AirAsia offers option to choose seat for RM20

[Nautilus]

AirAsia offers option to choose seat for RM20

PETALING JAYA: Those tired of lining up to get seats when flying AirAsia can now get to choose their places on board for a small price.

By paying RM20, passengers can now use the Xpress Boarding service – the budget airline's own version of a business class type of service – to be among the first to board.

In a statement yesterday, the airline said that by paying a “little more,” passengers would be able to select their choice of seating – whether front row, aisle or window seats – for their own convenience.

“This new service provides passengers the opportunity to be amongst the first to board and have the greatest choice of seats, ahead of the general boarding group, at an introductory fee of RM20 one-way,” said the airline's executive vice-president commercial Kathleen Tan.

AirAsia currently practices a free-seating policy and the Xpress Boarding services will be extended to all airports in its network, including those serviced by its sister companies, Thai AirAsia and Indonesia AirAsia.

The statement said the free-seating policy encouraged passengers to be punctual at the boarding gate, which is an important element for the airline's 25-minute turnaround.

The new service is sold online on a first-come, first-served basis as part of the normal flight booking process at Welcome to AirAsia.com...now everyone can fly... or at any of AirAsia's sales offices, airport sales counters or call centres.

Passengers who purchase the service would be able to go directly to the boarding gate and be amongst the first to board.

They should be at the boarding gate no later than 30 minutes before the flight is scheduled to depart.

[sarsbuk]

I noticed from Bangkok to Phuket this is 200 Baht each way "subject to local VAT for domestic flights(7% VAT for Thailand and 10% VAT for Indonesia)"

[Mr Lucky]

Nice....selling us something we should be getting free.

And we do get it free on another low-cost carrier, Nok Air, where you can even select your seat online after buying your ticket.

[ATMwalking]

I think Nok generally charges a little more than Air Asia anyway.

I used this service with Tiger Air. I think it was about S$5. Happy to pay it. This is even better as you get advanced boarding. I really get tired of everyone jumping the cue. The one major fault thais have and is also a major pet peeve is there inability to take a queue.

so if I can get on first, get a front row seet, and then get off first then the 200 baht is a no brainer for me.

[LivinLOS]

Agreed.. 200 baht for priority board and departure..

[Mr Lucky]

If I couldn't use Nok and had to take AirAsia, I'd definitely pony up the extra 200 baht for a reserved seat.

Though I wouldn't be getting on first. I always wonder why people want to rush onto the plane. I figure I'm going to spend hours in that seat.

If I have a reserved seat number on my ticket, I'd rather take a little walk, do some airport shopping, sit in a cafe, look at girls....then board just before they close the doors, after everyone else has gotten out of the way.

[Mr Lucky]

Originally Posted by ATMwalking

I think Nok generally charges a little more than Air Asia anyway.

Nok Air: Bangkok-Phuket, June 15, 9am = 1,500 baht after tax

AirAsia: Bangkok-Phuket, June 15, 1050am = 1390 baht after tax

If you factor in the additional 200 baht seating charge, it's AirAsia that "charges a little more".

(All that said...the AirAsia flight leaves from Suvarnabhumi, while the Nok flight leaves from Don Muang - not cool if you're transferring from an international flight).

[sarsbuk]

I found Air Asia Cheaper

BKK - HKT August 25
HKt - BKK Sept 4th

Air Asia with xpress boarding inc 2,537 baht return
Nok Air - 3000 Baht.

Also the Air Asia flights have more selection and the flights at the right time. I am booking tomorrow my BKK - HKT flight and will be paying for the xpress Boarding!

[Nautilus]

I think many will pay for this service, since it's only RM 20.

I wont be bothered, i always sit down and queue up the last few passengers.

Really amusing to see those people rush to queue when the flight is announced.

Kiasu!!!

[ATMwalking]

Originally Posted by Nautilus

Really amusing to see those people rush to queue when the flight is announced.

Kiasu!!!

I try and travel as efficiently as possible.

I'll queue as soon as I am near the gate. Better than sitting in the chairs for 20 minutes. I like to board first so I can sit on a front row isle. That means I am off first and have more shoulder room during flight. It also means that I have space in the bin directly overhead for my two carry-on bags. I never check luggage except on a long trip. Once I am set-up, I can just listen to music or read knowing I'm set.

Once we land I am out of the airport by the time the last people are still getting off the plane.

[LivinLOS]

I am one of the rushers.. My reasons being I often have no checked luggage and if I get a front seat I am off that plane and at the front of the immigration queue and then in a taxi in 10 mins..

I came on a flight from Sing once and flew for 1h20m and was in the queue for Thai immigration for 1h30 !! The chance to not have that happen again for 20RM.. Hardly worth considering.

EDIT :: Ha posted this and the page timed out.. Once I noticed and refreshed Chris's was above.. Looks like we would both be fighting over that seat.. Also my long legs like having the front seats.

[Dodger]

Wow chill out a bit guys, getting on first, getting on last, you all arrive at the same time, getting off first or second makes no odds most of the time cos you got to get on a stupid crammed bus to get to the terminal.

Heck and if you do succeed in getting out of the airport 10 minutes ahead of me, well done, now what you gonna do so damn important with those 10 minutes?

You will not agree I'm sure cos got lots of friends same as you guys, it is actually just a state of mind, a little personal competition to win, a personal quirk to get through the airport asap. Then of course there is always the one time it works or the one time you don't do it and get caught at immigration, heck on average there's not much difference from first to last off a plane, not in real terms.

But we all have these little foibles, mine is I suppose the same but just in reverse. I get in the queue last, find if I'm travelling alone, always get a seat almost wherever cos people always try to sit two to a row of three. Get up near the last, can't be bothered to join 'who can get the overhead locker open first race' get on the bus near last and off fairly near the front and then get home when I get home.

Quickest thing to all of this is too carry hand luggage cos I hate the 'wonder if my bag is on the plane thought, as you watch everyones bag on the carousel, and why is yours never off first?, you got on last' see thats my personal foible!!!.

[LivinLOS]

I just hate queueing and waiting on being 'processed'.. Thats uncomfortable time for me.. So I minimize it.

[MrDK]

Originally Posted by Dodger

Wow chill out a bit guys, getting on first, getting on last, you all arrive at the same time, getting off first or second makes no odds most of the time cos you got to get on a stupid crammed bus to get to the terminal.

Heck and if you do succeed in getting out of the airport 10 minutes ahead of me, well done, now what you gonna do so damn important with those 10 minutes?

You will not agree I'm sure cos got lots of friends same as you guys, it is actually just a state of mind, a little personal competition to win, a personal quirk to get through the airport asap. Then of course there is always the one time it works or the one time you don't do it and get caught at immigration, heck on average there's not much difference from first to last off a plane, not in real terms.

But we all have these little foibles, mine is I suppose the same but just in reverse. I get in the queue last, find if I'm travelling alone, always get a seat almost wherever cos people always try to sit two to a row of three. Get up near the last, can't be bothered to join 'who can get the overhead locker open first race' get on the bus near last and off fairly near the front and then get home when I get home.

Quickest thing to all of this is too carry hand luggage cos I hate the 'wonder if my bag is on the plane thought, as you watch everyones bag on the carousel, and why is yours never off first?, you got on last' see thats my personal foible!!!.

Time is a factor at times.

Getting on board first means guaranteed room in the overhead. When possible I take my briefcase and roller-board with me on board, meaning all my stuff. Having priority boarding and advanced seating can mean that you can arrive at the airport among the last and still be on first. Further, I like to just get tucked away in my window seat, free of shoulder bags hitting me and not having to make people get up so I can get in my seat. Actually with me tucked away there I am likely to be a sleep before we leave the gate.

I agree that fighting to get out first makes no difference (relative) to where you are seated. Managing to carry on your luggage, however, saves you plenty of time not having to wait at the carousel. Other than holidays I generally have someone waiting for me. When I don't have to deal with lengthy immigration I am often in a car within 5-8 minutes after getting to the gate.

[sarsbuk]

Just booked my AirAsia Flight from BKK - HKT 08/25 - 09/04

PRICING
O FARE 299.00 THB
O FARE 299.00 THB
1 Xpress Boarding fee 400.00 THB
Taxes 1,325.86 THB
Total Price 2,323.86 THB

700 Baht cheaper than Nok Air.... Thats a saving of 2 bar fines