YapThomas - The Ultimat3

Air Asia and Malaysia Airlines Dog Fight

Dog Fight, is a word that terms ariel combat between fighter jets.

What I see from both Air Asia and Malaysia Airlines is just like a typical dog fight.
One would want to have dominance of the air space. This is done by fighter pilot with
possession of highly skilled air tactical.

Now, what has it got to do with Air Asia (AK) and Malaysia Airlines (MAS)?

It is practically similar to what AK and MAS is fighting now.
More and more sky dominance…

They want to dominate more sky seats over each other… so to say…

AK is spreading like wild fire to more and more destination. Opening more routes like the recent international route to Perth. MAS is not gonna sit back and just watch them take their market share. MAS is sure going to bite back with vengeance and so they did.

It sure all began when AK had the rights to ply Kuala Lumpur - Singapore route v.v.
They were throwing free seats like no tomorrow, grabbing everything they could.

Recently, we see MAS throwing promotional fare to Australia. Both Brisbane and Perth as AK has started plying those route. AK is not going to let go either, therefore the dog fight has begun. (I’m not too sure who started the promotion though)

Let’s just say MAS put up their promotion first…

KUL to Brisbane and Perth for only RM 149 per way!

Nice promotional graphic they have there…
AK is also dare enough to throw a promotion to show their muscle…

KUL to Gold Coast or Perth is only from RM 199!!

It is more expensive, but AK’s tax is relatively cheaper than MAS.
MAS tax is estimated at the region of RM 1K to RM1.3K…

Let’s see their fare structure for a better comparison. MAS First.

Read the fine print. This is a non-refundable air fare. You miss, you burn!

Now, let’s look at AK’s fare structure…

Now, again, read the fine print…

I shall leave the general comparison of prices on different dates to you all.
The traveling dates for both airlines is very much different, therefore there are not much clash in the traveling dates. Giving consumer like us, only one choice of cheap fare for that particular period. MAS’ travel period begins this Nov 2008, while AK promotional travel period begins this Jul 2008 for their Gold Coast route and for Brisbane is Feb 2009.

I could say that this dog fight, is making a huge wave to the industry. Be it bad or good, they are shaping the Malaysian aviation industry to be more open and freed from dominance and monopoly. Having said that, airlines are going direct to consumer for business, cutting out middle person like travel agents. While the travel agents are suffering from their cause of Business-to-Consumer (B2C) movement, the consumer are gaining a lot from it.

Consumer has the upper hand because this “dog fight” has brought down the air fare to such an affordable fare that many has a chance to travel which once was a luxury to them. Youths are opening up to the South East Asian culture easily because of this exposure. Business traveling cost are brought to a minimal, as they can now optimize their cost of traveling with different tier of booking classes provided by the airlines.

Personally, you ask me, Air Asia or Malaysia Airlines? It would be a very tough
question for me to answer… But let me sum it up to you.

If you are a person who just wants a flight in and out with no demand of what you are
getting in-flight, then Air Asia would be your best bet. No Frills. Cheap and Good.

If you are a person who wants service at a very much affordable price, then Malaysia
Airlines would be your best bet. You get entertainment, food and service of a full
fledge carrier at no extra cost.

Both, are great products the Canton would say “Pheng, Leng, Cheng” which means,
Cheap, Nice, Quality. It is merely what are your expectations that would determine
your choice of flight.

Have a great time hunting for the greatest deal…