I'm Laughing At Airline Ads.
I definitely am .. In the last few weeks, there has been this immature but uncanny ad war between Malaysia Airlines and Air Asia. Whenever I see any of them, I just can't help letting out a smile or sneer. It's really silly considering this started when the domestic network rationalisation started.
Ad 1 - Malaysia Airlines (1 August 2006)
Other than the ones above, MAS also came with a full page explanation like thing. I summarised it as a long-winded and 'aiming to please' article about how their domestic air fares are still one of the lowest in the world. Complete with tables and charts mind you .. Then the main thing came next. A big heading stating '25 reasons to fly a truly Malaysian airline' together with the smiles of their stewardesses. The 25 reasons are stated below it. Some of the reasons stated directly points out Air Asia flaws or disadvantages. If MAS could have, they would have happily placed '25 reasons not to fly Air Asia' as the heading.
Let's take a detailed look at the 25 reasons ..
1. 5-star airline with world-class service
2. Best Economy Class 2006
3. World Class Cabin Crew
--> MAS constantly boasts their awards which at times I really ponder upon. Do those titles really fit them ..
4. More legroom (34” seat pitch)
5. Convenient schedules
6. Enrich Frequent Flyer Programme mileage points
--> As if, Air Asia's seat pitch is that bad .. MAS needs to seriously work on that on their Boeing 737's. And please, how convenient can they get ?! Air Asia has their RHB credit card thing too ..
7. On-time departures
8. Allocated seats
9. Telephone check-in for first and business class
10. 20kg baggage allowance
11. Refreshments on board
--> These reasons are some of the main reasons for me favouring MAS to Air Asia. Air Asia limits up to only about 15kg baggage allowance .. little for me. Somehow, I've always loved the idea of eating in the air meaning MAS edges in that area. Air Asia's food pricing can suck your pockets dry.
12. Direct connectivity to and from international destinations
13. Priority boarding & disembarkation for first & business class
14. KL Sentral City check-in
15. Aerobridge facility - easy waterproof access to aircraft
16. Golden Lounge for first & business class passengers
17. KLIA Express - easy access to airport
18. Comfortable waiting lounge for departures
19. Wi-Fi for first & business class in KLIA
--> Look closely and you'll see that these reasons will automatically expose the flaws of that stupid LCCT Terminal. Passengers just miss all the luxury of travel in favouring 'low-cost' carriers. However, I do enjoy the idea of walking on the tarmac to the plane minus the rain of course. Did it in Langkawi once.
20. Group-of-3 fares
21. 25% off for families
22. 50% off for senior citizens
23. 50% off for blind and disabled
24. 20% off personal travel and 7% off duty travel for security forces
25. 50% off for students (MAS GRADS) on standby tickets
--> Never heard of some of these discounts namely the Group of 3, family and security forces ones. Plus, MAS GRADS members can only get discounts on standby tickets.
Ad 2 - Air Asia (a few days later)
This is what exactly the large but simple ad states. Heading goes - 'You don't need 25 reasons to fly. Only one reason why you should upgrade to Air Asia.' . In the real ad, they underlined 'one reason' though. I don't get how you can upgrade yourself when you're going on a low-cost carrier. More like downgrade yourself ..
It also states next - 'At Air Asia, no one gets treated like a second-class citizen.' 'For a few ringgit, you'll get a comfy leather seat and a fun and friendly crew who treats you the way you like to be treated. It's so easy to book and you can even choose to sit anywhere you like!'. The stewardess in the ad also hods up a sign indicating Air Asia's Buy 1 Get 1 FREE promo.
In the first place, you know you're already a second-class citizen on a low cost carrier so there's no use complaining. The phrase 'fun and friendly crew who treats you the way you like to be treated' is seriously highly suggestive. Its portrays an image of their crew as a bunch of low-morale body-selling people offering instant services to passengers.
While I may just continue to ravel at the ability of these two airlines to fend themselves off, we fail to see the small but significant role the government played in this. Perhaps little did the government know that allowing Air Asia to be a low cost carrier would eventually lead to the fall of the national airline, MAS. Tony Fernandes must certainly have been charming. Makes me wonder whether the issue of rasuah (bribery) popped up at all.
In spite of all my dislike towards Air Asia, I have to amazingly admit that I own a model of the MU Air Asia plane. Its really nice and gonna be some collectable, limited edition thing. Happy to own it. My dad bought it for me during his constant travels on Air Asia to Clark(Manila). Wonder whether he's actually flown in the real one before ..
Ad 1 - Malaysia Airlines (1 August 2006)
Other than the ones above, MAS also came with a full page explanation like thing. I summarised it as a long-winded and 'aiming to please' article about how their domestic air fares are still one of the lowest in the world. Complete with tables and charts mind you .. Then the main thing came next. A big heading stating '25 reasons to fly a truly Malaysian airline' together with the smiles of their stewardesses. The 25 reasons are stated below it. Some of the reasons stated directly points out Air Asia flaws or disadvantages. If MAS could have, they would have happily placed '25 reasons not to fly Air Asia' as the heading.
Let's take a detailed look at the 25 reasons ..
1. 5-star airline with world-class service
2. Best Economy Class 2006
3. World Class Cabin Crew
--> MAS constantly boasts their awards which at times I really ponder upon. Do those titles really fit them ..
4. More legroom (34” seat pitch)
5. Convenient schedules
6. Enrich Frequent Flyer Programme mileage points
--> As if, Air Asia's seat pitch is that bad .. MAS needs to seriously work on that on their Boeing 737's. And please, how convenient can they get ?! Air Asia has their RHB credit card thing too ..
7. On-time departures
8. Allocated seats
9. Telephone check-in for first and business class
10. 20kg baggage allowance
11. Refreshments on board
--> These reasons are some of the main reasons for me favouring MAS to Air Asia. Air Asia limits up to only about 15kg baggage allowance .. little for me. Somehow, I've always loved the idea of eating in the air meaning MAS edges in that area. Air Asia's food pricing can suck your pockets dry.
12. Direct connectivity to and from international destinations
13. Priority boarding & disembarkation for first & business class
14. KL Sentral City check-in
15. Aerobridge facility - easy waterproof access to aircraft
16. Golden Lounge for first & business class passengers
17. KLIA Express - easy access to airport
18. Comfortable waiting lounge for departures
19. Wi-Fi for first & business class in KLIA
--> Look closely and you'll see that these reasons will automatically expose the flaws of that stupid LCCT Terminal. Passengers just miss all the luxury of travel in favouring 'low-cost' carriers. However, I do enjoy the idea of walking on the tarmac to the plane minus the rain of course. Did it in Langkawi once.
20. Group-of-3 fares
21. 25% off for families
22. 50% off for senior citizens
23. 50% off for blind and disabled
24. 20% off personal travel and 7% off duty travel for security forces
25. 50% off for students (MAS GRADS) on standby tickets
--> Never heard of some of these discounts namely the Group of 3, family and security forces ones. Plus, MAS GRADS members can only get discounts on standby tickets.
Ad 2 - Air Asia (a few days later)
This is what exactly the large but simple ad states. Heading goes - 'You don't need 25 reasons to fly. Only one reason why you should upgrade to Air Asia.' . In the real ad, they underlined 'one reason' though. I don't get how you can upgrade yourself when you're going on a low-cost carrier. More like downgrade yourself ..
It also states next - 'At Air Asia, no one gets treated like a second-class citizen.' 'For a few ringgit, you'll get a comfy leather seat and a fun and friendly crew who treats you the way you like to be treated. It's so easy to book and you can even choose to sit anywhere you like!'. The stewardess in the ad also hods up a sign indicating Air Asia's Buy 1 Get 1 FREE promo.
In the first place, you know you're already a second-class citizen on a low cost carrier so there's no use complaining. The phrase 'fun and friendly crew who treats you the way you like to be treated' is seriously highly suggestive. Its portrays an image of their crew as a bunch of low-morale body-selling people offering instant services to passengers.
While I may just continue to ravel at the ability of these two airlines to fend themselves off, we fail to see the small but significant role the government played in this. Perhaps little did the government know that allowing Air Asia to be a low cost carrier would eventually lead to the fall of the national airline, MAS. Tony Fernandes must certainly have been charming. Makes me wonder whether the issue of rasuah (bribery) popped up at all.
In spite of all my dislike towards Air Asia, I have to amazingly admit that I own a model of the MU Air Asia plane. Its really nice and gonna be some collectable, limited edition thing. Happy to own it. My dad bought it for me during his constant travels on Air Asia to Clark(Manila). Wonder whether he's actually flown in the real one before ..
posted by Brandon at
9:50 PM
0 Comments:
Post a Comment
<< Home