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| Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia; photo by Andrew |
Jackpot!
by Andrew Ingersoll
I’ve known Malaysia’s low cost carrier AirAsia was going to introduce nonstop service to Sydney from Kuala Lumpur for a few months. I’ve waited anxiously for the introductory sale fare. Well this past week it finally came!
Reading the morning newspaper online, the travel section hinted the sale would begin that day. I checked the AirAsia website and sure enough, Sydney to Kuala Lumpur for $99 each way INCLUSIVE of taxes! You can be sure I snagged a ticket to the Malaysian capital right then and there. Now, I’ll be celebrating my 31st birthday on a secluded Malaysian beach with a bowl of creamy and spicy Laksa soup and a fresh coconut served only with a straw.
For those of you not familiar with AirAsia, they are a low cost carrier that serves more than 70 Asian cities. They are no frills and all smiles. You pay for the extras you are interested in which helps keep prices at a minimum. So what does this mean for the average adventurous American?
Take a look at the AirAsia route map. You’ll notice larger international hub cities like Tokyo, Seoul, Hong Kong, Singapore and Bangkok. All of these connect through Kuala Lumpur and on to smaller vacation hot spots like Siem Reap, Cambodia home of the Angkor Wat Temples; Phuket, Thailand; Bali, Indonesia; various cities on the island of Borneo; as well as some large cities in India; and of course, Brisbane, Melbourne and now Sydney, Australia.
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| A friend I made in Borneo, Malaysia; photo by Andrew |
I can recall purchasing a ticket from Seattle to Singapore for under $700 on United a few years ago. Looking at Easter this year flying from NYC to Singapore is under $1000. There are definitely decent deals from America to Asian Cities also served by AirAsia. So if the idea of spending $1500-1800 for a ticket directly from North America to Australia seems like too much, why not break up the journey, go the long way around and explore an amazing Asian destination or two before making the journey on AirAsia to Australia.
Sale fares are still advertising Sydney to/from KL for $150 each way. So for example NYC to HKG on United in May is just over $800. Then add a separate AirAsia ticket from HKG to KUL for about $200, then snag the sale fare to Sydney from Kuala Lumpur for $300. All inclusive between $1300-1400 for exploring three of my personal favorite destinations. Hong Kong, Kuala Lumpur and Sydney. Or alternatively, you can fly Qantas for just over $1500 and fly JFK to LAX to SYD (BORING, in my mind).
My point… I’m really happy to have an international long haul low cost carrier now serving Sydney. I feel as though the Asian market and indirectly the American market has become more accessible. For all of you who dream of exploring some unique places, they are that much closer. Be creative and think outside the box when booking your next holiday.
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9 comments:
Impressive way to enjoy 3 destinations for a reasonable amount of money to get to Australia.
The days of college and long breaks seem so distant, and I've only been out of school 8 months! Way to take advantage of all tha travel. Nice post and very helpful! - Chappy
true, but Air Asia has little to no legroom, very uncomfortable for an hour flight, can't imagine long haul. Plus do they serve food on long haul? Lastly, no mileage accrual.
I just booked a trip from the states to HKG then onto the cheap flights through south Asia and onto Australia. Then still working on my return flight home.
Love Air Asia. Fly them whenever we need to snag a quick side trip from Singapore when visiting family there.
Andrew: Very nice post...enjoyed the creative thinking!
Andrew (and Chris):
Just a heads-up that A.A. recently did start a sort of frequent flyer program, called "Air Asia Big". It isn't a great deal, but better than the nothing that they had until recently.
Link: http://www.airasia.com/my/en/big/big-loyalty.page
Andrew, that $99 deal was a superb snag.
Did you have an inkling it was going to happen or there is a particular time of the year when AirAsia throws out these promos and you were actively looking??
If you just stumbled upon the local travel section's article, then it was sheer luck. Nevertheless, I suppose timing is everything and you've snagged it.
Air Asia seats are a bit small and leg room may be less than other airlines but they are so, so cheap I just don't care about a little discomfort. I have done Melbourne-KL and the flight went ggreat. I brought a Subway sandwich on the plane. They don't even supply water, so bring some with you. If you are budget conscious (a frugal traveler), fly Air Asia! If money is no object, I would not fly it.
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