Some of you might know by now that the days of rushing to board an Air Asia flight just to get “good seats” is over. The low cost carrier actually assign seats by the time you check in. No need for that Xpress Boarding gimmick anymore, a relief, right?
Well, maybe.
You see, now there is this wonderful offer from Air Asia aptly named “Pick A Seat” service. For RM 25 per person, you get to choose the hot seats (first 5 rows, and the 2 rows next to emergency exits) that comes with extra leg rooms.
Well, we figure our legs aren’t exceptionally long, so we chose the standard seats. On the way to Bangkok, everything was well good. On the way back, we got this little surprise thrown to us by the airline.
Despite checking in together almost 3 hours in advance, we were assigned SEPARATE SEATS 19A & 20A.
Naturally Mell and I thought it must be a mistake, so we asked the ticket issuing officer if we could be seated together. The answer was very simply, no.
The seats were assigned randomly by the system and can’t be changed. You can however, pay RM 25 for hot seats if you want to be seated together (the RM 5 “standard” seat arrangement deal was not explained)
We then went to the sales counter (there was no customer service counter at Bangkok Airport for Air Asia) to state our case and tried to get it all sorted out without avail. The lady politely asked if we want to have the hot seats, or we could talk to the ticket issuing lady again. Ding dong.
We weren’t exactly very happy with their explanation of how their system works, and why we can’t get seats that are next to each other cos they are already “assigned”. I even asked them to show if the seats are all assigned to those who paid extra with no free adjacent seats anymore, but of course my request was rejected.
So we boarded the plane and seated separately. Apparently there were quite a few parties who had the same treatment. People started exchanging seats as soon as everyone boarded the plane, and we eventually moved to a row of empty seats at the back of the plane.
What I want to know is how that seat assignment algorithm in their system is written.
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By Mellissa on Feb 25, 2009 | Reply
DAMN FREAKING STUPID MAN.
When two people check in together, or even BUY THEIR TICKETS TOGETHER, you should automatically put them seated together, it’s so freaking basic and easy to do, you shouldn’t charge people extra just for that FOR GOD’S SAKE.
It’s like going into a cinema, buying two tickets and being seated at opposite ends.
STUPID!
*okay I am calm*
By YL on Feb 25, 2009 | Reply
lousy service. wth. surprised such cases do happen. gosh. service needs some reviewing man. lmao.
By shag on Feb 25, 2009 | Reply
the algorithm is obviously written to ensure more people cough up the RM5 for assigned seating.
By davidlian on Feb 25, 2009 | Reply
I propose the whole blogosphere goes up in arms about this new “policy” and point out the out-right unfairness to this whole issue.
How much extra do they make from this?
Anyway, I hope this doesn’t happen to me when I’m flying to Perth next month.
By Tan Yee Hou on Feb 25, 2009 | Reply
@David – nah fuck this shit don’t bother about it.
Just swap them when you get on the plane : )
By Huai Bin on Feb 25, 2009 | Reply
Yeah, I agree, this is poor execution. People checking in together should be SEATED together.
By Robb on Feb 25, 2009 | Reply
yeehou’s suggestion is good, but what if there aren’t available seats for you to do that and to top that, uncooperative neighbors?
bad move by air asia management.
By vialentino on Feb 25, 2009 | Reply
yeah….how come need to pay rm 25 extra just to sit together….this airasia really squeezing our pocket …
By KY on Feb 25, 2009 | Reply
Mellissa,
Chill my dear, chill. hehehe
YL,
I know!
shag,
Yah I want to see it!
davidlian,
Well the extra profit vs the anger would be a good exercise in calculating profit vs customer relation.
Tan Yee Hou,
Hahaha.
Huai Bin,
I agree!
Robb,
Yes, bad move.
By Kelvin on Feb 25, 2009 | Reply
Air Asia – Now Everyone Can Fly Apart..
By Yatz on Feb 25, 2009 | Reply
wah davidlian..your proposal very good..how if we do the same thing to show our support for Elizabeth Wong and also Perak state government wtf..LOL
By Firdy takes 5 on Feb 25, 2009 | Reply
yeah loh.
after this what? men sitting with men? women with women? men grow beard?
this is absurd!
*oh, i randomly spam only because i feel like being angry but i’ve been too happy, so i pretend angry only loh
By breadpitt on Feb 25, 2009 | Reply
ya..this is not a good idea after all for air asia….btw dont let this spoil the joyable trip both of u have;-)
By Ruby on Feb 25, 2009 | Reply
i agree. imagine u fly long hours then u can’t get seated with your frens. so pity!!
By Yiling on Feb 25, 2009 | Reply
Actually I don’t quite understand how it works. What if you’re traveling alone and don’t mind being seated anywhere as long as there is a seat? Do I still have to pay that RM5???
I’m going Perth alone next week and I’m just confused about this seating system. Enlighten me pls.
By KY on Feb 25, 2009 | Reply
Kelvin,
Hahahha good one.
Yatz,
Good idea
Firdy,
You are weird! :X
breadpitt,
Yah, very bad customer relation.
Ruby,
Yah, very potong stim.
Yiling,
If alone then no problem loo.
By Myhorng on Feb 25, 2009 | Reply
19, 20 just a row different still can touch each other thru some space between the chair n window.
but i know new couple couldn’t tolerate this lar. i won’t either. LOL
By suanie on Feb 25, 2009 | Reply
it’s been said before, but i must say it again:
this sounds really damn stupid
By Precious Pea on Feb 25, 2009 | Reply
I wonder if they do this in purpose so that next trip you will pay RM5 in order to sit together. Maybe should request when you check in before it is issued? Hmmm…
By ShaolinTiger on Feb 25, 2009 | Reply
I’d imagine they do it so you have to pay the RM5 per seat to ensure you sit together.
By LX on Feb 25, 2009 | Reply
Air Asia simply sucks.
Once I boarded the flight back to KL from Kuching. With me were two of my ageing parents (my dad has bad backache, can’t stand or walk too long), a preggy wife and 1 yr old super duper naughty daughter. Then I asked the flight attendants guarding the entry for a privileges boarding, and the answer is simply NO. Bastard.
Well it is still fine with the bad treatment. We queue lor. Then we got back to LCCT, it was raining outside. Goodness to my horror, our luggage were soaking wet. Damn it. Stupid Air Asia. I wonder if I can claim damage from them or not.
By electronicfly on Feb 25, 2009 | Reply
Airasia’s seating algorithm:
“Ahah! A couple! I’ll put one here, another at that end. Mwahahahha!”
“Hmm, family of 5? Mom and her mother-in-law here, dad with toddler there, grandpa can sit alone there.”
Oh no I’m taking Airasia to KK in July.
By KY on Feb 25, 2009 | Reply
Myhorng,
Exactly!
suanie,
Agreed!
Precious Pea,
I have a feeling it might be, but Iwant to give them a chance to explain
ShaolinTiger,
Yah…
LX,
I think you are allowed to claim damage for wet luggage. I think!
electronicfly,
Hahahaha, good luck!
By nicktay on Feb 25, 2009 | Reply
ya, Air Asia system for assigning seats is really stupid. What about those traveling with Minors? or those with special needs?
By chee hung on Feb 25, 2009 | Reply
Wow!!! A celebrity blogger stepped into my site! I am honoured, bro. Thank you so much, I appreciate it. My question though, why did you sound negatively surprised when i mentioned Chatuchak Market????? It sounds discouraging especially from a person like you! Any advice? Warnings? Please let me know as soon as possible as i will be leaving tomorrow!
Thanks
Chee Hung
By chee hung on Feb 25, 2009 | Reply
Otherwise what other places should i go. I love sight seeing, visiting old monuments with historical significance….you know, for photography….
Your reply would be greatly appreciated
By eiling on Feb 25, 2009 | Reply
I didn’t know that! and I’m flying there with my sis next month… I guess the same thing would happen. It’s their gimmick of asking you to purchase the hot seats! Air Asia sucks!
By yew on Feb 25, 2009 | Reply
Yea, its sucks and it happen to us on our last trip to/from HKG, which is last week.
I purchased my ticket separately from my friend, and the counter gal said, only those purchased on the same ticket will be given same row…. and I said fine.
But when it reach my friend’s turn, he got separate seat with his gf, and this time, reason given was that,it had been pre-assigned by system… so there u go.. WTF?!?!
By TZ on Feb 25, 2009 | Reply
My Kuching trip next week will not be able to sit with my friend… what a sad sad arrangement :p
By Klaw on Feb 25, 2009 | Reply
if (num_traveler > 1 && !pick_a_seat) {
seated_together = true;
while (seated_together) {
randomize(seats);
seated_together = are_seats_side_by_side(seats);
}
}
By racoon on Feb 25, 2009 | Reply
this is one way to “force” the passengers to pay extra for the hot seats….bleah!!
By sotong on Feb 25, 2009 | Reply
lol… what a stupid service…
Malaysia Boleh!
By GraZie on Feb 25, 2009 | Reply
Look on the bright side – you got to feel for that couple of minutes how agonising it was to be apart from your loved one.
So, you should appreciate her presence more!
By Chriso on Feb 25, 2009 | Reply
well you pay for what you get. budget airlines need to make money to sell cheap tickets so… *shrugs*
i can’t complain, and aiya it’s a small price to pay… we always pay RM10 every week to have war, what’s another RM5
By cdason on Feb 25, 2009 | Reply
They did it on purpose so that u pay to seat next to each other.. LOL
By foongpc on Feb 26, 2009 | Reply
What! You need to pay RM25 just to sit together? That’s crap!
By Jade Zheng on Feb 26, 2009 | Reply
apa la Air Asia. mengecewakan leh! must improve system.
By huiwen on Feb 26, 2009 | Reply
this is absolutely hilarious!…hahah..with msian typical accents..HAR LIKE THAT ALSO CAN! …char dou..=.=”
By kelly on Feb 26, 2009 | Reply
sooner or later we will see tony commenting here.
By Suertes on Feb 26, 2009 | Reply
Tony Fernandez is pointing at you and laughing HAHAHAHAHAHAHA
By andrew on Feb 26, 2009 | Reply
LOL… damn sien lo…. but cannot expect much also la bro!! see you tomoro for futsaL!! haha
By julian on Feb 26, 2009 | Reply
They’re really pushing the limits there… fair enough to pay for priority boarding but this is just plain extortionate.
I that not having preassigned seats was in order to have faster boarding – i.e. everyone just sits where they want as the plane fills up, instead of having to get different numbers to board in turn, etc. But with this system, you’re just going to get more confusion with people swapping seats, complaining, etc…
For some comic relief – check out the madtv ‘budget airlines’ video
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6WM4P3vY4dA
By KY on Feb 26, 2009 | Reply
nicktay,
Good question!
chee hung,
Chatuchak is very nice, you should visit it! And who is this “celebrity blogger” you’re talking about? Nonsense!
eiling,
Yah, or RM5 for “normal seat”
yew,
That sucks.
TZ,
Or pay more. hehe
Klaw,
HAHAHAHA
racoon,
Haigh
sotong,
Malaysia boleh!
GraZie,
Angryfying is more like it.
Chriso,
The problem is they didn’t even tell us the RM5 option, kept trying to sell the “hot seats” instead.
cdason,
I guess so. lol
foongpc,
Or RM5 each for the “normal seats”
Jade Zheng,
Betul pun.
huiwen,
Yaaa
kelly,
Hahaha
Suertes,
Maybe! LOL
andrew,
OK see you!
julian,
Hahhaa that’s a hilarious video!
By CC on Feb 26, 2009 | Reply
How much did u pay in total for the pick a seat service? RM5 is only for one way per person. That is why on your way to BKK, it was OK because u’ve paid for the pick a seat service. However if you need that service from BKK to KL, you need to pay another RM5 during booking. I have checked with Air Asia.
By Estherlei on Feb 26, 2009 | Reply
That is nonsense and bodo!
Aiks, now I am wondering how my next trip sitting arrangement will be like. Sobss
By sicksand on Feb 26, 2009 | Reply
i dont have time to read all the comments but here is my 2 cent
maybe, just maybe, there is 2 counter to check your boarding pass and at the same exact time when the person at the counter punch your name, the other counter also punch his/her.
maybe. luckily when i board back to malaysia from gold coast, all 5 of us are in the same seat.
By chee hung on Feb 26, 2009 | Reply
Celebrity blogger? You,lah…Who else???
By lb on Feb 26, 2009 | Reply
3 years later… KY has to sit his 5*kids all over the plane…
lol,start earning more money now…
*got twins duh…
By satkuru on Feb 26, 2009 | Reply
now that’s an eye opener. traveling with 11 more ppl, i couldn’t afford but to ask everyone to fork out 5 bucks each to get the seats together
but i couldn’t agree more that if 2 ppl were to check in together, why not just put them side by side
i guess that’s where the marketing scheme kicks in
By pinkpau on Feb 26, 2009 | Reply
OMG OMG OMG you stayed at reflections!!!!!!!!!
i love that hotel!!!!!!
and that room that you stayed in is my favorite!!
By JasonSky on Feb 26, 2009 | Reply
I made a booking last week and I do recall that if you do not choose your own seats a message will pop up stating that the seats will be randomly given to you.
By KY on Feb 26, 2009 | Reply
CC,
Yah you are right.
Estherlei,
Hehehe be very careful.
sicksand,
That wouldn’t be a good enough excuse though.
chee hung,
Hahah don’t be silly!
lb,
5 kids in 3 years will be very hardcore! hahaha
satkuru,
That’s RM 55 x 2 ways hehehe.
pinkpau,
Yess it’s so best, 202!
JasonSky,
When I made the bookings the whole “pink a seat” scheme hasn’t started yet. Oh well..
By Terenceg on Feb 26, 2009 | Reply
hahaahha…funny as hell !!!..i hope next month i don’t get this shit !!! i’ll enrage, grow big graawwwlllll
By janelgrace on Feb 26, 2009 | Reply
nevermind-lar. don’t pissed off just coz u 2 don’t seat together. make sure it would happen again lor, after all you can fly so cheap and not separated while in Bangkok, count that blessing rather than being angry over little petty case… cheers!!!! with airasia, everyone can fly
By ryan on Feb 26, 2009 | Reply
it’s not poor execution , management, system design etc.. in fact it’s brilliant! they keep doing this and people have no choice but to pay the extra $25 to sit together.
Ingenius way of doing business but very very bad for the reputation. Bloggers! blog this and show them consumer power!
By tom on Feb 26, 2009 | Reply
Just back from Perth.
We had out seats separated from each other. 3 of us.
How stupid, even when I say, we want to be seated together.
Still they gave us separate seats. How dumb those people are! *sigh*
By unknown on Feb 26, 2009 | Reply
hahahahaha………that is one of the freaking reason why i had never take AA unless my company forced me to. with those crap….i am willing to pay MAS RM425 for the bkk trip this april rather than the RM200++ for the AA. no wonder they do not have hotline or complains email or else, everyday will be bombarded with this kind of crap.
everyone has their bad experience at AA and i got 1, 1 which i would go to tony fernandez and slap the hell out of him.
By KY on Feb 27, 2009 | Reply
Terenceg,
Hahha pay RM5, now!
janelgrace,
Hahaha, wasn’t exactly angry but frustrated.
ryan,
Hahaha brilliance? I guess it can be measured differently.
tom,
Hahah that’s not very fun was it?
unknown,
I hear you.
By SK on Feb 28, 2009 | Reply
So, where is the blogger Tony Fernandes? His staff must get him to read this, so he knows how stupid the system is.
By jessbabe on Feb 28, 2009 | Reply
was it that bad?
i was just flying to bali through airasia a couple days ago, me and my mate are assigned right next to each other and better still there was an empty seat next to us, so we both had a row to ourselves!
By PeteAce on Mar 1, 2009 | Reply
I don’t get what the fuss is all about, I see this change as a good thing:
You don’t need to pay the $25 for the “Hot Seats”, just $5 to pick your seats and keep your party together. And what’s $5 when you could save hundreds comparing to the other airlines? And won’t it be nice now that you don’t have to check-in early and run to fight for the seats? Just see it as a mere $5 increase to the fare and you have a better service. Lighten up people!
By KY on Mar 1, 2009 | Reply
SK,
Hahaha beats me.
jessbabe,
You’re lucky.
PeteAce,
If only they told us the RM5 option instead of trying tirelessly to sell the RM25..
By PeteAce on Mar 1, 2009 | Reply
KY, sorry my post wasn’t really directed at you. I understand your situation since you didn’t know about it. I am thinking the $5 had to be purchased 4 hours before the flight, but the hot seats maybe the only exception at that time.
Anyways, with Air Asia I’m more concerned about their delays more than anything else. One of those delays could cause you much more trouble that what it’s worth, especially with connecting flights. I’ll be visiting using them from HK to KL, hope all goes well.
Cheers.
By KY on Mar 5, 2009 | Reply
PeteAce,
Hahah don’t worry about it, and good luck to you!
By Air Asia Reviews on Mar 15, 2009 | Reply
You do have to wonder about the service these guys at Air Asia provide sometimes. It doesnt do much for encouraging repeat business. I can see im not the only one to have problems with their service!
By KY on Mar 19, 2009 | Reply
Air Asia Reviews,
Hahah that’s why you have the whole site dedicated to just that.
By - dafne3 - on Jun 4, 2009 | Reply
Being an airline that offers low fares most of the time, this is how they profit.
But yes, there is the Standard seat option of paying RM5 per person per ways should U want to be seated together.
The Hot Seat @ RM25 per way allow U express boarding and access to the first 5 rows with extra leg room.
I believe it is not the check in thaty doesn’t want to change the seats but is the system limitation as they have set it thjat way knowing if amendment is allowed, there will be plenty of changes made.
By KY on Jun 7, 2009 | Reply
dafne3
Yah, it’s all about squeezing more out of the customer, a necessary evil I guess.