KL-London for RM9.99 (UPDATED)
Flying from Kuala Lumpur to London for RM9.99? That is an idea. Well, at least to Tony Fernandes, that is an idea which is about to be realized – by Air Asia X.
For a start Air Asia X will rely heavily on students and die hard football fans because they are probably the most price-driven customers. And of course, the new airline will also rely heavily on return ticket sales rather than one-way ticket. This is because, Air Asia X can charge higher price for a return ticket than one-way ticket as demonstrated by Oasis Hong Kong (a low cost airline that operates Hong Kong-London route). One look at the pricing strategy of Oasis Hong Kong, one will notice that the price from Hong Kong to London is much cheaper than from London to Hong Kong. I can only assume that Air Asia X will use the same price strategy.
OK, a Chelsea fan who wants to go to London to watch a match between Chelsea and Liverpool will buy a return ticket from KL to London. His one-way ticket from KL to London will cost him RM10 plus airport tax of RM400. His ticket from London to KL however will cost him around RM300 plus airport tax of RM420. His total ticket price would be RM1130. Sounds expensive? Not really because the lowest return ticket from KL to London ever offered by Malaysia Airlines was RM1099 excluding tax, which when include tax can be as high as RM1919. The only catch is, that die hard Chelsea fan will have to time his booking perfectly because the RM10 seats will of course be limited. Another catch is Air Asia X will not fly into Heathrow because the government only granted them with international routes not operated by Malaysia Airlines, hence, they will probably fly into Gatwick or Stansted, or Luton.
And one last catch – as travelling with any low cost carrier will be – there will be no in-flight entertainment and food provided. However, if passengers really need them – they will need them since travelling 13 hours without entertainment and food can be torturing – they can purchase them on board. But we all can live without in-flight entertainment for 13 hours and we can always bring our own food (no drinks though because no liquid will be permitted on board on all flights bound to the UK).
So, basically, if you are a die hard fan of Chelsea and Arsenal or any other teams that will play with Chelsea or Arsenal, you have to have RM1310 for the flight ticket, RM200 for transport cost around London, another RM200 for food and drinks, RM200 for a night stay at a hostel and another RM200 just in case of emergency. And that RM1910 will cover your stay in London for one night.
UPDATE: Tony Fernandes told BBC that Air Asia X will be able to offer return fares from KL to London from RM274 and RM1547. He also ruled out flying into Gatwick and Heathrow, which left us with Stansted and Luton.
“A good traveller has no fixed plans, and is not intent on arriving.” – Lao Tzu.
For a start Air Asia X will rely heavily on students and die hard football fans because they are probably the most price-driven customers. And of course, the new airline will also rely heavily on return ticket sales rather than one-way ticket. This is because, Air Asia X can charge higher price for a return ticket than one-way ticket as demonstrated by Oasis Hong Kong (a low cost airline that operates Hong Kong-London route). One look at the pricing strategy of Oasis Hong Kong, one will notice that the price from Hong Kong to London is much cheaper than from London to Hong Kong. I can only assume that Air Asia X will use the same price strategy.
OK, a Chelsea fan who wants to go to London to watch a match between Chelsea and Liverpool will buy a return ticket from KL to London. His one-way ticket from KL to London will cost him RM10 plus airport tax of RM400. His ticket from London to KL however will cost him around RM300 plus airport tax of RM420. His total ticket price would be RM1130. Sounds expensive? Not really because the lowest return ticket from KL to London ever offered by Malaysia Airlines was RM1099 excluding tax, which when include tax can be as high as RM1919. The only catch is, that die hard Chelsea fan will have to time his booking perfectly because the RM10 seats will of course be limited. Another catch is Air Asia X will not fly into Heathrow because the government only granted them with international routes not operated by Malaysia Airlines, hence, they will probably fly into Gatwick or Stansted, or Luton.
And one last catch – as travelling with any low cost carrier will be – there will be no in-flight entertainment and food provided. However, if passengers really need them – they will need them since travelling 13 hours without entertainment and food can be torturing – they can purchase them on board. But we all can live without in-flight entertainment for 13 hours and we can always bring our own food (no drinks though because no liquid will be permitted on board on all flights bound to the UK).
So, basically, if you are a die hard fan of Chelsea and Arsenal or any other teams that will play with Chelsea or Arsenal, you have to have RM1310 for the flight ticket, RM200 for transport cost around London, another RM200 for food and drinks, RM200 for a night stay at a hostel and another RM200 just in case of emergency. And that RM1910 will cover your stay in London for one night.
UPDATE: Tony Fernandes told BBC that Air Asia X will be able to offer return fares from KL to London from RM274 and RM1547. He also ruled out flying into Gatwick and Heathrow, which left us with Stansted and Luton.
“A good traveller has no fixed plans, and is not intent on arriving.” – Lao Tzu.
Comments
Ray, I didn't miss it. Because it all depends on the aircraft that they are going to use. If it's Boeing 777-200ER, direct. If Airbus 330-300, have to make at least one stop.