AirAsia X is nosing in on territory currently dominated by Air New Zealand, Virgin Australia and Jetstar in launching non-stop flights between the Gold Coast and Auckland come March 2016.
Running as a continuation of the airline’s existing Kuala Lumpur-Gold Coast services, passengers will be able to book the full journey between Kuala Lumpur and Auckland or will be able to fly solely across the Tasman and back, an AirAsia X spokesperson confirmed to Australian Business Traveller.
While traditionally a low-cost carrier, AirAsia X join the ranks of Scoot, Jetstar and more in offering a better-than-economy zone for business travellers and leisure passengers willing to part with a little extra, sold simply as ‘Premium Flatbed’:
Certainly a step up from the premium economy-style seating at the pointy end of Jetstar and Scoot, AirAsia X’s Premium Flatbed service includes a seat which is angled lie-flat – not fully flat – aboard its Airbus A330 aircraft…… plus many of the trimmings you’d expect of full-service airlines including priority check-in with a 40kg baggage allowance, priority boarding, one complimentary inflight meal, the flexibility to change the date and time of your flight, a pillow, blanket and priority baggage delivery at the other end.
You’ll also be able to choose your preferred seat at no charge and can connect your phone or laptop to the inflight power, although other finer touches like airport lounge access, amenity kits, pyjamas on overnight flights and inflight entertainment are expectedly absent, so BYO where you can.
From March 22 2016, flight D7206 is wheels-up daily at 9:25pm in Kuala Lumpur to reach the Gold Coast at 7:25am the following morning, before departing again for Auckland at 8:40am and touching down there at 3pm local time.
On the return, D7207 takes flight at 4:30pm for a 6pm touchdown on the Gold Coast, paired by a near-3.5-hour wait on the ground until 9:25pm and an arrival into Kuala Lumpur at 4am the next morning.
Travellers can also earn points in AirAsia’s ‘BIG’ loyalty program which can used to book future travel, as you’d expect of any regular airline loyalty program.
Also read: Hong Kong Airlines kicks off Gold Coast-Hong Kong flights
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Chris is a a former contributor to Executive Traveller.
14 Apr 2014
Total posts 46
Two foreign carrier announcements for Trans-Tasman flights in a DAY! That's a record.
I do have doubts over the sustainability of this service. It would sure bring overcapacity to the Auckland-Gold Coast and possibly the Auckland-Brisbane market, but that's all for the benefit of our piggy bank so I guess I'm fine with that.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
26 Sep 2011
Total posts 77
Whatever happened to the direct Australia-Thailand flights that were announed as an "intention" a couple of years ago (as I recall)?
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
02 Jul 2011
Total posts 1374
That would be Thai Air Asia X - which currently only flies to Korea and Japan, with five A330s
10 Dec 2015
Total posts 177
In connection to the result & recommendation fm an ICAO safety audit pulished in Jun15, FAA has downgraded the Thai aviation regulator fm Cat1 to Cat2 since Dec15 due to safety practice concerns. It means all Thailand registered carriers(e.g. Thai AirAsiaX) under the supervision of the Thai regulator can no longer launch new routes nor expand(e.g. upgauge or add frequency) on existing ones to the U.S. Regulators of other nations(e.g. Australian) sometimes do mirror/align with ICAO and/or FAA sanctions against carriers fm 'red-flagged' nations.
Thai AirAsiaX hv simply missed the boat to launch Thailand-Australia flights. If they've done it before mid-15, their flights would be considered as existing ops and so no impact fm the recent FAA downgrade. But then again, AirAsiaX Group overall hv not been in a good financial shape to launch many new routes since their fiscal 2013(Improved a bit and less red ink lately)....
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
21 Jan 2014
Total posts 320
Townsville airport are looking to start an Auckland service as well, both Gold Coast and Townsville are owned by QAL so they may be able to get AirAsia X to look at that route also. Good to see overseas carriers providing competition in the market.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
23 Oct 2013
Total posts 699
It will be interesting to see what happens to transit passengers.
The Border force website says
- There are limited transit facilities available at the Gold Coast airport (OLD).
Which has recently been updated from there are no transit facilities at the Gold Coast Airport.
My guess is it will be a small security lane feeding back into the international depatures area but not quite sure where that would go.
Even when they do feed transit pax back into the Int departures lounge there is one small cafe (coffee stand) and the duty-free shop.
What every happens it will be interesting.
There are limited transit facilities available at the Gold Coast airport (OLD).
10 Dec 2015
Total posts 177
Don't forget we're talking about a new service by a LCC. And LCCs are famous for not worrying too much about their pax experience/convenice on the ground wherever they land, transit or depart. I wouldn't even be surprised if AirAsiaX won't even let transit pax get off the flight during layover @ OOL....
Lack of pax facility goes with the territory/LCC formula so either avoid the territory or live with it.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
23 Oct 2013
Total posts 699
Yeh but hopefully the GC Airport realises the space for this flight and service will need to be improved.
Having flown several times to Japan (Jetstar) its interesting to see when a half full 787 completely fills the international departure lounge.
Expect for all the be getting off the plane as CX CNS Stopover which I did a month ago gets everyone off for a security sweep, clean and then reboards.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
23 Oct 2013
Total posts 699
Also note if the Singapore Airlines flight SIN-Canberra- Wellington does happen the transit pax will be in a small 2 gate international area which only has a coffee shop in it.
Air New Zealand - NZ*E
17 May 2015
Total posts 93
This is interesting is the trend where large carriers to use the trans tasman leg as quick turn around bolt on to their long haul Asian services. This will no doubt put more fare pressure on the local carriers and more choice in the hands of the travelling public. Win win I say!
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