Budget Airlines in Malaysia and Southeast Asia are the current trend in the last five years with similar names such as Low Cost Airlines and also Cheap Airlines. Many companies have resorted to creating these affordable airlines to suite all walks of life and one of the most popular ones are AirAsia which has taken the region by storm. Below is a breakdown of the budget airlines operating out of each country in no particular order.
Malaysia
AirAsia
Asia’s leading airline was established with the dream of making flying
possible for everyone and since 2001, AirAsia has swiftly broken travel
norms around the globe and has risen to become the world’s best budget carrier. With a
route network that spans through more than 25 countries, the airline
continues to pave the way for low-cost aviation through our innovative
solutions, efficient processes and a passionate approach to business.
Together with our associate companies, AirAsiaX, Thai AirAsia and
Indonesia AirAsia, AirAsia Budget Airlines is set to take low-cost flying to an all new
high the catch tagline - "Now Everyone Can Fly".
AirAsiaX
Focusing on the low-cost, long-haul segment - AirAsia X was established
in 2007 to provide high-frequency and point-to-point networks to the
long-haul business. AirAsia X’s efficient and reliable
operations are fully licensed and monitored by Malaysian and
international regulators, and adhere to full international standards. The airline is also committed in offering X-citing low fares, X-emplary levels
of safety and care, and an X-traordinary in-flight and service
experience to all our guests - spreading the amazing experience
to destinations in Australia, New Zealand, China, Taiwan,
Japan, Korea, India, Middle East and Europe.
FireFly
Launched on April 3, 2007, Firefly, your community airline, is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Malaysian
Airline System Berhad (MAS). Operating out of the Penang and Subang hubs
initially and now the Main Terminal Building of Kuala Lumpur
International Airport (KLIA), Firefly provides connections to various points
within Malaysia, Southern Thailand, Singapore and Sumatera of Indonesia,
aligning itself with the Indonesia-Malaysia-Thailand Growth Triangle
(IMT-GT) agenda. Currently, it flies to 22 cities in Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore and Thailand.
MasWings
MASwings, Malaysia 's first commuter airline was officially launched on 1 October 2007. It caters to the air travel needs of Sarawak and Sabah's traveling population by providing affordable fares, convenient schedule and connections within the two states in the Malaysia Borneo. The airline also serves 21 destinations in Sabah and Sarawak, with 451 weekly flights.
Berjaya Air
Berjaya Air was formerly known as Pacific Air Charter and was incorporated on the 15th August 1989, to meet the needs of the nation's booming economy. The company today has its headquarters in Kuala Lumpur, Sultan Abdul Aziz Shah Airport (Subang). The airline also owns and operates the DeHavilland Dash 7 aircraft. The "Dash 7" as it is commonly known in the travel industry, has a capacity of 48 seats. With short landing or take-off (STOL) capabilities, the Dash 7 is the most suitable aircraft for destinations with short airstrips such as the ones in Tioman and Pangkor islands. Incidentally the Dash 7 is the biggest commercial aircraft to operate to Tioman and Pangkor islands.
Sabah Air
Sabah Air Aviation provides air transportation of passengers, cargo and aviation-related services in Malaysia, with Kota Kinabalu as its Headquarters giving you the opportunity to discover and experience the magical, breathtaking islands in Sabah. Fascinating sea life, Water Villages and white sandy beaches are among the wonders of Sabah's hidden paradises. For those who enjoy sightseeing, take your passion to another level with Sabah Air. Our aircraft are modified to accommodate various kinds of services which include leisure for aerial sightseeing and joyrides, commercial services such as VIP charters and filming as well as for industrial work.
Singapore
JetStar Asia
Jetstar is a Qantas-backed LCC currently flying from Singapore to
Bangkok, Hong Kong, Ho Chi Minh, Manila, Phnom Penh, Phuket, Siem Reap,
Taipei, Osaka and Yangon. Flights to India have been terminated.
Jetstar's subsidiary brand Valuair flies to Jakarta, Surabaya, Medan and
Denpasar (Bali).
Tiger Airways
Tiger Airways is a low-cost airline set up in Singapore jointly by
Singapore Airlines and the people who started Ryanair. Services
currently operate from Singapore's budget terminal to Australia, Perth),
China (Guangzhou, Haikou, Macau, Hong Kong, Shenzhen and Xiamen),
Indonesia (Jakarta, Padang), Philippines (Manila), Thailand (Bangkok and
Phuket), Vietnam (Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City), India
(Chennai,Tiruchirapalli and Trivandrum). India, In addition, the airline
has also set up a subsidiary in Melbourne, Australia from which it flies
to many domestic destinations across the country. No free food or
drinks are provided on Tiger flights. If you buy any while on-board your
change will be given in Singapore dollars, even if you're flying from
Macau to Manila. Please note that Tiger charges extra for check-in
luggage, pre-allocated seats and credit card fees on top of the usual
fees and charges, so consider these when you compare prices.
Silk Air
Silk Air is an airline based in Singapore. It is a wholly owned subsidiary of Singapore Airlines and operates scheduled passenger services from Singapore to 31 cities in Southeast Asia, South Asia and the People's Republic of China. It has its head office on the fifth storey of SIA Superhub. As the regional wing of Singapore Airlines, it serves 31 out of 50 short-haul destinations in the Singapore Airlines Group network.
Thailand
Bangkok Airways
Bangkok Air promotes itself as a boutique airline, it flies routes not
normally covered by other airlines such as Phuket to Ko Samui, Bangkok
to Ko Samui, its prices are high compared to a budget airline, US$100 per
leg being typical but it provides services more typical of major
airlines including free beverages and snacks at the airport lounges.
Orient Thai Airways
Orient Thai flies domestic flights in Thailand as well as international
flights to Guangzhou, Hong Kong and Seoul from both Bangkok and Phuket.
They stopped flying for a while in 2008, but as of March 2009 are flying
again.
Nok Air
Thai Airlines low-cost spinoff Nok Air took to the skies in 2004
sporting a lurid purple paint scheme with a bird's beak painted on the
nose, and employing a price scheme similar to that of Air Asia. Currently, they fly from Bangkok to Chiang Mai, Hat Yai, Phuket, Nakhon
Si Thammarat, Udon Thani, Trang and Loei, from Chiang Mai to Chiang Rai,
Udon Thani, Pai and Mae Hong Son.
Thai Smile (Starting in July 2012)
Thai Smile will start flying in July next year. The airline is characterized as a light-premium airline segmented between full-service and low-cost.Thai Smile will operate using THAI's TG airline code with 11 Airbus A320 planes in its fleet, four of which are slated for delivery next year. In the first year of operation, Thai Smile will fly to Ubon Ratchathani, Udon Thani, Khon Kaen, Chiang Rai and Surat Thani. In 2013, the airline will begin operating short-haul international routes within Asean, and to India and China.
Indonesia
Merpati Air
Merpati Nusantara flies to many destinations missed by those listed
above including Nusa Tenggara, Kuala Lumpur, Papua, Maluku, and East
Timor. Merpati like Jetstar is technically not a discount airline, but
due to its large number of short haul routes it must compete and
therefore offers competitive pricing.
Batavia Air
Batavia Air is a low cost airline operating an extensive domestic route network in
Indonesia from their main hub in Jakarta. Currently offer services to
four international destinations - Guangzhou, Singapore, Kuching and
Jeddah.
Lion Air
Lion Air flies from Jakarta to domestic destinations and Ho Chi Minh
City, Kuala Lumpur, Penang, Jeddah in Saudi Arabia and Singapore. Payment can be made via many popular Indonesian ATMs. Wings Abadi Airlines are the regional feeder airline to the Lion Air national trunk routes.
CitiLink Garuda
Garuda Citilink operates a domestic route network in Indonesia. Fares
start from 125,000 Indonesian Rupiah ($15). This subsidiary of Garuda
Airline accepts credit card purchases online or at its call center,
as well as payment via a limited number of ATMs in Indonesia or directly
at their office in Jakarta.
Sriwijaya Air
Sriwijaya Air is one of the Indonesian domestic leading airlines. It carries over 500,000 passengers per month, from its hub at Soekarno Hatta International Airport to more than 35 destinations in 2 regional countries, including extraordinary and popular tourism spots in Indonesia. Sriwijaya Air serves 37 destinations: 35 domestic destinations and 2 international destinations (Penang and Singapore). At the recent Paris Air Show 2011, the airline announced that they agreed to buy 20 Embraer 190 jets, with purchase rights of 10 more.
The above are various low cost airlines which service most sectors in the region. Some of them fly in from long haul flights while most of them service the less popular towns in each country. For those backpackers looking for cheap flights in Southeast Asia, this list will come in handy while most general travelers will usually take advantage of the promotional fares offered by these Budget Airlines in Malaysia and Southeast Asia.
5 comments:
I used to fly Air Asia all the time, but now they are quite often not the cheapest. I ended up flying Thai Air out of Seoul this summer to Thailand because they were cheaper than Air Asia. Important to remember that AA no longer gives any checked baggage allowance. Plus if you want a half decent seat you pay for it.
LadyE - You're right about that. These days, you need to really do your homework before booking your tickets anywhere.
Thanks. Before this I mainly referred to Air Asia for cheap airfare in well... most of Asia. Much more options now!
air asia best for safety and service
good one....
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