AirAsia

AirAsia is Malaysia's no-frills low-cost airline with headquarters at Kuala Lumpur International Airport. The company was purchased from a government-owned corporation in 2001 and has since grown from a meagre fleet of two to an impressive 35 aircraft serving destinations across Southeast Asia, Indochina and mainland China. This airline has been on the cutting edge of low-cost air travel in Asia. It was the first to implement ticketless reservations and the online booking system has catapulted the company onto one of Asia's leading e-commerce sites.

Recent improvements have reduced costs by providing self check-in kiosks and web check-in to domestic passengers who aren't carrying any checked baggage. To date, AirAsia has served more than 15 million passengers, many of whom couldn't formerly afford to fly. A new Low Cost Carrier Terminal (called the LCCT) with sufficient facilities to handle 10 million annual passengers was added to Kuala Lumpur International Airport in 2006, and the company expects to transport 18 million passengers in 2007.

AirAsia operates Airbus A320 aircraft, and the fleet is growing exponentially. As the main customer of Airbus A320, a current order has reserved a total of 150 new planes, 50 of which are expected to be in the air by 2013. The company plans to strengthen international ties by pouring further resources into its two sister companies, Indonesia AirAsia and Thai AirAsia.

AirAsia offers a wide variety of services to its guests, both complimentary and premium services. The most convenient way to make a reservation is by using the online booking service; at this time customers can also elect to purchase extra amenities. Xpress Boarding allows the passenger to board before other passengers and have the first choice of seating. A nominal fee also entitles the passenger to reserve priority seats with more legroom, a better view, etc.