- Mr Plane Guy
- Dec 2, 2025
- 4 min read
AirAsia Review: How I Was Scammed by Seat Fees on a ‘Cheap’ Flight
By Mr Plane Guy, Travel Blogger, Flight Expert & Aviation Addict
Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. If you click and buy, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. It keeps this blog flying high (and fuels my habit of buying overpriced Bubble tea in Asian airport). Thanks for your support!
AirAsia: The Ryanair of Asia?
If Europe has Ryanair, Asia has AirAsia, same low-cost DNA, better food. Founded by Tony Fernandes, AirAsia is now Asia’s biggest budget airline, flying to 160+ destinations across Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia, the Philippines, India and beyond.
Think:
Ultra-cheap base fares
Pay-for-everything extras
Huge regional network
Loud red branding and big personality
It’s often the cheapest way to bounce around Southeast Asia.
Flying Budget Long-Haul in Asia Too?
If you’re comparing Asia’s low-cost airlines, don’t miss my full Scoot 787 Review Singapore’s Low-Cost Long-Haul Airline, where I break down what it’s really like flying long-haul on a budget Dreamliner.
Kuala Lumpur Airport (KLIA2): A Shopping Mall With Planes
KLIA2 is AirAsia’s home terminal and it’s more shopping centre than airport. Food everywhere, endless bubble tea, and peak people-watching.
Check-in was fast, followed immediately by the upsell:
“Would you like to pay extra to sit together?”
Of course.
Plane Tip: Before your flight, escape the madness at the Plaza Premium Lounge KLIA2. Comfy seating, solid coffee, and power outlets worth every ringgit.
Plane Upgrade Tip:
You can access Plaza Premium lounges like this with Priority Pass, even when flying budget. It’s my go-to way to turn low-cost flights into stress-free departures. Priority Pass gives you discounted entry to over 1,800+ airport lounges worldwide!
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Scammed by AirAsia
At check-in, we were advised to pay extra to sit together. Fair enough, I thought, I was trying to impress my partner and not come across as a cheapskate, so I paid the add-on without a second thought.
Then we boarded. There couldn’t have been more than 25 people onboard. You could have played musical chairs mid-flight and still had your own row.
Onboard the AirAsia A320, The Irony Was Real
The paid seat suddenly felt… unnecessary.
That said:
Cabin: spotless
Crew: warm and efficient
Vibe: relaxed
Regret level: mild/scammed by Air Asia!
Would I fly them again? Absolutely.
Would I ever pay for seat selection on a half-empty flight again? Not a chance.
Plane Luxury Escape Tip
Flying AirAsia doesn’t mean you have to stay budget when you land.
This is exactly how I travel Asia smart: cheap flights in → luxury stay out.
If you’re heading to Penang, Langkawi, Phuket or Bangkok, I’ll be dropping my best luxury-for-less hotel escapes throughout this review.
In Penang, you can upgrade the experience instantly with oceanfront luxury like PARKROYAL Penang Resort, set on Batu Ferringhi Beach with sunset cocktails, lagoon pools and serious tropical calm. It’s one of those rare resorts that feels five-star without the five-star price tag.
Luxury Escape Upgrade: The Westin Langkawi (Marriott Bonvoy)
Flying AirAsia into Langkawi? This is where you upgrade from budget to five-star beachfront luxury. The Westin Langkawi Resort & Spa is one of the island’s top Marriott Bonvoy hotels, with private beach access, lagoon pools and sunset views. I stayed here myself, full review here:👉 Simply Stunning! The Westin Hotel and Resort Langkawi Malaysia
Air Asia, The Food: Budget Airline, Proper Flavour
AirAsia’s Pak Nasser’s Nasi Lemak deserves its cult status:
Spicy sambal
Coconut rice
Crispy anchovies
This is how budget airlines should do food. Ryanair, please take notes.
Flight Time & Value
Kuala Lumpur → Langkawi: under 1 hour.
Fast, smooth, dirt-cheap and if you manage extras properly, you can fly across Asia for less than a Heathrow coffee round.
Where AirAsia Flies From Kuala Lumpur
Malaysia:
Langkawi
Penang
Kota Kinabalu
Johor Bahru
Regional Asia:
Singapore
Bangkok
Phuket
Bali
Manila
Ho Chi Minh City
Chennai
Long-haul (AirAsia X):
Japan
Australia
India
They’re in a constant battle with Scoot, Cebu Pacific and Lion Air for Asia’s budget crown.
Plane Verdict
Best for: Cheap short-haul flights across Asia
Aircraft: Airbus A320 (180 seats)
Seats: Compact but fine for under 2 hours
Food: Delicious Nasi Lemak a must-try
Value: Great if you play the add-on game smartly
Plane Tip: Want the cheapest fares and flash sales?
Try Jack’s Flight Club (£1 trial) I spot most Asia deals there first.
Explore More Plane Blogs
Hello, I’m Paul a professional jet-setter and all-around plane travel pro. After 15 years working in and around planes, I became a flight delay expert at a London Airport and mastered plane travel hacks, a PLANE flight expert with BIG travel plans but small carry-on.
Now, I share PLANE travel news, tips, reviews, and deals with honesty, humour, and zero baggage! Thanks for reading AirAsia Review: How I Was Scammed by Seat Fees on a ‘Cheap’ Flight.
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