The time was 11.20pm. Realizing that I have not eaten the whole day had my stomach grumbled frantically. Thank God for Old Town cafe at LCCT. The curry mee has never taste so good.

It was a beautiful night, and our flight to Tianjin was scheduled at 1am. It was good to see some familiar faces on this trip. With 29 of us it kind of feel like going on a field trip. Everyone was happy because we were going to Beijing to celebrate our winning for CAPA’s Airline of the year award. 3 years in a roll. Now, that’s pretty awesome.

For me, it’s the thought of gracing the soil of China that had me all excited. There’s something about China that intrigues me – something that I can’t quite put my fingers on. Albeit being a Malaysian Chinese and able to read, write and speak the language, I often don’t consider myself ‘Chinese’ enough. First of all, I’ve often been mistaken for a Malay, Thai and sometimes Japanese and Korean (God knows why!) Second of all, I guess I tend to see the world and human beings as One; beyond race and skin color. But the diverse culture and the way of life have never failed to intrigue me. And so is China, the land of the dragons.

The flight to Tianjin was pleasant and I managed to sleep for a few hours. Though seated at the economy seat I must say the A340 was really comfortable (with plenty of leg room!) for long haul flight. I wouldn’t even mind taking a 12 hour flight to London in economy that’s for sure :)

The break of dawn and the sight of the orange color horizon at 30,000 feet were breathtakingly beautiful. I could feel the excitement bursting in my veins knowing that we would be landing shortly at Tianjin Binhai International Airport.

However, as fate would have it, there was a runway difficulty which resulted in inability for the aircraft to land. After hovering on air for about 30 minutes, we detoured to Beijing Capital International Airport for refuel. Unfortunately we are unable to disembark at the Airport. From locating a free parking bay and the refueling took about one and half hour before we took off to Tianjin Binhai International Airport again.

Confusion and frustration was felt by some of the Chinese passengers but the cabin crew did a good job in controlling and explaining the situation at hand. A sense of relief was felt when we took off to Tianjin Binhai International Airport- knowing that we would be able to land and disembark soon.

I guess the most anticipated announcement from the Captain at that moment (for me at least) was indeed ‘Cabin crew, please be seated for landing.’ But luck wasn’t at our side. When we were about to land at Tianjin Binhai International Airport, the Captain took an emergency take off and aborted landing – due to zero visibility caused by the heavy fog.

Anxiety filled the aircraft and when we aborted landing for the 2nd time and I found myself consoling the Welsh couple seated beside me. Funny how at that time I wasn’t worried at all; probably because I knew we were in the good hands of Captain Hans and Captain Ling - Who did a fantastic job in updating the passengers on the flight situation.

Finally, we managed to land at the 3rd attempt and had everyone clapped for joy! So in all, we arrived in Tianjin at 1pm instead of 7am. We were 6 hours late but I am sure relief took precedent than any other possible negative feelings.

As the saying goes ‘Better be safe than sorry’. Kudos to Captain Hans, Captain Ling and the rest of the cabin crew for getting us land safely.

It was quite a sight, having a couple of pandas roaming around. A few people were quite terrified too. We didn't really know how and why there were here... but when things were more calm, we managed to sit them down and they unraveled their story.

This is TongTong. He was found frantically walking around our office. Our security officer tried to calm him down, and we got the story out of him.

According to TongTong, both himself and NiNi are from Chengdu, China. That's where the Panda Research Base is, and most of their friends are there. They don't remember much of what happened, but visions of being shoved into a large box, and a lot of darkness. We suspect they were kidnapped by hunters who wanted to sell them illegally.

Somehow, when they awoke and tried to break out of the box, they are already on ground. Not sure of where they are, they made the dash of their lives and realised they were in a big place with a lot of planes (we have explained to them they are at LCCT, Kuala Lumpur - beats me how they ended up here!).

Funny thing is, as they were wandering around, looking for help, they bumped into some buntings promoting our new route to Chengdu, China!

We gave them T-shirts too!

And now, after relating their story to us, all they really want to do is to go back to Chengdu, and wants our help to send them back to Chengdu. The fastest way for them to go back is to travel by flight, as only AirAsia flies direct to Chengdu, China from Malaysia; and our inaugural flight has been set to be on 23 November 2009!

After some talks & deliberation with the management, we have decided that we will send them back to Chengdu on our first flight out on 23 November 2009, with ONE condition. They both need to get at least 500 supporters to take pictures with them, and we'll send them back!

In other words, 500 pictures with supporters who says, "Yes, AirAsia, send them home to Chengdu!"

So, TongTong & NiNi has got a plan. They will be camping out at The Curve (Fashion Walk 3, in front of Metro Jaya), Damansara this weekend (25 - 27 September 2009). No, not to do shopping, but to get as many supporters as possible to take pictures with them so that they can return to their homeland.

Here are more details:
Venue: Fashion Walk 3 (in front of Metro Jaya), The Curve, Damansara
Date: Fri - Sun, 25 - 27 September 2009

Will you help TongTong & NiNi?

We will also throw in 2 x Return Flight Tickets to Chengdu for the best pictures with TongTong & NiNi. So, you can also accompany the both of them home on our inaugural flight to Chengdu, China!

So, get the word out & be at The Curve, Damansara this weekend to help TongTong & NiNi with their 'Send Me Back to Chengdu' Quest... they really, really need your help.

P/S: All the pix taken with TongTong & NiNi will be uploaded into AirAsia's Facebook Fan Page, and open for voting from 28 September onwards. The supporter with the most 'Likes' for the picture will win the return flight to Chengdu with TongTong & NiNi :)

Look out for more information on TongTong & NiNi's endeavours with us!

TERMS & CONDITIONS: (read more...)

Here i just wanna share this story regarding the Quality of AirAsia staff, which really open my eyes widely how this thing change my point of view about Airasia . This flight was operating to kuching from LCCT .

A mother and a young sweet little girl 7 years old was sitting next to my row. After 30 minutes departed from the airport suddenly the little girl vomitted on her shirt. She cried because her shirt and seat wet and full with vommit. One of the flight stewardess ( flight stewardess NORHAIZAH ) which called by the mother, immediately attend the call button and realise what had happened. She hold and carry the little girl and the mother to the toilet to clean up eventhough the little girl full of vommit. After a while the mother and her child coming out from the toilet and the little girl not wearing any shirt because she said the shirt was too dirty and smelly. Other passenger around us pity to the little girl because she only wearing her pants and its very cold inside the cabin.
The flight stewardess asked the mother to get any cloths from their luggage,but unfortunately the mother said their luggage inside the cargo. I suggested the mother to buy any shirt from the aircraft but she said she dont have money and she only have rm 7 left, she plan to get a cloth for her daughter as soon we arrive in Kuching later . The little girl nearly cry again when everybody look at her. The flight stewardess really pity the girl and she said she dont want to see the little girl freezing and she bought and pay the shirt for them with her own money.
Honestly I really amazed ,AirAsia have an amazing staff and i believe with a good quality of staff really bring AirAsia to higher level and the best airline..last but not least,morale of the story, after flying with airasia that day really change me into somebody more responsible and caring now..Thank you and bravo AirAsia!!

Hi readers,

Last night, I took a very quick tour at the newly expanded Departure hall at LCCT Sepang.

There are all together 18 gates.
The area look gleaming and clean.... hope it stay that way in future.
The chairs too... alll nicely in rows... hope it stays the same too in future ..heheh

Quite a number of shop outlets to gaze about if you have the free time.
(Do come early for check in )
Some still not open yet, but already the signboards are up.

The very familar outlets - Body Shop,Dunkin Donuts, OldTown Kopitiam, ....and Chocolate shop ... ooh my ...

Closer look at the chocolates on display ....
(make sure you put alarm on your watches .... dont want to miss your flight .....)

I interviewed the chocolate shop staff, they have already start operating for 2 weeks...
and the chocolate shop is full of chocolate, that i remember ..... no one having chocolate or coffee when i was there, he said, maybe due to they are slightly hidden at the corner , hidden from outside view.

Anyway, you can find this chocolate haven after you pass McDonald outlet.
It is to the left of this photo shot.
It is also the way to where your aircrafts are waiting for you.

As you can see, to the right , would be where all the cars and buses that jammed up this airport area.

If ever you suffer panic attack or disorientation on whereabout your aircraft is waiting for you,
please dont hesitate to ask these people. They will with the might of their feet catch the hurrying plane for you !!!!!

Have a wonderful trip!!!!!

Dear all,

We would like to celebrate this day with this video which will continue to live in memory as we continue to chart aviation history. We thank you all our guests who made this possible and we celebrate today as AirAsians continue to make history.

Look out world, here we come!