AirAsia Premium Flatbed from Kuala Lumpur to Sydney will make you rethink everything you thought you knew about budget travel.
You get what you pay for when it comes to flying. Needless to say, I don’t really expect bells and whistles when we fly low-cost, because that’s the whole idea. I mean, as long as we get from point A to point B efficiently and in one piece, the job’s done, right?
At least, that’s what I thought until flying from Kuala Lumpur (KUL) to Sydney (SYD) with AirAsia X, the long-haul, low-cost subsidiary of Malaysia’s AirAsia, whose Premium Flat Bed service makes no-frills flying feel a little more, well, frilly.
Check in
Though I’ve checked-in on AirAsia’s Move app before heading to the airport, I, as always, arrive a solid three hours ahead of departure, due to my obsessive devotion to punctuality. Expecting a queue, I’m surprised to find the dedicated premium check-in counter practically empty. It’s a promising start.
The ground staff greet me warmly, taking just moments to confirm my flatbed seat and issue boarding passes. They also hand over express path tickets for security and immigration, an invaluable perk that lets me glide through with ease. While budget carriers don’t often scream premium service, AirAsia X’s ground service is impressively efficient and polished, and within minutes, I’m settled in the lounge, sipping coffee and feeling blissfully calm before the journey ahead.
Baggage
My meagre 12 kg of checked luggage could have been as heavy as the generous 40 kg allowed with my Premium Flatbed seat. Regardless, it’s tagged “Priority,” so it’ll be out early. As for carry-on, it’s the standard seven kilos – no surprises there.
The seat
There are only a dozen Premium Flatbed seats on this flight, set in a 1-2-1 configuration, and I’m in 2A, a window seat. Storage space? Plenty, including overhead compartments and a dedicated shelf by your side for easy access to personal items. Offering privacy without feeling cramped, the 19-inch (48 cm) wide seat with a 59-inch (150 cm) pitch is exceedingly comfortable, and when it’s time to sleep, it flattens out into a full bed with the press of a button. The massage feature? Unexpected, but gratefully accepted, it gently eases out the kinks from the long haul.
AirAsia also provides plump red pillows and cosy cotton duvets for flatbed seats, though there are no other extras, so if you are one for an eye mask or other travel luxuries, you’ll need to BYO.
The Premium Flatbed pod comes with several power outlets and USB charging ports, ensuring that your electronics are always powered up. There’s a convenient reading light built in for when you want to catch up on some reading or adjust your lighting preferences for comfort. Oh, and a “Quiet Zone” separates the Flatbeds from the buzz of the back of the plane, making it whisper-quiet and surprisingly restful.
Cabin Crew and Service
This is a limited-service flight, even in premium, so don’t expect hot towels or champagne on boarding—just a bottle of icy water to kick things off. The crew, however, is super friendly and keeps things light and personable throughout the flight. They’re on top of the essentials—helping with bags and meal service—but once that’s all sorted, they slip into the background. It’s a low-cost service, so I don’t expect non-stop attention, but the crew is quick to respond when needed and ensures everything is handled with a smile. Can’t ask for more than that.
Food and drink
As a low-cost airline, everything is pay as you go, other than the bottle of water that awaits at my seat and a service of black tea and coffee for premium customers. So, with 9 and a bit hours of flying time to kill, I’ve prebooked two meals (at just a few bucks each). I opt for one about an hour into the flight and another just before landing. First up is Pak Nasser’s Nasi Lemak, which comes with an extra bottle of water. My mind is blown! Apparently, AirAsia didn’t get the memo that plane food is supposed to suck, because this is a solid 10 out of 10! Bursting with spice and flavour, it’s as good as the Nasi Lemak I’d eaten in a restaurant the day before. Next, the Roasted Chicken with Black Pepper Sauce comes through like a champ. Juicy, well-seasoned, and topped with a fragrant pepper sauce, it’s the kind of meal you’d expect on a much higher-end flight. I wash it down with a zero-sugar pistachio latte, which is a revelation! Where has this been all my life? Low-cost airline or not, this is hands-down some of the best airline food I’ve ever eaten, and if I could purchase takeaway, I’d fill a suitcase with it.
Entertainment
Or not! Since the pandemic, AirAsia X has yet to reinstate in-flight entertainment, so come prepared with your own devices, pre-downloaded content, a good book, or just snooze the flight away.
Adding a lazy layover at Tune Hotel
It’s worth mentioning that my flight had a lengthy layover, as I was travelling from Kota Kinabalu, but this ended up being a bonus as I got to experience AirAsia’s Tune Hotel KLIA-KLIA2, easily accessed just steps away from the Kuala Lumpur International Airport 2 (KLIA2) arrivals hall via an undercover walkway.
An oasis for travellers who’ve just landed in Kuala Lumpur or are gearing up to leave, when you step inside, you’ll immediately notice the signature red of AirAsia and decor that is modern and surprisingly boutique for a budget hotel. The vibe is laid-back and buzzy – cool but not trying too hard, and while, like AirAsia, the hotel doesn’t overdo it on the frills, it’s got everything you need, including air-conditioned rooms that are clean, convenient, and soundproofed, with a comfy bed and free Wi-Fi so you can stay plugged in.
It’s not just the rooms that make this place stand out. If you’ve got some time to kill, relax in the library or lounge, head to the hotel’s restaurant and bar, complete with pool table, or grab a cold one and breathe in some, slightly Avgas-infused, tropical air in the alfresco garden area to decompress before your next flight. The breakfast buffet is also worth mentioning. Whether you’re craving nasi lemak (because I always am), mee goreng (another fave), or just fruit and pastries, you’ll find something to keep you going until you board your flight.
One more thing
With the AirAsia Move app and website, you can easily book flights, hotels, rides, food deliveries, and so much more.
The verdict
The no-frills economy fares with AirAsia to KL are undeniably appealing, especially for budget-conscious families. But, if you’re travelling with kids and value a good night’s sleep and want to arrive at your destination ready to hit the ground running, AirAsia X’s Premium Flatbed experience is a game changer. This cost-effective option adds an element of luxury and comfort for a price that doesn’t make you want to cry. Add awesome (really) eats, and AirAsia has a new card-carrying member of their fan club.
Disclosure: Ms Eats World flew as a guest of AirAsia but all flatbed slothing, pistachio latte guzzling and opinions are my own.
An award-winning travel writer and photographer, Aleney de Winter was fresh from school when she first set off to explore the far reaches of Australia with a two-man tent and a beaten-up Kingswood for company. Three decades, and two kids later, and she's still on the go, with her itchy-footed offspring in tow. 