Airline review: A lie-flat seat for the price of premium economy

The flight

AirAsia X DL289 Sydney (SYD) to Kuala Lumpur (KUL); Airbus A330-300, Premium Flatbed class, seat 1D. Flight time 8 hours, 55 minutes.

To be able to lie flat on a budget airline is beyond fabulous.Credit: Soroj Ruangburapa

Frequency

Daily.

Loyalty scheme

Airasia rewards (formerly AirAsia BIG). No airline alliances, but points can be earned through other partners such as Booking.com and the Commonwealth Bank.

Check-in

All straightforward, with a dedicated Premium Flatbed check-in counter at Sydney airport, but no lounge access.

Baggage

Premium Flatbed allowance is 40 kilograms checked baggage, tagged Priority for early collection; carry-on allowance for all classes is seven kilograms.

The seat

There are only two rows of Flatbed Premium seats on board.

There are only 12 Premium Flatbed seats available, two rows at the front of the plane with a 2-2-2 configuration. I’m in 1D, a bulkhead aisle seat; and while there is limited storage and no screen for entertainment, the 19-inch (48-cm) wide leather seat with a 59-inch (150-cm) pitch is comfortable, converting to a full flatbed at the touch of a button. It is still slightly angled, however, and a bit awkward for habitual stomach sleepers – still, to be able to lie flat on a budget airline is beyond fabulous. AirAsia has splashed out to provide plump red pillows and cosy cotton duvets for Flatbed class; however, no other amenities are handed out, so don’t forget to pack an eye mask. Thanks to the buffer of the “Quiet Zone” separating the Flatbeds from the buzz and cry-babies at the back of the plane, the premium cabin is whisper-quiet throughout the night.

Entertainment

All in-flight entertainment on AirAsia X flights has been suspended since COVID-19, with the XCite Tab (a tablet pre-loaded with movies and TV shows) still unavailable.

Service

This is a limited-service flight, even in the premium class – so no hot towels or champagne on boarding. A request for my water bottle to be refilled was met with a look of bewilderment – and it was only on my return flight in Economy that I realise you have to pay for a bottle of water, so on-tap fluids are not a given.

Food

One meal, pre-ordered online, is included with the Premium Flatbed fare, a choice of Malaysian staples such as biryani, chicken rice and chicken or plant-based Nasi Lemak, served with a much-coveted bottle of water. Passengers are given the choice of dining just after take-off or two hours before landing.

Carbon emissions

The Sydney to KL route in Premium Flatbed class emits 2.57 tonnes of CO2, with sustainability steps such as one-engine taxiing – which saves up to 10 kilograms of fuel a minute – contributing to the airline’s carbon-neutral growth mission.

One more thing

AirAsia has introduced its own ride-share service for airport transfers in key Asian cities, which can be booked via the AirAsia app up to four hours in advance. Fixed fares, prompt pick-up and clear communication with the driver makes this a seamless, welcome innovation.

The price

From $905, Flatbed Premium one way.*

The verdict

The no-frills economy fares to KL with AirAsia are enticing; but if you really need to sleep, the Flatbed experience is worth the added expense – which, if you pick up a fare in an advertised sale, could be as little as $599, about the same price as a Premium Economy seat in a full-service airline.

Our rating out of five

★★★★

The writer travelled as a guest of AirAsia X.

*Fares are based on those available for travel three months from the time of publication and subject to change.