Thai AirAsia

✅ Verified Review | This was my second Thai AirAsia flight this year flying from Hong Kong to Chiang Mai, the prior one being from CNX to HKT in January. I paid extra for the 'Hot Seats' and had seats in Row 1 each time. These seats have plenty of legroom and weren't that much more money. I also pre-purchased meals on a couple of the flights and pre-paid for checked baggage on my flight in January. I found the FA's on all flights to very friendly and helpful as were the ground staff. The Hot Seats get you priority boarding which is good if you have carry on. The prices for drinks on board are also very reasonable. I paid $3 for a Singha beer which is a bargain considering US airlines will charge $7 for a beer. All in all I had good experiences on all my flights with them and would not hesitate to use them again.

I always find Thai AirAsia cabin crews to be efficient and friendly with a good service mind. The ground experience is from poor to fair. I need to use a wheelchair and there is little care given for people with mobility challenges. We were kept waiting for a wheelchair in Bangkok, staff arrived with a wheelchair that was in very poor state of repair. No wheelchair in Krabi but the distances were short enough that it was okay. The troubles at Krabi airport when there was no special desk for people who had paid for the priority service. Another passenger who was also physically challenged and I had to wait nowhere to sit until we approached the people at the desks. A wheelchair was produced and the person taking care of me was very good. When we got to the Bangkok airport after having to get on a bus that is physically challenged there was no one waiting for myself or the other passenger wheelchair. It took a significant amount of time and discussion before they came.

Khon Kaen to Bangkok Don Muang. Thai AirAsia provides good quality for the money, though there are minor points of criticism. I bought their 'premium flex package', which gave me the option to choose my seat (1C), a meal - even though the flight took only 55 minutes - plus water, 20 kg luggage, and express luggage and boarding. The flight attendants were polite, but a bit too reserved to my taste. The seat was a bit too narrow, and the meal (lasagna) too bland. Boarding was fast, with a separate check in for those with a premium package, thus hardly any waiting time. My luggage came almost as first, so they were true to their promise. For short flights as mine, I think this airline is a good choice.

Thai AirAsia check-in was smooth and fast at Bali Airport for flight from Bali to Bangkok. Boarding gate was changed from Gate 5 To Gate 4 and boarded with garbarata (Air Bridge). My Pre-booked meals were vegetarian fried rice and green chicken curry both with Green tea pudding and green tea cup. All pre-booked meals were provided with a 100ml mineral water. The vegetarian fried rice did not have that much taste, the green chicken curry was better but still not great, however the green tea pudding was delicious. Merchandise for sale sell on board was good and the product quality was good too. Hot seat 14C price was ODR 120.000. 4 Hour flight without inflight entertainment.

Morning check-in with Thai AirAsia for flight from Bangkok Don Muang to Singapore via self check-in service was fast. Boarding was smooth but 30 minutes delayed compared to time listed on Boarding Pass. Pre-booked meals were chicken lasagne and Asian fried rice with chicken satay. Meals were tasty and recommended. Cabin Crew were polite and good. Toilet was clean. My seat number was 10A and it was not very comfortable, but this was a budget airline.

I was curious to fly Thai AirAsia and was pleasantly surprised. The crew we had on both flights were male with just one female crew member but all were polite and well presented. Run on the Ryanair model, but it has a far more professional feel about it. On the return to Bangkok some food had run out but alternatives offered. Would not doubt to fly with them again.

Bangkok to Chennai. No specific order of boarding beyond the premium seat passengers. Buses used to transport passengers from gate to plane overly packed and crowded. The time from boarding till take off (in air) was around 40 minutes when the air inside the plane was hot and steamy. Cabin crew unresponsive and refused to give complimentary water to my small daughter. Not sure about the age of the plane.

With the budget carriers, you tend to get what you see on the tin. That said, there are a few stand out points for Thai AirAsia. The food and beverage offerings are better quality and cheaper than average for a budget carrier. Out of Bangkok, they fly from Don Muang (I prefer that over Suvarnabhumi). Most of all, the staff appear to know what they are doing. I quite liked the clear pre-recorded arrival PA announcement. The only notable downside was they operated this flight with bus access to the apron. Don Muang is not over congested, so you would think they could find a spare gate.

Thai AirAsia booking website is very confusing and very unforgiving, I booked an international flight where the standard on most other airlines I flew would be at least 15 kilos. I was told you paid for 0 kilos going, but 40 kilos coming back. I had to double baggage fees for a minor error. I just want to warn other passengers of this as it seems Thai AirAsia deliberately make it hard for those extra fees. I would be looking at other airlines to fly with.

Service was nearly non-existent, both on the ground and airborne. The flight attendant was seriously involved with her hair and was unavailable to assist passengers. I was aware that Thai Airasia was a low cost airline, but I was unprepared for how lacking in service the airline is.