Formerly a moribund Malaysian government airline, AirAsia (airline code: AK) was sold to maverick entrepreneur Tony Fernandes for a token 1 ringgit (about one US quarter) in 2001. From a single Langkawi-Kuala Lumpur connection, AirAsia now flies to 88 destinations across Southeast Asia, Australia, and North Asia. AirAsia is now Asia’s fifth-largest airline in Asia by fleet and passenger numbers.
Given its wide reach, it’s no surprise that AirAsia is actually composed of six affiliated short-haul airlines: apart from the parent company operating out of Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, AirAsia also runs affiliates based in Thailand (airline code: FD), Indonesia (airline code: QZ), Philippines (airline codes PQ and Z2), and India (airline code: I5), reaching over 80 destinations across the Asia-Pacific.
Seat sales are announced periodically over at AirAsia’s Facebook and Twitter pages; travelers can book flights at AirAsia’s official site. Smartphone users can download the official AirAsia app to book flights while mobile.
The carrier also runs the AirAsia Big loyalty points program, and sells a newfangled Asean Pass that allows users to plan multi-city itineraries across Southeast Asia on a single low-cost pass.
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