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Touring AirAsia X's Very First Airbus A330neo
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The next generation of Airbus' popular medium and long-haul aircraft, the A330neo, has been gaining momentum in Europe and here in the US, following launches with TAP Air Portugal and soon Delta, and a big order from Virgin Atlantic on Monday.
But it's also growing in popularity across the Pacific, and will become a far more common sight over the next few years, following an order of 100 A330-900s from AirAsia X.
One of the region's most popular low-cost carriers, AirAsia X will soon take delivery of its very first A330neo, which made its public debut at the Paris Air Show today.
This particular aircraft will be assigned to Thai AirAsia X, and will be based in Bangkok (DMK).
I had a chance to tour AirAsia's first neo at Le Bourget Airport (LBG) just outside of Paris.
It's hardly luxurious — AirAsia is focused on keeping fares low, and that clearly shows as you walk through the tiny premium cabin, followed by a sea of economy.
Premium Flatbed seats are angle-flat and arranged in a 2-2-2 configuration, with a total of 12.
Interestingly, the new seat is very similar to what's been flying with AirAsia X for years — in fact, Richard Kerr reviewed the product back in 2015.
Economy is arranged in an incredibly dense 3-3-3 configuration, just as you'll find on the carrier's older A330s, compared with the industry norm 2-4-2.
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I gave it a try with a couple of AvGeek buds:
Most seats measure just 16.5 inches wide, which is incredibly narrow.
Some bulkhead seats are even worse, at just 16 inches, due to the fixed armrest.
Things get a bet better starting with row 44, though, where seats are arranged in a 2-3-2 configuration to accommodate the narrowing fuselage. Note that seat-back entertainment is not available, so you'll definitely want to bring your own device.
The seats themselves are still just as tight, though.
Fortunately, it doesn't cost much to buy out of those crappy 3-3-3 coach seats — at least not on some intra-Asia routes.
Bangkok to Brisbane, Australia (BNE) should eventually be operated by the A330neo as well, though angle-flat fares carry more of a premium there.
Ultimately, I just can't recommend 3-3-3 economy seating for some of AirAsia X's routes — six hours to Tokyo may be doable, but nearly nine hours to Australia sounds like hell on earth (or, well, above earth) to me.
Regular coach on the carrier's one-stop service to Hawaii is simply out of the question, meanwhile — regardless of how cheap those fares can be.
Follow along with all of the 2019 Paris Air Show action with our dedicated event page.
All photos by Zach Honig/TPG.
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- 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.
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- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.
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Best for dining at restaurants
TPG Editor‘s Rating
Go to reviewCard Rating is based on the opinion of TPG‘s editors and is not influenced by the card issuer.
Rewards Rate
| 4X | 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. |
| 4X | 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. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Intro Offer
You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after spending $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer.As High As 100,000 points. Find Out Your Offer.Annual Fee
$325Recommended Credit
Credit ranges are a variation of FICO® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.Excellent to Good
Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)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.