Friday 6 February marks another proud milestone for us, as the A340-300 aircraft touches down in sunny KL for the first time, after a flight that started from the depths of winter in North America. Our A340-300, or Xcalibur, is a pioneering symbol in many ways.

It is the first A340 to be registered in Malaysia, and my two Chief Pilots, Capt Azhanudin (Operations) and Capt Thevamanohar (Safety), have the honour of being the first two pilots registered for A340 operations for a Malaysian Airline – although they have had extensive experience with this aircraft model with a foreign airline in their previous employment.

Captain 'Han' from Xcalibur's cockpit

Xcalibur will also be deployed for our much awaited London sector – which is also a trailblazing route in the world of low-cost aviation. Its 13-hour flight time will be the longest low-cost service in the world today. Traditionalist aviation sceptics say that the A340 is a costly aircraft with its four engines compared to the A320 or A330 models. However, what’s more important is that it is still more efficient compared to the Boeing 747 aircraft that is usually used for these long distance routes – in terms of fuel efficiency, maintenance cost, as well as the cockpit commonality with the A320 and A330 models, allowing us to have a common pool of pilots that give us scale advantage.

While most of us were taking our warm tropical weather here in Southeast Asia for granted, my team of pilots and engineers had to brave extreme winter temperatures of minus 20 degrees Celsius over a couple of weeks to inspect this A340 aircraft that had just completed a major maintenance check, ensure that all the regulatory requirements are met (and registering the aircraft as a ‘9M’ Malaysian aircraft), and taking physical delivery of the aircraft with a flight of over 20 hours back to KL (with a stopover in London’s Stansted Airport). For some members of the team, it was the first time that had encountered such harsh cold temperatures. Some had to borrow thick winter coats and sweaters. Taking technical delivery of aircraft is not an easy feat. It involves intense round-the-clock work to ensure that all the details are attended to, and that we take an aircraft only if it meets a stringent list of safety and technical specifications. Being so far away from their families for several weeks can also add to the challenge for our team. For this, I’m truly proud of and grateful to Capt Han, Theva and Sahari, as well as Anaz and his team of dedicated engineers.

My X-team! Xcalibur will also see us pioneering a new standard of seat comfort. As you can see, the XL seats are full business class seats that will provide executive-level comfort for prices comparable to economy fares on other legacy carriers, and a fraction of typical business-class fares. Next year, we’re even looking at replacing these seats with full lie-flat bed seats. Even the economy class seats are the most comfortable in AirAsia’s fleet – with legroom, width and recline comparable to any premium airline. Initially, these seats will not be equipped with in-seat entertainment screens. These will be introduced when we refit the aircraft next year. However, we will be providing portable media players for rent during the long London flights. Wish us well as we keep pushing the envelope and take low-cost travel to new heights! Look out for Xcalibur on its debut flight on London on 11 March.

It's been a long while since I blogged. Since last year! Ok ok...I'm being dramatic considering it's only the beginning of the 2nd month in 2009. And what better way to usher in the new year than with loads of reminiscing.

When I joined AirAsia, I had the chance to work on our Boeing 737s, and if there's one main thing I learnt, is just how much to appreciate our Airbus A320s. I had fun flying on the B737s. My first plane ride in my life was on one of our own.

8th Dec 2005, our first Airbus arrived. We had water canons blasting an archway for this red & white baby as it taxiied to the bay. A historical day indeed for us here. In fact, we even marked the day further by setting the record for the most people out of office on a working afternoon! (special permission by our beloved CEO to join in the celebrations!)

Day in day out, we've gone from operating just 1 A320 until today where we've gone 100% Airbus in KUL.

With every new A320s that we received, I feel prouder to be part of this phenomenal growth. Part of this ASEAN achievement. Part of this family.

With every guest that I greet on board, I feel more privilleged to be standing there in the red uniform, representing this phenomenal growth. This ASEAN achievement. This family.

Here's the fun...

Can you recognize these parts of our stylish rides??

Happy flying =D

To my surprised when I board a plane last Saturday 18.10.2008 on my trip to Singapore, I was so surprised and happy because I had an opportunity to fly with AirAsia's AT&T Williams F1 plane. Why I feel so surprised ?

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A ‘ferry flight’ is one when company pilots go to Toulouse/Sharjah to fly the aircraft home once it’s rolled out from the plant. It’s an experience akin to taking ‘a new car for a spin’. Recently, I had that rare opportunity with Capt. S.A. Tan ferrying 9M-AHG from Sharjah-Kuala Lumpur. Although Sharjah has its fair share of sights and sounds, it was a tad boring for us. So we attempted to ride a camel across the freezing desert while awaiting the aircraft to arrive from Toulouse! This post documents our brief journey and subsequent elevation as certified Airbus pilots cum camel jockeys.

First things first, the 'chain-of-command'. Despite Capt. Tan’s vast experience as a commander, we both decided that commanding a camel is more suited for one as obstinate as the camel itself. So he asked ME to be Captain while HE volunteered to be my FO atop the camel! Since I had no problems accepting an early promotion, we got down to business immediately. After the pre-departure briefing, I commanded my camel to rise. She didn’t! I asked for the checklist again. Nose peg? Check! Hump Seat? Check! Foot Harness? Check! (read more...)

As a scuba diver based in Kuala Lumpur, who loves to explore remote dive locations in the region, AirAsia has been crucial in the choices of dive destinations available to me.

I remember being one of the few lucky ones that manage to fly with AirAsia to Balikpapan from Kuala Lumpur in early 2006 to go to Sangalaki - a dream dive destination for most divers since it is synonymous with Manta Ray (Manta birostris). And yes we saw lots of Mantas, especially whilst snorkeling, with the Mantas swooping below us. You could even see them from the boat, as their wing tips and small dorsal fin (at the base of the tail) breaks the surface, when they filter-feed just below the surface. Now with AirAsia flying again to BalikPapan (from Jakarta this time) I expect plenty of divers to take advantage of this opportunity. To get to Sangalaki, you have to fly to Berau from Balikpapan, you can get more info from (read more...)