Let’s Visit Asia

If you check the website of the Thailand-based budget airline One-Two-Go, this is the message that will greet you:
Dear Valued Passengers
We would like to inform you that during 22 July 2008 – 15 September 2008 we are operating a reduced schedule.
We apologize for any inconvenience to your travel plan and thank you for your kind understanding.
One-Two-Go Airlines.
The reports that are circulating, however, say something different. According to Bangkok Post, the 56-day grounding is due to “mounting cost pressures spurred by ballooning oil prices, fierce competition from rival airlines, falling domestic passenger demand and the poor business outlook”. Bloomberg confirms that …read more

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I was surfing around for cheap airfare deals for November and noticed that I’m still able to see the kind of airfares I was seeing a few months ago. I thought this a bit strange, considering the skyrocketing fuel prices of late. It was when I got to the page indicating the total amount I need to pay that my jaw dropped: the tax and fuel surcharge fees cost more than the seat itself!
Now I understand how airlines can advertise that they haven’t increased airfares, and in fact are still offering discounted fares. As usual, the trick is in the …read more

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Here’s some airfare offers from our traveling folks down there. Air Asia X, the long-haul budget airline, is offering airfares from Perth to KL for just AUD 132, and from Perth for just AUD 172. Here’s a screenshot of the Air Asia website showing all the details:

Air Asia X is just like the lowcost Air Asia flights, except for a few, but tangible differences that will make traveling long distances more comfortable. They offer a limited number of XL seats for those who require more legroom, and set meals are provided (snacks are available for purchase). You don’t get free …read more

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One thing I don’t like with flying budget airlines is that you have to pay for your meals. But because budget airlines usually fly short routes, it’s tolerable. Afterall, the savings you get from the airfare more than covers the cost of the meal. However, if you find yourself really hungry onboard, most budget airlines won’t have much to offer anyway to fill your grumbling stomach. Perhaps the most filling you can get is a sandwich, which can a little bit unsatisfying for the duration of say, a 3-hour flight.
Well, not with Air Asia, which just announced that they are …read more

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Initially called Air Korea, Korean Air’s budget affiliate has been rebranded as Jin Air. There seemed to be a lot of thinking that came into coming up with this name. First, Jin Air supposedly has the same pronunciation as the Chinese character meaning “truth” and “sincerity”.
Pursuing “freshness” and “pragmatism,” the budget airline showed unconventionality in many aspects
The crew will be wearing jeans and t-shirts, and will be called “Jini” ― pilots will be called “Jini pilot,” flight attendants, “Jini flying mate,” and ground crew, “Jini ground staff.” Cool eh? And the best is, according to the report, flights will cost …read more

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Thai Airways has announced that, effective June 25, 2008, it will be increasing its fuel surcharge on international and domestic flights, due to the increase in jet fuel costs. The adjustment on international flights will depend on the route and will range from US$60 (for short flights from Bangkok to Vietnam and Laos, for example) to US$281 (for long-haul flights from Bangkok to New York or Los Angeles).
For domestic flights, they will collect a fuel surcharge rate of THB 850, except the Chiang Mai-Mae Hong Son route where THB 600 will be collected.
In addition, the airline will suspend its …read more

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Business travelers who fly between Singapore and New York can now reach their destination more rested, more prepared to face their business meetings. Singapore Airlines has reconfigured five of the airline’s A340-500s with 100 of the airline’s new award-winning Business Class seats for use in the all business class long haul flights between these two cities. Imagine, the whole aircraft, kitted out with such comfortable and spacious seats (photo):
Each leather-upholstered Business Class seat measures 30 inches (76 cm) in width and is almost 50 percent wider than most products in this class. Providing customers with more personal space and …read more

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If you find yourself flying over the Indian subcontinent frequently, you might want to take participate in SriLankan Airlines’ newly launched frequent flyer programme, the FlySmiLes. In addition to the usual miles collection, FlySmiles members also get to enjoy additional baggage privileges:
FlySmiLes Members who reach the Silver Tier Level can opt to join the Baggage Plus or Baggage Premier programme. If you travel frequently for trade, this is just the thing for you. In addition to most of the benefits highlighted in ‘benefits all the way with FlySmiLes”, the Baggage Plus members will get an additional 25kgs and Baggage Premier …read more

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Earlier this week, Oasis Hong Kong suddenly announced that they are out of business and left thousands of passengers high and dry. Oasis Hong Kong is the first long-haul budget airline, flying between London and Vancouver, and Hong Kong.
Since then, the airlines have been making arrangements with hotels and other airlines where passengers may make alternative travel bookings. If you are one of the passengers affected by this mayhem, make sure you fill out this passenger registration of claim form (pdf file).

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It used to be that flying with Malaysia-based budget airline Air Asia allows you to check in up to 20kg of luggage for free. Well, effective April 21, 2008, not anymore!
Checked baggage will be charged on a per piece basis up to a maximum combined weight of 15kg. Anything over 15kg will be charged as excess in addition to the per piece checked baggage fee.
Based on the published table of fees, it seems that the fess differ depending on the airport of origin, and you can get substantial discounts if you pre-book your checked baggage more than 24 hours prior …read more

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