance to passengers which include lifestyle travel protection, Skybus protection plan, baggage delay and 1-hour on-time guarantee insurance.
Special Services Offered By AirAsia
AirAsia offers a frequent flyer programme called
Big Points which issues loyalty points to customers and third-party merchants. The points can be used to redeem AirAsia flights, BIG points and cash, hotel stays, and priority access. The Big card also serves as a prepaid payment card accepted at stores worldwide to earn extra points towards a free flight. Joining the AirAsia Big membership is free.
AirAsia is a budget airline and charges passengers for many services which regular airlines don't charge for. This is to make sure passengers request and purchase the services they want during the flight including food, drinks, seat selection, in-flight entertainment, check-in luggage etc.
AirAsia flights allow passengers to select seats up to 4 hours before flight departure. A random seat will be assigned if a seat is selected while booking. Under "Manage My Booking," passengers can select a seat in the quiet zone where only adults without children are seated. ?"Hot seats" are by emergency exits. Some of the aircraft offer premium flatbeds and space for more legroom.
Passengers with Reduced Mobility
?AirAsia can only carry 4 passengers with reduced mobility per flight. The airline does not accept battery operated wheelchairs or mobility devices. Passengers with medical conditions/illnesses must produce a medical certificate dated not more than 7 days to flight departure. Passengers requiring wheelchairs should pre-book at least 4 hours before flight departure time.
Where to Book AirAsia Flight Tickets
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Flying with Children
Children younger than 12 will not be accepted for carriage unless they are accompanied by an adult. Passengers travelling with children may bring infant food and formula onboard in the cabin baggage. All children under the age of 12 should be added to your travel party when booking tickets. Baby strollers can be checked in free of charge, but no check-in luggage allowance is allowed for infants.
Flying with Pets
AirAsia does not accept any kind of pets onboard all its flights.
Cargo Delivery
AirAsia does not accept the following cargo for carriage in the aircraft: Dangerous goods, livestock, human remains and any piece of cargo exceeding 85 kg in weight.
Perishable goods like flowers, fruits, and vegetables are accepted as cargo if they are properly packaged without leaking.
All cargo must be delivered to the aircraft for loading at least 1 hour prior to flight departure.
Terms and Check-in Policy
Check-In
Counter check-in
Baggage drop-off starts 3
?hours before international flight departure time and
2 hours before domestic flight departure time. The check-in counters close?45 minutes before take off time. Counter check-in attracts a fee for domestic flights in Malaysia and Indonesia.Boarding gate closes 30 minutes prior to scheduled flight departure.
Online Check-in?
Passengers can print and reprint boarding pass online up to 14 days before flight departure till 1 hour before departure or 4 hours before departure for pregnant women. You can also receive the boarding pass as a PDF file in your email. A scannable bar code can also be used as a boarding pass for passengers with a smartphone.
Passengers with special needs or travelling with infants, passengers younger than 16 travelling alone, and those with a serious medical condition must use the check-in desks at the airport.
Pregnant Passengers
Pregnant women within 28 to 34th week of pregnancy must produce an approved medical certificate granting her permission to board AirAsia flight. Pregnant women in the 35th week cannot board AirAsia flights.
Infants 8 days and or below may be carried with a medical certificate and when the parent signs a Limited Liability Statement.
Baggage Allowance
Carry-on Baggage
Every passenger is allowed carry-on board AirAsia flights a free 1?piece of carry-on baggage plus a laptop bag or handbag. Carry-on luggage must have maximum dimensions of 14 inches height, 22 inches in length and 10 inches in width. The carry-on baggage must fit in the overhead compartment or under the seat directly in front of you onboard. The carry-on baggage must not exceed 15 pounds or 7kg. Cabin baggage that exceeds allowed size will be checked in at the airport and will attract checked baggage fees. Children age 2 and above are allowed the same cabin allowance as adults. Medication and special dietary food including baby food, diabetic food are permitted as cabin baggage.
Checked-baggage allowance:?Large baggage must be checked in for flights on AirAsia at least 45 minutes before flight departure.
32kg max allowed baggage.
Checked-in baggage should be purchased as an add-on during flight ticket booking.
Baggage Restrictions
The following items are prohibited on board AirAsia flights to prevent danger to the aircraft and ensure the safety of passengers and crew. Corrosives, gas, flammable liquid, oxidising material, organic peroxides, toxic substances, radioactive materials, infectious substances, explosives, petrol, flammable solids, magnetic materials, gas cylinders etc. Weapons such as antique firearms, swords, knives and similar weapons may be allowed as checked baggage at the discretion of the AirAsia.
Items deemed as security hazards by local law can not be carried into the security restricted area and in your hand-luggage aboard the flight. This includes baby stroller, toy guns, scissors, nail clippers, knives, swords, pocket knives, blunt instruments, explosives, pointed/edged sharp objects, firearms and weapons, devices with spillable batteries, sporting equipment like baseball bats, golf clubs, hockey sticks, billiard cues etc.
Ticket Refund
?AirAsia operates a no-refund policy on all its commercial routes. A partial refund policy is only available on its flights departing from South Korea. There will be no refund for no-shows.
