Review: Thai AirAsia X A330 Premium Flatbed class, Bangkok to Sydney

Introduction

AirAsia X is a popular choice for travellers jetting between Australia, Thailand and Malaysia. And while the carrier doesn’t offer a full service business class like rivals, there’s still a step above economy worth considering: Premium Flatbed.

Similar to the likes of ScootBiz, AirAsia X Premium Flatbed is a cost-effective way of dialling up the comfort on your travels, delivering a lie-flat bed plus included meals and boosted baggage allowance.

The standard AirAsia X Premium Flatbed seat.

Though not reaching the same lofty heights as business class, or indeed premium economy, it still delivers a decent experience – even more so if the aircraft gods are smiling on you, as they were on my Bangkok-Sydney flight.

The reason for this is select AirAsia X aircraft sport an entirely different flatbed seat than the familiar red, black and grey ‘sloping sleepers’ found across the airline’s wider network. In fact, it doesn’t slope at all. More on this soon.

Check-in

Bangkok airport was quite busy on this day, so I was glad to see priority check-in for premium passengers. I was also granted access to the premium security line, but this required some convincing for the staff to confirm eligibility. Compared to the standard check-in and security process I estimate this saved around 45 minutes.

Lounge

No lounge access is provided. This is where Priority Pass or Dragonpass access can be put to good use, as Bangkok Suvarnabhumi Airport has a great range of independent and airline lounges allowing external guests.

Both the Coral Finest Business Class lounge near gate D1 and Turkish Airlines Lounge, just past Gate D8, are great places to start your journey.

Seat

Originally flown by Philippine Airlines, before landing in the AirAsia X fleet, this Airbus A330 still flies the old Sogerma Equinox 3D business class. That is, 18 flatbed seats in a 2-2-2 configuration, versus the standard 12 angled-flat beds in the same layout.

The aircraft featured an additional row of six seats.

Anyone who’s tried to sleep in an angled flatbed will know how appreciated those extra few degrees of comfort can be. However, there is a tradeoff for this lie-flat bed: privacy.

The tray table pops up from between the seats.

Solo travellers will be well acquainted with the person seated alongside by the end of the flight, and not just thanks to a rather unusual ‘over/under’ sleeping arrangement.

The seat is comfortable but narrow, meaning it may not be ideal for side sleepers.

Instead of facing directly ahead, the 183cm (~6 foot) beds are angled slightly into each other. The privacy divider is also quite low, making eye contact with your seatmate inevitable. But that’s not the most unusual part.

When converted into the sleeping position, the legrest of the seat on the right overlaps that on the left, with the latter also lowering closer to the floor. It’s a rather odd setup and somewhat disorientating with one person sleeping higher than the other.

The footwell gives you an idea of the sleeping height difference.

Despite this, the bed itself was rather comfortable, as were the supplied blanket and pillow.

Beyond the overhead, storage options were limited to a small water bottle nook (alongside an AC and USB outlet), eye height cubby and shelf behind the seat in front.

Seating position is controlled via a panel in the divider.

Meal

Given the sharp price tag attached to the Premium Flatbed class, mealtime is quite basic. Just one meal is included (a prawn pad Thai for me), together with unlimited water.

You can pre-order your meal online, and have it served on demand. Most passengers decided to sleep first and order their meal later in the flight.

Anything else you want is extra, though prices are reasonable. For example, cup noodles will set you back around $5.50, while a beer (Singha, Chang, or Asahi) is $6.50. Angove Long Row cabernet sauvignon and chardonnay are about $11.

Towards the latter end of the flight I was getting a bit peckish, so purchased the fish and rice.

However, it’s worth noting that only cash is accepted onboard – no cards or smart devices. Crew accepts AUD, USD, Baht, Euro, Yen, Won. Change is in Baht.

The crew were friendly and helpful, and did regular drink runs through the cabin.

Entertainment & Service

No tablets or IFE available. If you didn’t bring a book or spool up content on your own device beforehand, you’ll be in for a very long flight. Alternatively, recline and catch some shut-eye. 

Verdict

Overall the AirAsia Premium Flatbed is as good as it needs to be. Though not indicative of the broader AirAsia X experience, the flatbed seat on my particular flight was the star of the show – I managed to get a good 6 hours sleep on the 10 hour jaunt.

As the flight boarded at 12.30am (4.30am Sydney time), my recommendation would be to eat a late dinner and go straight to sleep. This allows you to maximise your sleep and better acclimatise to the new time zone.