AirAsia to start KUL-SYD ticket sales

[markis10]

PETALING JAYA: AirAsia X (AAX) seems all set to start ticket sales for the much-awaited KL-Sydney route next week and will begin mounting flights to the Australian city by April this year, way ahead of rival Scoot.

The airline is also said to be in the final stages of rationalising its route network where it would cut some routes which it deemed to be unprofitable and add Sydney and some routes to China (provided it can get slots there) to its network.
“We want to do that (Sydney) well ahead of the competition,'' said a senior official of the airline group.
Scoot is Singapore Airlines' long-haul low-cost carrier that has named Sydney as the first city of call out of Singapore and plans to begin flying the route by mid-year

AirAsia X to start KL-Sydney route

 

[kpc]

Finally...about time!

 

[delfredo]

I wonder if they will kick off with a $99 return ticket promotion?

 

[haydensydney]

How exciting... now we have LCC competition coming to SYD... I can feel a number of cheap weekends away on the cards. Hopefully the flights are at good times (e.g. can leave work on the Friday and go straight to the airport, return before work starts on Monday) - if so, I can see this being very popular.

Also, wouldn't hurt in bringing down J* fares i'm sure.

 

[markis10]

Arrival around 10 and departure at 111AM I believe.

 

[haydensydney]

Arrival around 10 and departure at 111AM I believe.

Oh boo... that means taking Friday & Monday off work too

 

[kamchatsky]

YES !!!!! :mrgreen:

 

[Saab34]

I remember when Jetstar flew this route, they had $199 fares all the time, would have been good if they were still on the route for price beat reasons!

 

[Timba-Jet]

Exciting news. With the bargain fares ex-KUL to other parts of Asia, this opens up even more bargain holiday opportunities.

Compared to JQ hub SIN, KUL is a much cheaper stopover, especially accommodation.

 

[Aussie_flyer]

All Air Asia X long haul to Europe (LGW and ORY) cancelled from 25 Mar.

 

[Must...Fly!]

:shock:
AirAsia X to cut Europe routes

 

[haydensydney]

Im not particularly bothered about the Europe cuts as - lets face it - I could never go that long on AirAsiaX, but for a shortish hop to KL - much more realistic.

However - a friend told me that KL is a bit of a hole, and it gets a bit third world the further out from the CBD you go. Any experiences from you guys to the contrary?

 

[Alanslegal]

The KUL LCCT is verrrrrrrrrrrrrryyyyyyyyyyy low rent indeed. So with bargain fares, expect an extremely bargain LCC Terminal :shock:

That said, bring on $99 o/w fares And I'll happily fly a few sectors!

 

[Vinny]

Recently did a number of flights on Air Asia in the region and traversed the LCCT a number of times. I was pleasantly surprised at the place. It had a good number of eating options at not outlandish prices and free wifi, unlike Australian airports.

It was clean and those that work there were polite and welcoming. I experienced a functioning airport which was beyond my expectations and have no problems using it again.

Congrats to SYD. You have a new option for a cheap getaway.

 

[Albert Hoffman]

Im not particularly bothered about the Europe cuts as - lets face it - I could never go that long on AirAsiaX, but for a shortish hop to KL - much more realistic.

However - a friend told me that KL is a bit of a hole, and it gets a bit third world the further out from the CBD you go. Any experiences from you guys to the contrary?

Malaysia is suprisingly developed, thanks to the hard work of x-pres Mahathir who stood up to the IMF during the asian economic crisis . KL is a lovely city with plenty of good transport links, a burgueoning middle class and different cultures. Third world? Well its probably the development level of thailand.


I hope this isin't the end of low cost long haul concept in general. These flights were borderline break even for aax and played a role in feeding their medium haul networks. Methinks the shareswap deal with MAS played a role of both carriers focusing on their strengths.

 

[Major]

Having watched the morning Air Asia flight into OOL several times it always seems to have good passenger numbers.

I think SYD flights will be very successful.

 

[markis10]

Im not particularly bothered about the Europe cuts as - lets face it - I could never go that long on AirAsiaX, but for a shortish hop to KL - much more realistic.

However - a friend told me that KL is a bit of a hole, and it gets a bit third world the further out from the CBD you go. Any experiences from you guys to the contrary?

Nothing wrong with some of the regional centers especially if food is your fancy, Langkawi is still one of my favorite places with some very nice resorts without the touts on the beach you see elsewhere!

 

[Major]

Also with about 3.2 MRY to the AUD eating and drinking is very economical

 

[elbarto]

Seems they've also dropped LGW as well according to business traveller (sorry on iPhone and can't post link). Might have to keep an eye on this and when it's all happening.


Sent from my iPhone

 

[Mrmaxwell]

This is great news but I just cannot help think that demand will be so strong it will push the fares up to non-LCC prices.

D7 will be great for booking those sale fares six months out, but as for short weekends away I don't think you will be able to be too spontaneous without a chunk of change. On the other hand inbound flights will be a lot cheaper if the current patterns from MEL and OOL are emulated.

That being said we finally see JQ's monopoly of Sydney as the sole international LCC come to end - bring on the competition!