Budget Airlines in Malaysia and Southeast Asia
Budget Airlines in Malaysia and Southeast Asia are the current trend in the last five years with similar names such as Low-Cost Airlines and Cheap Airlines.
Many companies have resorted to creating these affordable airlines to suit all walks of life, and one of the most popular ones are AirAsia which has taken the region by storm.
Below is a breakdown of the budget airlines operating out of each country in no particular order. Please note that there may be new airlines that have just started and not updated here.
With a route network that spans more than 25 countries, the airline continues to pave the way for low-cost aviation through innovative solutions, efficient processes and a passionate approach to business.
Together with our associate companies, AirAsiaX, Thai AirAsia and
Indonesia AirAsia, AirAsia Budget Airlines is set to take low-cost flying to an all-new
high the catchy tagline – “Now Everyone Can Fly”.
Website: AirAsia Website
AirAsia X
AirAsia X’s efficient and reliable operations are fully licensed and monitored by Malaysian and international regulators and adhere to full international standards.
The airline is also committed to offering X-citing low fares, X-exemplary levels
of safety and care, and an X-extraordinary in-flight and service
experience to all our guests – spreading the amazing experience
to destinations in Australia, New Zealand, China, Taiwan,
Japan, Korea, India, the Middle East, and Europe.
Malindo Air
Launched in March 2013, this hybrid airline, a first of its kind, will be the next budget airline to take on AirAsia.
They currently serve KL-Sabah and Sarawak for their inaugural launch and are planning to expand to more cities around Borneo.
International destinations are planned for the year-end of 2013. Many travellers are anxious to see where they will fly too. MalindoAir also flies from KLIA and soon from KLIA2 by Q3 in 2013.
Website: Malindo Air
Operating out of the Penang and Subang hubs
initially and now the Main Terminal Building of Kuala Lumpur
International Airport (KLIA), Firefly provides connections to various points
within Malaysia, Southern Thailand, Singapore and Sumatera of Indonesia,
aligning itself with the Indonesia-Malaysia-Thailand Growth Triangle
(IMT-GT) agenda.
Currently, it flies to 22 cities in Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, and Thailand.
Website: FireFly
The airline also serves 21 destinations in Sabah and Sarawak, with 451 weekly flights.
Berjaya Air
The company today has its headquarters in Kuala Lumpur, Sultan Abdul Aziz Shah Airport (Subang). The airline also owns and operates the DeHavilland Dash 7 aircraft. The “Dash 7”, as it is commonly known in the travel industry, has a capacity of 48 seats.
With short landing or take-off (STOL) capabilities, the Dash 7 is the most suitable aircraft for destinations with short airstrips such as the ones in Tioman and Pangkor islands. Incidentally, the Dash 7 is the biggest commercial aircraft to operate in Tioman and Pangkor islands.
Website: Berjaya Air
Sabah Air
Fascinating sea life, Water Villages, and white sandy beaches are among the wonders of Sabah’s hidden paradises. For those who enjoy sightseeing, take your passion to another level with Sabah Air.
The Sabah Air aircraft are modified to accommodate various kinds of services, including leisure for aerial sightseeing and joyrides, commercial services such as VIP charters and filming, and industrial work.
Website: Sabah Air
JetStar Asia
Bangkok, Hong Kong, Ho Chi Minh, Manila, Phnom Penh, Phuket, Siem Reap,
Taipei, Osaka, and Yangon.
Flights to India have been terminated.
Jetstar’s subsidiary brand Valuair flies to Jakarta, Surabaya, Medan and
Denpasar (Bali).
Website: JetStar Asia
Silk Air
It has its head office on the fifth story of SIA Superhub. As the regional wing of Singapore Airlines, it serves 31 out of 50 short-haul destinations in the Singapore Airlines Group network.
Website: Silk Air
Bangkok Airways
normally covered by other airlines such as Phuket to Ko Samui, Bangkok
to Ko Samui, its prices are high compared to a budget airline.
Tickets are priced around US$100 and above, but it provides services more typical of major airlines, including free beverages and snacks at the airport lounges.
Website: Bangkok Air
Orient Thai Airways
They stopped flying for a while in 2008, but as of March 2009 are flying again.
Nok Air
sporting a lurid purple paint scheme with a bird’s beak painted on the nose and employing a price scheme similar to that of Air Asia.
Currently, Nok Air flies from Bangkok to Chiang Mai, Hat Yai, Phuket, Nakhon. Si Thammarat, Udon Thani, Trang, and Loei, from Chiang Mai to Chiang Rai,
Udon Thani, Pai, and Mae Hong Son.
Website: Nok Air
Thai Smile
Thai Smile will operate using THAI’s TG airline code with 11 Airbus A320 planes in its fleet, four slated for delivery next year.
In the first year of operation, Thai Smile will fly to Ubon Ratchathani, Udon Thani, Khon Kaen, Chiang Rai, and Surat Thani. In 2013, the airline will begin operating short-haul international routes within Asean and to India and China.
Website: Thai Smile Airways
Merpati Air
above including Nusa Tenggara, Kuala Lumpur, Papua, Maluku, and East
Timor.
Merpati, like Jetstar, is technically not a discount airline, but due to its large number of short-haul routes, it must compete and therefore offers competitive pricing.
Merpati Air sized operations on February 1, 2014.
Indonesia from their main hub in Jakarta. Currently, offer services to
four international destinations – Guangzhou, Singapore, Kuching and
Jeddah.
Payment can be made via many popular Indonesian ATMs. Wings Abadi Airlines are the regional feeder airline to the Lion Air national trunk routes.
Website: Lion Air
CitiLink Garuda
This subsidiary of Garuda Airlines accepts credit card purchases online or at its call centre,
as well as payment via a limited number of ATMs in Indonesia or directly at their office in Jakarta.
Sriwijaya Air
Sriwijaya Air serves 37 destinations: 35 domestic destinations and 2 international destinations (Penang and Singapore). At the recent Paris Air Show 2011, the airline announced that they agreed to buy 20 Embraer 190 jets, with purchase rights of 10 more.
Conclusion
Though many other new airlines may have started, they have not been included in this list.
For those backpackers looking for cheap flights in Southeast Asia, this list will come in handy. At the same time, most general travellers will usually take advantage of these Budget Airlines’ promotional fares in Malaysia and Southeast Asia.
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