I know. That’s probably not the kind of title you would normally expect to see for an AirAsia Hot Seat review. It’s not what I expected to experience either, so I guess there’s shock and awe all around.
Long story short, the Hot Seats (at least on the A320) aren’t all that great. But the food? You’re not going to believe it…
AK6123
Penang, Malaysia (PEN) – Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia (KUL)
Sunday, March 1, 2020
Aircraft: A320-216
Registration: 9M-AGM
Duration: 39 minutes
Seat: 4F (Hot Seat)
AirAsia A320 side view illustration by Norebbo.comOur route from Penang to Kuala Lumpur today as AK6123
A full review of my AirAsia A320 Hot Seat experience from Penang to Kuala Lumpur
For those that don’t know, the AirAsia “Hot Seat” is a standard economy class seat with just a few extra inches of legroom. And red headrests. It would be sacrilegious not to mention the red headrests. Here we go:
Arriving at the airport
Don’t get me wrong. I love reviewing airlines for a living, but having to get out of bed at 3 AM to catch an ultra low cost carrier flight in a strange country where I don’t understand the language and isn’t always as fun as it sounds. Despite all that, I somehow managed to pull myself together and ended up where I needed to be.
I’m ready! Sort of. Maybe? Not really.Wait. There could be deadly diseases anywhere and I’m not taking any chances here. Does this look safe to you?How sad is it that it’s become necessary to scan for deadly viruses before walking into an airport these days? I really can’t wait until things get back to normal again…Since the ticket counter isn’t open yet, it looks like I’m going to have to use a kiosk to check in.Wish me luck…Success! With all the bad luck I’ve had trying to extract boarding passes from kiosks over the years (*cough* Air New Zealand at LHR *cough*)…I’m actually quite surprised that it worked.Anyway, there’s still a few minutes to go before they open the security checkpoint, and as you can see: social distancing isn’t really a thing here in Malaysia yet.
The AirAsia pre-flight experience in Penang
As usual, once past the security checkpoint and into the main terminal, I realized that I had arrived far too early. I’ve got a really bad habit of doing this, and the amount of sleep I get while out on the road could be drastically increased if I learn to chill out just a bit.
Well, there she is. Although I’m excited to be flying AirAsia for the very first time today, this was not my first choice.I had originally booked a seat on the Cathay Dragon A330 up to Hong Kong, but with mainland China being Ground Zero for COVID-19, “Scare Asia” suddenly emerged as the safer option.With only 35 minutes to go before boarding time, the empty gate area was leading me to believe that (just maybe ) everyone else was willing to take the chance of getting sick routing through Hong Kong. And it was *I* that was the foolish one here.Wouldn’t have been the first time.BTW, the terminal itself here at PEN is fairly nice – if not a bit bland.The good news is that my flight to KUL was departing from gate B7 – which was the very last gate at the far end of the terminal. The long walk helped to kill some time!
The boarding process for AirAsia flight 6123 down to Kuala Lumpur
If you’ve ever flown EasyJet, the process of boarding a AirAsia flight will feel eerily similar. It’s not a strange and awkward as what you saw in my Ryanair 737-800 basic economy review, but it is a little different than what you would normally expect at any major airport around the world.
Well – this makes me feel better. It looks like it’s going to be a decent load, and I didn’t make a foolish choice after all.Of course it’s too early to come to that conclusion yet. Let’s get on the plane first before I break my arm trying to pat my own back.Missed being first in line by *thiiiisss* much.Not only that, she came out of absolute nowhere and beat us both through the door.Oh heck yes! It’s not often I get to board via air stairs, and this was unexpectedly awesome.Oh – and no offense to EasyJet or anything, but boarding a plane like this in tropical Malaysia is a lot more fun than doing it in cold and rainy Amsterdam.About to lose my AirAsia virginity in 3…2…1…
My first impressions of the AirAsia Hot Seat
As a reminder, AirAsia is all about economy. From the seats, to the service, to the entertainment, and everything in between – very little of the AirAsia experience is considered “premium.” Not even the Hot Seats were all that fun and extravagant if I’m being honest.
The AirAsia A320 cabin. See? If would have been a little faster (and more aggressive), this could have been a forehead-free pic. Dang it!I’m in seat 4F this morning, which is a premium seat with a bit of extra leg room. AirAsia calls it a “Hot Seat” – which, if you ask me, is nowhere near as hot as the seat you saw in my AirAsia X A330-300 Premium Flatbed review.The leg room in these Hot Seats is tepid (at best). By the way, have you ever wondered what’s inside my always-overstuffed carry on bag?Since the most popular nickname for this airline is “Scare Asia”, it’s probably a good idea to take notice of where the nearest exits are.Maybe canceling that Cathay Dragon flight was a bad idea?Unlike what I mentioned in my Scoot Airlines review, I was fully cognizant of the fact that I preordered a meal for this flight.Sure, this is only a 45 minute hop over to Kuala Lumpur, but…I never miss an opportunity to over-indulge.Despite all the Scare Asia jokes, I’m having a really good time so far (even though I’m thinking about all the footage I need for the review and the fact that I look like I’ve got a broom stick up my a** whenever I think about footage that I need for the review).This seems to be a fantastic crew (on an airplane with awesome seat colors), and I don’t have a care in the world at the moment.I’m also social distancing like a boss, so…yeah. Life is good.
The departure
One of the advantages of flying during the eve of a global pandemic is delay-free travel. They got us pushed off the gate a full 9 minutes early well they takeoff time off 6:38 AM.
Here we go! And you thought AirAsia flights are always late.With only 45 minutes of flying time over to Kuala Lumpur, I’m gonna need all the footage I can get to make a full review out of this.A blast of cool air seems fitting for a review of the Hot Seats.
In-flight entertainment
Sorry, they don’t give you free Wi-Fi in the fancy seats. You’re gonna have to pay for that sh*t just like everyone else on the plane.
Did you know that there is in-flight entertainment available (via Wi-Fi) on all flights in the AirAsia network? I sure didn’t.Anyway, it’s a streaming service, and from what I could tell it was fast and responsive.
The food
Regardless of what you know about this airline, I’m just going to say this: AirAsia Chicken Rice is otherworldly. Think I’m exaggerating? Well I’m not because there’s apparently a lot of other people that think the same thing. Next time I’m in Malaysia, I’m definitely checking out the AirAsia restaurant in Kuala Lumpur.
It’s time to eat! And more importantly…I think I may have found an awesome way to kill tray table viruses.I’m no scientist, but I’m just gonna go with the assumption that a steaming hot container of food placed on top of pesky viruses will kill them dead.So yeah. I paid extra for this meal when I booked this reservation, and I’m going on record as saying it was the BEST meal that I have ever been served in economy class. Even though several months ago I made a video about awesome airplane food and didn’t declare this the winner. I’m indecisive like that.I’m dead serious – even though it doesn’t look like much, it was phenomenal.The exact moment I declared my love for AirAsia Chicken Rice. Mind. Blown.
Never in a million years would I have guessed that my best ever meal in economy would have happened on a 45 minute AirAsia flight. I don’t know what was in that stuff, but…damn.
A few words about “Hot Seat” comfort
Maybe because it was the fact that this was an incredibly empty flight and I had an entire row to myself (and my belly was full of the best meal I’ve had a in a good long while), but I was decently comfy up there in the Hot Seat.
I may be looking at an A320 winglet, but I can assure you that I’ve got chicken and rice on my mind.
The descent and landing into Kuala Lumpur
There I was – sitting comfy in an AirAsia Hot seat while basking in the sweet sweet glow of one of the best chicken and rice dishes I’ve had in a good long while. Combine that with a beautiful sunrise right outside my window, and all was pretty much perfect in the world.
Sure is a beautiful morning out there, isn’t it?The sun is rising off in the distance, we’re 10 minutes ahead of schedule, and my belly is full of the best chicken and rice I’ve ever had. Sorry Cathay Dragon. I’m not missing you at all.Why am I still thinking about that chicken and rice when 1). I’ve got rows of seats to myself and 2). It’s a stunningly beautiful morning out there? Because it was truly phenomenal, that’s why! Duh.Welcome to Kuala Lumpur! Local time is chicken o’clock and somehow we managed to chicken 15 minutes ahead of schedule.Oh, and if I haven’t mentioned it already, the Chicken Rice is phenomenal on AirAsia. The Hot Seats are just OK.Pulling up to another AirAsia A320. Hey there, good lookin’!“I’m free!”With COVID-19 just getting started as I was walking off this plane, all I could really think about (other than AirAsia Chicken Rice) was what was going to happen with the SANspotter brand over the next 6 months or so. Scary stuff. Anyway, thanks for watching, keep your distance from everyone else, and I’ll catch you in the next one.(me not taking my own advice about staying away from others) #facepalm
Pros and cons of the AirAsia A320 Hot Seat
Is it rude of me to admit that I was expecting the worst before this flight? I mean, AirAsia is essentially the Spirit or EasyJet of Asia, and I was expecting a rather miserable experience. Especially since this flight required me to get out of bed at 3 AM.
Some would say that that’s not the fault of the airline, and that shouldn’t be included in this AirAsia review, but I beg to differ. They were the ones who decided to time their Penang to Kuala Lumpur flight at 6:40 AM.
I was booked in a “Hot Seat” though, which meant that my experience would be elevated (slightly). According to AirAsia, perks such as priority boarding and extra leg room are yours if you choose to pony up the extra Pesos.
Pros
As I’ve already mentioned, there are some really good deals to be had on AirAsia. I can’t believe how little I paid for this entire itinerary up to Taipei.
Everything ran on time and exactly on schedule. There were no surprises, and the process from checking in at Penang to deplaning in Kuala Lumpur was simple and easy.
The food! OMG the food. No, it isn’t free, and yes – it is a little expensive. However, the hot meal that I was served was probably the best meal that I’ve ever been served in economy class. That’s right. I’m knocking the meal that I had on my Turkish Airlines 777-300ER economy experience from Chicago to Istanbul out of the number one spot. AirAsia Chicken Rice rules all.
I quite liked the interior design of the aircraft. It was also spotless and clean.
Cons
Nothing is free on AirAsia. If you so much as want a sip of water, you’re gonna have to pay for a full bottle.
I didn’t find the extra leg room of the Hot Seat to be all that generous actually.
Padding is minimal. These seats will hurt on longer segments.
AirAsia IS NOT READY to carry passengers after COVID hiatus! They sell you a 5am flight, but claim it leaves at 11pm, then on the day of departure you get a nasty SMS that “your flight was re-scheduled from 11pm to 5am”. Now you’d have to book an airport hotel (owned AirAsia as well), get up at 5am, just to learn that the flight is “re-scheduled” AGAIN, now to 6.15am. Next 7am etc. Wasting WHOLE day of your holiday to sit in the worst terminal in SE Asia (KLIA). All you get is a 20RM meal voucher that NO SHOP accepts.
Nobody of the ground staff knows what’s going on, claiming it’s a ‘medical issue’, but if you check past days departure times, ALL these flights were delayed by 6-7 hours! 200 people stuck in the airport, no hotel, no food, no information. Ruined holiday for all, and AirAsia is not even apologetic. Every single person of the ground staff just points finger at each other, and nobody knows what’s going on and when the flight will leave. FLY SINGAPORE OR THAI, avoid Malaysia at all cost!
Ngl the Air Asia livery is lowkey fire! I live in Asia and I think Air Asia is REALLY good (exept legroom) and the food, like was SANspotter said is so good!
Glad to hear that they’re still as good as they were prior to the pandemic. This review is a few years old now, and I’ve been itching to get back over there and try them again.
Mr Kay
AirAsia IS NOT READY to carry passengers after COVID hiatus! They sell you a 5am flight, but claim it leaves at 11pm, then on the day of departure you get a nasty SMS that “your flight was re-scheduled from 11pm to 5am”. Now you’d have to book an airport hotel (owned AirAsia as well), get up at 5am, just to learn that the flight is “re-scheduled” AGAIN, now to 6.15am. Next 7am etc. Wasting WHOLE day of your holiday to sit in the worst terminal in SE Asia (KLIA). All you get is a 20RM meal voucher that NO SHOP accepts.
Nobody of the ground staff knows what’s going on, claiming it’s a ‘medical issue’, but if you check past days departure times, ALL these flights were delayed by 6-7 hours! 200 people stuck in the airport, no hotel, no food, no information. Ruined holiday for all, and AirAsia is not even apologetic. Every single person of the ground staff just points finger at each other, and nobody knows what’s going on and when the flight will leave. FLY SINGAPORE OR THAI, avoid Malaysia at all cost!
John
Ngl the Air Asia livery is lowkey fire! I live in Asia and I think Air Asia is REALLY good (exept legroom) and the food, like was SANspotter said is so good!
Scott (SANspotter)
Glad to hear that they’re still as good as they were prior to the pandemic. This review is a few years old now, and I’ve been itching to get back over there and try them again.