Ryanair!!! From Singapore, joined Mar 2002, 4367 posts, RR: 26 Posted (10 months 3 weeks 6 days 13 hours ago) and read 23284 times:
Air Asia X Sdn Bhd
D7 2716
Kuala Lumpur – Perth
Airbus A330-343E (9M-XXA)
Duration: 5 hr 30 min
ETD: 2300H GMT +8
ETA: 0530H GMT +9
11 March 2009
I had to start my journey in Singapore which required me to carry out a connecting flight from there. It was an unremarkable flight on Tiger which is a reliable and comfortable option, and the highlight of this flight was that it was carried out on a new-ish A319-132 (9V-TRA) delivered in January this year, the latest fleet inventory for this fledging budget carrier.
KL Low Cost Carrier Terminal (LCCT)
I have heard MANY negative feedbacks about this terminal. On arrival, the first impression was the Spartan set up of it all and the generous use of metal hoardings. Passengers are funneled into open-air walkways which would eventually lead to the main terminal for processing. At some portions, we are left open to the elements and it would not be the place to be should the monsoon activity pick up pace.
Walkway immediately after exiting the aircraft, as you can see – was built immediately on the tarmac and the cul de sac is clearly visible on the ground.
Thankfully, immigration was quick and swift but my main intention was to try out the much maligned transfer between LCCT and KLIA, where I intended to leave the luggage for the day. On exit from the arrivals, utter chaos met us with roads clogged up with cars, obviously too narrow for that volume of movement. It was hot, noisy, and signs that seemingly led to nowhere. I immediately ran back into the cool confines of the arrivals and asked “Where is the transfer bus to KLIA again, please?”
Out into the madness again, I attempted to look for the bus bays at the opposite end of the terminal building. It really felt like I had stepped out into a back-water, 3rd world sub-Saharan African nation ruled by some gun-toting, self awarded, multi-star general. I really expected Idi Amin to pull up in a convoy of black Mercedes Benzes at some point.
We did eventually find the bus at the terminus but once again, there were limited signs to point us to the right direction. With the help of some well-meaning touts, we did eventually board the right bus for a RM1.50 ride to KLIA.
This stuffy non-air conditioned air conditioned bus was obviously not equipped to be used at airports as it was a dirty, somewhat smelly city commuter bus. Travelers be warned, there are no luggage storing facilities on the bus.
Heave-ho… we managed to get settled comfortably with luggage in tow, by now we were drenched in sweat from the humidity. The journey wasn’t even halfway complete, and we felt drained already.
We creaked and bounced our way along the airport perimeter road and finally pulled into the underbelly of KLIA’s bus terminus. Journey time was close to 40 min from a terminal which could be seen “just across the tarmac”.
Thankfully, left baggage facilities in KLIA worked like a gem. Off to town we went on the KLIA Express and back so this transfer process was reversed for our departure later that evening. In the pouring rain that ensued, this proved to be a challenge as the transfer bus was leaking causing many passengers to swap seats throughout the journey.
Departure facilities at LCCT were more spread out although it was still a rather busy time of the day, on hindsight I don’t think there was even a lull period for the LCCT. During busier periods, signs that this terminal is bursting at the seams were the sights of people spilling out from every orifice imaginable. Along the corridors, from the toilets, all restaurants, shops, and if people could hang from the ceiling, I know for sure that area would be used too.
Self check-in kiosk were not useable for foreign passports unfortunately.
Check in for the flight to Perth was handled by very friendly agents at the far end of the hall. This said area was specially cordoned off from the others and it seemed it was catered for the exclusive use of Air Asia X - since they utilize larger planes, meaning more passenger flow. Plus points for this clever people flow management.
A lot of us are tempted to go airside immediately after check in but do not be duped at LCCT. Once passed immigration, there is absolutely nothing to do. We were confined to a room which was only adequate enough to hold one A330, and at most 3 A320s worth of passengers. Thankfully, an Air Asia Thailand flight to Bangkok was in the midst of boarding so the crowd eased slightly afterwards.
Boarding through Door T8 was called and we were soon filed up for our trek outside towards a shiny, new looking A330 waiting at the cargo bay parking area which was really some distance away from the LCCT. Previous complaints about the rush to board were largely unfounded ever since Air Asia introduced assigned seating for all their flights. To cut cost, passengers were made to walk and at no time did I see any buses being used. Not that I am complaining! I went shutter crazy as I walked freely on the tarmac towards my waiting plane!
Presenting – AIR ASIA X
First impressions of the cabin…. WOW! It was slick, modern, chic, fashionable, overall an awesome sight. Smart black leather seats encased in a light grey plastic shell, which was equipped with a large touch screen PTV on the seatback. Set against the blood red carpet on the floor and it really made the whole scene look more like an evil Miami-vice like chill out bar with tracks from Hotel Costes II serenading softly in the background. Unfortunately, the background music was a more bubblegum Westlife’s Bop Bop Baby.
The seats on Air Asia X are definitely narrower than normal, which explains their ability to cram a 3-3-3 set up on the A330. Despite weight-related jokes being thrown at me in recent times, I fit into the seat just fine and it didn’t feel any different from the seat on a legacy carrier. In fact, Tony Fernandez did demonstrate that his big butt could fit on the seat, so I don’t see why anyone else should have an issue with it unless you are morbidly obese. To compensate for this slightly narrow width, an excellent pitch was in store.
Recline… It was weird. How should I word this? Because the seat was encased in a plastic shell which was fixed in its stance, a conventional recline cannot be executed allowing an amazing pitch to be ensured. Press the recline button; the bottom seat cushion is pulled out horizontally towards the front, and the bottom half of the backrest goes with it creating an artificial “recline” feel. So you recline without physically doing it. Ingenious, isn’t it? It will take your brain a while to get the message “it feels like recline” because you never actually carried out the action of pushing the seat back. Humans are indeed a funny bunch being creatures of habit.
Air Asia X has an in-flight magazine. Note the diagram on how to recline your seat.
Recorded announcements came on welcoming passengers and it was played in several languages including Malay, English, Mandarin and (strangely) Cantonese. Push back was on time at 2300H with the safety demonstration carried out manually despite the presence of PTVs. Perhaps producing safety videos is an expensive affair?
With the cabin suitably darkened, a northerly take off on Runway 32R was in order behind a MAS 777-200 for our 5 hr 30 min journey. The northerly trek was soon cut into a left turn for a southerly flight path, treating the passengers on the right side of the plane with a momentary splash of bright city lights radiating from Kuala Lumpur in a distance before it all became dark again.
Cruising altitude: FL390
2340H: Final cruising altitude is stabilized and the cabin crew broke into action selling the entertainment headsets for RM30.00 per pop for usage with their “Xcite” IFE. There was a whole selection of audio, movies, short features and game options which would definitely keep one entertained for hours. In my opinion, this fresh IFE offering is comparable – if not better, than most of the legacy carriers out there. What you get for free on the PTV are the moving map channel, seat to seat chat function and meal ordering facilities. All I need is the moving map, really - so I saw no need to purchase the headsets.
Somewhere over the west of Singapore (I would have loved to be on the port side of the aircraft to see the city lights), the meal carts were wheeled out on both aisles to begin what was a lengthy meal service from aft. Passengers who ordered pre-paid meals were attended to in quick time indicated by their seat numbers on the manifest, double checked with the provision of boarding passes. I was presented with a hot entrée of the famous Malaysian delicacy Nasi Lemak – a serving of coconut rice with savory condiments, in this case was an egg with chili paste and chicken rendang. This meal came with a bottle of water and a Kit Kat chocolate bar.
“Here you go, Sir. Enjoy”, all done with a smile and did I mention how snip and sharp the crew looked in their outfits?
All was well and good so far and I was enjoying myself tremendously. The meal, although presented in a cheapo looking tin foil, was of great quality and rather palatable.
While majority of the meals were pre-ordered, I hardly saw any exchange of cash between the flight attendants and passengers which let me to think many preferred to have everything settled online during the booking process. It was made known that passengers who pre-ordered their meals would be served first.
Since there is no way for the cabin crew to physically tell whether is the seat upright during takeoff or landing, indicators like these are used. Green = upright, red = not.
0115H: By now, the meal items have been cleared and passengers were already beginning to nod off one by one. The announcement went something like “Ladies and Gentlemen, we will be dimming the lights soon so if you wish to read, please turn on your overhead reading lights. If not, rest well and sweet dreams.”
One thing I liked about the new generation Airbuses was how the lights faded on and off instead of a stark flickering. And it was with this that the cabin lights faded slowly from bright, to dim and finally fainting into pitch black with the illumination coming only from the PTVs and exit signs. Before the lights went out completely, the flight attendants walked about the aisle and quickly helped turn on the overhead lamps for those passengers who were observed reading. Nice touch.
The empty seats in my vicinity were all snapped up as those lucky ones sought to stretch out on 3 seats and had a fruitful sleep. I myself curled up on 2 seats by the window while my partner moved a row ahead of me and had 3 for himself. “COMFORT ME” kits could be purchased for a nominal sum which consisted of a blanket and pillow, but I was doing fine with my own fluffy pillow which I brought along courtesy of a previous QANTAS flight. While boarding, there were a few passengers seen lugging along large pillows obviously from their own bedrooms. While it was a comical scene, it was a rather logical one I think.
0245H: I jerked myself awake presumably from a very vivid dream of running away from Ru Paul… It was a frightful dream and one that I was glad to be out of. But a look at my watch, I was amazed I actually managed to sleep at all on a plane! By now, according to the flight show we were just made landfall in Australia. The scenery outside was nothing short of stunning. The moon was out in full force, light scattered clouds were seen beneath and the desert lit up and glowed eerily grey. Unfortunately there was no way for me to capture a shot of it from my camera.
In the darkness of a slumbering cabin, the flight attendants were constantly seen cleaning the lavs, picking up trash, and basically walking around the aisles with the help of a little pen-torch light. Occasionally a serving of a hot entrée was seen to be taken to sporadic passengers throughout the flight.
0325H: Little by little, the cabin lights glowed. It was time to wake up and being the cheeky aura Air Asia portrayed them to be, I was surprised there was no sound of a rooster’s crow to signify the start of a morning.
The cabin crew made one final pass with the meal carts asking if anyone wanted breakfast and no sooner did the flight deck announce we were commencing our descend in 15 minutes. Weather in Perth was fine with a ground temperature a cool 21 deg Celsius.
The usual drill of a cabin being sprayed with a disinfectant was carried out. I guess non-Australian registered aircrafts belongs to the great unwashed? Hahahaha… Nah in all seriousness, it has been a while since I have seen this because my recent trips down under were all on QF planes which are not required to go through this process.
On the dot at 0400H, the A330 nosed down towards terra firma onto the land once declared terra nullis. Hello Perth, I am back, indeed. Taking a rather inland approach, we flew low over the northern suburbs of Perth to set up for a Runway 21 landing. 30 minutes later, a smooth touchdown minus the roar of reverse thrusts ended a fantastic flight.
Local time was 0530H on chox due to daylight savings at the end of summer. This journey was not destined to have a great end, unfortunately.
WELCOME TO PERTH AIRPORT – HOME OF THE WORLD’S FRIENDLIEST IMMIGRATION OFFICERS
I understand the need for border protection, but I have never met such condescending and downright rude immigration officers in my life.
Both my partner and I were flagged out for further inspection after we passed passport control. Our phones were taken and swabbed for narcotics trace, we were asked to turn on our phones and smses looked through, laptops were booted up and files gone through to look for porno, bags emptied and contents laid out (and I mean EVERY single morsel of items all laid out) e.g. Name cards, credit cards, memory cards, camera fittings, travel itinerary, tissue paper, QF pillow, leftover Malaysian Ringgit, wallets opened, credit card receipts….
Amongst many questions asked I was quizzed with…
• “Why do you travel with your name cards?”
• “What do you do for a living? Project management? What is that? Elaborate…”
• “Why do you fly via Kuala Lumpur? Why not direct from Singapore?”
• “What were you doing in Kuala Lumpur? Why did you stay so long there? Transit? Why so long?”
• “Why do you have copies your educational certs with you? Are you sure you are not here to seek employment?”
• “Who is your “friend” you are staying with? What does he do? How come you do not know the postcode to his address? Applecross? He sounds rich, you sure you don’t know what he does for a living? How old is he? What is your relationship with him?”
• “Why are you only in Perth for such a short time? Holiday? All that distance for such a short time?”
• “You have any porno in your laptop? No? Used for work only? Yeah?”
• “You mentioned you are in project management in Singapore…”
Good Lord and the whole process would repeat itself again!
I did notice almost the entire plane load of passengers (except for the obviously Aussie looking ones) was being quizzed in this fashion leading to a tremendous line at customs. This led to a long time before we were finally allowed to go past the EXIT doors and officially into Australian soil, where my worried friend was waiting, frantically texting me but there was no way I could reply to him because the officers had my mobile phone (or rather it was placed aside with items they wanted to inspect further and I was told not to touch it despite the buzzer going off from incoming texts). It was surely a crappy way to begin our holiday feeling like a dirty, sinful, law-breaking mongrel of an illegal immigrant.
FINAL THOUGHTS
The KL LCCT is a functional (not pretty) piece of building if you do not have to do the transfer between there and KLIA. There were direct buses being offered by Air Asia and 2 other companies from there to KL Sentral and they use proper coaches equipped with baggage storage, nicely air conditioned and properly cushioned seats. All that for RM9.00 so it is a better way to get downtown. LCCT’s closest competitor would be the Budget Terminal (BT) in Changi Airport but from the looks of it, they might as well be on a different league looking at the vast difference in passenger numbers they handle on a daily basis. Thanks to Air Asia, LCCT makes BT look like a monastery – although the latter is very much nicer built without that temporary feel, it lacks the “buzz” of a thriving hub.
That being said, KL LCCT really needs to be upgraded quick time because they are indeed struggling to cope with the volume of passengers as we speak. Air Asia is growing faster than what everyone anticipated and the facilities simply cannot handle them. A new and permanent LCCT has been planned (finally!) and now everyone is watching to see when it would be built, whether the planned 2011 deadline would be met by the ever infamous feet-dragging Malaysia Airports Holdings Berhad, the custodian of the land around KLIA.
Until then, for all the wrongs the KL LCCT is – they have done all they could within the confines of the present structure to ensure operations continue to churn. Whoever said KL’s airport is a ghost town obviously hasn’t been to LCCT. It all lies in the hands of MAHB now how they would want to bring this forward.
To say that Air Asia has revolutionized the way we travel in Asia would be an understatement.
Now everyone can fly! This is the mantra that has been drilled into our psyche by this burgeoning airline group. Whether it is through their various airline franchises and subsidiaries, the main gist of it all is to pack our bags and leave the house.
When Air Asia first began to take shape, it was in a form of a regional full serviced carrier owned by the government-linked conglomerate DB Hi-Com. Needless to say it was a sad looking outfit with 2 – 3 routes out of Subang living in the shadow of Malaysia Airlines.
Enter Tony Fernandez, an airline enthusiast with absolutely no experience in running an airline other than being a head honcho from the music industry. He took over the reigns of Air Asia and bought it for a token sum of RM1.00, saddled with debts in excess of millions. And thus, the success story of Air Asia started to take shape.
Analysts all over the world immediately went into “doom foretell” mode…
The most foretelling of them all was that many agreed Asians were not ready for the onset of LCC travel. A lot argued frills of the legacy carriers were still the de-rigueur in this region which explained the existence of so many top tiered airlines based here.
Tony Fernandez was definitely on to something. The concept of LCC travel back in 2001 was largely foreign. The likes of Ryanair and Southwest were but a distant strange method of travel which we Asians would only laugh at. It was with this challenge of the untested, that the “new” Air Asia took flight in 2001, straight into post-911 era. There could not have been a worst time to launch an airline.
Fail? It did not. 8 years later in 2009, this airline has sprouted 2 additional franchises in Thailand and Indonesia – making them one of the largest airlines in this region. Ruffling the feathers of their initial skeptics, more so none other than their closest competitor Malaysia Airlines, Air Asia has caused a shift in the paradigm of traveling demographics radiating out from Malaysia into the region. All of a sudden, everyone wanted to emulate the doomed Air Asia. Neighboring countries saw their own flag carriers respond with creating their own LCC offshoots like Nok Air and Tiger Airways. Malaysia, ironically, never saw their own flag carrier create one only until mid 2007 when MAS gave birth to Firefly. Better late than never, some say.
Being the success it is regionally, long haul route development was the natural progression. In the midst of recent failures of other long haul LCC set ups like Oasis and Zoom, skeptics were once again up in arms singing the song of failure in unison. Somehow we already knew the pattern; the louder the chants of failure are the more Air Asia wants to prove us wrong.
I shall not dwell on the controversy of how Air Asia X received their AOC but to cut a long story short, governmental arrangement of the domestic route system in Sabah and Sarawak went from MAS to Air Asia (who created a subsidiary Fly Asian Xpress to handle these prop commuter sectors), and finally back to MAS again all within a space of a year. Using the AOC of Fly Asian Xpress, Air Asia X was created for the sole purpose of operating to long haul destinations for parent company Air Asia Sdn Bhd.
While no one knows what lies ahead in the future, there is only one constant in that the louder the nay-sayers yell, the more Air Asia seem to thrive. And so with that, we look forward to what else Air Asia can come up with.
I am a self-confessed convert from a legacy-only traveler to LCC aficionado. Never mind the jibes thrown at me e.g. Queen Bee of LCC, it all depends on how you want to look at it. Going on a holiday, the journey there and back is a large part of the experience and flying by LCC almost guarantees good trip report material. The things I do as a trip report writer, really!
Hope you enjoyed.
Do feel free to look through my other trip reports as well.
Midcon385 From United States of America, joined Dec 2006, 509 posts, RR: 0 Reply 3, posted (10 months 3 weeks 6 days 12 hours ago) and read 23139 times:
Very nice report on AirAsia X. Looked like a great trip "down under", too...
Docpepz From Singapore, joined May 2001, 1786 posts, RR: 5 Reply 4, posted (10 months 3 weeks 6 days 12 hours ago) and read 23125 times:
Very nice report. Australian customs can be a pain sometimes but just take comfort in the fact that they are stuck doing such thankless, brainless work for the rest of their sorry lives, so this is all they can look forward to.
Out of interest, why were you travelling with your educational certs haha.
SQ772 From Singapore, joined Nov 2001, 1772 posts, RR: 4 Reply 5, posted (10 months 3 weeks 6 days 6 hours ago) and read 22370 times:
Quoting Ryanair!!! (Thread starter): Out into the madness again, I attempted to look for the bus bays at the opposite end of the terminal building. It really felt like I had stepped out into a back-water, 3rd world sub-Saharan African nation ruled by some gun-toting, self awarded, multi-star general. I really expected Idi Amin to pull up in a convoy of black Mercedes Benzes at some point.
The scene actually resembles India more than Africa.
Quoting Ryanair!!! (Thread starter): This stuffy non-air conditioned air conditioned bus was obviously not equipped to be used at airports as it was a dirty, somewhat smelly city commuter bus. Travelers be warned, there are no luggage storing facilities on the bus.
Looks like your typical public transport... certainly not something one would expect to serve as inter-terminal transportation at a Skytrax world's best airport. Reminds me of Singapore's public buses from the early 90s.
Quoting Ryanair!!! (Thread starter): more like an evil Miami-vice like chill out bar with tracks from Hotel Costes II serenading softly in the background
Miami Vice? Which generation are you from?! Give me examples that are more current so that I can relate to it better
Quoting Ryanair!!! (Thread starter): To compensate for this slightly narrow width, an excellent pitch was in store.
The 'excellent' pitch was meant to compensate the space needed to slide the seat bottom forward. Was the seat pitch tighter in the 'recline' position? And are those genuine leather seats? Looks like synthetic leather to me... just like those found in my car!!
Quoting Ryanair!!! (Thread starter): I was presented with a hot entrée of the famous Malaysian delicacy Nasi Lemak – a serving of coconut rice with savory condiments, in this case was an egg with chili paste and chicken rendang. This meal came with a bottle of water and a Kit Kat chocolate bar.
How much did you have to pay for that tiny tin foil of Nasi Lemak?? The size of the entree looks as tiny as those served on your typical full service carrier.
Quoting Ryanair!!! (Thread starter): but I have never met such condescending and downright rude immigration officers in my life.
Did you mean 'customs' officers? Or were the immigration officers as bad as the customs officers?
• “Why do you travel with your name cards?”
• “What do you do for a living? Project management? What is that? Elaborate…”
• “Why do you fly via Kuala Lumpur? Why not direct from Singapore?”
• “What were you doing in Kuala Lumpur? Why did you stay so long there? Transit? Why so long?”
• “Why do you have copies your educational certs with you? Are you sure you are not here to seek employment?”
• “Who is your “friend” you are staying with? What does he do? How come you do not know the postcode to his address? Applecross? He sounds rich, you sure you don’t know what he does for a living? How old is he? What is your relationship with him?”
• “Why are you only in Perth for such a short time? Holiday? All that distance for such a short time?”
• “You have any porno in your laptop? No? Used for work only? Yeah?”
• “You mentioned you are in project management in Singapore…”
I'd really like to hear what your responses were to the questions above.
Prinair From United States of America, joined Dec 1999, 622 posts, RR: 4 Reply 6, posted (10 months 3 weeks 6 days 4 hours ago) and read 22076 times:
The cabin on the Air Asia A330 looks more like one that would be used to transport prisoners rather than paying passengers. It looks very spartan and the seats look like some kind of torture devices (electric chairs come to mind). Otherwise, I congratulate you on an excellent and entertaining report.
QANTAS077 From Australia, joined Jan 2004, 5511 posts, RR: 54 Reply 7, posted (10 months 3 weeks 6 days 1 hour ago) and read 21763 times:
Quoting Ryanair!!! (Thread starter):
I did notice almost the entire plane load of passengers (except for the obviously Aussie looking ones) was being quizzed in this fashion leading to a tremendous line at customs.
I have had this before and I a resident, I usually treat them in the same manner they treat me...fantastic report, and don't be scared to use your phone in customs, my reply to them one time was " I am paying your wages and I am a citizen of this country, I will use my phone where I want".
I support the Palestinian cause but there is no flag available for me to display!
I have arrived in many airports in Australia, but somehow in Perth I and presumably many others get a 'cold' welcome into OZ. But the best defence is to indeed response in the same way they treat you. (It is the immigration and custom officers both 'guilty' for this).
@Ryanair, great report, one day I will be using Air Asia to Oz, problem is that with the good deals from Europe nowadays it will cost about the same to fly on 'regular' airlines including stopover(s) in Asia, and with the 3-3-3 layout I am not likely to change that anytime soon...
Directorguy From Egypt, joined Jul 2008, 1097 posts, RR: 4 Reply 9, posted (10 months 3 weeks 6 days ago) and read 21679 times:
AIRLINERS.NET CREW CHAT OPERATOR
What a great and original trip report!
I really like Air Asia X's product, it looks much better than expected. It doesn't have the crummy dodgy look projected by Ryanair but looks like a comfortable and modern airline with a pleasant interior.
Staff seem professional too, and that's great. It's almost like a legacy airline were it nor for the walking to the plane, paying for IFE and meals part. If Air Asia X plays its cards right, it could become a real competitor to the legacies in Asia, and not just Southwest Airlines-in-Asia but a real innovative company.
Too bad about the Australian officers, I remember reading similar comments in other TRs. There's a difference between doing your job seriously and harassing passengers for no reason.
787KQ From United States of America, joined Mar 2006, 519 posts, RR: 0 Reply 12, posted (10 months 3 weeks 5 days 20 hours ago) and read 21332 times:
Superb report and even better pictures!
What is the USB port for? Can you play your own videos and music on the AVOD system? Are you still charged?
Also, do you know the daily utilization of the A330 aircraft?
Quoting Prinair (Reply 6): The cabin on the Air Asia A330 looks more like one that would be used to transport prisoners rather than paying passengers. It looks very spartan and the seats look like some kind of torture devices (electric chairs come to mind).
Maybe you should have flown Prinair to learn what real torture is!
Ryanair!!! From Singapore, joined Mar 2002, 4367 posts, RR: 26 Reply 13, posted (10 months 3 weeks 5 days 17 hours ago) and read 21031 times:
Hi all, thank you for reading.
Quoting Levent (Reply 2): Australia is still on my to-see-and-to-do-list so I may well give them a try in the near future... maybe as part of a round-the-world trip.
be sure to drop by Singapore too! No harm saying "hi" to me.
Quoting Docpepz (Reply 4): Very nice report. Australian customs can be a pain sometimes but just take comfort in the fact that they are stuck doing such thankless, brainless work for the rest of their sorry lives, so this is all they can look forward to.
Out of interest, why were you travelling with your educational certs haha.
Sigh... I have got this treatment many times before in Darwin, Melbourne, Sydney but never this bad like the one last week. It just seems to get worse each time I visit.
Heheheh as for the certs... I dunno. I carry around a folder that had a lot of rubbish in it. I just needed something to put my travel itinerary in. So happens copies of my certs were in there.
Quoting SQ772 (Reply 5): Miami Vice? Which generation are you from?! Give me examples that are more current so that I can relate to it better
I don't know how more current can this version be - that has Jamie Foxx, Collin Farell and Gong Li who played the "me-so-horny" dominatrix mafia lady. Unless you can't relate, you are probably still stuck in the era of Don Johnson with his pastel pleats.
Quoting SQ772 (Reply 5): The 'excellent' pitch was meant to compensate the space needed to slide the seat bottom forward. Was the seat pitch tighter in the 'recline' position?
The pitch catered for the recline which was still considerably spacious with the bottom cushion jutting out.
Quoting SQ772 (Reply 5): How much did you have to pay for that tiny tin foil of Nasi Lemak?? The size of the entree looks as tiny as those served on your typical full service carrier.
RM15.00 for ordering online. Otherwise if you are not full, the menu is at your disposal from the touch of your PTV screen. Why am I telling you all these? It is not like I would see you on an LCC anytime soon... or would I? Let me cue the pigs to start flying... Hahaha.
Quoting SQ772 (Reply 5): Did you mean 'customs' officers? Or were the immigration officers as bad as the customs officers?
All same gang lah! The grilling session started at the passport counter as the both of us were processed together. After which, another officer stopped us and grilled us some more. After collecting our luggage, the same officer who stopped us earlier brought us to the customs inspection area and proceeded to grill us to charred bits. As mentioned, almost the entire plane load fell into the category of being fit to grill. Somehow, they were always stumped "You are Malaysians... Ooops... Singaporeans?" which led to a long line of questions as to why would I not be flying directly.
This poor indian man (Malaysian passport) next to us was trying to explain his freind was waiting outside while the officer kept interupting "Don't lie! What are you doing in Perth for 3 weeks?! You don't know?". It was a sickening sight, really.
Quoting SQ772 (Reply 5): I'd really like to hear what your responses were to the questions above.
• “Why do you travel with your name cards?”
=>Business opportunities, you never know when they come.
• “What do you do for a living? Project management? What is that? Elaborate…”
=>I explained. Then I asked "Am I making any sense?". They didn't answer and went on to the next question...
• “Why do you fly via Kuala Lumpur? Why not direct from Singapore?”
=>I do it all the time because it is cheaper.
• “What were you doing in Kuala Lumpur? Why did you stay so long there? Transit? Why so long?”
=>Transit, transit and transit.
• “Why do you have copies your educational certs with you? Are you sure you are not here to seek employment?”
=>As explained to Docpepz above.
• “Who is your “friend” you are staying with? What does he do? How come you do not know the postcode to his address? Applecross? He sounds rich, you sure you don’t know what he does for a living? How old is he? What is your relationship with him?”
=>He is outside, I can call him if you want to. (No, don't touch your mobile, leave it there.)
• “Why are you only in Perth for such a short time? Holiday? All that distance for such a short time?”
=>It is a short getaway. We work in Singapore, we don't get a lot of time off from work.
• “You have any porno in your laptop? No? Used for work only? Yeah?”
=>No, yes, yes...
• “You mentioned you are in project management in Singapore…”
=>I held on to the counter because I was feeling faint at this point.
Quoting Prinair (Reply 6): The cabin on the Air Asia A330 looks more like one that would be used to transport prisoners rather than paying passengers. It looks very spartan and the seats look like some kind of torture devices (electric chairs come to mind). Otherwise, I congratulate you on an excellent and entertaining report.
I didn't know prisoners are transported in such a comfortable manner in the USA.
Quoting QANTAS077 (Reply 7): my reply to them one time was " I am paying your wages and I am a citizen of this country, I will use my phone where I want".
Quoting Ozzietukker (Reply 8): I have arrived in many airports in Australia, but somehow in Perth I and presumably many others get a 'cold' welcome into OZ. But the best defence is to indeed response in the same way they treat you.
You hold a navy blue passport, mine is red. I can be thrown out anytime because I only have a social visit visa but not you. I have no choice but to bite the bullet as much as I wanted to make a fuss out of the whole ordeal.
Quoting Directorguy (Reply 9): I really like Air Asia X's product, it looks much better than expected. It doesn't have the crummy dodgy look projected by Ryanair but looks like a comfortable and modern airline with a pleasant interior.
Staff seem professional too, and that's great. It's almost like a legacy airline were it nor for the walking to the plane, paying for IFE and meals part.
My sentiments exactly. D7 has indeed raised the bar for long haul LCC travel. The staff and cabin crew were excellent and were very service oriented.
Quoting Nicholaschee (Reply 11): What's the name of the place where you had the seafood? Thinking of going to PER for easter.
Cicerello's at Fremantle. Find the corner of Cliff Street and Marine Terrace and there is a public carpark, the restaurant is just across the railway tracks towards the sea.
Quoting 787KQ (Reply 12): What is the USB port for? Can you play your own videos and music on the AVOD system? Are you still charged?
There was no mention of being charged to use your USB device so no, I assume it is free.
Also, do you know the daily utilization of the A330 aircraft?
They presently have 3 A330s to 5 destinations (Hangzhou, Tianjin, Perth, Coolangatta and Melbourne). The sole ex-AC A340 is used to Stansted.
On order are 25 A330s and 2 A340s.
Welcome to my starry one world alliance, a team in the sky!
9MMAR From Malaysia, joined Jul 2006, 1726 posts, RR: 20 Reply 14, posted (10 months 3 weeks 5 days 12 hours ago) and read 20705 times:
Congratulation Ryanair!!! for this wonderful composition, the best and most comprehensive I have ever read anywhere about AirAsia X's new A333!
If I can share some points and comments with you:
Quoting Ryanair!!! (Thread starter): Out into the madness again, I attempted to look for the bus bays at the opposite end of the terminal building. It really felt like I had stepped out into a back-water, 3rd world sub-Saharan African nation ruled by some gun-toting, self awarded, multi-star general. I really expected Idi Amin to pull up in a convoy of black Mercedes Benzes at some point.
Thank god this one is not posted in MW, otherwise another 'war' will erupt and should I be on your side like on the earlier 'war', I should be prepared of being condemned as an 'idiot' once again, or probably worse.
Quoting Ryanair!!! (Thread starter): We creaked and bounced our way along the airport perimeter road and finally pulled into the underbelly of KLIA’s bus terminus. Journey time was close to 40 min from a terminal which could be seen “just across the tarmac”. Thankfully, left baggage facilities in KLIA worked like a gem. Off to town we went on the KLIA Express and back so this transfer process was reversed for our departure later that evening. In the pouring rain that ensued, this proved to be a challenge as the transfer bus was leaking causing many passengers to swap seats throughout the journey.
I applaud your courage in trying this facility and managed to get on the right bus. It proves your true-blue enthusiast predicate. But I am surprised you didn't go with the red Skybusses or the yellow Aerobusses direct from KUL LCCT to KL Sentral and leave your luggages there instead, as previously suggested.
Quoting Ryanair!!! (Thread starter): To cut cost, passengers were made to walk and at no time did I see any buses being used. Not that I am complaining! I went shutter crazy as I walked freely on the tarmac towards my waiting plane!
Quite surprisingly no one stopped you from taking photographs on the tarmac. The general rule is that photography is forbidden on the tarmac.
Quoting Ryanair!!! (Thread starter): Air Asia X has an in-flight magazine. Note the diagram on how to recline your seat.
[Travel 3 Sixty is also the inflight magazine for AK (Malaysia AirAsia). I am not sure if the copy can be found aboard Thai AirAsia (FD) and Indonesia AirAsia (QZ) flights.
Quoting Ryanair!!! (Thread starter): Push back was on time at 2300H with the safety demonstration carried out manually despite the presence of PTVs. Perhaps producing safety videos is an expensive affair?
D7 is in the midst of producing its own safety demonstration video. Here is some snippets from Alan B of MW.
Quote: AirAsia is in the process of creating a very slick and chic safety video for the A330-300. Much better that the run of the mill MH safety video. Here is a peek... even the D7 people have yet to see it! It is in both English and Bahasa Malaysia with live footage and animation.
Quoting Ryanair!!! (Thread starter): Since there is no way for the cabin crew to physically tell whether is the seat upright during takeoff or landing, indicators like these are used. Green = upright, red = not.
First time seeing something like this!
Quoting Ryanair!!! (Thread starter): “COMFORT ME” kits could be purchased for a nominal sum which consisted of a blanket and pillow, but I was doing fine with my own fluffy pillow which I brought along courtesy of a previous QANTAS flight.
The Comfort Kit is on sale for MYR 30 if purchased online if I am not mistaken. It will be sold at a slightly higher price aboard D7's flights.
Quoting Ryanair!!! (Thread starter): WELCOME TO PERTH AIRPORT – HOME OF THE WORLD’S FRIENDLIEST IMMIGRATION OFFICERS
I know you meant it sarcastically, but just to inform and for the benefit of others, the real home of the world's friendliest immigation officers as per Skytrax's 2008 survey is KUL.
Quoting Ryanair!!! (Thread starter): I understand the need for border protection, but I have never met such condescending and downright rude immigration officers in my life. Both my partner and I were flagged out for further inspection after we passed passport control. Our phones were taken and swabbed for narcotics trace, we were asked to turn on our phones and smses looked through, laptops were booted up and files gone through to look for porno, bags emptied and contents laid out (and I mean EVERY single morsel of items all laid out) e.g. Name cards, credit cards, memory cards, camera fittings, travel itinerary, tissue paper, QF pillow, leftover Malaysian Ringgit, wallets opened, credit card receipts….
Thank you for the insights. Now, we travellers know what to expect and to prepare before arriving into Australia.
Quoting Ryanair!!! (Thread starter): That being said, KL LCCT really needs to be upgraded quick time because they are indeed struggling to cope with the volume of passengers as we speak. Air Asia is growing faster than what everyone anticipated and the facilities simply cannot handle them. A new and permanent LCCT has been planned (finally!) and now everyone is watching to see when it would be built, whether the planned 2011 deadline would be met by the ever infamous feet-dragging Malaysia Airports Holdings Berhad, the custodian of the land around KLIA.
Remember the Google Earth map where you and I predicted our versions of the new LCCT? Well, the actual site has been revealed. Based on news articles so far, the terminal will be completed in 2011 and it will cost some MYR 2 billion, inclusive of a new runway, the 3rd for KUL.
Finally, some nitpickings:
Quoting Ryanair!!! (Thread starter): When Air Asia first began to take shape, it was in a form of a regional full serviced carrier owned by the government-linked conglomerate DB Hi-Com.
It's DRB Hicom. It is the company that ownes Proton, Malaysia's first car manufacturer.
Quoting Ryanair!!! (Thread starter): Using the AOC of Fly Asian Xpress, Air Asia X was created for the sole purpose of operating to long haul destinations for parent company Air Asia Sdn Bhd.
It's Air Asia Berhad. AirAsia is listed on the mainboard of Kuala Lumpur Stock Exchange in Bursa Malaysia.
Quoting SQ772 (Reply 5): And are those genuine leather seats? Looks like synthetic leather to me... just like those found in my car!!
Of course it is leather. Synthetic leather are like those found aboard MH's new (leased) B738!
And AirAsia X has yet to order any ultra long haul aircraft (the A340s). They are still juggling whether to settle down with B77W, B787 or A350. The remaining A333 on order is 23, as 2 have been delivered.
SQ772 From Singapore, joined Nov 2001, 1772 posts, RR: 4 Reply 16, posted (10 months 3 weeks 5 days 11 hours ago) and read 20596 times:
Quoting 9MMAR (Reply 14): Of course it is leather. Synthetic leather are like those found aboard MH's new (leased) B738!
I would totally believe you if you told me that MH uses fake reptile skin on their seats, but genuine leather on Air Asia??? Can't be! LCC passengers are not meant to enjoy genuine leather seats....
Quoting Ryanair!!! (Reply 13): Cicerello's at Fremantle. Find the corner of Cliff Street and Marine Terrace and there is a public carpark, the restaurant is just across the railway tracks towards the sea.
Did you do any spotting in PER? I may make a trip down to PER this year, mind uploading the spotting site from google maps here?
Quoting Ryanair!!! (Reply 13): I don't know how more current can this version be - that has Jamie Foxx, Collin Farell and Gong Li who played the "me-so-horny" dominatrix mafia lady. Unless you can't relate, you are probably still stuck in the era of Don Johnson with his pastel pleats.
I still have no idea what you are talking about... Don Johnson who?
Quoting Ryanair!!! (Reply 13): Sigh... I have got this treatment many times before in Darwin, Melbourne, Sydney but never this bad like the one last week. It just seems to get worse each time I visit.
I just had evil stares whenever I cross Australian borders. I really don't know how I would react if I were in your shoes. Do you by any chance know if they'd react well to deadpan humour or sarcasm?
Quoting Ryanair!!! (Reply 13): RM15.00 for ordering online. Otherwise if you are not full, the menu is at your disposal from the touch of your PTV screen. Why am I telling you all these? It is not like I would see you on an LCC anytime soon... or would I? Let me cue the pigs to start flying... Hahaha.
Pigs are not meant to fly... you can shoo them back into the sty. RM15 for that "nasi lomah" is still exorbitant...
Ryanair!!! From Singapore, joined Mar 2002, 4367 posts, RR: 26 Reply 18, posted (10 months 3 weeks 3 days 17 hours ago) and read 19306 times:
Quoting 9MMAR (Reply 14): Thank god this one is not posted in MW, otherwise another 'war' will erupt and should I be on your side like on the earlier 'war', I should be prepared of being condemned as an 'idiot' once again, or probably worse.
All was fine until ONE person kicked up a fuss. I would like to think Malaysians are rational enough to decide for themselves what is a factual report as compared to one that is out to create malice intentionally.
Quoting 9MMAR (Reply 14): applaud your courage in trying this facility and managed to get on the right bus. It proves your true-blue enthusiast predicate. But I am surprised you didn't go with the red Skybusses or the yellow Aerobusses direct from KUL LCCT to KL Sentral and leave your luggages there instead, as previously suggested.
I know there are left baggage facilities in LCCT, KLIA and Sentral. However, I was hell bent on trying out this said transfer because I believe that a multi-awarded airport like KUL should have this firmly in place and to be used with ease. This was unfortunately not that case for LCCT-KLIA. I know that there are many people who fly MH long haul, and then transfer to LCCT for their domestic hop on AK. If this is the case, why isn't this method of transfer developed properly? It really reminded me of an open-air Puduraya with bus operators shouting for customers and palms full of wads of cash waving people on board, onto rickety air conditioned buses that had little or no airconditioning. It was quite teruk for travelers who had huge baggage with them lugging up and down the stairs to the bus and then just placing them along the aisle in the front, too tired to drag it further aft.
That being said, on my return I tried the Air Asia buses to Sentral and it felt like night and day with baggage being stored beneath the bus before you board, nice seats that could recline, and it was an overall more orderly set up compared to the lelong before.
Quoting 9MMAR (Reply 14): [Travel 3 Sixty is also the inflight magazine for AK (Malaysia AirAsia). I am not sure if the copy can be found aboard Thai AirAsia (FD) and Indonesia AirAsia (QZ) flights.
I have only flown FD on a previous occassion and there was no magazine. I was under the impression that AK-group is a cost conscious company so I was rather surprised to find an in-flight magazine. Yes I believe Travel 3-Sixty encompasses the entire AK-group because the route map shows the network for ALL the franchises.
Quoting 9MMAR (Reply 14): D7 is in the midst of producing its own safety demonstration video. Here is some snippets from Alan B of MW.
Awesome stuff! That fact that some people in D7 haven't even seen it, was it even proper to release it on MW? Nevertheless, thank you for the preview, although I am not too sure about the extensive use of blue eyeshadow though! Hahahaha...
Quoting 9MMAR (Reply 14): Remember the Google Earth map where you and I predicted our versions of the new LCCT? Well, the actual site has been revealed. Based on news articles so far, the terminal will be completed in 2011 and it will cost some MYR 2 billion, inclusive of a new runway, the 3rd for KUL.
Yes indeed I remember... and I remember we suggested to use the empty plot next to the present Satellite terminal. I wonder if the present plan for the new LCCT is a clever way of utilising their present facilities and resources? I am of the opinion that building a 3rd runway is rather excessive when they cannot even reach capacity usage for their present 2.
Quoting SQ772 (Reply 16): Did you do any spotting in PER? I may make a trip down to PER this year, mind uploading the spotting site from google maps here?
Yes indeed I allocated half a day at the airport for spotting. The more interesting variety was at the domestic side because traffic at the international end is quite a trickle and are of the kind nothing we have not seen before. As for the spotting location, PM me and I will give it to you in private. You are sure dying to knot up someone's granny kickers aren't you?
Quoting SQ772 (Reply 16): Quoting Ryanair!!! (Reply 13):
I don't know how more current can this version be - that has Jamie Foxx, Collin Farell and Gong Li who played the "me-so-horny" dominatrix mafia lady. Unless you can't relate, you are probably still stuck in the era of Don Johnson with his pastel pleats.
I still have no idea what you are talking about... Don Johnson who?
I will then ask you how is life away from the glare underneath in Fraggle Rock?
Quoting Christao17 (Reply 17): Can't imagine 3x3x3 on an Airbus... too narrow.
Mind over matter, Chris. That is what people say about EK's 3x4x3 on the 777. But you don't see their planes going out empty, do you? Catch up with you soon, hopefully.
Welcome to my starry one world alliance, a team in the sky!
CXB77L From Australia, joined Feb 2009, 358 posts, RR: 0 Reply 19, posted (10 months 3 weeks 3 days 16 hours ago) and read 19266 times:
Sorry to hear that you had such a horrid time with immigration officers in PER. I've never had this problem, although that might have something to do with the fact that I hold an Australian passport and have been living in PER for 18 years. Having said that, they are unusually strict with people who they suspect to be illegal immigrants, and the fact that you were carrying your education certificates and name cards might've been cause for suspicion. However, I often wonder if it is necessary to be so blunt. After all, I thought this country goes by the concept of "innocent until proven guilty". In the absence of proof that you were lying, I feel there was absolutely no need to put you through such a horrid interrogation.
I hope you enjoyed your holiday in PER. Cicerello's is a fantastic restaurant, I've been there, along with some of the other restaurants by the harbour in Fremantle. A seafood lunch by the harbourside is one of my favourite pastimes, when I can afford it. Unfortunately I've never been to Bluewater for a meal, but I was there for a conference several years ago. I agree that it's a fantastic location, but I've yet to try their food.
Applecross is one of Perth's leafy suburbs. I often go there for my evening exercise, around Point Heathcote reserve, and the beautiful bike paths around the foreshore. I live around 15 minutes drive away from Applecross, and it's well worth the trip.
Spotting in PER, however, is disappointing, to say the least. There just isn't enough aircraft movement in PER to make a worthwhile spotting trip, IMO. Compared to places like HKG, where there is all sorts of interesting traffic, PER is rather boring. Maybe it's because I've lived here for too long to appreciate it for what it is, but as far as spotting goes, I'd rather be at any other major airport in the world.
It is a sad ending, albeit a happy one, here at Montreal for today's grand prix.
Ryanair!!! From Singapore, joined Mar 2002, 4367 posts, RR: 26 Reply 21, posted (10 months 3 weeks 2 days 12 hours ago) and read 18547 times:
Thanks for reading...
Quoting CXB77L (Reply 19): Sorry to hear that you had such a horrid time with immigration officers in PER. I've never had this problem, although that might have something to do with the fact that I hold an Australian passport and have been living in PER for 18 years.
If they ever harrass a local resident, I am sure it will be in the press soon. So I am sure the officers probably do a bit of profiling before they decide on who they want to target.
Quoting CXB77L (Reply 19): After all, I thought this country goes by the concept of "innocent until proven guilty". In the absence of proof that you were lying, I feel there was absolutely no need to put you through such a horrid interrogation.
In my case, it was "guilty until proven innocent"! In fact, I think that is the stance they take looking at my past treatments at other Aussie point-of-entries. My earlier trip to Perth a few years ago saw me receiving almost the same kind of treatment, although a few shades lighter comparatively.
Quoting CXB77L (Reply 19): Cicerello's is a fantastic restaurant, I've been there, along with some of the other restaurants by the harbour in Fremantle. A seafood lunch by the harbourside is one of my favourite pastimes, when I can afford it. Unfortunately I've never been to Bluewater for a meal, but I was there for a conference several years ago. I agree that it's a fantastic location, but I've yet to try their food.
Cicerello's is excellent, although I have to say I am ready to venture into other establishments like Kaili's next door. With regards to Bluewater, food is once again of excellent quality and coupled that with the lovely ambience made for an overall top-notch experience. There is another restaurant Matilda Bay which is also another favourite haunt of mine. Yes as you probably figured, I am quite the foodie myself.
Quoting CXB77L (Reply 19): Spotting in PER, however, is disappointing, to say the least. There just isn't enough aircraft movement in PER to make a worthwhile spotting trip, IMO.
I thought the domestic side was interesting because I got to see aircraft types I do not get to see very often. Not to mention the stand along terminal that houses National Jet! I went right up to the fence and could almost touch the plane!
Quoting BA319-131 (Reply 20): Did many people buy any extra's on the flight, ie drinks etc?
Majority of us purchased the items online, The food came with drinks and chocolate bar whereas if you purchased it on the plane, you would not get the last 2 items.
Shame about the hard time upon arrival, not had this issue in Australia before, hopefully won't on the next visit!
We shall see because my next trip is planned to be down under as well. Fingers crossed.
Welcome to my starry one world alliance, a team in the sky!
DeltaDelta From United States of America, joined Dec 2008, 8 posts, RR: 0 Reply 22, posted (10 months 3 weeks 1 day 18 hours ago) and read 18156 times:
Great trip report!
Sorry to hear about your experience with the customs.
I did not know Air Asia X had such a nice interior.
Lufthansa From Christmas Island, joined May 1999, 2285 posts, RR: 11 Reply 23, posted (10 months 3 weeks 1 day 17 hours ago) and read 18144 times:
Ryan, once again Excellent work.
I'm sorry about your rude welcome to this country. Unfortunately we employ thugs in our border controls. I'm a citizen and they have at times treated me in the exact same fashon. The worst I ever came past was in ADL after I flew a MAS tripm MEL-KUL-HKG-KUL-ADL. They made me miss my connecting Qantas flight too!
Anyway they refused to believe that I could afford a business class ticket, and that I must be some kind of drug runner for making a quick trip to hong kong with this routing, and it got to the point that I had to demand to be let back into my own country. I lost my cool after a while, especially after the constant repeaded questioning again and again. It got to the point where I said, Look you can test for anything you bloody well like all fricken day if we have to, you're not gonna find anything at all. Like it or not you HAVE to let me back into this country, I'm a citizen.
I remember at the time thinking, god what if I wasn't a citizen. I couldn't have demanded it. I only got the right to demand some respect because of it. If I were an outsider... I probably would have been sent home because of these numbskulls who think they've got some greater cause.
Anyway mate sorry to hear about your treatment. But great trip report!
MAS777 From United Kingdom, joined Jul 1999, 2842 posts, RR: 12 Reply 24, posted (10 months 3 weeks 1 day 9 hours ago) and read 17938 times:
Quoting Ryanair!!! (Reply 13): You hold a navy blue passport, mine is red. I can be thrown out anytime because I only have a social visit visa but not you. I have no choice but to bite the bullet as much as I wanted to make a fuss out of the whole ordeal.
if it makes you feel any better - i last entered Australia using my British passport (also red now i guess) but the stereotyping at Immigration is really quite phenomenal. As my place of birth is Kuala Lumpur and i look like I should be holding the other 'red (Malaysian) passport' - i felt i was subjected to the worst immigration interrogation i have ever experienced. I was made to feel pretty much like i was 'guilty' of illegal entry/passport forgery/and the likes until i could prove i was a genuine British medical professional and indeed from the UK.
i will probably never return to Australia - ever again following this - despite my partner having to travel there regularly for work (and i get to follow on occasion for free!). We even joke that i don't even want to go see 'australia' the film.. lol
Globetraveller From Germany, joined Apr 2008, 308 posts, RR: 14 Reply 26, posted (10 months 3 weeks 1 day 8 hours ago) and read 18041 times:
Hi there Ryanair!!!
Thank you for such a wonderful trip report. Great pictures and a very informative writing style too. I read every single word.
Air Asia X is not as bad as I had thought it would be. The seats, IFE and aircraft all looked average if not above average when compared to many normal legacy carriers. However, one of the biggest problems flying Air Asia X, especially on the Kangaroo Route, is that one has to by one way tickets for every flight. This makes the airline as expensive as legacies on the Kangaroo Route, which defeats the entire low cost idea.
Once again, an excellent trip report. I look forward to reading more from you in the near future.
Carlisle From United States of America, joined Feb 2009, 199 posts, RR: 3 Reply 27, posted (10 months 3 weeks 22 hours ago) and read 17758 times:
Excellent TR and photos. That aircraft is truly an amazing red and white! Looks like a very enjoyable trip and am glad you shared! Please feel free to post more of your travels
Ryanair!!! From Singapore, joined Mar 2002, 4367 posts, RR: 26 Reply 28, posted (10 months 3 weeks 20 hours ago) and read 17704 times:
Thank you all for reading...
Quoting DeltaDelta (Reply 22): I did not know Air Asia X had such a nice interior.
To be honest, when they unveiled the interior of their latest Airbus A330, it really took everyone by surprise how modern the interior is. We were all expecting a bloated Ryanair/Easyjet-esque layout.
Quoting Lufthansa (Reply 23): I'm sorry about your rude welcome to this country. Unfortunately we employ thugs in our border controls. I'm a citizen and they have at times treated me in the exact same fashon. The worst I ever came past was in ADL after I flew a MAS tripm MEL-KUL-HKG-KUL-ADL. They made me miss my connecting Qantas flight too!
Oh dear, were you ever reimbursed for missing your flight? In cases like these, I assume it would be the fault of the customs but how do you get compensation?
Quoting MAS777 (Reply 24): if it makes you feel any better - i last entered Australia using my British passport (also red now i guess) but the stereotyping at Immigration is really quite phenomenal. As my place of birth is Kuala Lumpur and i look like I should be holding the other 'red (Malaysian) passport' - i felt i was subjected to the worst immigration interrogation i have ever experienced. I was made to feel pretty much like i was 'guilty' of illegal entry/passport forgery/and the likes until i could prove i was a genuine British medical professional and indeed from the UK.
Yes they do have the ability to make you feel little and dirty. I just took a deep breadth and smiled through the whole ordeal and refused to break. I believed that if I ever did, they would have won. My partner, however, was getting angry (almost in tears) and it showed. Now looking back, it would have been a strange sight of a couple - angry teary one standing next to a Guy Smiley.
Quoting MAS777 (Reply 24): We even joke that i don't even want to go see 'australia' the film.. lol
Please, we all went to see Australia only because of Hugh Jackman's bathing scene. No one bothered about Nullah's walkabout or Nicole's indignant demeanour with regards to her dusty surroundings.
Quoting AlexEU (Reply 25): Nice report and pics!
Are Air Asia X flights to Australia much cheaper then the Qantas and Malaysia Airlines?
It was significantly cheaper because we all flew on a $0 deal, so we only had to pay the taxes. But on normal days, they would be $100-200 cheaper, depending on where you are flying from.
Quoting Globetraveller (Reply 26): However, one of the biggest problems flying Air Asia X, especially on the Kangaroo Route, is that one has to by one way tickets for every flight. This makes the airline as expensive as legacies on the Kangaroo Route, which defeats the entire low cost idea.
I agree, this is something they would have to work out on. They only started London (Standsted) on Mar 11 and presently adamant about not providing connection options for pax to keep cost down. And I see their STN-MEL vv flights not being significantly cheaper than EK's LHR-MEL. Air Asia X is still a novelty so people might be curious enough to try them out for now. On the long run, Tony and gang would need to come up with something convenient but still affordable, interlining and connections wise.
Quoting Carlisle (Reply 27): That aircraft is truly an amazing red and white!
Indeed it is a stunning one, both inside and out.
Welcome to my starry one world alliance, a team in the sky!
CXB77L From Australia, joined Feb 2009, 358 posts, RR: 0 Reply 29, posted (10 months 3 weeks 16 hours ago) and read 17589 times:
Quoting Ryanair!!! (Reply 28): Oh dear, were you ever reimbursed for missing your flight? In cases like these, I assume it would be the fault of the customs but how do you get compensation?
I would be very surprised if Customs/Immigration reimbursed the money to any passenger missing a connecting flight due to the passenger being held in interrogation. As far as I'm aware, this can only happen if it was proven that the passenger missed the flight as a result of customs being negligent and/or not following approved procedures. Proving negligence is on the onus of the person claiming the other was negligent. The only reason that I can see might be if the customs / immigration officer took their time performing background checks in order to clear you (i.e. went out having a two hour lunch break before beginning your background or alibi check ...), and even that is no guarantee of success.
It is a sad ending, albeit a happy one, here at Montreal for today's grand prix.
Traveladdict From Malaysia, joined Feb 2009, 40 posts, RR: 0 Reply 30, posted (10 months 3 weeks 15 hours ago) and read 17572 times:
Quoting Ryanair!!! (Thread starter): At some portions, we are left open to the elements and it would not be the place to be should the monsoon activity pick up pace.
Been there, done that. Not fun.
Quoting Ryanair!!! (Thread starter): Travelers be warned, there are no luggage storing facilities on the bus.
Really?! Wow I remember taking that bus and it took me max 20 mins.
Quoting Ryanair!!! (Thread starter): Press the recline button; the bottom seat cushion is pulled out horizontally towards the front, and the bottom half of the backrest goes with it creating an artificial “recline” feel. So you recline without physically doing it. Ingenious, isn’t it?
I'm surprised you found this to be something new. CX much?
Quoting Prinair (Reply 6): The cabin on the Air Asia A330 looks more like one that would be used to transport prisoners rather than paying passengers.
Really? I think it looks quite nice. I love that seat-to-seat messaging thing, never seen that before! Well I guess D7 does need to cater to Malaysians who are obsessed with texting! :P
QF744ER From Australia, joined Jun 2004, 248 posts, RR: 0 Reply 31, posted (10 months 3 weeks 10 hours ago) and read 17422 times:
Ryanair!!!,
Nice report mate...
Don't worry Aussies have similar issues with Customs/Immigration when we arrived home in PER. In late 2006 we flew to LA on MH with some time in KUL and KCH on the way back and they gave me grief.
As per your experiences they went through all of our possessions...I felt violated and annoyed with the way I was treated.
Flying PER-KUL-KUL next week so be interested to see if I cop the same roasting on our return home.
LH526 From Germany, joined Aug 2000, 1931 posts, RR: 16 Reply 32, posted (10 months 3 weeks 9 hours ago) and read 17378 times:
AIRLINERS.NET CREW FORUM MODERATOR
Quoting Ryanair!!! (Thread starter): Both my partner and I were flagged out for further inspection after we passed passport control. Our phones were taken and swabbed for narcotics trace, we were asked to turn on our phones and smses looked through, laptops were booted up and files gone through to look for porno, bags emptied and contents laid out (and I mean EVERY single morsel of items all laid out) e.g. Name cards, credit cards, memory cards, camera fittings, travel itinerary, tissue paper, QF pillow, leftover Malaysian Ringgit, wallets opened, credit card receipts….
Welcome to the free world! And so many people complainabout how US Border control and customs treat passengers. THIS example above is a totla disgrace for any country! Text messages read, Credit card receipts checked, files searched ... THAT's off the line for me!
Trittst im Morgenrot daher, seh ich dich im Strahlenmeer ...
Ryanair!!! From Singapore, joined Mar 2002, 4367 posts, RR: 26 Reply 33, posted (10 months 2 weeks 6 days 22 hours ago) and read 17150 times:
Thank you all for reading...
Quoting Traveladdict (Reply 30): I'm surprised you found this to be something new. CX much?
CX only launched their new YCL last year, so no I have not experienced it because to begin with, I last flew CX on their L1011 when they were still 3 green stripes. I have recently found out that either the TGV or Eurostar trains feature similar styled seats. This YCL seat is still considered a minority as it is not as common as you think, thank goodness as far as some people are concerned! I have heard mixed reviews about this seat although i thought it was rather comfortable. But many argue you are "slouching" instead of "reclining" thus putting pressure on your lower back, not very good for long haul travel.
Quoting Traveladdict (Reply 30): I love that seat-to-seat messaging thing, never seen that before! Well I guess D7 does need to cater to Malaysians who are obsessed with texting! :P
Not just the Malaysians babe, don't forget it was a Singaporean teen who was entered into the Guiness Book of World Records for having texted the most in a given time, without the use of the predictive function on a mobile.
Quoting QF744ER (Reply 31): Flying PER-KUL-KUL next week so be interested to see if I cop the same roasting on our return home.
Now this pattern I have started to observe a lot. The treatment from OZ customs has always been less than stellar, I realised I have always got the rough treatments if I came in on MH, GF and GA. However, they were somewhat less picky if I flew in on SQ or QF. There is something about those former carriers I mentioned that triggers an alert for them to be on a look out for God-knows-what.
Quoting QF744ER (Reply 31): If you like Chilli Mussels try Han's Cafe also.
Are you referring to the one at Northbridge? I just might give it a go when I return. Unfortunately I tend to stay away from the city when I am in Perth as I prefer the tranquility of the suburbs. I only go into town when there is a need to. So I guess "chilli mussels" is considered a need?
Quoting LH526 (Reply 32): Text messages read, Credit card receipts checked, files searched ... THAT's off the line for me!
Like you said, welcome to the free world. I had someone who told me "Better this than a blown up bus in downtown Sydney full of dismembered and bloodied Australians hanging out from it.".... So sometimes I am torn.
Welcome to my starry one world alliance, a team in the sky!
CXB77L From Australia, joined Feb 2009, 358 posts, RR: 0 Reply 34, posted (10 months 2 weeks 6 days 18 hours ago) and read 17075 times:
Quoting Ryanair!!! (Reply 33): Are you referring to the one at Northbridge? I just might give it a go when I return. Unfortunately I tend to stay away from the city when I am in Perth as I prefer the tranquility of the suburbs. I only go into town when there is a need to. So I guess "chilli mussels" is considered a need?
There are many Han's Cafes around Perth, it's a chain of restaurants. However, I've never had any food at Han's Cafe that I consider to be worth going back for. If you like chilli mussels, try an Italian restaurant. Everyone has their favourites, I prefer Catalano's in Victoria Park.
It is a sad ending, albeit a happy one, here at Montreal for today's grand prix.
Traveladdict From Malaysia, joined Feb 2009, 40 posts, RR: 0 Reply 35, posted (10 months 2 weeks 6 days 16 hours ago) and read 17048 times:
Quoting Ryanair!!! (Reply 33): I have heard mixed reviews about this seat although i thought it was rather comfortable.
I personally love it but I guess super tall passengers would run out of legroom. But one thing I did notice on CX is that the FAs don't really enforce putting the seats back into the "unreclined" position for landing.
Quoting Ryanair!!! (Reply 33): The treatment from OZ customs has always been less than stellar, I realised I have always got the rough treatments if I came in on MH, GF and GA. However, they were somewhat less picky if I flew in on SQ or QF.
Well I've never been to PER but I've been to MEL and SYD quite a few times and never got any trouble from them (and yes I flew MH though I really don't think this matters at all). Based on my personal experiences I think JFK and LAX have the worst Customs/Immigration officers.
PlaneHunter From Germany, joined Mar 2006, 3252 posts, RR: 70 Reply 36, posted (10 months 2 weeks 6 days 15 hours ago) and read 17013 times:
Excellent report, Ryanair! Finally found the time to read. Air AsiaX's product doesn't look bad in general - but the seat backs in particular are not to my taste.
Quoting Ryanair!!! (Thread starter): This stuffy non-air conditioned air conditioned bus was obviously not equipped to be used at airports as it was a dirty, somewhat smelly city commuter bus.
The people who are responsible for these busses don't really like the LCCT and LCCs, I guess...
Quoting Ryanair!!! (Thread starter): To compensate for this slightly narrow width, an excellent pitch was in store.
Pitch is amazing indeed!
Quoting Ryanair!!! (Thread starter): What you get for free on the PTV are the moving map channel, seat to seat chat function and meal ordering facilities. All I need is the moving map, really - so I saw no need to purchase the headsets.
Exactly my thoughts. Most of the time I don't need the headseats either. Btw - the moving map is great, similar to Hainan Airlines'.
Quoting Ryanair!!! (Thread starter): All was well and good so far and I was enjoying myself tremendously. The meal, although presented in a cheapo looking tin foil, was of great quality and rather palatable.
Looks like the stuff I once got on my KUL-LGK flight...
Quoting Ryanair!!! (Thread starter): I understand the need for border protection, but I have never met such condescending and downright rude immigration officers in my life.
Both my partner and I were flagged out for further inspection after we passed passport control. Our phones were taken and swabbed for narcotics trace, we were asked to turn on our phones and smses looked through, laptops were booted up and files gone through to look for porno, bags emptied and contents laid out (and I mean EVERY single morsel of items all laid out) e.g. Name cards, credit cards, memory cards, camera fittings, travel itinerary, tissue paper, QF pillow, leftover Malaysian Ringgit, wallets opened, credit card receipts….
Amongst many questions asked I was quizzed with…
• “Why do you travel with your name cards?”
• “What do you do for a living? Project management? What is that? Elaborate…”
• “Why do you fly via Kuala Lumpur? Why not direct from Singapore?”
• “What were you doing in Kuala Lumpur? Why did you stay so long there? Transit? Why so long?”
• “Why do you have copies your educational certs with you? Are you sure you are not here to seek employment?”
• “Who is your “friend” you are staying with? What does he do? How come you do not know the postcode to his address? Applecross? He sounds rich, you sure you don’t know what he does for a living? How old is he? What is your relationship with him?”
• “Why are you only in Perth for such a short time? Holiday? All that distance for such a short time?”
• “You have any porno in your laptop? No? Used for work only? Yeah?”
• “You mentioned you are in project management in Singapore…”
Good Lord and the whole process would repeat itself again!
One word: Horrible! I have heard other negative reports about Australian immigration, but this one beats them all. Personally I have never had any problems when entering Australia, but your experience doesn't encourage me. Amazing to see how easy and convenient it is to enter Malaysia or Qatar.
SEPANG: The new international departure hall at the Low-Cost Carrier Terminal opens today with the first flight to Guangzhou, China leaving at 5.50am.
The new hall can accommodate 3,200 passengers compared to 600 at the old one.
Malaysia Airports Holdings Berhad senior general manager (operation services) Datuk Azmi Murad said the number of international travellers was growing rapidly with the introduction of AirAsia’s new long-haul destinations, including to London, Perth, Gold Coast and Melbourne.
“The number of domestic passengers for 2008 were 5,050,693 while international passengers were 5,087,859,” he told reporters when giving a media tour at the hall here yesterday.
However, he said, international passengers were expected to grow and make up 60% of the total in the next two years.
Azmi said the expansion project, which cost about RM124mil, would increase terminal maximum capacity by 50% from the current 10 million passengers per annum (ppa) to 15 million by 2011.
“In order to cope with the growth, immigration counters, including the auto gate lanes, will also be increased to 45 from 18,” he said.
He said there was also an increase of 10 boarding gates for international departure compared to eight.
“Other new facilities include 12 shower rooms, five baby changing rooms, one smoking room and four lifts and escalators,” he said.
He said passengers could also expect faster baggage delivery with the expansion of two carousels to six.
On parking facilities, he said, there was an additional of 1,500 parking bays. “The number of retail outlets has been increased to 28 from the present seven with an additional six food and beverages outlets,” he said.
On the old departure hall, Azmi said it would be closed from today for renovation.
On what would happen to the LCCT when the new LCCT at the KL International Airport is completed in 2011, Azmi said: “It can be converted into a cargo terminal but we will decide later.”
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LH526 From Germany, joined Aug 2000, 1931 posts, RR: 16 Reply 39, posted (10 months 2 weeks 6 days 10 hours ago) and read 16908 times:
AIRLINERS.NET CREW FORUM MODERATOR
Quoting CXB77L (Reply 34): Like you said, welcome to the free world. I had someone who told me "Better this than a blown up bus in downtown Sydney full of dismembered and bloodied Australians hanging out from it.".... So sometimes I am torn.
Sure, I'm pro-screening, but the point in reading text messages or going through CC receipts is beyond the realm for me .... how do these actions qualify to actualy make flying safer ... it's not that the average terrorist buys explosives on AmEx and texts his commrades a djihadi goodbye.
Trittst im Morgenrot daher, seh ich dich im Strahlenmeer ...
Ryanair!!! From Singapore, joined Mar 2002, 4367 posts, RR: 26 Reply 40, posted (10 months 2 weeks 5 days 15 hours ago) and read 16647 times:
Thank you all for reading...
Quoting CXB77L (Reply 34): There are many Han's Cafes around Perth, it's a chain of restaurants. However, I've never had any food at Han's Cafe that I consider to be worth going back for. If you like chilli mussels, try an Italian restaurant. Everyone has their favourites, I prefer Catalano's in Victoria Park.
I did a quick search and I don't think I will head for Han's. Hahahaha... Coming all the way to Australia for Asian cuisine kinda defeats the purpose of overseas travel since the food they serve is avaliable at my doorstep.
Quoting Traveladdict (Reply 35): personally love it but I guess super tall passengers would run out of legroom. But one thing I did notice on CX is that the FAs don't really enforce putting the seats back into the "unreclined" position for landing.
It is the same for D7. I guess so because the seats no longer recline.
Quoting PlaneHunter (Reply 36): The people who are responsible for these busses don't really like the LCCT and LCCs, I guess...
Image is everything and if it were up to me, those buses would be banned from the compound. Rickety and creaky rust buskets serving a multi awarded airport? I don't think so.
Quoting PlaneHunter (Reply 36): One word: Horrible! I have heard other negative reports about Australian immigration, but this one beats them all. Personally I have never had any problems when entering Australia, but your experience doesn't encourage me. Amazing to see how easy and convenient it is to enter Malaysia or Qatar.
You think mine beat them all? There are MANY others that go unreported or undocumented. I have witnessed, while being processed - the raised voices and finger pointing galore around me while the frightened tourist cowered in fear. Some of them are reduced to tears and I have anecdotally also heard similar outcomes. So mine is relatively mild by comparision.
Quoting QF744ER (Reply 38): Are you going to do a TR for your rtn flight back to KL?
You might score the MK A343.
Really? Hmm...
Quoting LH526 (Reply 39): Sure, I'm pro-screening, but the point in reading text messages or going through CC receipts is beyond the realm for me .... how do these actions qualify to actualy make flying safer ... it's not that the average terrorist buys explosives on AmEx and texts his commrades a djihadi goodbye.
How the officer carries out his check is arbitary in nature and if he feels there is just cause at that time and place, his actions would probably be protected by some Australian constitution. Unfortunately this is the reality of life which is why we have the legal existence of places like Guantanamo Bay detaining (for so long) so many people for crimes they might or might not have committed. I travel very often, have past through countless customs checks and have experiences very strict procedures carried out with the upmost professionalism. This wasn't in Australia, unfortunately.
Welcome to my starry one world alliance, a team in the sky!
SIN7 From Singapore, joined Jun 2007, 120 posts, RR: 0 Reply 41, posted (10 months 2 weeks 4 days 14 hours ago) and read 16318 times:
Hey,
Apologize that it took me so long to read your TR.
Hate to say this . . . budget carrier don’t really excite me.
So besides work commitments, this is another reasons for view your TR late.
Anyways, what a TR! Once again, only you could cull an awesome read with your observations. Don’t think I’d be bothered anything about the flight.
Quoting Ryanair!!! (Thread starter): First impressions of the cabin…. WOW! It was slick, modern, chic, fashionable, overall an awesome sight.
My, my it really looks good. Something like Virgin.
Sure makes MH's multi-coloured seats look cheap.
Quoting Ryanair!!! (Thread starter): To compensate for this slightly narrow width, an excellent pitch was in store.
What a nice thought. Some airlines should take a cue from this in EY.
Quoting Ryanair!!! (Thread starter): seat was encased in a plastic shell which was fixed in its stance, a conventional recline cannot be executed allowing an amazing pitch to be ensured
These shell seats sure look sleek, but don't really offer the comfort.
Quoting Ryanair!!! (Thread starter): safety demonstration carried out manually despite the presence of PTVs.
Hmm, exactly what I was thinking too.
Quoting Ryanair!!! (Thread starter): All was well and good so far and I was enjoying myself tremendously. The meal, although presented in a cheapo looking tin foil, was of great quality and rather palatable.
Yep, the meal was done well. Notice the hard boiled egg don't have the ugly grey rim around the yolk. This shows that it was cooked just right and reheating was done well too. Do you know where catering is from? Gate Gourmet or MAS Catering? Did the foil, kit-kat all come on a tray?
Quoting Ryanair!!! (Thread starter): there were a few passengers seen lugging along large pillows obviously from their own bedrooms. While it was a comical scene, it was a rather logical one I think.
What ever happen to the Romance of Travel?
Ok, ok, it's budget flight but, just see how air travel has gone . . .
Quoting Ryanair!!! (Thread starter): RM15.00 for ordering online. Otherwise if you are not full, the menu is at your disposal from the touch of your PTV screen. Why am I telling you all these? It is not like I would see you on an LCC anytime soon... or would I? Let me cue the pigs to start flying... Hahaha.
RM15 - that's about the price of a EY meal.
SQ772, don't get stung by Queen Bee!!!
Quoting SQ772 (Reply 16): I would totally believe you if you told me that MH uses fake reptile skin on their seats, but genuine leather on Air Asia??? Can't be! LCC passengers are not meant to enjoy genuine leather seats....
MilesDependent From Australia, joined Sep 2001, 742 posts, RR: 0 Reply 42, posted (10 months 2 weeks 4 days 11 hours ago) and read 16257 times:
Sorry you had such a nasty welcome to Australia. Australia, NZ, UK, USA and Canada are the five places you have a good chance of getting grilled on entry.
My advice for future travellers to our borders:
If the officer is really being rude to you (not just asking lots of questions) - ask to speak with a supervisor and ask him if you can lodge a complaint. Then ask them to switch the inspection to a different customs officer.
Ryanair!!! From Singapore, joined Mar 2002, 4367 posts, RR: 26 Reply 43, posted (10 months 2 weeks 2 days 13 hours ago) and read 15838 times:
Thank you all for reading...
Quoting SIN7 (Reply 41): My, my it really looks good. Something like Virgin.
Sure makes MH's multi-coloured seats look cheap.
Not all virgins look this good. Hehehehe... Now MAS looks like an expired bargirl slapping on TONS of make up to cover up the frown lines.
Quoting SIN7 (Reply 41): Yep, the meal was done well. Notice the hard boiled egg don't have the ugly grey rim around the yolk. This shows that it was cooked just right and reheating was done well too. Do you know where catering is from? Gate Gourmet or MAS Catering? Did the foil, kit-kat all come on a tray?
I honestly have no idea. I would think (uneducated guess) that it wouldn't be MAS Catering as that would be pretty ironic, wouldn't it?
Quoting SIN7 (Reply 41): What ever happen to the Romance of Travel?
Ok, ok, it's budget flight but, just see how air travel has gone . . .
Hello, if you still believe in Romance of Travel, then you have been fooled by SQ's marketing spiel. I trust you not to be too taken in by labels, right?
Quoting MilesDependent (Reply 42): If the officer is really being rude to you (not just asking lots of questions) - ask to speak with a supervisor and ask him if you can lodge a complaint. Then ask them to switch the inspection to a different customs officer.
I will keep that in mind for my next trip down under scheduled for June. Thanks mate.
Welcome to my starry one world alliance, a team in the sky!
Ronerone From Jordan, joined Aug 2004, 932 posts, RR: 25 Reply 44, posted (10 months 2 weeks 4 hours ago) and read 15274 times:
Gosh .. FINALLY i reply! haha.
A fantastic report on an airline i am so curious to try. My policy is strictly anti-LCC, but Air Asia X is one of those funky airlines that you just cannot ignore, escpecially after seeing the slick interior of the A330!
Thanks to the Tony Fernandez & Azran Osman Rani duo, they managed to find a niche and create an edge within this airline; and that is just great!
Very interesting terminal. its like the weekend market of airports
Quoting Ryanair!!! (Thread starter): Journey time was close to 40 min from a terminal which could be seen “just across the tarmac”.
This i just cannot understand. A fourty minute drive is like going from Orlando to Daytona Beach in Florida .. or from AUH to the New Dubai!
Quoting Ryanair!!! (Thread starter): To cut cost, passengers were made to walk and at no time did I see any buses being used. Not that I am complaining!
It is just amazing at how picky and demanding LCC's are when it comes to selecting (or de-selecting rather) services at the airports. They are seeking to cut their own costs, but at the same time, they are milking those secondary desperate-to-have-an-airline airports.
Quoting Ryanair!!! (Thread starter): First impressions of the cabin…. WOW! It was slick, modern, chic, fashionable, overall an awesome sight. Smart black leather seats encased in a light grey plastic shell, which was equipped with a large touch screen PTV on the seatback. Set against the blood red carpet on the floor and it really made the whole scene look more like an evil Miami-vice like chill out bar with tracks from Hotel Costes II serenading softly in the background. Unfortunately, the background music was a more bubblegum Westlife’s Bop Bop Baby.
It is definitely one of the nicest looking cabins i have seen!
Quoting Ryanair!!! (Thread starter): Recline… It was weird. How should I word this? Because the seat was encased in a plastic shell which was fixed in its stance, a conventional recline cannot be executed allowing an amazing pitch to be ensured. Press the recline button; the bottom seat cushion is pulled out horizontally towards the front, and the bottom half of the backrest goes with it creating an artificial “recline” feel. So you recline without physically doing it. Ingenious, isn’t it? It will take your brain a while to get the message “it feels like recline” because you never actually carried out the action of pushing the seat back. Humans are indeed a funny bunch being creatures of habit.
Was it comfortable? I think this is the same style that CX have in their new Y seats.
Quoting Ryanair!!! (Thread starter): safety demonstration carried out manually despite the presence of PTVs.
CARNOC From China, joined Oct 2001, 856 posts, RR: 1 Reply 45, posted (10 months 2 weeks 4 hours ago) and read 15272 times:
Quoting Ronerone (Reply 44): Porn? Why are they concerned about that?
Is this how customs are at all Aussie stations? Will i get this at SYD?
The Australian government (and law) has no tolerance towards child porngraphy, thus Australian Customs Service (ACS) has had a few nationwide crack-down on this over recent years.
However, I think ACS has carried out this a bit further, so they do check people's laptops and mobile phones to see if there is any porngraphic contents, and may charge people under the Regulation 4A of Customs (Prohibited Imports) Regulations 1956 "over importing prohibited goods".
CARNOC From China, joined Oct 2001, 856 posts, RR: 1 Reply 46, posted (10 months 2 weeks 3 hours ago) and read 15262 times:
Great TR, Ryanair!!!
I feel sorry for your experience at PER and I am with you on this as I do believe there's a limit to what Customs/Immigration officers could/should do etc., but it's difficult for any ordinary people to challenge, especially non-Australian citizens or PR holders.
I used to work for one of the Australian airport operators (Sorry but I do want my privacy so I won't name which one), and dealt with some ACS officers from time to time, while most of them seemed to be nice or at least okay toward other airport staff, but there were certainly passengers claimed some officers had no manner or professionalism at all whatsoever. All we could do was to ask them to fill out a feedback form (which the airport would pass onto the ACS managers based at the airport) or they could submit a formal complaint to ACS.
QANTAS077 From Australia, joined Jan 2004, 5511 posts, RR: 54 Reply 48, posted (10 months 1 week 6 days 23 hours ago) and read 15178 times:
Quoting Ryanair!!! (Reply 13): You hold a navy blue passport, mine is red. I can be thrown out anytime because I only have a social visit visa but not you. I have no choice but to bite the bullet as much as I wanted to make a fuss out of the whole ordeal.
navy blue passport means nothing, I still cop it and I give as good as I get, its your right to be treated with respect.
Quoting Ryanair!!! (Reply 21): If they ever harrass a local resident, I am sure it will be in the press soon.
always happens!
Quoting CXB77L (Reply 34): I prefer Catalano's in Victoria Park.
just down the road from me, I had dinner there and nearly walked out!
best chilli mussels are at the mussel bar just up from Cicerellos in Freo.
I support the Palestinian cause but there is no flag available for me to display!
Ryanair!!! From Singapore, joined Mar 2002, 4367 posts, RR: 26 Reply 49, posted (10 months 1 week 6 days 22 hours ago) and read 15149 times:
Thank you all for reading...
Quoting Ronerone (Reply 44): Air Asia X is one of those funky airlines that you just cannot ignore, escpecially after seeing the slick interior of the A330!
My sentiments exactly. Ever since I started setting foot into the realm of LCCs, it is just not that bad after all. If only some people can drop the veil of pretense and just join in the fun, it is actually rather do-able. We are planning a return to PER and MEL in a few months and I have to say steeling myself to fly such distances on an A320 is proving quite a challenge. You see, other half wants to fly direct now instead of via KUL and ending up on a sautee pan at Aussie immigration. Who knows? I just might be up to the challenge....
Quoting Ronerone (Reply 44): Very interesting terminal. its like the weekend market of airports
Apparently the situation has improved tremendously with the completion of the expansion renos. Perhaps you shuld make a trip there to see it for yourself?
Quoting Ronerone (Reply 44): This i just cannot understand. A fourty minute drive is like going from Orlando to Daytona Beach in Florida .. or from AUH to the New Dubai!
You see, trying to get out of the LCCT compound alone wasn't easy with the traffic jam. Along the way, the driver was yakking into his mobile with one hand and driving as if he was on a scenic drive along the perimeter road nuns on bicycles would have overtaken us.
Quoting Ronerone (Reply 44): They are seeking to cut their own costs, but at the same time, they are milking those secondary desperate-to-have-an-airline airports.
Interesting... It is a win-win situation for both parties in any case. Secondary airports would receive the exposure they never thought would be possible (esp in Stansted's case) and Air Asia gets another dot created on their network.
Quoting Ronerone (Reply 44): Was it comfortable? I think this is the same style that CX have in their new Y seats.
It was no more comfortable / uncomfortable compared to a conventional aeroplane seat which actually reclines. Like I said, it is all in the head because you never actually carry out the action of pushing the seat back but instead you are sliding the bottom cushion out. This difference in action actually screws with your mind so it is a little hard to register what just happened in the beginning. Or maybe it was just me?
Air Asia X's safety demo video is in post production as we speak. So it won't be long before a funky red-hued video makes its debut.
Quoting Ronerone (Reply 44): Seriously? ... Wow! i can do wonders with this chat function LOL.
Yes it was fun after we swapped seats and we were constantly messaging each other about how things were going until we were too sleepy to continue.
Quoting Ronerone (Reply 44): Porn? Why are they concerned about that?
Is this how customs are at all Aussie stations? Will i get this at SYD?
Quoting CARNOC (Reply 45): The Australian government (and law) has no tolerance towards child porngraphy, thus Australian Customs Service (ACS) has had a few nationwide crack-down on this over recent years.
Child pornography is indeed a serious issue. Last year an SQ pilot was busted for that and shortly after another MH pilot met the same fate - both at ADL and within a few days of each other. You can safely assume that ALL international port of entries down under will be as strict as they can be so I don't see why SYD should be any different because I have got a slightly similar treatment there too.
Quoting CARNOC (Reply 46): I feel sorry for your experience at PER and I am with you on this as I do believe there's a limit to what Customs/Immigration officers could/should do etc., but it's difficult for any ordinary people to challenge, especially non-Australian citizens or PR holders.
It is fine, really. I knew at the end of the day they would have nothing on me.
Quoting Skyhigh777 (Reply 47): hahah I laughed so hard when I read about your Rue Paul dream. Scary!
When I "jerked" myself awake, I uncurled from my position so violently I kicked the cabin wall so hard I thought it was going to decompress the plane! Thankfully, Airbuses are not as fragile as we think they are.
Quoting QANTAS077 (Reply 48): just down the road from me, I had dinner there and nearly walked out!
best chilli mussels are at the mussel bar just up from Cicerellos in Freo.
Yes we all have our favourites, don't we?
Welcome to my starry one world alliance, a team in the sky!
Allrite From Australia, joined Aug 2007, 843 posts, RR: 2 Reply 50, posted (10 months 1 week 6 days 21 hours ago) and read 15119 times:
Thanks for the trip report Ryanair - as usual an enjoyable read. Interesting to compare the AirAsiaX A330 with Jetstar, which I flew earlier this week (and many times before). Both have leather seats, but JQ's planes are 2-4-2 and don't have shell recline or personal IFE. The latter is what I really miss, especially the flight map!
Quoting MAS777 (Reply 24): f it makes you feel any better - i last entered Australia using my British passport (also red now i guess) but the stereotyping at Immigration is really quite phenomenal. As my place of birth is Kuala Lumpur and i look like I should be holding the other 'red (Malaysian) passport' - i felt i was subjected to the worst immigration interrogation i have ever experienced. I was made to feel pretty much like i was 'guilty' of illegal entry/passport forgery/
Before I answer let me sat that I'm not trying to defend any impolite behaviour on the part of customs and immigration as I think that all genuine visitors should be made to feel as welcome as possible when visiting Australia. Also my wife is Malaysian and a holder of a Malaysian passport.
Talking to people connected with immigration my understanding is that one of the tools they use is to risk assess visitors based on national background. Obviously, this involves a high degree of stereotyping. Unfortunately it has been shown that people from certain countries tend to commit certain types of crimes, such as illegal working whilst on tourist visa or identity and credit card fraud.
For example, it's well known that many Nigerians register for conferences in Australia that they have no intention of attending in the hope of getting a visa into Australia, then disappear into the country. As a consequence of this, and other scams, most Nigerians visiting Australia come under heavy scrutiny.
Malaysians have a reputation for identity and credit card fraud and illegally working in Australia, along with some other activities, so are also targeted. Anecdotally, a couple of years ago it was getting to the point that if you ever heard of an arrest in an ATM card skimming incident, mail fraud or fake credit cards you could virtually guarantee that a Malaysian was involved. And honestly, talking to some of the Malaysians I have met through my extended family it seemed like "cheating" was considered a cultural right, not an offence. It's a pity they tar their wonderful compatriots.
But for all that, it in no way excuses rudeness on the part of our immigration officers. I personally think the best way to handle it is to enter a country with a smile and calmness, be polite and deferential (dunno about those countries where a "contribution" may be required - never entered through one). And make sure that you don't have anything incriminating on you. So far, so good for me.
Anyway, I suspect the immigration staff at Perth are just in a bad mood because they don't get filmed for Border Security and thus have no chance at "stardom".
Floris83 From Netherlands, joined Feb 2009, 12 posts, RR: 0 Reply 51, posted (10 months 1 week 6 days 5 hours ago) and read 14940 times:
Great TR, Ryanair!
As the others, I'm pretty much amazed by the interior, looks really slick.
Apparently, this might be the new standard on their new aircrafts, cus last week I travelled from SIN to CGK on QZ with the brand new A320 and the interior looked similar with its smooth black leather seats (no plastic cover though).
Since it was the first day that flight was operating, we got water and peanuts for free, not bad!
Ryanair!!! From Singapore, joined Mar 2002, 4367 posts, RR: 26 Reply 52, posted (10 months 1 week 5 days 17 hours ago) and read 14819 times:
Thank you all for reading...
Quoting Allrite (Reply 50): Both have leather seats, but JQ's planes are 2-4-2 and don't have shell recline or personal IFE. The latter is what I really miss, especially the flight map!
I agree, the inflight map show is a very essential tool and especially for aviation nuts like us, that IS considered IFE. Geography was (still is) my favourite subject in school and looking at landmarks - natural or otherwise - has always fascinated me. Having the mapshow allows us to compare what is being shown on the screen to what is outside your window at that time.
Quoting Allrite (Reply 50): Obviously, this involves a high degree of stereotyping.
We are all guilty of stereotyping, unfortunately. However, there is always a dignified way to carry that out and it doesn't have to involve being rude.
Quoting Allrite (Reply 50): Malaysians have a reputation for identity and credit card fraud and illegally working in Australia, along with some other activities, so are also targeted. Anecdotally, a couple of years ago it was getting to the point that if you ever heard of an arrest in an ATM card skimming incident, mail fraud or fake credit cards you could virtually guarantee that a Malaysian was involved. And honestly, talking to some of the Malaysians I have met through my extended family it seemed like "cheating" was considered a cultural right, not an offence. It's a pity they tar their wonderful compatriots.
Being an ex-frequent flyer with Malaysia Airlines, I was ALWAYS given grief of transiting through KUL when I arrived in SYD. Perhaps your anecdote now explains why and this has cemented my other half's desire to fly direct from now on if we go to Australia again. Somehow the customs didn't buy the idea that I actually have friends in KL and that I timed the transit for 10+ hours so that I could spend some time with them.
Quoting Allrite (Reply 50): Anyway, I suspect the immigration staff at Perth are just in a bad mood because they don't get filmed for Border Security and thus have no chance at "stardom".
BORDER SECURITY! I remember a mention of that on one episode of Kath and Kim in Season 4 when Kim was religiously tuning into it, after she got "concerned" about the amount of Asians in Australia. Hahahahaha... Fly Buys? Oh you muh-ean "floi-bois"? I love that show.
Quoting Floris83 (Reply 51): Apparently, this might be the new standard on their new aircrafts, cus last week I travelled from SIN to CGK on QZ with the brand new A320 and the interior looked similar with its smooth black leather seats (no plastic cover though).
Just so you know, Air Asia is rubbing it into the face of MAS with their leather seats with ads of it plastered all over KLIA's main passenger terminal... There is a whole slew of "Be Smart..." ads and one of them refers to the leather seats as a selling point. I don't have a photo of the leather seat ad but an example of the "Be Smart..." campaign looks something like....
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Allrite From Australia, joined Aug 2007, 843 posts, RR: 2 Reply 53, posted (10 months 1 week 5 days 17 hours ago) and read 14816 times:
Quoting Ryanair!!! (Reply 52): BORDER SECURITY! I remember a mention of that on one episode of Kath and Kim in Season 4 when Kim was religiously tuning into it, after she got "concerned" about the amount of Asians in Australia. Hahahahaha... Fly Buys? Oh you muh-ean "floi-bois"? I love that show.
Border Security is/was one of the most popular programs on Australian tv. The narration is rather over the top and apparently they miss a lot of the really good stuff as they don't want to film at the hours of the day when it really happens. Still, it probably does a good job of frightening some people into not breaking some of the quarantine rules.
Oh, and it was good to see some confirmation of my very poor impressions of the transfer bus to KLIA!
SR 103 From United States of America, joined Sep 2000, 1550 posts, RR: 37 Reply 54, posted (10 months 1 week 3 days ago) and read 14406 times:
A fantastic report as usual Ryan. You have an amazing talent with the way you write these, entertaining and humorous.
Generally I am very anti LCC, but it looks like Air Asia X has really thought about everything to create a product that is very similar to what is on offer from the traditional carriers. I'd even go so far as to say that Air Asia X offers a better product than some traditional carriers on the other side of the world offer.
The seats look very nice, though I am not an overly large fan of leather especially for long hauls. The food looks pretty decent when you consider the fact that this is an LCC. What were the other choices you had available?
Quoting Ryanair!!! (Thread starter): Neighboring countries saw their own flag carriers respond with creating their own LCC offshoots like Nok Air and Tiger Airways. Malaysia, ironically, never saw their own flag carrier create one only until mid 2007 when MAS gave birth to Firefly. Better late than never, some say
You know, I have never been a fan of an airline within an airline and that is what Nok, Tiger and Firefly are. The wave seems to have hit Asia years after the US and Europe. It has constantly failed here in the US and Europe has never been overly successful with it. Therefore I can not quite say that I agree with the "better late than never" comment. The answer is not always "follow." Sometimes being innovative is what is required.
Again great report, can't wait to read the return portion.
Ryanair!!! From Singapore, joined Mar 2002, 4367 posts, RR: 26 Reply 55, posted (10 months 1 week 2 days 20 hours ago) and read 14353 times:
Thank you all for reading...
Quoting Allrite (Reply 53): Border Security is/was one of the most popular programs on Australian tv. The narration is rather over the top and apparently they miss a lot of the really good stuff as they don't want to film at the hours of the day when it really happens. Still, it probably does a good job of frightening some people into not breaking some of the quarantine rules.
I was channel surfing 2 days back and what do you know? I caught an episode of BORDER SECURITY on cable and by golly... It made me understand why these custom blokes do what they do. Perhaps this was why the program was created in the first place because Aussie customs was getting such a bad rep this would have been excellent PR for them. The behind-the-scenes look at the goings-on with each flight arrival and the people they target, and why, the signs they look out for, and the consequences and reasons they refuse entry etc was all rather informative. I have never been a fan of reality shows although I have to guiltily admit it is very addictive and BORDER SECURITY got my attention.
Quoting SR 103 (Reply 54): Generally I am very anti LCC...
Yeah...so are a lot of people. And you have known me on a.net since god-know-when and I was rather "anti" as well. Looked what happened? I got sucked into the dark side.
Quoting SR 103 (Reply 54): Air Asia X has really thought about everything to create a product that is very similar to what is on offer from the traditional carriers. I'd even go so far as to say that Air Asia X offers a better product than some traditional carriers on the other side of the world offer.
I have to agree with you on this one. The offerings they featured on the A330 was of excellent quality (of course you'd have to pay for it) and if you do not want to be handing over cash in-flight, just have all these options settled online, like I did.
Quoting SR 103 (Reply 54): The food looks pretty decent when you consider the fact that this is an LCC. What were the other choices you had available?
On the menu they had 5-6 different options (hot meals) if I remembered correctly and because Air Asia's cost base is such in Malaysia, they are able to offer them at very low prices. If you look at it from another angle, they really do offer more options compared to a legacy carrier (in this case, their competitor MAS) who normally only offer 2 and at most 3 chopices for their inflight meals. Air Asia's hot meals for purchase is avalable for all their sectors I believe.
Quoting SR 103 (Reply 54): You know, I have never been a fan of an airline within an airline and that is what Nok, Tiger and Firefly are.
Although they seem to be off-shoots from their parent company, I would like to think that they are run independently as I understand Tiger's set up is. It is a totally separate branding from top to bottom and this helps to segregate people's opinion of who they really are...
Quoting SR 103 (Reply 54): It has constantly failed here in the US and Europe has never been overly successful with it. Therefore I can not quite say that I agree with the "better late than never" comment.
... as opposed to legacies embarking on "lite" and "shuttle" affiliates, which was why it didn't work out. Never underestimate the power of branding which is why babies like Ted and CO-Lite wasn't as successful as we would have liked them to be. The cord has to be cut completely with no trace of the parent present.
The reason I said "better late than never" for MAS was because the airline has traded down so low now they run the risk of operating like an LCC as we speak. The damage to the MAS-brand has been tremendous in recent years and the exodus of their own premium passengers ex-KUL over to SQ has been a point of contention because these people would rather endure a transit in Changi than to fly direct with MAS is a rather telling sign. By having Firelfy created, I predict the release of the LCC-pressure valve from main parent MAS and I do see the expansion of Firefly's role to include regional jets in the future. Perhaps they (MAS) can once again focus on becoming the premium carrier which they had strived so hard to be, unlike some play-pretend outfit they are now being in an alliance with everyone and anyone but not really with anybody, or glossy ads upholding the merits of the cabin crew who have little else to offer other than a smile.
Welcome to my starry one world alliance, a team in the sky!
Carnoc From China, joined Oct 2001, 856 posts, RR: 1 Reply 56, posted (10 months 1 week 2 days 18 hours ago) and read 14302 times:
Quoting Ryanair!!! (Reply 55): I was channel surfing 2 days back and what do you know? I caught an episode of BORDER SECURITY on cable and by golly... It made me understand why these custom blokes do what they do. Perhaps this was why the program was created in the first place because Aussie customs was getting such a bad rep this would have been excellent PR for them. The behind-the-scenes look at the goings-on with each flight arrival and the people they target, and why, the signs they look out for, and the consequences and reasons they refuse entry etc was all rather informative. I have never been a fan of reality shows although I have to guiltily admit it is very addictive and BORDER SECURITY got my attention.
I like the show as well, in fact Border Security USA is also going to be on air soon here in Australia.
I reallly hope they put this show on DVD so that I can get one for my mate living in Hong Kong.
ThaiA345 From Indonesia, joined Oct 2006, 559 posts, RR: 5 Reply 57, posted (10 months 1 week 2 days 8 hours ago) and read 14144 times:
Quoting Allrite (Reply 50): Anyway, I suspect the immigration staff at Perth are just in a bad mood because they don't get filmed for Border Security and thus have no chance at "stardom". Wink
Actually when i came back to Perth on 20 Jan, they had signed everywhere that 'border security' was being filmed and that should we choose not to take part to let the officer know, but guess what, I did not see a single camera in sight though.
Hi Mr Soh !!! Finally got a chance to read thru your TR and great to know you enjoyed my suburb of Applecross! Too bad I went back for work in Jakarta 1 day before you arrived! As usual great TR and really enjoyed it, and nice to knwo you managed to get the new A333, my friends who took the flight in Jan weren't so lucky as they got the leased aircraft.
Btw, any chance you got the cabin shots of the so called J seats on the A333? Please post it !!
CARNOC From China, joined Oct 2001, 856 posts, RR: 1 Reply 58, posted (10 months 1 week 2 days 6 hours ago) and read 14104 times:
Quoting ThaiA345 (Reply 57): Actually when i came back to Perth on 20 Jan, they had signed everywhere that 'border security' was being filmed and that should we choose not to take part to let the officer know, but guess what, I did not see a single camera in sight though.
Hi ThaiA345, they have always done this no matter at which international airport in Australia - if they decide to film at a particular airport "sometime on a particular day", ACS will often put out the sign early and leave it there until "the camera crew has finished the day at the airport" (despite the camera crew may not always be working in the public screening areas). So, it's true that the sign may be out there while the camera crew are no where to be seen.
Ryanair!!! From Singapore, joined Mar 2002, 4367 posts, RR: 26 Reply 60, posted (10 months 1 week 1 day 22 hours ago) and read 13995 times:
Hi all, thank you for reading...
Quoting Carnoc (Reply 56): I like the show as well, in fact Border Security USA is also going to be on air soon here in Australia.
I reallly hope they put this show on DVD so that I can get one for my mate living in Hong Kong.
I am sure you can snoop about an ABC shop or Sanity records. I got a whole bunch of Kath & Kims, Summer Heights High and We Can Be Heroes from them on this trip.
Quoting ThaiA345 (Reply 57): and nice to knwo you managed to get the new A333, my friends who took the flight in Jan weren't so lucky as they got the leased aircraft.
Btw, any chance you got the cabin shots of the so called J seats on the A333? Please post it !!
It helped that I was keeping track of the aircraft registrations. When I made the booking, the seating plan was the one of the leased aircraft, 9M-XAA because based on that time it was the only aircraft they had. As the months progressed, XAA was taken out of service temporarily when XXA and XXB got delivered and now XAA is in Singapore getting reurbished into the new cabins. I think it might have been completed or near completion by now.
As far as I saw the JCL cabins looked very much like how Star Class is like on Jetstar (JQ). 2-3-2 and the seats look like an expanded YCL one with the foot rests installed in the front seat so the pitch isn't all THAT great. I don't think I will plonk money to pay for that kind of JCL seats.
Come to think of it, the JCL cabin of the leased aircraft before it was refurbished looked waaaaay more spacious.
Quoting OA260 (Reply 59): Really nice report and great pics. I like the cabin interior. Really different .
Thanks for sharing
You are very welcomed, OA260. Look out for my return trip report.
Welcome to my starry one world alliance, a team in the sky!
SR 103 From United States of America, joined Sep 2000, 1550 posts, RR: 37 Reply 61, posted (10 months 1 week 1 day 4 hours ago) and read 13741 times:
Quoting Ryanair!!! (Reply 55): ... as opposed to legacies embarking on "lite" and "shuttle"
affiliates, which was why it didn't work out. Never underestimate the power of branding
I was actually reffering to the business side of things rather than the branding. The majority of these "airline within an airline" projects have yielded nothing but red ink for everyone involved. It is a rare phenominon to see these endeavors make money.
Quoting Ryanair!!! (Reply 55): Ted and CO-Lite wasn't as successful as we would have liked them to be. The cord has to be cut completely with no trace of the parent present.
Don't even get me started on CO-Lite or Ted. However you forget to mention one, Song. The spin off was very succesful from the marketing and product side of things, which as you say above is important. However the balance sheet was anything but, bleeding quite heavily towards the end.
KLM had Buzz, British had go!, SAS had Snowflake, Iberia had Clikair, Air Canada had Zip, Air New Zealand had Freedom Air, Delta had Song, you see where this is going? History is not on Firefly, Nok or Tigers side in my opinion.
However to be fair, QANTAS has Jetstar and Lufthansa has Germanwings, both of which have proven they can pull their own weight so maybe there is hope for the Asian guys.
Also Mr. Soh, you know better than to measure success based on branding. Branding is all good and well, but at the end of the day branding is not what keeps an airline in business.
We both have our own merits with regards to our arguments. I am speaking from a marketers point of view and we all HAVE to agree that branding is an integral part of any business. Of course there are many other factors to cause the venture to bleed red ink like yields etc., not just branding alone can save the company. But we all know airlines hold branding as part of the equation otherwise we would not have seen Delta re-brand themselves God-only-knows how many times in the last decade.
Perhaps my job being what it is, I tend to disect a brand far too much to read too much into things. I see our arguments as a very traditional one like how I try to convince my clients that marketing / branding is important while they try to reconcile that need with their balance sheet.
Sure, there have been many failures of "an airline within an airline" but as time progressed, people in the industry learnt (I would like to think they have!) and knew not to have the parent meddle too much into their offshoots and thus confusing the new business model - which normally started off as an LCC-wannabe and slowly rose with frills thrown in till it is almost like their parent legacy. Yes, not only you but I have seen this pattern far too often. So I understand where your cynicism is coming from.
Back to the business side of things, Tiger and Firefly are doing fine as we speak and operate under very independent environments. I cannot say the same for Nok Air because they haven't been doing well as recently reported, perhaps due to the on-going crisis plus the present PR-problem Thailand is facing due to the airport shut down last year.
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A1ring23 From Australia, joined Jun 2009, 160 posts, RR: 0 Reply 63, posted (6 months 2 weeks 5 days 6 hours ago) and read 7848 times:
Ryan!
This just so makes me wanna go back to KUL, just to try D7!!!
These birds look sooooooo much fresher/slicker than MH's aging B777s.
Quoting Ryanair!!! (Thread starter): Final cruising altitude is stabilized and the cabin crew broke into action selling the entertainment headsets for RM30.00 per pop for usage with their “Xcite” IFE. There was a whole selection of audio, movies, short features and game options which would definitely keep one entertained for hours. In my opinion, this fresh IFE offering is comparable – if not better, than most of the legacy carriers out there. What you get for free on the PTV are the moving map channel, seat to seat chat function and meal ordering facilities.
So you can't use their IFE system (games, movies, music) if you don't purchase their headset?
Quoting Ryanair!!! (Thread starter): The usual drill of a cabin being sprayed with a disinfectant was carried out. I guess non-Australian registered aircrafts belongs to the great unwashed?
Are MH required to undergo this process? I can't remember if this was done when I flew back with them from KUL last Sept.
QF744ER From Australia, joined Jun 2004, 248 posts, RR: 0 Reply 64, posted (6 months 2 weeks 4 days 18 hours ago) and read 7628 times:
We have just come back from a trip to Penang and took D7 from PER-KL-PER.
Went up on -XAA in the XL seats as they had a promo on at the time of booking which was only $2 extra for both of us. The legroom was generous but a little know fact is that when -XAA under went it's cabin refurb in SIN earlier this year it wasn't fitted with PTV's in-line with the 2 new A333's. Flight was ok but meal service was very poor and dissappointing, pre-booked and it was a very small beef curry with a bottle of warm spritzer mineral water.
Came home last Tuesday morning on -XXB which was horrific, very very uncomfortable seats and that deceptive recline feature is rubbish. A few observations I made about -XXB is that it has paper-thin window shades and instead of each luggage bin being a seprate compartment they are just one big long bin spanning the length of that section of the plane, not seen that before. It appears these aircraft are built to a price. I know a fair few legacy carriers don't opt for air vents these days but sitting on the ground in KL and during the flight was uncomfortable not having the personal air-vent. Again meal on this flight was dissappointing Nasi Lemak served with a bottle of warm spritzer.
Granted I know it was only a 5 hour flight but those seats are so uncomfortable for a well built westerner. The food service was dissappointing. The FA's made far far too many un-neccesary annoucements, most of them we hard to make out. On both sectors on D7 I found the FA's to lack any personality and they spent far too much time in the toilets 'touching up' their make-up.
Me personally I'd never fly Air Asia X again regardless of how cheap they are.
Ryanair!!! From Singapore, joined Mar 2002, 4367 posts, RR: 26 Reply 65, posted (6 months 2 weeks 4 days 7 hours ago) and read 7390 times:
Hey y'all,
Thank you for reviving this report of mine... Would be nice if you all could revive my latest report! Hahahahaha...
Quoting A1ring23 (Reply 63): These birds look sooooooo much fresher/slicker than MH's aging B777s.
To be honest, any comparison between Air Asia and Malaysia Airlines these days makes the latter seems so tarnished and jaded.
Quoting A1ring23 (Reply 63): So you can't use their IFE system (games, movies, music) if you don't purchase their headset?
The chat function and flight show you get for free. But if you pay RM30, I suppose they would give you a headset and have your PTV set to allow you to view the movies and other entertainment options.
Quoting A1ring23 (Reply 63): Are MH required to undergo this process? I can't remember if this was done when I flew back with them from KUL last Sept.
Strangely when I flew to MEL on EK last month, they too didn't disinfect the cabin prior to arrival. Perhaps it could ne a new ruling by the OZ health regulators? I am not too sure.
Quoting QF744ER (Reply 64): Went up on -XAA in the XL seats as they had a promo on at the time of booking which was only $2 extra for both of us. The legroom was generous but a little know fact is that when -XAA under went it's cabin refurb in SIN earlier this year it wasn't fitted with PTV's in-line with the 2 new A333's.
This is strange... Why did they not refurbish XAA in the same way as the other two planes? It would seem a waste of effort to take the plane out of service and for it to turn out the way it did.
Quoting QF744ER (Reply 64): Came home last Tuesday morning on -XXB which was horrific, very very uncomfortable seats and that deceptive recline feature is rubbish.
Well, I try to escape this problem of sleeping upright by always booking my seats as far back as possible. The chances of scoring an empty seat next to you would be higher.
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QF744ER From Australia, joined Jun 2004, 248 posts, RR: 0 Reply 66, posted (6 months 2 weeks 2 days 11 hours ago) and read 7062 times:
Booked 49A/C for the wife and myself, so right down the rear.
At check-in there were XL seat upgrades available at RM300 each, so there must of been a few of these empty but towards the rear spare seats were very scarce, in-fact I only recall seeing one.
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