flee 5 Report post Posted February 14, 2012 AirAsia X has launched a new “Empty Seat Option” (ESO), enabling guests to book unoccupied seats next to them, by paying a small fee, for extra comfort. This ancillary offering, which is currently only available for online bookings, is sure to be embraced by passengers on a low-cost long-haul flight. To opt for the ESO, passengers making bookings online simply have to select “Upgrade with Optiontown” under the flight information section. Upon selecting the ESO, passengers will need to enter their current flight booking number and pay a sign-up fee of US$0.9 in additional to the ESO fee that varies between US$20 and US$50 depending on the destination and time of travel. If the empty seat is available, a confirmation will be emailed to the passenger before departure. If it is unavailable, the fee will be refunded automatically. This innovation comes shortly after the carrier launched an upgrade option enabling passengers to pay a small fee and upgrade to a flatbed premium. Azran Osman-Rani, chief executive of AirAsia X, said: “AirAsia X remains focused on maintaining its global leadership position in the low cost long-haul segment. I believe the ESO will be a great addition to our family of ancillary products which will further increase our ancillary revenue stream.” Source: http://www.businesstraveller.com/asia-pacific/news/airasia-x-launches-empty-seat-option Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Mushrif A 3 Report post Posted February 14, 2012 Isnt this really old news? That Optiontown option has been there for many months. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
flee 5 Report post Posted February 14, 2012 Nope, that old one was for upgrade to Premium seats. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Ikman Ikreza 0 Report post Posted February 14, 2012 So they will block empty seat to avoid any passengers missuse the next seat and put their thing beside? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
affendi osman 0 Report post Posted February 14, 2012 maybe D7 want to fill those unsold seats with paying hollow-man. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Radzi 2 Report post Posted February 15, 2012 What will happen if, say, the flight is 50% empty and nobody pays for the option? Everybody bunch up at one end of the plane? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Mohd Suhaimi Fariz 2 Report post Posted February 15, 2012 To further expand on this idea - why not have a collect-on-board service: if a person wants to move to an empty row of seats they're charged just like buying food on board. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Johan Z 0 Report post Posted February 15, 2012 So, AirAsia have 3 seats per row, if someone sitting on the aisle/window seat chose the empty seat option, that means the other person seating on the opposite end doesn't have to pay? I found it's a bit hard to make it working and a bit unfair if the flight was empty and you chose the empty seat option. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Mohd Suhaimi Fariz 2 Report post Posted February 15, 2012 So, AirAsia have 3 seats per row, if someone sitting on the aisle/window seat chose the empty seat option, that means the other person seating on the opposite end doesn't have to pay? I found it's a bit hard to make it working and a bit unfair if the flight was empty and you chose the empty seat option. That is why - pay-on-board. Must pay if you want to sit all by yourself. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BC Tam 2 Report post Posted February 15, 2012 That is why - pay-on-board. Must pay if you want to sit all by yourself. Unless you go occupy one of the loos - but that would be rather unsociable Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
affendi osman 0 Report post Posted February 15, 2012 Well, this new feature teaches Malaysian to be 'kiasu' citizen. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Johan Z 0 Report post Posted February 15, 2012 That is why - pay-on-board. Must pay if you want to sit all by yourself. Doesn't mention in article you have to pay on board. Unless I missed it, you choose it during online booking. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
flee 5 Report post Posted February 15, 2012 Nope, you bid for it in Optiontown. If you are successful, you will be informed. That is how Optiontown works - you are only allowed to buy at a discount if they cannot sell at full price. Anyway, I am not too bothered about this. While the premium seat may be worth bidding for, I don't think I want to pay extra for the empty seat next door. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Ikman Ikreza 0 Report post Posted February 15, 2012 Nope, you bid for it in Optiontown. If you are successful, you will be informed. That is how Optiontown works - you are only allowed to buy at a discount if they cannot sell at full price. Anyway, I am not too bothered about this. While the premium seat may be worth bidding for, I don't think I want to pay extra for the empty seat next door. Bidding..so Ebay on AirAsia now? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Mike P 0 Report post Posted February 16, 2012 Hmm... I wonder how they going to report their load factor... 1 person occupying 3 seats? So does the load factor going to report per traveller or per occupied seats? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
flee 5 Report post Posted February 16, 2012 Load factor should report as per pax. Optiontown sales for the two extra seats will report as ancillary income. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Ruiz Razy 1 Report post Posted February 16, 2012 Only time will tell the success or failure of this concept. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
