airpearl From Malaysia, joined May 2001, 913 posts, RR: 39 Posted (1 year 8 months 3 weeks 6 days 4 hours ago) and read 24023 times:
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the x-factor
I must admit that when I first flew AirAsia X - snagging a $15 ticket from Kuala Lumpur to Gold Coast, Australia on its very first flight in Nov. 2007 - my hopes weren't high for the survival of this outfit. Then, I thought I needed to very quickly tick the airline off my list before it folded - its sole A330 quietly returned to lessors, and owner, ever-so-convincing Tony Fernandes brushing it off as nothing more than an interesting experiment, in a face-saving exercise.
After all, we all know budget airlines work best on short routes, operating B737s or A320s. Recent history has shown misadventures like Zoom and Oasis Hong Kong trying to prove otherwise, but they've, sadly, ended up vindicating the argument: low-cost, long-hauls don't work.
Analysts say on long flights, operational economics narrow unit cost differences between full-service and low-cost carriers, while passengers giving more weight to seat comfort, quality of meals, and frills like frequent flyer miles and IFE will tip the balance in favor of conventional legacies. Short-haul AirAsia may have done well - hardly a surprise given its first-mover advantage, a weak legacy competitor at home, and the likes of Ryanair as a role model to replicate in the even-cheaper operating environment in Asia - but long haul is a different kettle of fish. The odds are firmly stacked against this Kuala Lumpur-based start-up.
Two and a half years on... this fledgling carrier is not only alive, but kicking in all sorts of aggresive directions. AirAsia X claims to have made a net profit of $28 million on revenue of $230 million last year - not shabby at all in the aftermath of a global financial meltdown - and is aiming to almost triple its 2009 revenue ahead of an IPO scheduled for 2011. Its current fleet of nine planes (7 A333s and 2 A343s) flies from its KUL base to 11 destinations, and this list is set to grow significantly with some 19 more A333s and 10 A350s due to be delivered by 2018. Perhaps there's hope for this budget long-haul carrier after all - or maybe it's being set up for a more spectacular fall. That only time will tell.
Meanwhile, I'm in Beijing for the weekend, by default. Making the oneway journey here from KUL to try out Air Zimbabwe, I'm in need of another oneway ticket home. AirAsia X is not an obvious choice. Old habits die hard, and my yesteryear favorite CX becomes the first website I check for fares and availability. I look up SQ next (for a boring but predictable option) and then TG (where connections aren't ideal). CA doesn't fly direct on a Sunday so I don't bother to look, but I take a curious peek at MH (even if I have no intention of buying). Reluctantly, I check AirAsia's website last, probably because I know what I'd find - that it's the cheapest of the lot by a long shot.
One-way tickets near the departure date in June are obviously not ones legacy carriers feel they need to discount, and fares are astronomical. Returns flights are a little cheaper but they're still a lot more expensive (in Y) than a one-way on D7 (in Premium). Incredibly, AirAsia X is quoting only a 300 yuan ($44) price difference between Economy and its newly relaunched Premium class (1897 yuan vs 2197 yuan). The decision is pretty much a no-brainer - on the basis of fare and value alone, there's no other choice: welcome to my second flight on AirAsia X.
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beijing to tianjin
AirAsia X doesn't fly from Beijing's Capital Airport, but it does serve the much lower profile Tianjin, a port city about 140 kms away. The airline group likes to advertise the destination as Tianjin (Beijing) for obvious reasons, the same reasons it sells Hangzhou (Shanghai), Clark (Manila), Gold Coast (Brisbane) and, for a brief period, Abu Dhabi (Dubai). Serving secondary airports is more a by-product of circumstance than choice for AirAsia but, of course, anywhere else in the world, Tianjin - with a population exceeding 12 million people - would hardly be considered "secondary".
Having spent a comfortable night at Beijing's Novotel Sanyuan, I now need to make my way by train to Tianjin to catch the mid-afternoon KUL-bound flight. Ground transportation used to be such an ordeal in China, and memories flood back of those carefree, backpack-clad days involving hard-seat tickets and six-hour standing marathons on over-crowded trains. Granted, these were in more remote parts of the country and happened a decade ago (at China's rate of development, that probably works out to be the equivalent of 50 years), but the wound stays as fresh as ever - my old, creaking bones may forgive, but they don't forget.
That's mostly ancient history, says China. Trains are now better and faster, and the spanking new express between Beijing and Tianjin beats most hands down. It's like nothing China has seen before - the great leap forward to the glorious future of Chinese transportation, if you will - and one of the world's fastest conventional train services links these two cities in 30 minutes flat.
"It's a very fast train to Tianjin," the doorman at the Novotel says in Mandarin as he sends me off in a taxi. "You'll take longer to reach the railway station from here." And he is right. Sunday morning may be traffic-free in many cities, but not in Beijing where everything mostly crawls. My cab ride feels like an eternity of inhaling fumes from the middle of a 12-lane highway interspaced with moments of impending doom as my driver tests out his three-in-one lane changing skills ahead of fast-moving container lorries. When the imposing new Beijing South Station finally comes into view, you can't imagine how relieved I feel.
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Built in time for the Summer Olympics of 2008, the station - which made its small contribution to the rise in global prices for building materials - is so huge and spacious that the crowds seem to disappear, and that's quite a rarity in China. It looks more airport than rail terminal. There isn't any evidence of either plane or train, but that's typical of monumental terminals like this these days which are seemingly designed to overshadow the traveling experience itself. The rail platforms are all hidden underneath this central hall and only reachable with a valid passage ticket.
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I hadn't bought a ticket ahead of time - which in the old days meant anguish and standing room only - but judging from the frequency of trains on this route, snagging a seat shouldn't be a problem. Incredibly, there's an average 4-5 intercity departures every hour between here and Tianjin - better than suburban commuter train schedules on a weekend in some developed countries. Stuff like this shouldn't surprise because we read about China's rapid growth pace almost every day - but I still can't help being awestruck and, frankly, a bit scared by what the future will hold.
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The ticketing offices are to one side of the main hall, and queues there are long but fast moving. Considering how expensive Chinese cities like Beijing have now become, tickets are a steal at 58 yuan ($8.50) oneway in proletariat second class. For just another 11 yuan more, first class inspires the would-be capitalists in this communist country where mass conspicuous consumption is encouraged. I join them and ask for the nouveau riche option - really, the only way to go in up and coming China.
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Orderly queues start to form in front of autogate 21 about a quarter of an hour before departure, and boarding for C2027 is announced five minutes later. With staff flanking the gate entrance, it does feel a lot like boarding a flight. Every passenger is also allocated a seat number beforehand, so there's really no need to rush.
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Down a couple of escalators, the bowels of South Station looks equally expansive with 24 rather quiet-looking platforms that are obviously built for upcoming growth in fast rail travel - and that's something China is currently embarking on in furious fashion. The future will look a little like this stylish Siemens-made CRH3 - with a top speed of 350 km/h - that'll be carrying me to Tianjin today.
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The First Class compartment is a comfortable place with seating 4-abreast and ample legroom - while Second Class seats passengers 5-abreast in slightly less pitch. A comfortably-padded seat, decent recline, legrest, a magazine in the seat pocket and self-service complimentary mineral water come standard as frills. The load is healthy with very few empty seats - a group of Beijingers around me who appear to be dressed for a beach holiday, are also headed for Tianjin Airport to catch a flight.
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We slide silently out of Beijing South Station at 12:05 exactly and accelerate effortlessly to a top speed of 331 km/h within 10 minutes of departure. Most of the journey - which is supremely quiet, smooth and nothing less than what one might expect from top German engineering - we're cruising at between 327-330km/h according to electronic speedometers at each end of the compartment. Views enroute aren't particularly memorable (maybe it's due to the all-encompassing haze), which is just as well because everything pretty much just whizzes past. We're in Tianjin in 30 minutes.
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tianjin to kuala lumpur
Welcome to Tianjin Binhai International Airport. Distance from the city's railway station is a lot further than I thought - it takes close to half an hour by taxi and costs almost the same as a train ticket from Beijing. (I find out too late there's a cheaper shuttle bus option.) The 2008-completed steel and glass terminal is nevertheless a surprisingly impressive structure with the outside view far too large and wide for my camera lense to take in one frame. So here's two (and it's still not all in).
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Visible from the main driveway is the tail of an EVA Air B747-45E Combi recently arrived from Taipei. There aren't a whole lot of international flights at Tianjin (China will argue that Taipei isn't 'international' at all... but let's not go there), so this is a nice bonus. This is also special because it's my first spotting of a cross-strait flight and a Taiwanese carrier on mainland Chinese soil - when you consider that until not so many years ago, Taiwan's airlines weren't even allowed to overfly the People's Republic, the presence today of this BR 74E is really quite amazing.
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The airport interior is bright and airy, but is far less impressive than the exterior and looks much like many of the domestic terminals you'll find in China: it's not unpleasant but it's bland. Most Chinese airports are really only good for people-watching and Binhai's hustle and bustle doesn't disappoint by delivering a large dose of China's newly-confident and tech-savvy middle class. Airline-wise, all of China's majors are represented here but Air China seems to enjoy a tad more prominence, while its self check-in kiosks are amazingly popular.
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My flight is missing - seems to be the recurring theme this weekend. The main electronic FIDS doesn't show the AirAsia X flight and neither can I find their check-in desks. After giving the terminal a once-over, I finally find an inconspicuous, glass-encased, sole display board at one end of the building: it seems international flights are listed separately for some reason. Not only that, the check-in counters are shielded from domestics via a separate entrance and the sort of bureaucracy I remember from the China of old.
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Alongside the flight display board is a 8-step guide on how to get to your international flight: note that one needs to first clear no less than three check-points even before the check-in desk! Luckily these turn out to be far from insurmountable hurdles - they're mostly rather sleepy girls in uniform who don't look up when you walk past - but I'm sure it's a really super job creation program.
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These are the AirAsia X check-in desks about two and a half hours before departure. The lines are not looking too bad at all - none are specifically identified for Premium Class passengers, so I just approach counter A05 which has no queue at all. At first I think how strange it is that passengers are so unevenly spread across the five counters (wouldn't you naturally move to a shorter line or a desk with no queue at all?) but later realize why this is so: most of the passengers belong to tour groups and are forced to stay faithful to their clusters.
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When I first booked Premium, I had no expectations that the experience will be anything other than the bog-standard AirAsia-style offering, only with a bigger seat. I certainly didn't expect Business Class service - and so far, haven't received it either - but my boarding pass seems to indicate otherwise. I've still no expectations whatsoever but the very thought I'm traveling "C" class with AirAsia X does tickle me so.
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A major flaw in Tianjin Airport's 8-step plan to successful take-off is that if your airline asks that you check-in 3 hours ahead of departure, and immigration starts work only 2 hours before, there'll be quite a bottleneck in the boring, enclosed space between steps 4 and 5. Luckily, there's an escape door which will bring you back to the terminal proper where a lot more is happening - I think it's worth the risk of another 'meticulous' customs check later.
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At the Generic Shop (which is more original than "General Store" I suppose), a couple of plane models attract my attention. It's a very Airbus-centric display but, of course, that's not a total surprise - Tianjin is not quite Toulouse, but it's still an Airbus town. The planemaker's only production line outside Europe plans to roll-out 26 A320s this year - all for the home market, for now.
As I'm about to take the photo below and trying to remember if SV flies any A320s (it actually has a sizable fleet), I hear my name being called from a distance. That's pretty unlikely, I figure, in a place I hadn't been to before and where I know nobody. Dismissing it, I continue with the shot, but I hear my name again - this time louder and from closer by. Indeed, bouncing towards me is William, a former work colleague I hadn't seen in years: "what the hell are you doing in Tianjin?" he asks. Oh darn.
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William has every reason to be in Tianjin - he's managing a production facility for an American multinational here - and is the epitome of a successful man in his early-30s sprinting up the corporate escalator. In complete contrast, my only reason for being in Tianjin puts me in a category people outside this forum might call a total nut job. This is the sort of unexpected meeting I'd been dreading when doing these joyrides (as A.netter NZ107 calls them), and so my response to William is measured and as truthful as I can make it without using the words "I am here because I wanted to fly Air Zimbabwe." Already with my reputation for being borderline-mad, I fear the whole truth will just confirm to my peers that Airpearl's finally tipped over the edge into underpants-on-head-and-pencils-up-nose zone.
Still, it's nice to be meeting up with an old friend again, and just as well I am the more prolific questioner so we spend more time talking about William's life in China than my dubious reasons for being there. It's so absorbing I nearly forget I have to write a trip report! The man's totally bought into the China growth story - ignores my jabs about him being brainwashed by CCTV propaganda - but who can blame him: even in a trip that lasts less than a day, I find it hard not to be impressed by China's material progress. There are some negatives though: William says he doesn't drive in Tianjin because drivers here are "totally unpredictable" and when I complain about air quality, he says I hadn't seen the worst. "And private medicine is horrendously expensive." That's why he's taking a short trip home: to visit a dentist and see an orthopedic surgeon on his long-suffering knee. Alas, the strange reasons why some people fly these days.
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We make our separate ways to the plane - William goes off to say farewell to his wife and get his parents who're returning home with him after a visit - and I'm back to becoming trip reporter. It's a painless affair getting through immigration and security to the compact 4-gate international concourse. The ceiling panels here looks suspiciously familiar - it's an inexact copy of those at Hong Kong's International Airport. The new China cracks me up like that. I find it quite funny looking at pictures of PEK's new Terminal 3, for instance, and thinking how certain parts look a bit like HKG, another bit like ICN and another corner like KUL.
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There aren't a whole load of facilities airside: a couple of shops selling the usual airport stuff, some food and that's about it. Despite travelling in "C" class, there's no access to premium lounges (I wasn't expecting it either)... but if D7 ever decided it would provide such a facility, this lonely CA lounge may be the one offering it. Below, a complimentary charging facility caters to an especially large variety of mobile phone models.
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There are nice, large windows, affording good views of tarmac activity. To the left of the international concourse are some gates of the much larger domestic concourse: this Xiamen Airlines B738 is about to depart for its hub Xiamen in southern China, and then onto Singapore.
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On schedule at 1445, the inbound AirAsia X widebody arrives from Kuala Lumpur. That means about an hour's turnaround in Tianjin (which is almost a luxury for this airline group) - everything's looking quite promising for an on-time departure. It looks like it's 9M-XXA, the airline's first owned A333 delivered in 2008, operating the service today.
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As the Airbus comes in to dock, I notice the mostly-female, attractive-in-red AirAsia cabin crew all looking eager to board at gate 2. With yesterday's almost surreal UM boarding situation at KUL still fresh in my mind, I can't help cracking a smile thinking how different this is. At about the same time, EVA Air's B74E (B-16408) heads for 16R en route for Taipei Taoyuan Airport. Based on the timing on the FIDS, it's almost an hour behind schedule.
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AirAsia X plays heavily on its "X" in the naming of its planes. Except for its first A333 (which was named for the pioneering spirit of Sir Freddie Laker), all subsequent deliveries have been X'ed. A contest on its blog invites you to submit a name and if it gets chosen, your own name will also be immortalized alongside on the fuselage! So D7 gets planes named Xhiliration, Xcalibur, Xcellence, and then (frankly, in a bit of a cop-out really) double-barrel names like Midnight Xcapade, Soaring Xpectations, and Northern Xposure are also selected.
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My mind likes to slip off - as it often does at these numbing moments - on a steep tangent, and today it's to think up the most unlikely X-names. Yeah, it's kinda juvenile I know. I scribble down my first pretty quickly - Xcrutiating jumps out as the most appropriate name for an A330 that squeezes seats 9-abreast in economy. Xhaustion could be named for one of the A340s plying the Stansted route, while both Xplosion and Xcorcist will probably not win favor with D7 management. Xtinction, Xpropriation, X-rated, hell, I'm on a roll... When I imagine how Xcrement ~ By Airpearl will look on the side of an A350, I am beaming to myself like a madman who forgot to take his pills.
"So what's so funny?" William does like to show up at the most inconvenient times. And with that, my few remaining shreds of credibility are sucked away in the whoosh of a vacuum flush.
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AirAsia X flight 2613 in Premium Class
Tianjin to Kuala Lumpur
A330-300 9M-XXA "Xuberance"
Dept 16h26 Arrv 22h23 (arrives 8 minutes late)
Boarding starts 30 minutes before scheduled departure. As is usual with AirAsia, passengers seated in "Hot Seats" (those near the front or exit rows that cost extra) are given boarding priority. I presume this benefit is accorded to Premium passengers too, but I wait with William and his parents who're traveling standard Y - he's now regretting not choosing Premium after I tell him what he's missing. (Strangely, he tells me he tried upgrading at check-in but local staff said that wasn't possible - I'd have thought AirAsia would never refuse your cash!)
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A friendly welcome aboard at 1L (everyone uses this door) and we immediately arrive at AirAsia X's small but spacious Premium cabin. William is looking quite jealous as I wave a commiserating farewell while he slips behind the partitions that can make all the difference between luxury and comfort on the one hand, and possibly Xcruciating pain on the other.
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I settle in to my window seat at the back of this 2-row cabin. AirAsia says the pitch is 60 inches although it does look like less - but whatever, it's quite generous enough for me. If you're looking for legroom, those seats in row 1 appear to have it better, especially if you don't mind being seated at bulkheads. As expected, the signature AirAsia red is inescapable.
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The last of the passengers are streaming in, and none are stopping here. It looks like a very light complement of 2 pax in Premium today - my only fellow passenger stays in his middle-aisle seat for the entire flight and (very sensibly) keeps a silent distance from me - which is why, unlike William, he avoids being a sidebar in this story.
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It's undeniable that the cabin has a nice, exclusive feel. The seats are comfortable and look like they come from the same maker of generic (that word again) lie-flat seats used by quite a number of airlines in their Business Class cabins. But be under no illusion that this is Business Class. Stewardesses coming round with a tray of champagne and steaming hot towels? Delicately carved amuse bouche, branded toiletry bags, and inflight chefs who address you by name? Perish the thought.
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On AirAsia X, the crews in the front galley smile uncertainly and if you smile back, they'll offer you a plastic bottle of house brand mineral water as a welcome drink. I am thrilled - hey, you have to pay for this behind the curtains! The flow of freebies continues with a blood-red blanket and nice full-sized pillow (both available for sale in steerage). By my reckoning, I'm now up some 50 ringgit, based on the airline's merchandise catalog, which is already a third of the price differential between Y and Premium. What an amazing bargain.
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Among the other standard amenities are individual reading lights, a privacy screen and power sockets for all. Not bad at all really, for what is still essentially a budget offering. I get mixed signals though when a stewardess comes round asking if I'd like my meal served straight after take-off (like they do in First Class on the best airlines) and when I say yes, she asks for my boarding pass so it can checked off a list - lest, heaven forbid, I should accidentally be served a second time, gratis.
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It's almost pushback time. Everything looks set for an ontime departure when the safety demonstration - done manually - is completed. But Captain Affendi comes on the blower, firstly to say we're still awaiting "clearance", and later that departure is delayed another 25 minutes due to heavy air traffic near Beijing. While we're waiting, let me show you the colorful contents of the seat pocket - most of which are invitations to part with your money. The inflight magazine - Travel 3-Sixty - is decent enough as such rags go but I can't understand why they insist it not be removed from the plane. As A.netter Burj might say, this one was liberated, on principle. I'm almost certain the right to take home inflight magazines is enshrined in the Warsaw Convention.
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Still waiting, and I might as well submit the obligatory knee shot which really doesn't say very much except maybe the fact that I'm in need of new shoes. When we finally get going, Xanadu 2613 is some 36 minutes behind schedule. The international concourse of Tianjin Binhai is totally deserted after we leave: the next flight is a Korean Air from Incheon that wouldn't be here for another 90 minutes.
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We get a hearty send-off by the tug crew - not quite like in Japan but still not bad - and we're finally on own steam, the twin Trents - quietly purring as heard from upfront - powering us to the active runway. An incoming Xiamen B738 heads towards the domestic concourse as we leave.
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Holding short of 16R, we wait for a Shanghai-bound Hainan Airlines takeoff, followed by a Shenzhen Airlines landing - both planes looking so similar they could have come from the same airline group (they don't, of course). I wish someone would become a little more adventurous, if only to lift China's status currently as the country with the most boring airline liveries on earth. Planespotters the world over will rejoice.
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We do a decent run of 16R before rotating into the weak, hazy late afternoon sunshine. It's a little bumpy on the way out with some low cloud around but once we're clear, it's smooth and the seat belt signs come off. Crew members immediately draw the curtains between Premium and economy, adding an air of exclusivity to the quiet cabin. I know this is standard practice on most legacy carriers (at least those outside the U.S.) but it surprises me to see it on AirAsia X.
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The crew disappear behind the forward curtains to prepare meals, while my fellow passenger, having reclined his seat to as flat as he can get it, is seemingly asleep - and probably thinking it's best to keep well clear of that restless guy with the camera. The guy with the camera, on the other hand, thinks it's the ideal time for some cabin shots. Above, the seat is missing an inseat massage function but otherwise has similar functions to those airlines with lie-flat seats. It slants at an angle, for sure, but does seem less steep than some others. I guess if there's one reason why you will choose to fly Premium on AirAsia X, this is it...
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Aboard this flight with my camera, I can't help thinking how I wish D7 put in more rows of seats in Premium so there can be greater depth of vision, or alternatively I had a wide-angle lense. As neither is possible within the next few minutes, I think the next 3 photos here will have to do.
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I am back at my seat just in time for service to commence, and a couple of stewardesses are pushing trolleys laden with BOBs past me and through the curtains into economy class. Just as I'm starting to wonder where my dinner is, Shankar, a steward who seems to be the dedicated flight attendant for Premium class, brings my far-less-than-premium dinner tray. "Fish" it says on the foil, next to the cheap plastic cutlery, is the entire meal AirAsia X calls dinner: another timely reminder that one isn't flying Business Class but an LCC after all.
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Even though this style of catering isn't a surprise for me (though it might be quite a shock for a first time D7 flyer expecting a Premium Economy meal), the quantity of food has definitely shrunk since my first flight on the airline in 2007. This is not Business Class for sure; it's not even Economy on Air Zimbabwe - and it does beg the question if the name Premium as used by AirAsia X is a tad misleading in this respect. It's fish in a sweet and sour sauce, in case you're wondering - not particularly inspiring stuff. Shankar soon comes back to collect the tray - "May I?" he asks politely - and by 30 minutes after take-off, dinner service is officially over in Premium class.
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Feeling that I should at least pretend there's a semblance of "Premiumness" aboard today's flight - I keep hoping a CX-style Business Class-of-old trolley would magically appear from the behind the curtains with half a dozen cheeses, a delicious gateau, freshly brewed coffee, pralines and cognac, but alas no - so I ask Shankar to get me a coffee (instant from a little satchet) and desert (a Snickers bar). "There you are Sir. That will be ten ringgit please."
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There's a strange dynamic at play in Premium class that keeps me constantly confused and my mind flirting between low-cost and First Class. Every time I think it's LCC, the service teases me to make me believe otherwise. I've powered up my laptop when Shankar comes over to ask "if it's alright" to switch off the main cabin lights, seeing my fellow passenger is now fast asleep. Our flight attendant has already lowered most of the cabin's window shades. It's fine with me, I say. "Thank you for your consideration Sir," Shankar replies. How remarkably civilized.
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It's a bright summer's late afternoon over central China outside, but the Premium cabin is now dark-as-night, so no more cabin pics to be attempted. (In contrast, Economy stays brightly lit for the entire flight.) Shankar does regular rounds to see if I'm still alive: "anything else to drink Sir?" he asks, like they do in the premium classes of 5-star carriers.
I try to do some work on the laptop, but the darkened cabin just makes me want to nod off - so I go to the galley to have a little chat with Shankar. I am curious about the service-style which is more legacy premium than LCC, and am not entirely surprised when he tells me he used to work for MH. Shankar is tight-lipped about his previous employer (despite my prodding for him to spill the beans), but he's now an enthusiastic AirAsia convert. "These seats are the same as those on MH, but ours go flatter," he says. Meanwhile in economy, all the fixed-back seats have now been replaced by normal reclining ones: "those were a mistake... we were getting complaints nonstop about them," Shankar says. On IFE, he explains that on European and Australian flights, portable media players are available for hire, but not on this route: "there's no demand for it."
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About half-way through the flight, I feel it's time to see how my friend William is faring back in steerage. (There are 302 passengers in economy, according to Shankar - translating to a respectable 85% load on this tightly-configured A333.) The seats are dressed in a lighter beige and red rather than AirAsia shorthaul's black, which makes the cabin seem more spacious than how I'd imagine a 9-abreast Airbus will look. It's almost "normal" in fact, until you settle into one of the seats, and realize it's that bit narrower than those in regular Y. It wouldn't be everyone's favorite, that's for sure. Still it's kinda tolerable, for here is where I'm sat for nearly 3 hours with William, getting amazing insights on managing a Chinese factory, shaking our heads over the current state of our own country, and catching up on did-you-hear-what's-happened-to? stories. I eventually even admit to William I flew to China on Air Zimbabwe. "What? But why?" I explain it as well as I can, but I don't expect such deviant behavior to be fully understood. Easier to change the subject.
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Meanwhile, Shankar, it seems, had been looking all over for me. There's relief on his face when he finds me in Economy: "ah, there you are." (He must think this guy's got it all wrong - it's the Y class passengers who try to sneak into Premium, not the other way round!) "I have left something for you at your seat. Please take a look when you get back," says Shankar rather mysteriously. A 1:200 scale model of an AirAsia X A333 as a souvenir perhaps, I am hoping. William's giving me a funny look. Well, don't look at me, I have no idea, I say; and so we continue chatting, the incident soon forgotten. An hour passes and I'm still in Y - Shankar appears again, looking more anxious and purposeful this time. "We'll be landing in about 30 minutes Sir. But I would really appreciate if you can do this for us." He lowers the tray table where I am in a rather serious manner, and places an AirAsia survey form on it. And alongside, he puts a scrap of paper on which is listed the names of the entire cabin crew today. "Ah that's so Malaysian," laughs William after Shankar goes away. Welcome home, I say.
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My comments are mostly good, and as someone obviously took the trouble to list the names of the crew down, I do the same on the survey form. Basically I praise the seats and service, and am critical of the food. Despite the delayed departure, we made good time along the way, and land only a few minutes behind schedule on 14L at Kuala Lumpur International Airport on a Sunday night. Another mad weekend of intense flying activity comes to an end.
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last words
At the risk of sounding like a cheerleader for Tony Fernandes' wallet, I must say that AirAsia X is quite the game changer. I'm still not certain it will survive the long run, but it has certainly proved the doomsayers wrong so far. There probably should be a limit on how long one is allowed to endure sitting in the new 9-abreast economy cabins before it becomes a violation under the Geneva Convention on Torture, but the Premium class really has my vote. The fact that it's good value for money is a big part of it. AirAsia X's Premium fares are frequently close to what legacy airlines charge for economy - while the use of Business Class lie-flat seats here makes the airline a pioneer and revolutionary. It will probably never be my favorite airline (not that I have favorite airlines any more) because it lacks many of the elements that make flying special for me, but it goes a long way to making me like it very much. It's surely an airline worth watching out for.
Finally, thanks for enduring this long-winded journey, and a special thanks to the actors who were inadvertantly dragged along as well. Perhaps the moral of the story is to never talk to friends with notebooks.
Cheers
airpearl
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A list of previous trip reports (in chronological order, from latest)
akhmad From Netherlands, joined Sep 2005, 1961 posts, RR: 54 Reply 1, posted (1 year 8 months 3 weeks 6 days 3 hours ago) and read 23817 times:
Hi airpearl,
I am pleasantly surprised to see your report popped up. Much more to know that it is telling us about the Air Asia X's Premium Class. Probably an A.net first here?
As usual, I like the way you share us the history of the airline you are flying with and how you put in the perspective of the time period. I even forgot about the existence of Oasis Hong Kong.
I must say it is a great idea to include a non-aviation trip report in the usual aviation one. The interior of the train station and the train itself look immaculate. They would certainly not be unbecoming as any aircraft's interior. Thumbs up for China on that.
About your Premium Class experience, I enjoyed every single word of your story. It is like I had been there with you. If I would have been the other guy in the Premium Class!
Nice to hear you had a meet up with your friend after quite long time.
Quoting airpearl (Thread starter): At the Generic Shop (which is more original than "General Store" I suppose),
PlaneHunter From Germany, joined Mar 2006, 5426 posts, RR: 81 Reply 2, posted (1 year 8 months 3 weeks 6 days 2 hours ago) and read 23700 times:
Hi Airpearl,
absolutely enjoyable report with many great pictures - it's good to know that there's always something special to expect when an Airpearl report shows up!
Quoting airpearl (Thread starter): The future will look a little like this stylish Siemens-made CRH3 - with a top speed of 350 km/h - that'll be carrying me to Tianjin today.
Very impressive!
Quoting airpearl (Thread starter): I wish someone would become a little more adventurous, if only to lift China's status currently as the country with the most boring airline liveries on earth. Planespotters the world over will rejoice.
I cannot agree here - there's a good mix of old-style and new-style liveries in China. And Chinese carriers operate dozens of planes in special colors.
Quoting airpearl (Thread starter): It's fish in a sweet and sour sauce, in case you're wondering - not particularly inspiring stuff. Shankar soon comes back to collect the tray - "May I?" he asks politely - and by 30 minutes after take-off, dinner service is officially over in Premium class.
That doesn't look bad, but the portion is really small.
Quoting airpearl (Thread starter): I ask Shankar to get me a coffee (instant from a little satchet) and desert (a Snickers bar).
Oh no, instant coffee...
Quoting airpearl (Thread starter): On IFE, he explains that on European and Australian flights, portable media players are available for hire, but not on this route: "there's no demand for it."
No PTVs on these brand new A330s? But they have them on the A340s, don't they? Very disappointing.
PlunaCRJ From Uruguay, joined Nov 2007, 546 posts, RR: 0 Reply 3, posted (1 year 8 months 3 weeks 6 days 2 hours ago) and read 23680 times:
Thank you for a fantastic read. I enjoyed your TR immensely, from marveling of the "chinese wonders" to the strange "premium/ low cost" melange. Air Asia X really looks like a game-changer, and I hope they are succesful.
The Premium fare you got indeed was a great deal. I value comfort way over "gourmet style food" (available in a restaruant), and Air Asia´s Premium class sure sounds like a great concept.
I cannot but envy Asia for having a carrier like this... something similar is needed in South America. Fares down here are outrageous.
Regards,
"The saddest aspect of life right now is that science gathers knowledge faster than society gathers wisdom"- Isaac Asimo
QatarA340 From Qatar, joined May 2006, 1478 posts, RR: 8 Reply 4, posted (1 year 8 months 3 weeks 5 days 23 hours ago) and read 23212 times:
First of all, one of the best TR ever! I also wanted to know the Air Asia Xperience--pun intended! The J cabin is designed to a bit more pricy than Y but not really J, so service-wise, you can expect SQ of course! The seats look comfortable for the flight.
Economy class looks like torture! 3-3-3 on an A330! Even EK aren't that cruel. I was wondering if you tried EK's 3-4-3 on their 777s? Perhaps they are the same comfort! To me, its not the size of the chairs, its the size of the PEOPLE who are sitting next to you!
The cabin sort of reminded me of the old VS J seats with the red colors--which is not bad really!
9MMAR From Malaysia, joined Jul 2006, 2056 posts, RR: 23 Reply 5, posted (1 year 8 months 3 weeks 5 days 22 hours ago) and read 22914 times:
Hi Airpearl, I shrine this ok.
Quoting akhmad (Reply 1): Much more to know that it is telling us about the Air Asia X's Premium Class. Probably an A.net first here?
No. The first trip report about D7's new Premium Cabin in A.Net was written by Chrisrad recently. Surprised you missed that one out since that trip report got so high readership. AirAsiaX MEL-KUL J Class, SQ A345 SIN-LAX-EWR-SIN (by chrisrad Jul 19 2010 in Trip Reports)
Quoting PlaneHunter (Reply 2): No PTVs on these brand new A330s? But they have them on the A340s, don't they?
No. D7 has gotten rid of all PTVs they managed to install on a few aircrafts when they changed their seats (Premium and Economy) to the current one not too long ago. They concluded that having PTV is not economical for their business plan, and as mentioned in the trip report by Airpearl himself, most of the time, there is simply no demand for them. It was tested and proven.
Quoting airpearl (Thread starter): On IFE, he explains that on European and Australian flights, portable media players are available for hire, but not on this route: "there's no demand for it."
JL418 From Italy, joined Jun 2009, 491 posts, RR: 10 Reply 6, posted (1 year 8 months 3 weeks 5 days 21 hours ago) and read 22879 times:
Hi Airpearl,
as Suryo said on reply #1, it's a pleasant surprise to see your TR up here. As usual it has been a pleasant, enjoyable, ironic and sometimes even hilarious read. Sometimes I wish you would appear a little bit more on these pages.
Quoting airpearl (Thread starter): There isn't any evidence of either plane or train, but that's typical of monumental terminals like this these days which are seemingly designed to overshadow the traveling experience itself.
Judging on your pictures it is a gorgeous building but I'm not entirely sure it ticks all the right boxes about "station feeling". And maybe I'm just wrong, but I don't see many shops either.
Quoting airpearl (Thread starter): The rail platforms are all hidden underneath this central hall and only reachable with a valid passage ticket.
That's a good choice I think. When I was just a toddler all main stations in Italy were like that and, as I'm sure you know, London's Liverpool Street and Japan's ones still are like that. No goodbye-waving people falling under trains, no junkies nicking your wallet, a more relaxed environment I'd say.
Quoting airpearl (Thread starter): For just another 11 yuan more, first class inspires the would-be capitalists in this communist country where mass conspicuous consumption is encouraged. I join them and ask for the nouveau riche option - really, the only way to go in up and coming China.
Epic!
Quoting airpearl (Thread starter):
The First Class compartment is a comfortable place with seating 4-abreast and ample legroom - while Second Class seats passengers 5-abreast in slightly less pitch
I guess this CH3 is larger than its German cousin, the ICE, isn't it? I'm somehow disappointed by the looks of premium class, doesn't feel at all like that. I must say I was disappointed by the interior looks of JR's Nozomi Shinkansen either, maybe it's an Asian habit. Here, for example, you can find a picture about an ETR.500, Italy's much older and slower hi-speed train, proletarian class. I think it definitely looks prettier and I remember the German ICE performs even better under this point of view.
Quoting airpearl (Thread starter): Already with my reputation for being borderline-mad, I fear the whole truth will just confirm to my peers that Airpearl's finally tipped over the edge into underpants-on-head-and-pencils-up-nose zone.
Don't worry - I think there's plenty of people here on A.net that are looked by other exactly as you said. On my last trip I met a friend at Malpensa, going to KEF via CPH, and I had quite an afternoon trying to explain the reason why I went to BUD via WAW rather than simply planing straight there.
Quoting airpearl (Thread starter): Below, a complimentary charging facility caters to an especially large variety of mobile phone models.
That's an useful feature, it should be wrapped up in bubble plastic and sent up here ab sofort!
Quoting airpearl (Thread starter): Except for its first A333 (which was named for the pioneering spirit of Sir Freddie Laker)
Seriously? Mr. Branson's ears must have been whistling a lot!
Quoting airpearl (Thread starter): But be under no illusion that this is Business Class. Stewardesses coming round with a tray of champagne and steaming hot towels? Delicately carved amuse bouche, branded toiletry bags, and inflight chefs who address you by name? Perish the thought.
Quoting airpearl (Thread starter): I get mixed signals though when a stewardess comes round asking if I'd like my meal served straight after take-off (like they do in First Class on the best airlines) and when I say yes, she asks for my boarding pass so it can checked off a list - lest, heaven forbid, I should accidentally be served a second time, gratis.
This is what I don't like about LCC. Alright, they're getting you to destination as fast as those legacy carriers full of pomp and circumstance. But... where's the magic in it? where's the thrill? I think LCCs are spoiling the pleasure of flying. Whenever I find myself in the hands of Ryanair of other carriers interested in "piling 'em high and sellin' 'em cheap" I feel I'm boarding a bus. And I'm not referring by no means at the Tolouse jets. Every joy, every sense of thrilling is gone, flushed away by people inspecting my bag to see if it fits in the basket "without any push, lad!", the very same people who'll try to saddle me scratch cards and English Breakfast at 5.99£. I don't like it on short haul flights - I'd rather stay home, had enough of rushing and battling for a window seat - I can't image how bad it'll be on long haul. I truly hope this "LCC gone wild" fashion won't spread or, in a couple of years, we'll consider 30" pitch and 10° reclining seats as "luxury".
Sorry for the bickering!
Quoting airpearl (Thread starter): It's almost "normal" in fact, until you settle into one of the seats, and realize it's that bit narrower than those in regular Y. It wouldn't be everyone's favorite, that's for sure. Still it's kinda tolerable
I'd surely go bonkers!
Anyway, thanks again for posting. It might have been a low-cost flight, but the reading was full first class.
abrelosojos From Venezuela, joined May 2005, 4551 posts, RR: 56 Reply 7, posted (1 year 8 months 3 weeks 5 days 21 hours ago) and read 22818 times:
What a wonderful report - perfect to complement your UM outbound. I wish I lived in Asia to try these things! I mentioned it in the first Air Asia X Premium report ... and strongly think that this might just be the game-changer. I bet the premium cabin does very well on flights to STN ... and their soon launching flights to the U.S.
767747 From United States of America, joined Jan 2005, 1521 posts, RR: 28 Reply 9, posted (1 year 8 months 3 weeks 5 days 20 hours ago) and read 22634 times:
airpearl,
Really well written report on Air Asia X. I've read a few reports about Air Asia X in this forum, and it always seems to be that people leave with mixed feelings. Cheap flight, and usually very punctual, but with some big things lacking from the service provided to you on board. I am amazed, that even being a LCC, and with that fancy looking "Premium" cabin that you weren't served something more substantial. Can people, I assume, bring their own food on-board? I would have been starving if I had just had a small dish like that for my only food!
I think your comments about almost the clash between the LCC model, and the fancy, modern looking cabin really showed in your photos of the empty cabin .. I mean, 2 people for a flight from Tianjin to KUL? Obviously, Air Asia X really isn't attracting too many people to its "Hot Class" because the amenities up front don't seem to be THAT much better than in Y except for the flat bed seat.
gabrielchew From United Kingdom, joined Aug 2005, 1630 posts, RR: 11 Reply 10, posted (1 year 8 months 3 weeks 5 days 10 hours ago) and read 21786 times:
Very entertaining TR, thanks!
It always frustrated me that the Chinese, when spending billions on new trains and stations, didn't make the system more integrated. Beijing South isn't even on the metro yet, and as you found out, getting there by taxi is a nightmare. Why can't they have made it a multistop train, going all the way under the capital, stopping, say, at Beijing Station, Wangfujing, then Beijing North? Or all the way to Beijing Airport? Tokyo has this sussed, with trains running all the way from Yokohama, all the way through Tokyo up to Ueno and beyond. Makes it so much easier to get around. I suppose the Chinese have to do it their way. Always form over function.
Quoting airpearl (Thread starter): One-way tickets near the departure date in June are obviously not ones legacy carriers feel they need to discount, and fares are astronomical. Returns flights are a little cheaper but they're still a lot more expensive (in Y) than a one-way on D7 (in Premium). Incredibly, AirAsia X is quoting only a 300 yuan ($44) price difference between Economy and its newly relaunched Premium class (1897 yuan vs 2197 yuan). The decision is pretty much a no-brainer - on the basis of fare and value alone, there's no other choice: welcome to my second flight on AirAsia X.
Those Air Asia offers out of Tianjin for their Premium service are such good value for money, especially if you only need a one way.
Quoting airpearl (Thread starter): I hadn't bought a ticket ahead of time - which in the old days meant anguish and standing room only - but judging from the frequency of trains on this route, snagging a seat shouldn't be a problem. Incredibly, there's an average 4-5 intercity departures every hour between here and Tianjin - better than suburban commuter train schedules on a weekend in some developed countries.
When I took this train in 2008, I had to wait 2 hours to get a seat in First Class. The station is beautiful, but there isn't much to do.
Quoting airpearl (Thread starter): At about the same time, EVA Air's B74E (B-16408) heads for 16R en route for Taipei Taoyuan Airport. Based on the timing on the FIDS, it's almost an hour behind schedule.
I thought I might have been on that plane, but it was her sister B-16409.
Quoting airpearl (Thread starter): Just as I'm starting to wonder where my dinner is, Shankar, a steward who seems to be the dedicated flight attendant for Premium class, brings my far-less-than-premium dinner tray. "Fish" it says on the foil, next to the cheap plastic cutlery, is the entire meal AirAsia X calls dinner: another timely reminder that one isn't flying Business Class but an LCC after all.
Not very classy, but could be worse I suppose. I'm surprised there was nothing else on the tray other than your meal.
9MMAR From Malaysia, joined Jul 2006, 2056 posts, RR: 23 Reply 11, posted (1 year 8 months 3 weeks 5 days 8 hours ago) and read 21628 times:
If I may chip in,
Quoting 767747 (Reply 9): I would have been starving if I had just had a small dish like that for my only food!
I think your comments about almost the clash between the LCC model, and the fancy, modern looking cabin really showed in your photos of the empty cabin .. I mean, 2 people for a flight from Tianjin to KUL? Obviously, Air Asia X really isn't attracting too many people to its "Hot Class" because the amenities up front don't seem to be THAT much better than in Y except for the flat bed seat.
I think one can always purchase extra food if the complementary one is insufficient. AirAsia's BoB is the cheapest among all Asian LCCs.
. Airpearl got his extra food above for MYR 10, which is around USD 3 only.
This flight, TSN-KUL, is a 5 hours daytime flight. I am quite certain that there will be more take up rate for D7's Premium Cabin on night-time flights which are longer than 7 hours. If you read Chrisrad trip report as mentioned in my earlier reply, the Premium Cabin on his MEL-KUL-MEL sectors were full. I think most travelers who fly D7 pay extra for the Premium seats to sleep lie flat on a long overnight flight.
eaa3 From United States of America, joined Sep 2007, 875 posts, RR: 0 Reply 12, posted (1 year 8 months 3 weeks 5 days 6 hours ago) and read 21370 times:
I looked at this word quickly and thought it said turbulence. Then I read it and saw that it wasn´t the case. However this seems like a weird thing to name a plane.
N751PR From United States of America, joined May 2002, 1243 posts, RR: 3 Reply 13, posted (1 year 8 months 3 weeks 5 days 4 hours ago) and read 21216 times:
What is with you and making wonderful TRs?! Another job well done, airpearl!
Ladies and Gentlemen it's happy hour.You will get two approaches for the price of one.
airpearl From Malaysia, joined May 2001, 913 posts, RR: 39 Reply 14, posted (1 year 8 months 3 weeks 5 days 3 hours ago) and read 21017 times:
Thanks all for your comments. And am glad you enjoyed the read.
Quoting akhmad (Reply 1): Probably an A.net first here?
Hi Suryo, thanks for being the first to stop by! Alas this isn't the first. As 9MMAR said, Chrisrad had a much earlier report on D7's new lie-flats.
Quoting akhmad (Reply 1): I even forgot about the existence of Oasis Hong Kong.
Amazing how easily they get forgotten eh? Conventional wisdom would have put the survival chances of a HKG-based longhaul LCC higher than a KUL-based one, but this industry often surprises...
Quoting akhmad (Reply 1): must say it is a great idea to include a non-aviation trip report in the usual aviation one. The interior of the train station and the train itself look immaculate. They would certainly not be unbecoming as any aircraft's interior. Thumbs up for China on that.
I don't often include the non-aviation bits but as I was continuing the story from my inbound, I thought it'd be nice to flow it along. In any case, this bit of China looks quite impressive. The station is architecturally a marvel, but the train interiors are still a little basic. Having said that the ticket prices are very cheap for a fast train like this, so I have no complaints whatsoever.
Quoting akhmad (Reply 1): About your Premium Class experience, I enjoyed every single word of your story.
Glad you liked it.
Quoting akhmad (Reply 1): If I would have been the other guy in the Premium Class!
That would have been funny. You know, this fellow passenger had the right idea - he slept almost all the way to KUL. He did what I should have done if I was saner... hahaha
Quoting akhmad (Reply 1): Is there any copyright on that?
Remember, this is China... that shouldn't be an issue
Quoting PlaneHunter (Reply 2): absolutely enjoyable report with many great pictures
Hey PH, thanks for your nice comments and glad you enjoyed.
Quoting PlaneHunter (Reply 2): I cannot agree here - there's a good mix of old-style and new-style liveries in China. And Chinese carriers operate dozens of planes in special colors.
I can't deny there's been a series of special liveries but somehow they aren't ones that particularly excite me. If anything I am partial to the older Air China/CAAC-style liveries - now, some are quite nice and classically well-balanced - but I really don't care much for some of the newer airlines with their splash-of-lines instant livery. (In that respect, AirAsia falls into that category too).
Quoting PlaneHunter (Reply 2): That doesn't look bad, but the portion is really small.
You got that right... there's a choice of meals actually (Western or Chinese - I wasn't asked, they just assumed I would choose Chinese). I think the idea with the meals is that it's "token" - ensures that you must spend more if you want to fill your tummy, even though it's not terribly expensive.
Terrible eh? We're used to it in many parts of Asia - which is why flying LH and indulging in Colombian coffee between KUL and BKK is such a treat for me (that's until they stopped serving hot drinks to save cost in Y).
Quoting 9MMAR (Reply 5): Quoting PlaneHunter (Reply 2):
No PTVs on these brand new A330s? But they have them on the A340s, don't they?
No. D7 has gotten rid of all PTVs they managed to install on a few aircrafts when they changed their seats (Premium and Economy) to the current one not too long ago. They concluded that having PTV is not economical for their business plan, and as mentioned in the trip report by Airpearl himself, most of the time, there is simply no demand for them. It was tested and proven.
Hey 9MMAR, when did you start working for D7?
Quoting PlunaCRJ (Reply 3): Thank you for a fantastic read. I enjoyed your TR immensely, from marveling of the "chinese wonders" to the strange "premium/ low cost" melange. Air Asia X really looks like a game-changer, and I hope they are succesful.
Hi PlunaCRJ, glad you enjoyed the journey. AirAsia X is a very aggressive carrier run by aggressive bosses who are very good in getting what they want. Plays well to the public, and sells cheap. If it's as successful financially as it says, then the future is bright indeed.
Quoting PlunaCRJ (Reply 3): I value comfort way over "gourmet style food"
Then you'd love AirAsia X's Premium
Quoting QatarA340 (Reply 4): First of all, one of the best TR ever!
You're too kind, thanks QatarA340.
Quoting QatarA340 (Reply 4): Economy class looks like torture! 3-3-3 on an A330! Even EK aren't that cruel. I was wondering if you tried EK's 3-4-3 on their 777s?
Hahaha... actually I have flown on EK's 10-abreast 777s quite a while back, all the way from LHR to HKG - and survived! Of course I was also smaller and slimmer in those days.
Quoting QatarA340 (Reply 4): To me, its not the size of the chairs, its the size of the PEOPLE who are sitting next to you!
Absolutely. Now come to think of it, I found it tolerable but that may have been because I had good company to chat with, and there was an empty seat between us. It could have been quite different had I been alone and squeezed in the middle with nothing to do.
Quoting 9MMAR (Reply 5): Hi Airpearl, I shrine this ok.
Quoting JL418 (Reply 6): Judging on your pictures it is a gorgeous building but I'm not entirely sure it ticks all the right boxes about "station feeling". And maybe I'm just wrong, but I don't see many shops either.
Hi JL418, thanks for you kind words. I agree with your sentiments - China's really into large infra projects but sometimes the details leave a little to be desired. I remember flying into Kunming's grand new airport - everything shiny and spacious - but they fail to provide for a bureau de change. I spend a lovely Sunday afternoon (when banks are closed) going round by taxi looking for someone to change my dollars into yuan. Coming back to this station, there are restaurants and shops but they're a bit hidden to each side of this grand hall.
Quoting JL418 (Reply 6): I guess this CH3 is larger than its German cousin, the ICE, isn't it? I'm somehow disappointed by the looks of premium class, doesn't feel at all like that. I must say I was disappointed by the interior looks of JR's Nozomi Shinkansen either, maybe it's an Asian habit.
According to Wiki, it's a cousin of the Spanish Valero E and based on ICE 3. The Chinese version is wider to fit 5-abreast in 2nd class. As for fittings, I was a little disappointed - I had expected a more hi-tech feel to complement the sleek exterior - instead it looks rather old-fashioned inside. Still, I can't complain because it's comfortable and cheap.
Quoting JL418 (Reply 6): Don't worry - I think there's plenty of people here on A.net that are looked by other exactly as you said.
Haha... I wrote this because I knew it'd strike a chord with many here
Quoting JL418 (Reply 6): Seriously? Mr. Branson's ears must have been whistling a lot!
You do realize Sir Richard is a 16% shareholder of AirAsia X ?
Quoting JL418 (Reply 6): But... where's the magic in it? where's the thrill? I think LCCs are spoiling the pleasure of flying.
Well I wouldn't say the pleasure is gone completely, but I know what you mean. An AirAsia (shorthaul) flight for me shouldn't feel mundane but it often does.
Quoting abrelosojos (Reply 7): What a wonderful report - perfect to complement your UM outbound.
Hey Abrelosojos, thanks for your nice comments.
Quoting abrelosojos (Reply 7): I wish I lived in Asia to try these things!
From your travels, I think it really doesn't matter where you live. You're the only truly "global citizen" I know...
Quoting abrelosojos (Reply 7): I bet the premium cabin does very well on flights to STN ... and their soon launching flights to the U.S.
I guess the STN flights should do well in Premium - there are 18 lie-flats on the A343s vs 12 on the A333s. I think the U.S. may some way off yet without the right equipment. Paris looks like the next long-haul destination in Feb 2011.
Quoting BigMac (Reply 8): Awesome trip report! I really enjoyed your trip report (it was almost like reading a novel). Keep up the good work!!!
Thanks for stopping by BigMac.
Quoting 767747 (Reply 9): I am amazed, that even being a LCC, and with that fancy looking "Premium" cabin that you weren't served something more substantial. Can people, I assume, bring their own food on-board? I would have been starving if I had just had a small dish like that for my only food!
Hi Matthew, I think as 9MMAR explains, D7 expects you to buy the rest. Still, I think that if they say a "meal" is provided, it should be as close to at least a regular Y class meal as possible. The airline also has a no-own-food policy aboard.
Quoting 767747 (Reply 9): I mean, 2 people for a flight from Tianjin to KUL? Obviously, Air Asia X really isn't attracting too many people to its "Hot Class" because the amenities up front don't seem to be THAT much better than in Y except for the flat bed seat.
It's also the passenger composition on the route. Many of the pax on this route are part of tour groups from either end who generally don't make their own bookings. I think the loads will be much better on MEL, PER or STN with a much higher composition of FITs,
Quoting gabrielchew (Reply 10): It always frustrated me that the Chinese, when spending billions on new trains and stations, didn't make the system more integrated... I suppose the Chinese have to do it their way. Always form over function.
Hey Gabriel, thanks for your insightful comments and I fully agree with you. But it's slowly getting there, no? As for point of reference, I always start from a low base in China, so anything I get is a pleasant surprise. Makes for a longer life I think.
Quoting gabrielchew (Reply 10): When I took this train in 2008, I had to wait 2 hours to get a seat in First Class.
Wow, that's quite a long wait. I had my choice of departures, and chose a later one so I could wander round the station a bit.
Quoting gabrielchew (Reply 10): I'm surprised there was nothing else on the tray other than your meal.
You're not the only one. There's not even a drink of water.
Quoting eaa3 (Reply 12): However this seems like a weird thing to name a plane
Apparently, according to the CEO's blog, it's to depict "the utter joy we felt when we got to play with shiny new metal".
Quoting N751PR (Reply 13): Another job well done, airpearl!
airpearl From Malaysia, joined May 2001, 913 posts, RR: 39 Reply 16, posted (1 year 8 months 3 weeks 4 days 18 hours ago) and read 20532 times:
Quoting PlaneHunter (Reply 15): No more hot drinks on that LH flight? That's odd!
Yes, only for the tag-on apparently, at least on my last flight earlier this year. (I assume the onward long-haul still has them!) Drinks service is also very limited - I don't remember wines or even can drinks. When I ask for coffee, crew are very apologetic and seem embarrassed by the fact that LH has gone cheap in this way. A sign of the times, maybe thanks to AirAsia.
ryanair!!! From Singapore, joined Mar 2002, 4608 posts, RR: 30 Reply 18, posted (1 year 8 months 3 weeks 4 days 10 hours ago) and read 20140 times:
I have been away from airliners.net for far too long (4+ months to be exact). I have a TR in the works so I came in to suss things out and what do you know, another masterpiece by none other than the TR-sifu himself! What better way to ease back into the a.net foray than via your cushy little report? Come to think of it, my last entry into this forum was in your TG 50th anniversary flight to HKG.
After reading this one, I followed the link to your Air Zimbabwe's report. Gosh you do have a penchant for these strange and exotic flights, don't you? Makes for good reading though!
From the time I flew Air Asia X in March 2009 till now, it seems progress has been made. From sleek looking touchscreen PTVs, hard shell YCL seats to THIS, the decision to flip about and churn the product around has been nothing sort of impressive. Now this is what I call listening to feedback and taking customer's views seriously. Can you imagine this lightning speed ever happening over at good ol' Penerbangan Malaysia?
MH would probably rather pay some PR company to spin some gloss because it involves less work than trying to change the product line up.
And yes, the meal portions at D7 are measly - although delicious. And they have surely shrunken from your TR to OOL as I remembered. How comfortable are the lie-flats? Since they come from the same manufacturer as many airlines like you rightfully pointed out, I assume it should feel no different from MH/TG? Did you manage to sleep?
I shall not poke any more fun at you being "enshrined". You deserve it. Is getting crucified next in line? Hahahaha... Donate a vial of blood to your fans, perhaps?
China's progress is indeed scary. Many of us still think of them as a backward, singlets-rolled-up-tummy-revealing, squatting, toe picking, armpit prodding, phlegm snorting, spitting nation of ungracious minions. Although certain factions of the society still display signs of what I just mentioned (heck, every country will have their own "rednecks"), their cities have become so modern it is a little hard to fathom. If their airports are anything to go by, I would say MOST of them look better than a lot of the airports I have been to or seen in USA!
I also think it will not be long before the world's economy start revolving around China's like the way it is now to USA.
Anyway, I shall not be boring and shower you with more praise as everyone already have because there really isn't anymore nice words I can think of - except maybe a "THANK YOU" for making my afternoon a little more fun.
Cheers
R
Welcome to my starry one world alliance, a team in the sky!
airpearl From Malaysia, joined May 2001, 913 posts, RR: 39 Reply 19, posted (1 year 8 months 3 weeks 4 days 7 hours ago) and read 19976 times:
Quoting vietsky (Reply 17): Another amazing trip report. I'm looking forward to seeing some more of your trip report.
My only comment: Air Asia X Premium Food is really horrible.
Hi Vietsky, thanks for your nice comments. As for the food - it helps if you already have low expectations. I guess if the choice on an overnight to Europe is between a legacy carrier's Y class (with regular Y food) or AirAsia X's Premium class (with this type of catering, but more food available for purchase) at roughly the same fare, many might well choose Premium and overlook the food.
Quoting ryanair!!! (Reply 18): I have been away from airliners.net for far too long (4+ months to be exact). I have a TR in the works so I came in to suss things out and what do you know, another masterpiece by none other than the TR-sifu himself! What better way to ease back into the a.net foray than via your cushy little report?
Well, this is a COMPLETE surprise! Welcome back Sir, and what an honor that you should stop by here first What have you been doing all this while? I thought you might have given up on planes altogether (I've never heard that happening before - but there's always the first time)... the world just hasn't been the same without Ryanair!!!'s musings and sharp wit and refreshingly irreverant outlook on life... hahaha. Anyway I am sure I can speak for many when I say we look forward to seeing another TR from you soon.
Quoting ryanair!!! (Reply 18): From sleek looking touchscreen PTVs, hard shell YCL seats to THIS, the decision to flip about and churn the product around has been nothing sort of impressive. Now this is what I call listening to feedback and taking customer's views seriously. Can you imagine this lightning speed ever happening over at good ol' Penerbangan Malaysia?
You're right there. The transformation was indeed very fast and impressive. They don't procrastinate at AirAsia - which is one reason why they've stayed ahead of the game in the region. Never mind MH, even CX which fitted hard-shell seats in Y and coffin seats in J (both generally disliked by passengers) haven't even acknowledged they were mistakes.
Quoting ryanair!!! (Reply 18): MH would probably rather pay some PR company to spin some gloss because it involves less work than trying to change the product line up.
You're trying to get me to say something nasty about my national carrier aren't you? Sorry I don't do it anymore - at least not in the week of our country's independence day, says this born again 1Malaysian
Quoting ryanair!!! (Reply 18): How comfortable are the lie-flats? Since they come from the same manufacturer as many airlines like you rightfully pointed out, I assume it should feel no different from MH/TG? Did you manage to sleep?
It's pretty comfortable. I did try the seat flat-out but only for a little while: seemed ok and Shankar was right, it's at less of an angle than MH's. My neighbor slept all the way, so it does seem to work well.
allrite From Australia, joined Aug 2007, 1220 posts, RR: 4 Reply 20, posted (1 year 8 months 3 weeks 4 days 6 hours ago) and read 19932 times:
Thanks for the typically detailed and enjoyable trip report!
Interesting to compare your experiences in AirAsiaX's premium cabin with the other long-haul LCC Jetstar's StarClass cabin, which I experienced for the first time recently.
On one hand D7's lie flat seat must win hands down over JQ's small recline upright seats. But at least the food quantities were larger on JQ, we were given free drinks and portable video players and it sounds like the service was also superior.
Still, if flying to Europe I might overlook it all to sleep.
At least the JQ A330's only seat 2-3-2 in economy.
The lack of built in IFE is disappointing. Tray table mounted portable IFE just doesn't cut it! No moving map! More seriously, I find the utility of bringing your own video IFE (eg iPod, notebook PC) doesn't match that of the built in video systems and that it can really make a big difference on long haul flights, especially those flying overnight.
9MMAR From Malaysia, joined Jul 2006, 2056 posts, RR: 23 Reply 21, posted (1 year 8 months 3 weeks 4 days 4 hours ago) and read 19817 times:
Sorry to chip in again,
Quoting airpearl (Reply 14): You do realize Sir Richard is a 16% shareholder of AirAsia X ?
I think he has 20% shares in D7, isn't it?
Quoting airpearl (Reply 14): Paris looks like the next long-haul destination in Feb 2011.
Now that you mentioned it, can the service to Paris Orly being launched with the present fleet? I mean will D7 lease another A343 to start Paris non stop? Or will it be via an intermediate point? The 'AUH virtual hub' plan was scrapped so which destination is going to be the technical stopover point? IKA? Then there are issues with bilateral agreements and rights. I am sure D7 wants to carry passengers from the intermediate point to Orly as well. What do you think Airpearl?
Quoting airpearl (Reply 19): Anyway I am sure I can speak for many when I say we look forward to seeing another TR from you soon.
I think I saw some previews in Queen B's Facebook.
AI151 From United Kingdom, joined Dec 2009, 303 posts, RR: 17 Reply 22, posted (1 year 8 months 3 weeks 4 days ago) and read 19595 times:
Hi AirPearl another fab TR like the previous D7 one you posted a while back. I have to admit that even for a LCC the seats in Premium Class look comfortable and with a decent recline for sure. Don't get me wrong the service has its up and downs, but in general it looks okay. What made me laugh was the so called gift you thought was on your seat when sitting with William in Economy Class. A tad bit wrong that she actually wrote every crew members name but hey-ho maybe they get commission on these things! Haha!
Definitely impressed with the train station in China. Looks absolutely stunning and more like an airport as well especially with the queueing system at the platforms before going down. Nice b/w picture as well. Nothing beats German technology when it comes to trains.
burj From United States of America, joined Nov 2007, 763 posts, RR: 4 Reply 23, posted (1 year 8 months 3 weeks 3 days 21 hours ago) and read 19450 times:
I've been away from the computer for a few days so now that I have time to catch up with a.net I was so Xcited to see a TR from you...
Of course when I saw this:
Quoting airpearl (Thread starter): As A.netter Burj might say, this one was liberated, on principle.
I became so Xuberant I thought my head wouldXplode!
As always with your TRs, this one made laugh out loud (LOL) several times! I had to Xplain to people around me what all the Xcitement was about.
The Xcellent pictures are really appreciated! Alas it is no Xaggeration to say the pictures of China's infrastructure made me sad for the U.S.
If more Americans traveled to Asia to see what MODERN infrastructure looks like they may Xpire from shock.
This TR does Xacerbate my own desire to go travel and see the world. I don't know Xactly when I'll be able to travel abroad.
Until then I will have to rely on the A.net TRs like yours that are like XXX travel porn for me!
Quoting airpearl (Thread starter): In complete contrast, my only reason for being in Tianjin puts me in a category people outside this forum might call a total nut job.
Next time you feel like this just take a DEEP breath and Xhale and remember that you'll always have friends here...
ryanair!!! From Singapore, joined Mar 2002, 4608 posts, RR: 30 Reply 24, posted (1 year 8 months 3 weeks 3 days 18 hours ago) and read 19344 times:
Quoting airpearl (Reply 19): Anyway I am sure I can speak for many when I say we look forward to seeing another TR from you soon.
It's on one of your favourite carriers.
Quoting airpearl (Reply 19): You're trying to get me to say something nasty about my national carrier aren't you? Sorry I don't do it anymore - at least not in the week of our country's independence day, says this born again 1Malaysian
Ah, 1Malaysia. I sincerely hope that through all the "1" propoaganda, you have begun to feel at "1" with yourself and stop shaking your head whenever you talk about your home country to some old friend you bump into at some secondary Air Asia X airport.
Feels good to be back. I could not have had a warmer welcome.
Quoting 9MMAR (Reply 21): I think I saw some previews in Queen B's Facebook.
Lurker... You must have previewed the wrong photo album babe.
Welcome to my starry one world alliance, a team in the sky!
25 BNE: Another classic trip report, Airpearl, thanks also for the pictures of China. Lucky I wasn't the only one laughing at the computer and having to expla
26 The777Man: Another amazing trip report, Airpearl! Really, really good storytelling and very nice pictures to go along with it. It's amazing how quickly China is
27 Econojetter: Hey... thanks for a very humorous Saturday afternoon read. I was this close to getting on D7 on KUL-TPE in July when I was late getting tickets... You
28 ronerone: Airpeal my man! Congrats on another stellar trip report. When i thought i knew 'too much' about D7, i have learned a whole lot more today after readin
29 airpearl: Hi Allrite, how have you been? Glad you enjoyed this. And a very nice series of reports too!!! It does seem like JQ tries to make the experience more
30 9MMAR: Sorry to chip in again, Thank you for the precise breakdown. The AK Gossip Division is telling the other forum that there is at least an A333 which is
31 burj: Wow! Thanks for sharing! So just to be clear, are planes supposed to be able to go UNDER the skybridge?
32 BA319-131: Hi Airpearl, What a wonderful read on a Sunday morning, it's been most enjoyable, great pictures too, almost felt like I was on the trip with you. - F
33 akhmad: Well, I am glad that I am not saner either.
34 9MMAR: Yes. But I think only A320s and narrowbody aircrafts can taxi underneath it. D7's widebodies will be assigned at the outer part of the terminal (Pier
35 Quokka: Hi airpearl, Great trip report. The portrayal of fact, interspersed with humour is effective and encourages one to read more. I really liked the termi
36 NZ107: Hi Airpearl, What an excellent continuation from the Air Zimbabwe flight. It definitely looks like an enticing option, especially when you can get tho
37 airpearl: That's probably a good guess. Financing wouldn't be an issue (at least that's what Fernandes says all the time) but I presume D7 will time the delive
39 NZ107: I read about that - wouldn't it suck to be stuck in that! Fair enough, I guess you're kinda lucky it wasn't full at the time you go to the check-in c
40 airpearl: I saw this headline flash up on my screen at the end of my working day Monday: "Asian Shares End Higher; NZ Builders Strong After Quake" and thought,
41 globetraveller: Hi Airpearl! Another great TR - Air Asia X's conflicting product is very interesting indeed. Comparing the food to the seat is just excellent... Still
42 SR 103: Another fantastic report Airpearl! You really do write some of the best trip reports on here. Thank you for the insight into what may be one of the fe
43 777ord: great report! Pretty light hearted too! Did you end up getting the wide-angle lens?
44 airpearl: Hi all, thanks for the continuing comments. Hi there Globetraveller, thanks for your kind words. Absolutely, for a 6-7 hour red-eye service, this is j
45 richcandy: Hi Thanks for your trip report. I going to BKI in April to meet up with some friends from New Zealand. I want to leave from London and return to Paris
46 Ryan h: Interesting report. Your meal looks like one of the crew stopped off at a takeaway on the way to the airport.
47 christao17: Fantastic writing. Not only do you go into plenty of detail, but you have a very unique writing voice that is a pleasure to read. I live in Bangkok an
48 Ps76: Hello(!), Just to say many thanks for the report, which as well as being a good trip report was pretty humerous too! Have never flown Air Asia X but T
49 thaia345: Hey Airpearl! Great and interesting report on Air Asia X! ....Their J seats looks comfortable enough and yes, its the BE Aerospace seats which many ai
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