Announcing the latest promotion, the Malaysia Airlines Stimulus package, yesterday, Dato’ Sri Idris Jala, the airline’s Managing Director/ Chief Executive Officer, said, “This is the best time for the public to travel as such incredible offers are given only during a downturn! Customers are the ones to truly benefit during this time as we are looking for innovative ways to boost load factors and revenue.”

The stimulus package has been aimed at all sectors of the market with 9 strands to the promotion:

First and Business Class

1. Premium Match

Malaysia Airlines will match the price of one’s previous travel on another airline for flights above 3 hours.

This applies for First and Business Class travel.

Asean and International travel

2. Business Companion

50% discount is offered for your companion’s business class travel.

Domestic, Asean and International travel

Economy Class

3. Economy +

Pay economy class fares but enjoy business class travel privileges including access to the lounges and accrual of Enrich miles.

Domestic, Asean and International travel

4. Balik Kampung

Enjoy all inclusive RM69 fares for travel within the Peninsular & within East Malaysia

RM99 for travel between East and West Malaysia

Domestic only

5. Weekend Getaway

Special fares for long weekend travel

ASEAN only

6. Kids Fly Free

For every 2 adult economy class tickets purchased, a child below 12 years old travels for free

Domestic and Asean travel

7. MHFlex, 1+1

Purchase 1 economy class ticket, and your companion gets a free ticket on flights operated by Malaysia Airlines

Domestic and Asean travel

8. 80% discounts off domestic & ASEAN

Enjoy low fares when you book online

Domestic and Asean travel

9. Grab-A- Deal

Special fares for selected destinations are available online from time to time

Domestic, Asean and International travel

For further information visit malaysiaairlines.com

I think there is chance there are so many offers around at the moment that the consumer is spoilt for choice. I can see also the temptation to hold on just in case a better offer comes along. If you are flexible and do not mind whether you travel or not then that is a reasonable stance. However, if you are set on visiting Asia sometime this year I recommend finding a fare at a level and at a time you are comfortable with and book it. Then don’t think about looking again and get on with booking and anticipating the rest of the vacation.

I cannot really see how anyone can fail to be happy with their Asia vacation purchase at the moment because the travelling public surely has never had it so good.

Low-cost carrier, Air Asia has made its inaugural flight to London today and I am wondering how it will affect the UK’s flight market to Asia in the coming months.

Although the airline is headquartered in Kuala Lumpur it has an ever-growing network around the region (see their route map here and click on View All Destinations) and could potentially impact on any or all of the other Asian carriers, not just the obvious one, i.e. Malaysia Airlines.

The new service is being operated by the carrier’s longhaul affiliate Air Asia X using the Airbus A340-300 with a capacity of 286 guests down the back and 30 Premium Seats (XL) at the front.

It will operate 5 times per week between KL’s Low Cost Carrier Terminal at Sepang and Stansted Airport, near London. See schedule.

Headline prices are from £199 one way but of course the actual fare will vary according to demand; and remember to add on the extras.

Naturally other airlines are not going to let the new kid have it all its own way and currently you can buy a return ticket to Kuala Lumpur from London with Emirates for £442 inclusive taxes (book by 16 March). And you can now book your onward Air Asia flights on the Emirates system: for example the current Air Asia fare from Kuala Lumpur to Langkawi starts at around £6.

I wish Air Asia X well with the new London service. I think that what they have achieved in Asia in a relatively short time is admirable and it will be interesting to see if the low-cost model can make it in longhaul.