It's really been a while since I've blogged anything really useful. And this idea hit me the other day.

Day in, day out, I meet people with minor problems before, during or after flight. And it all boils down to understanding our services and options. If it's one thing offered by low-cost-airlines generally, it's OPTIONS. So, I shall attempt to explain/remind/de-mystify some of the things which can help you have a better flying experience with us.

As it is in the earlier part of my day off, I am attempting to recall all the buzz which ran through my head during the many flights I've had in a half-sleepy-still-tired state-of-mind. So bear with me IF I had missed out anything.

(1)Getting to book at the low low fares seen on our advertisements. How do I do that?
The key to this is BOOK EARLY! At the very start of the promotional booking period, the lowest fares would generally be available on most timings and days, even weekends. So if you hit the booking engine at the start of the promo period, you'll have the lowest fares waiting for you!
Alternatively: subcribe to our RedAlert... they notify you to our offers earlier!

(2) How often have you heard this conversation take place:
You: Can I have a Nasi Lemak and an Old Town coffee...?
Flt Attn: I'm sorry, Sir. Nasi Lemak's sold out. We only have snacks and chocolates left.
You: Erm, the Fried Rice? Chicken Rice?
Flt Attn: I'm sorry, Sir. All the Hot Meals are sold out...

You're tired and hungry, with growing expectations of a hot meal with a good coffee and the flight time draws nearer. But you get that conversation playing. Sounds familiar?
Well, firstly, we do not carry excessive hot meals on our flights in order to control wastages. These meals don't have a very long shelf-life, which means we can't keep those for too long without refregiration. Secondly, we can't control if someone wants to purchase three portions to one person or to have a mini feast onboard. *I've had someone telling me to stop selling to that one person who was buying quite a few items and move on with the cart so as to save them some food!* Thirdly, we can't help it either if a group travelling together sits in the front half of the cabin and starts ordering half our carts away.
Solution: PRE-BOOK YOUR MEALS! The next time you book your flights, you will have the options of pre-booking your meals. When you do that, we carry extra specific meals as ordered by you. I often tell guests onboard, your meals will be boarding the plane even before you do!
Bonus! You enjoy a discount when you purchase your meals online! So what is there to lose?
Don't know if you would want to eat in flight? Well, knowing that you have a meal waiting onboard would definitely be more helpful for you to plan your meal-times, don't you think? Even so, there's always the option to 'ta-pau'or have it take-away! Just ask your flt attendants for a plastic bag ( but remember to go green!) and cutleries.

(3) Oi! My wife and children got separated seats away from me!
Simply PICK A SEAT! We offer two options for Pick-A-Seat with applicable fees;
i) Hot Seats
Ever envied those people who can board our planes first and get the easy-to-exit front seats? Or how they can enjoy more leg room (or for some, belly room)? Well, envy no more. You can purchase our Hot Seats so that you will be allocated seats either upfront in the cabin or at the roomier emergency-exit-rows.
On our A330, this is also an option with baby bassinets for mothers with infants.

*unsold Hot Seats will be left unoccupied throughout the entire flight despite whatever the reasons may be. The most common one I've heard to date is :"The seats are empty anyway, so why can't I occupy them?" Try telling that to the people who paid for them in the first place. It's called being fair. It's a policy we practise, so please don't verbally blast your next flt attendants over those prefered seats you did not purchase.*

ii) Choice Seats
This option is best for people who:
a) want to keep the group together (family, friends, tour groups, etc)
b) prefer to get the aisle seats, window seats or the less-bumpy forward-cabin seats
c) wants to avoid the non-reclinable rows (*tips* on our A320, that'll be our rows 11 and 31)
It's cheaper that our Hot Seats, and reduces a lot more grunts and problems!

Well, that's what I can rake together for this post. I gotta save some for my next one.
Hope what I shared has been useful.

Here's wishing everyone an enjoyable safe flight!

It’s not that I am cheap, (ok well, maybe a little cheap) but the current economic situation has made me pull the break on frills like say…oh, I don’t know…an automated letter opener, a golden encrusted dog collar and maybe even an underwater handbag.

We’re all being careful with money these days. We may have all indulged in extravagances in the past but now we’d have to tighten our belts a little and get creative.
For travel bugs who still enjoy seeing new places, cultures and meeting new people, how about these to keep the bank accounts intact and make the heart happy?

1. Travel in groups
Share the cost! You’ll be amazed at how much you can save (not to mention try) when you have a group of a travel buddies to share the price. Imagine ordering dinner, you’ll get to try different dishes at the cost of one. One extra head is also one extra ‘talent’ within the group to haggle prices down.

2. Research, research, research…
Look out for interesting and FREE places to visit. Opt for places that do not charge an entrance fee. You’ll find that markets, museums, beaches, places of worship and parks are usually free. Malls of course are also free provided you have the will power to resist…

3. Meet locals
I once met a guy who went to Thailand and spent most of his time in the temples and its premises teaching young children how to draw. He had with him a few boxes of crayons and paper, where he distributed to kids.
Make friends with the local community, and hear what they have to share. They
often have very interesting tales to tell.

4. Invent your own games
This is one of my favourites. I love challenging my friends to loony, wacky things when we are on holiday like running a short distance race or saying hello to a stranger. You can do almost anything and even set up your own rules. Do a mini Amazing Race and battle your friends to various check points with the least amount of money.

5. Carry bottled water
''It’s only a dollar'' you may hear yourself say. We all know how dollars build up and then you’ll be thinking, were did my money go? Be prudent, bring along a container and fill it up with plain water before embarking on your day out. Most hotels and hostels provide boiled water free of charge when requested.

6. Pick up new skills
Did you know that a compact camera can do a lot? Try different angles and wait for the weather to change for different effects on the picture. Taking up photography is just one of many new skills you can hone that doesn’t cost a thing. You can always learn a new card game or try your hand at art (draw portraits, paint buildings – the works!) or even do origami with leaves/grass.

7. Observe nature
You’re sitting by the beach and you notice that there are little crabs running about you. Ever wondered what they are doing or what the balls or sand by their homes are for? Observing nature is free and is something anyone can do almost anywhere. If your curiosity is not quenched by just watching, look for free WiFi and Google it!

If you love having fun for free, share your tips with me! :-)

Well....I have! Not once, twice but 3 times!! After a 2-day stay in Kuala Lumpur to attend a course, I'm off to Hong Kong again. I took the morning flight so that I can maximize my time there. However even though I've been there thrice, I don't consider myself an expert in navigating Hong Kong. Check out the places I've visited:

THEME PARKS

Disneyland
I'll describe it in one word - MAGICAL. I've been here twice and each visit evoked different emotions. Seeing fireworks while listenin' to those Disney songs we grew up with made me feel happy. It brings back the feelings you had when you're still a kid...that life is beautiful. Truly, Disney lives up to its claim that it is The Happiest Place on Earth!

tip: based on experience, it's better to book tickets online because you can view their calendar to see which dates are non-peak, peak and super-peak. So can plan your visit wisely. One more thing, don't miss the Disney Parade and Disney Fireworks at night. (read more...)

Here is a a suggestion to lessen the amount of crying and wailing from kids during takeoff and landing. Most young 'uns cry 'cos they can't take the air pressure at these times. Could cabin crew possibly offer a free sweet or a small drink to these kids since sucking helps relieve the pressure? Or perhaps at the very beginning, before the plane taxies, you could offer the parents of these young kids some earplugs at a low price.

I have been taking my son everywhere since he was a year old and these "tricks" have helped keep him quiet - we travel several times a year so I was really reading up on all kinds of tips that would ease a child's travel. Now, at 13 years-old, with sinus problems, he just relies on silicon earplugs to help him easily get through landing and takeoff. They really work.