Flight review: Air Asia X Premium Economy

NO numb bums and 20kg baggage allowance among the highlights of AirAsia X's new Premium Economy flights.

Painting the sky red with AirAsia. Picture: Flickr user Deanster1983

WITH AirAsia X launching their new Premium Economy flight service, Heather Tyler took to the skies for a test run - and this is what she found:

What: AirAsia X Premium Economy.

Where to: Gold Coast-Kuala Lumpur-Delhi return.

Review: British Airways business class

Set-up: Business class quality flatbeds in a 12-seat cabin at the pointy end of the A330/300 wide-body airbus. Two rows of six seats. With so few seats, it's nice and quiet.

How much: AAX is a point to-point airline so instead of buying a complete ticket, each sector is purchased individually and often quoted in Malaysian ringits which may be confusing. Gold Coast-Kuala Lumpur from $789, Melbourne to KL from $839, and Perth from $589, including taxes. KL-D from $242. From October 1, AAX is adding connected tickets. Big tick for that.

Check-in: Priority check-in and 20kg baggage allowance, compared to 15kg in Economy. Check-in takes two minutes tops.

Seats: The pitch space between your seat and the one in front is 188cm. The seat is considered flat at 190 degrees. There's still a slight slope from hip to toe. The seat can be adjusted, from head to toe, in multiple slight movements to find the aahhh factor that's right for you. For seat cushion comfort, I've only got Qantas business class flatbeds to compare it to, but my bum didn't go numb in AAX.

Inflight entertainment: Portable media players are available for $11 a sector. A limited number is also available in Economy. Otherwise, bring a book.

Service: Bottled water, real pillows with pillowcases, and blankets are distributed free. The pre-booked meals are available earlier than in Economy. You can buy inflatable pillow and blanket packs in Economy. Extra bedding is available free of charge in Premium Economy. The drinks and snacks, and the duty free goods carts will also roll through Premium Economy first. The toilet in Premium Economy is exclusive.

Food and drinks: The same choice in Economy and Premium Economy. The pre-booked hot meal was stark on the tray without even a bread roll or piece of fruit. The international meal looked uninspiring (chicken, diced vege) on my flight, but the Asian food was great.

Chicken biryani had balanced spicy flavours with perfectly cooked basmati rice. An egg sandwich I bought later was moist and fresh. Beer, red and white wines were available to buy. Child passengers get by far the best deal with creative meal packs containing lots of little treats, including healthy ones.

At the other end: The curtain between the cabin and Economy remained closed while Premium Economy passengers disembarked. A calm exit, rather than that mad jostle to grab overhead luggage, was appreciated. Our bags appeared on the carousel first - another plus.

Value for money: For the price of an economy ticket on other airlines, you're getting the basics of business class comfort. What's not to like? With the airline taking out Economy seats to allow for the upgraded seats, Premium Economy is now available on 10 AAX routes.

The writer travelled in Economy and Premium Economy as a guest of AirAsia X.

First look: AirAsia's lie flat seats

In pictures: Best of first class

Review: Does business class live up to the hype?