Review of Air Asia flight Penang → Singapore in Economy

For the return trip, we took a public bus back to the airport. The bus ride was rather cheap and convenient, costing only RM2.70 for the 45min ride to the airport. Penang International Airport has recently finished its upgrading works and the facade looked rather impressive!




However, the check-in area still remained the same before. I had done online check-in earlier prior to the trip almost a week before the flight and as mentioned before, we had to pay RM6 each to be seated next to each other! The computer system had automatically allocated us a middle and aisle seat a row apart even though we were on the same booking and there were plenty of empty seats to choose from. Simply ridiculous! On future AirAsia flights, I guess I would just check-in at the counters and request to be seated together. The online check-in system really put me off using it in the future!

Off to the document check counter to have my self-printed boarding pass stamped and gate marked.




Through immigration and security with negligible queues and we were in the gates area. This area is where most of the renovations took place, and it was now much more airy and spacious and with more shops, though there were not many departures at this time of the day and shops not too interesting.




There is even a Victoria's Secret store! Though I do not know how long it can survive.




With nothing much else to do, we proceeded to the gate, which was already gradually being filled up.




Our flight and the later flight to Medan.




Soon, our plane arrived, which is a 6-mth old A320. Turnaround was rather fast and boarding started soon after the last passenger got off the plane.





08 June 2013
AirAsia
AK 1725
Penang (PEN) - Singapore (SIN)
A320
9M-AQS
Budget Class

Being a as low cost as possible carrier, even though the aircraft was parked at a gate with aerobridge, we were still required walk down the stairs to board the aircraft via stairways.




A long queue was forming at the front stairs when a ground staff started to divert pax to the rear stairways which was empty. As we were seated at the aft section, of course we proceeded to the rear. However, other passengers followed us as well and I was quite sure they might not be seated at the aft as the ground staff did not check their boarding passes before allowing them to proceed to the rear.

Walking under the wings.




Boarding now.




The fuselage still looked sparkling clean!




Tailfin as well!




Was welcomed aboard by a very chirpy crew and realized that her uniform looked different than usual. After Googling, it seemed that AirAsia has introduced weekend uniforms for its crew, consisting of a red top with blue jeans. A much more casual look than the weekdays red coats and skirts and very much welcomed indeed!

Seats near the rear.




We settled at our seats at 25A/B. As expected, boarding was chaotic as passengers seated in front boarded from the rear while those seated at the rear boarded from the front, and both getting stuck at mid-cabin. AirAsia needed to have better boarding procedures.




Seat pitch was slightly better than on Jetstar. At least my knees had a couple of inches to spare from the seat in front.




Inflight mags, menus, safety card and shopping guide.




Silkair had also arrived and would be flying back to Singapore shortly after us as well.




Soon, 25C was taken up as well. Flight ended up rather full, and only the hot seats which require additional charges were left mostly empty. Flight time was again about 1hr and we pushed back.




Safety demo by the crew during taxi.




Had short taxi and we lined up for takeoff at the 3/4 mark of Rwy04, taking off for the short hop to Singapore.




Across the sea and flying over Butterworth.








It was rather turbulent for the first 15min of the flight and service only started after that. However seatbelt signs remained on for the entire flight due to light turbulence throughout.




AirAsia branded leather seats.




Now for the inflight service, and this is where I preferred AirAsia. Among the major budget airlines in the region, AirAsia must be the one which offers the lowest prices for inflight meals, and with a very wide variety as well! Pre-booked meals were only RM9-12 (S$4-5), compared with Tiger or Jetstar which charges more than double. As such, we pre-booked 3 meals to be shared among both of us. The meals were Nasi Lemak, Bukhara Chicken Briyani and Chicken Satay, which were promptly delivered piping hot as soon as the crew were released for service. Each meal also came with a 100ml cup of water.




Bukhara Chicken Briyani, which was spicy and tasty. As good as when I had it the previous time.




Pak Nasser's Nasi Lemak and Chicken Satay. The Nasi Lemak was great as well and certainly very appetizing.




Who needs to fly SQ or MH Business Class for chicken satays. And it tasted as good as the SQ ones as well, though the presentation is still budget.




The delicious meals were quickly wiped out while the crew performed the buy-on-board service. Quite a number of takers for drinks as the prices are not too high.




Trash cleared and we settled for the rest of the flight, and soon the plane was already descending into Singapore. The lights of Singapore can be seen in the distance.




We were in a holding pattern for a while before approaching Changi from the south. Nice views of the city skyline could be seen.










Landed on Rwy02L about 5min ahead of schedule.




Parked at Gate C18, which entails a long trek to immigration.




Waiting to disembark.




Seat pitch at normal rows.




Hot seats at emex rows.