Speculation is rife in the aviation community about the possible inclusion of the Airbus A330neo in the AirAsia Philippines fleet. Despite no official confirmation yet, Tony Fernandes, Capital A CEO, has substantiated that A330s are indeed joining the AirAsia Philippines fleet. What remains a mystery is whether these aircraft will be the A330ceos or the A330neos. Nevertheless, the air of optimism persists with enthusiasts, including me, hoping that AirAsia Philippines might soon start operating the A330neo. An official announcement is eagerly anticipated.
The A330neos in the AirAsia Fleet
To paint a clearer picture of the speculated scenario, let’s talk about the A330neos currently part of the AirAsia Aviation fleet. Two such aircraft, registered as HS-XJA and HS-XJB, are stationed with Thai AirAsia X, although both remain grounded and stored at present.
Airfleets data reveals that both these A330neos are stored, with HS-XJB joining the fleet on August 10, 2019, followed by HS-XJA on August 31, 2019. Both have been kept in storage since 2021.
Is it possible that these two A330neos will make their way to the Philippines? Or could the aircraft be part of the 15 outstanding orders set for delivery to the AirAsia Aviation Group? This is a question that only time will answer. However, it’s clear that if the Philippines does become the new home for the two Thai AirAsia A330neos, the registry will need to be transferred to the Philippines.
A330neo Seating Configuration and Efficiency
AirAsia’s A330neos share a common configuration with their A330ceo counterparts, with a capacity of 377 seats distributed in two classes – 12 Premium Flatbeds and 365 economy class seats. This seating structure is a standard across all A330 fleets of the AirAsia Aviation Group, providing passengers with a uniform experience on medium to long haul routes.
A standout feature for a low-cost carrier like AirAsia is the provision of premium flatbeds, something that sets them apart from other budget airlines in Asia. Even though AirAsia’s A330neos don’t come equipped with seat-back IFEs, the premium seats located at the front can fully recline into a bed, offering a valuable upgrade for long flights such as those from Manila to the Middle East or Australia.
The premium flatbeds adopt a 2-2-2 abreast layout, featuring a personal lamp and a USB port for charging mobile devices. From my personal experience flying on an AirAsia A330-300 from Kota Kinabalu to Kuala Lumpur, the comfort level of the premium flatbed is commendable for a low-cost airline.
The economy class, although denser with 365 seats, maintains a generous seat pitch of 32 inches. With a 3-3-3 abreast layout, the seat width is slightly smaller, measuring around 16.5 inches.
An important distinction between the AirAsia A330ceo and A330neo lies in the latter’s operational efficiency, especially for medium to long flights. The A330neo employs Rolls Royce Trent 7000 high-bypass turbofan engines, each capable of generating 72,834 lbf of thrust, enabling a range of 13,334 km, subject to the seating configuration.
While the seat configurations of the AirAsia A330ceo and A330neo are identical, the latter may come with additional USB ports and boasts quieter engines.
What’s in Store for AirAsia Philippines?
Should the A330neo be adopted by AirAsia Philippines, the key advantages lie in its operational expenses and efficiency. Despite identical cabin configurations, the A330neo stands as a highly efficient aircraft. So, all that’s left is to wait for the official word on the A330 variant that AirAsia Philippines will employ. While my personal hopes are pinned on the A330neo, the anticipation remains high irrespective of the variant chosen.
First love never dies. I fell in love with airplanes and aviation when I was a kid. My dream was to become a pilot, but destiny led me to another path: to be an aviation digital media content creator and a small business owner. My passion for aviation inspires me to bring you quality content through my website and social accounts. Aviation is indeed in my blood and blog!
