Frustrations with Air Asia: Unexpected Costs and Inconveniences (Reader Submission)
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Another negative experience with Air Asia. My wife and I had not reserved seats for our flight from Don Muang Airport to Roi-Et. We were assigned seats ten rows apart, and upon departure several seats appeared to be unoccupied.
While it's not a problem to sit far apart on such a short flight, it seemed like Air Asia was doing this on purpose when I saw an empty seat next to me, across the aisle. This suggests that people are “forced” to reserve seats for a fee. In addition, an announcement was made during the flight that it was not allowed to change seats.
A few months ago, a suitcase (trolley) was left behind at Don Muang Airport. That evening I received a call from Air Asia informing me that the trolley had been returned. After a quick check to see if it was indeed mine, they offered to send it on the next plane for a fee of 3500 Baht. I asked for time to think about it, as a trolley normally travels for free with a passenger. An hour later they called again to say that it could be done for 1700 Baht. In the meantime, I had contacted a relative in Bangkok, who eventually sent the trolley via bus service for 500 Baht.
Air Asia has a monopoly position in Roi-Et, and that is clearly noticeable.
Submitted by Andre
2 weeks ago from Siem Reap Int. Flew airport to Bangkok with (Thai) AirAsia, indeed we had not reserved seats for such a short distance and were seated quite a few rows apart. Same as with you; empty chairs galore. But neither of us bothered to even attempt to move (it was announced just like yours). But for such a small piece…why?
We are happy to pay AMS-BKK or BKK-AMS for seats next to each other, but for a flight of 1 hour and 5 minutes.
I think the issue of the trolley is very serious, if it remains at the airport, they should simply send it along for free on the next flight.
Does this not have to do with evenly distributing the total passenger weight over the aircraft.
More common on flights with low seat occupancy.
Don't think this is bullying, or asking for more money for a seat change.
Jan Beute
That's right Jan, I asked that question last year when checking in and that was the answer. Anyway, people no longer understand certain situations.
If I don't have to sit next to my wife for an hour, I'm somehow satisfied 😉
And what is an hour now, no problem.
Indeed, weight distribution (weight and balance in aviation terms) is a very important point in aviation and also in the event of an accident regarding identification of the passengers.
Read a book, listen to music or watch a movie, a few hours apart won't kill you.
Not being able to change seats is not surprising if a plane is not full.
An aircraft must be loaded evenly. This especially applies to smaller aircraft!
Strange that it can be done for a fee!
I often don't check in in advance. When dropping off the luggage and showing the necessary documents, I ask if we can sit next to each other. My boyfriend likes to sit by the window. This often works.
This morning I checked in in advance and was shown places that are some distance apart. (Bangkok-Ubon Ratchathani flight).
AirAsia does not attach great importance to customer service. I wanted to reschedule a flight via the APP but that didn't work via the website. Received a message that my access to the site was blocked and that I needed to contact Customer Service. Yes, but then they have to answer the phone. Others have also tried it before me but without results. Very sad.
I contacted their customer service last month. Had to wait a bit before recording (about 3 minutes). Perfectly helped. Even their English was good. Nothing to complain about.
I flew with 3 people from Don Muang to Surat Thani. No reserved seats, just sat next to each other.
I like to make the comparison between Ryan Air and Air Asia, both work on the same principle. Basic price, to attract people, cheap. You have to pay extra for every extra. I try to avoid flying with Air Asia, but it doesn't always work. And the excuse for not being allowed to change seats due to weight distribution is a joke I suppose. Then tomorrow you will no longer be allowed to walk around on the plane, and those 3 or 4 people standing at the toilet will no longer be allowed. Nonsense for an aircraft weighing a few dozen tons.
Flew from Phuket to BKK with the same company. Simply sit next to each other after take-off. My advice: just do it and don't attract attention.
Dear,
My reliable source says the following:
“Fixed seats have two purposes: weight & balance at take off so that the pilot knows how his aircraft will react and which settings to use.
During flight, the aircraft balances itself on autopilot or the pilot can adjust its trim as passengers move
In addition, the fixed seat numbers have a purpose in the event of a crash
If the passengers are seated in their assigned seat, it is easier to 'find' them in the event of mutilation
That is why you are asked to hold on to your belt
I also have very bad experiences with AirAsia
They canceled a flight themselves (Bangkok-Medan) and were told this 1 day before departure. Despite promises (a case would be created), no money was refunded and it is practically impossible to reach them, other than their chat robot. I eventually got my money back through my credit card company. I also try to avoid AirAsia
What a nonsense about the weight distribution...
They add with Airbus A320-200.
Some figures, Empty weight 42400 kg. Maximum takeoff weight 77.000 kg. Fuel capacity 29.680 litres.
Does anyone really believe that shifting a few people would cause some form of imbalance?
Moderator: Off topic
Finnair will weigh passengers to determine whether the average weight per passenger still corresponds to the number currently used. You can bet that hand luggage will also be weighed for that reason. Then loaders and pilots will know better what goes into the air. Will also have to do with fuel intake.
But yes... I expect that 'fat guys' will pay more later and that is not unjustified if 'skinny people' then have to pay less. Weight classes with exceptions for pregnant ladies and people with chronic ailments who become fat from certain medications. Or something.
What nonsense, from whom? Was on a large plane from Europe to Bangkok during the corona, only about 20 passengers. We were asked to sit in the designated seats and after take-off we were allowed to sit wherever we wanted. Read the article in the link or the many others and then you will know that a handful of passengers in the wrong places makes the difference:
https://www.travelersmagazine.nl/vliegtuig-halfvol-waarom-mag-ik-mijn-stoel-niet-zelf-kiezen/
Simply check in online 24 hours before and you will have the seats you want…
No Ruud. That kite didn't work for me. As I already wrote, I was checked in online 24 hours in advance, places that were far apart.
Airasia is fumbling in the margins. Canceled 2 flights during my last holiday, 1X in Thailand and replaced by Thai Smile and 1X in Malaysia and replaced by MAS. Prices differed little; at Thai Smile I paid a total of € 12 more for 6 people, but with a snack and water... and at the MAS I paid the same, but with 35 kg of hold luggage plus a drink and a snack.
And yes, for people outside Asia it is almost impossible to call Airasia
I always fly domestic flights with a company that best suits my needs (connection or transfer)
Air Asia is one of them and two positive things happened to me with them.
1. almost never had a delay, 15 minutes at most
2. My daughter had left her phone on the plane, which was already on the way to Phuket, we could wait and a few hours later the phone was neatly brought to the check-in desk where we had agreed.