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AirAsia X Gets Approval to Launch US Flights

Jan. 24, 2017
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3 min read
Budget air carrier AirAsia X's first lea
AirAsia X Gets Approval to Launch US Flights
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In May 2013, Norwegian Air Shuttle, an unknown low-cost carrier at the time, began flights between the US and Europe. Before Norwegian's entry, flights to Europe were cheap when they dipped under $800, and you needed an "amazing" error fare to get flights in the mid-$300s. The airline has helped usher in much cheaper transatlantic travel for people based both in the US and Europe. Not only does Norwegian continue to offer jaw-dropping fares, but it's also put pressure on the legacy carriers to drastically drop their prices to compete.

While the transpacific market has its share of low-price mainland Chinese airlines, there isn't a true low-cost carrier competing in the transpacific market. However, we may be closer to seeing that change, as AirAsia X announced that it's received the green light to start flying routes to the US.

For now, the initial route chatter is only about flights from AirAsia X's hub in Kuala Lumpur (KUL) to Honolulu (HNL). While this route won't help most of us get to Asia for cheap, this approval opens the door for AirAsia X to launch routes anywhere in the US.

Unfortunately, the shaded areas are outside the range of AirAsia X's current fleet. Image courtesy of Great Circle Mapper.

That is, any city that AirAsia X will be able to reach. There's a reason that Honolulu is the only city mentioned for now. AirAsia X's fleet solely consists of Airbus A330-300s, for which Airbus lists 6,350 nautical miles as the operating range. So, Hawaii and Alaska are the only current route options to the US from the airline's KUL hub.

Could affordable lie-flats to Asia be possible soon thanks to AirAsia? Here's a Premium Flatbed in full bed mode with a take/off landing configured seat next to it.

If you're looking for cheap mostly-lie-flats to Asia, start getting excited about AirAsia X's launch. Just like Norwegian's Premium class, AirAsia X's "Premium Flatbed" product currently offers long-haul intra-Asia flyers a chance to get out of the tight squeeze in the back for a modest cost. We're optimistic that the airline will offer the same product on flights to/from the US. If you want to get an idea what you could expect, TPG Contributor Richard Kerr had a pleasant experience flying this product in 2015 from Tokyo (NRT) to Kuala Lumpur (KUL).

Bottom Line

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There's still plenty of work to come before AirAsia X will start flying routes in the US. But, today's approval is a huge step in the right direction in bringing an Asian low-cost carrier to the US market. Hopefully this will spark further competition among legacy airlines, leading to a similar price war we've seen with transatlantic flights recently.

H/T: Routes Online

Featured image by AFP/Getty Images

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  • Intro Offer

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  • Recommended Credit

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Why We Chose It

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Pros

  • 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
  • 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
  • Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
  • Solid welcome bonus

Cons

  • Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
  • Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
  • You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
  • Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
  • Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
  • Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
  • Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
  • Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
  • $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
  • $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
  • $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
  • $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
  • Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
  • No Foreign Transaction Fees.
  • Annual Fee is $325.
  • Terms Apply.