Air Asia X Expanding to the US Bottom Line

One of the biggest revolutions we have seen in the airline industry in the past years is the expansion of low-cost carriers. Even one of the largest airline conglomerates is looking to start a low-cost carrier of its own. Many of these low-cost carriers have started longer routes, some even going to fully-fledged long-haul flights. Among the largest long-haul LCCs is Norwegian. Norwegian has built an efficient long-haul machine based on the 787. They operate flights from various bases in Europe to North America. The airline flies to leisure destinations such as Fort Lauderdale, Oakland, and San Juan. They also have limited flights to major airports such as JFK and LAX. Well, it seems that someone else has taken note of this, and now wants in. Air Asia X, a long-haul, low-cost carrier from SE Asia, wants to fly to the US. Air Asia X expanding to the US will be beneficial.

What is Air Asia X?

Air Asia X is the long-haul arm of Air Asia. Air Asia is the largest low-cost carrier in SE Asia. They operate regional low-cost flights using Airbus aircraft. In 2007, the Air Asia group started long-haul flights with their Air Asia X brand. The airline has used A330 for flights to Jeddah, East Asia, and Australia. The airline offers two classes of service. They offer Business Class (called Premium Flatbed) and Economy class. Premium Flatbed has angled flat seats and comes with many amenities like a normal business class. They differentiate themselves from Norwegian with this respect, given that Norwegian offers only Premium Economy.

Where will Air Asia X Fly?

Air Asia X was authorized to fly to the US by the DOT and they plan on flying to Honolulu, per Reuters. They may fly from Kuala Lumpur to Osaka to Honolulu, in order to catch some of the traffic from Japan. The airline will probably continue flying its A330s until their A350s arrive in 2018. Hopefully, we will see a reduction in prices to Asia with the addition of Air Asia X to the market. It will be left to see if they can turn a profit since the ultra-long-haul flights are very difficult to make money.

Landing Thoughts

Air Asia X has very reasonable prices in their long-haul flights within Asia. The airline has a solid business class product, per the price. The Points Guy has a review a couple of years old on their product. I look forward to having them fly into the US, as I have been looking for a chance to try their product. Hopefully, they will land in the continental US soon, and bring their low-cost fares too.

What do you think? Are you excited to see Air Asia X fly to the US? Have you ever flown them? What was your experience? Let us know!