TRAVEL | AirAsia operate anywhere between four to seven flights a week between Kuala Lumpur and Melbourne, depending on the time of year. The Airbus Airbus A330-300 (“A333”) is currently used on the route, and travellers can choose between Economy, Premium Flex, and Premium Flatbed class. I flew basic Economy Class. The average flight time on this route is 8 hours and 10 minutes.
Check In
You can check in online, or using AirAsia’s app. You can enter in all relevant information before your flight, and receive an electronic boarding pass that you can print, access from the AirAsia app, or add to your Apple Wallet. There’s also the option of checking in at the airport using a kiosk or at a staffed counter.
If you have luggage to check in, you can print your bag tag(s) from the kiosks at the airport using the QR code generated during Mobile check-in. You can also head over to a staffed counter.
Loyalty
AirAsia’s loyalty program is AirAsia rewards, which is free to join.
There is no AirAsia lounge at Kuala Lumpur Airport, but guests travelling Premium Flatbed receive three hours complimentary access to the Plaza Premium Lounge.
Luggage
Being a low-cost airline, there are a variety of different combinations of ticket type and addons that will determine how much luggage you’re allowed to check in and bring on board.
All AirAsia Economy tickets allow you take on piece of cabin luggage on board, plus a small bag, with a total weight of no more than 7kg (15lb). You can purchase an additional 7kg cabin allowance when you purchase your ticket.
If you want to have checked luggage, you can upgrade your Economy ticket with a Value Pack. This gets you 20kg (44lb) of checked luggage. Premium Flex tickets included 20kg of checked luggage, and Premium Flatbed gets you a 40kg (88lb) allowance.
Service
I couldn’t fault the service on the flight from Kuala Lumpur to Melbourne. Staff were polite, and professional.
Cabin
The AirAsia Economy cabin on the A333 that flies from Kuala Lumpur to Melbourne features 365 seats, in a 3-3-3 layout. It’s a clean, well-maintained cabin, with a black, red, and white colour scheme, in line with AirAsia’s branding.
Seat
The pleather seat has dimensions of about 81cm x 42cm (32in x 16.5in). It’s a small seat, so you don’t have much in the way of leg room. The seats are narrower than most, and it’s noticeable. The padding is fine. I found it perfectly acceptable (I’m 176cm tall and weigh 78kg), but larger people might not enjoy it.
Like any economy seat, the seat doesn’t recline that far back, and not at all if you’re in the rear row. There’s a small pocket that you can fit a book or a few small items in.
There’s no in-seat power or connectivity.
Entertainment
There’s no in-flight entertainment on this route, and no seat-back screens. Make sure your devices are fully charged before you board.
Food
My basic Economy ticket did not include any food. Knowing this, I stocked up on some snacks and fresh fruit at the supermarket the day before, and this got me through. Water is provided, with more water available on request.
If you do want to purchase food and drink, there’s a decent selection of snacks, drinks, and hot meals to purchase. If you want one of the hot meals, you need to pre-book at least 24 hours before your flight. It’s quite well priced compared to what you usually pay on low-cost airlines.
Options for the hot meals include things like Nasi Lemak, Chicken Biriyani, Chicken Rice, and Mac & Cheese.
Amenities
There are no amenities on this flight.
Verdict
I have no complaints about my AirAsia basic Economy flight from Kuala Lumpur to Melbourne. There’s not much included in the basic fare, but it’s one of the cheapest ways to get from A to B. All of the things that matter are perfectly acceptable, and I’d happily fly AirAsia on this route again.