My redeye flight from Manila to Kota Kinabalu with AirAsia

Every travel is a unique experience. For me, this one is a first of many sorts. First time to Malaysia, the first time to Kota Kinabalu, and the first time to board an AirAsia redeye flight! I was indeed excited to try this one out as I usually fly during daylight or late evening but never arrive in the wee hours. Hence, allow me to share with you my experience on board AirAsia flight Z2501 from Manila to Kota Kinabalu.

Meeting AirAsia flight attendant trainees

Our AirAsia flight was scheduled to depart at 10:45 pm, hence, I tried to be at the airport 3 hours earlier, even more. As such, I decided first to go by the AirAsia Philippines office as this would be the meeting place of the group. This was where I met a group of AirAsia cabin crew trainees, many of them are my followers!

This group is batch 35. I remember seeing some of them during the recruitment and here they are now training! Indeed, they are getting closer to their cabin crew dreams.

Departure from NAIA 3

I am used to seeing a lot of people at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport terminal 3 in Manila but since this is a night flight, I didn’t see that much. Check-in was okay. While AirAsia’s Super App does allow you to check in ahead of time, the airport still does not have automated bag drops. Hence, you would still need to fall in line to have your bags dropped in. So far, only the new Clark International Airport has that feature.

For your convenience though, I do highly encourage you to download the AirAsia Super App for your travel convenience. You can do so many things with that app, including booking hotels and managing your booking.

Travel requirements needed

Before I forget, I would just like to do a rundown of the travel requirements needed in case you would be flying from Manila to Kota Kinabalu. Again, this is subject to change as the whole situation is still fluid. Luckily, Malaysia’s entry requirements are not that heavy. First and foremost, you have to be vaccinated against Covid-19 and boosted too.

While it was not asked of me, I still had my World Health Organization (WHO) universal vaccine pass, otherwise known as the “yellow card”. You can obtain this from the Bureau of Quarantine. The application is done online.

So things you would need to bring are:

• Passport
• Yellow card (in case it is asked, always best to be ready)
• You must have a completed MySejhatera app which will issue you your travel permit. This is where you must also input your vaccine details. You will also be issued a QR code which will be scanned upon entry. You also need the digital covid-19 vaccine certificate and the Traveller’s card. All these will be issued upon completion of the app.

Of course, don’t forget your plane tickets.

Departure and boarding

While checking-in may be fast, everything slows down at the immigration area. This is why it is always best to be at the airport, especially for international travel, more than three hours before departure. The immigration cue can get long and you might end up missing your flight.

Have all your documents ready once you enter the immigration area. Passport, yellow card, boarding pass, and other stuff you would need to present.

Due to a long time at the immigration area, we made it just in time for boarding.

Upon boarding the AirAsia A320 for our flight, I was happily greeted by lead cabin crew Alvin Lasco and flight attendant Chelsea Barbara. Indeed, it’s so nice to see familiar faces and names greeting me. AirAsia is known for its friendly crew. They have this consistent character on and off the aircraft. What you see on board is what you will see outside.

This is why I always feel at ease when I fly AirAsia Philippines. No, I don’t get any special treatment whatsoever, but their cabin crew’s warmth is something indeed commendable. I just love that “Hi sir Mond, so nice to have you on board” with a familiar person greeting you.

Priceless!

I usually get a window seat just so I can vlog. While I did get a window seat, taking videos from the window may prove to be a challenge since it is dark. All that you will see are dots of light. Oh well, I’ll try to still come up with the vlog and post it.

Taxi and take-off

Our AirAsia aircraft was parked at the North Wing of terminal 3, hence, I was guessing that the taxi will not be that long, especially if we would be taking off from runway 31. Our bay was very close to the threshold of RW31.

The flight is supposed to take two hours. After we take-off from RW31, we will be turning left towards Palawan, and flying to Borneo.

The taxi was indeed short. I am even not sure if we were able to do a one-engine taxi but next thing you know, we were positioned at NAIA RW31, then taking off.

How I wish though that the pilot switched on the wing inspection lights but only the runway turnoff and taxi lights were switched on, which did illuminate the engine cowling.

Nothing much to see outside, but just dots of light. For some people, it’s a relaxing sight. For me? It’s okay. Not much a boring sight, except when you’re above water.

Midflight and inflight service

I usually stare outside the window during flights but this time, I didn’t bother. Too dark and nothing to see. Instead, I turned my attention to these wonderful AirAsia cabin crew who were about to serve pre-ordered food and attend to passenger needs. Also on this flight is Kat Lansang, a flight attendant with a very familiar name indeed.

I have known Alvin Lasco for quite some time, especially since he was one of those crew who would send me photos to be posted when I was still active with Flyhigh Manila. I also get to see him during AirAsia special events at their office. Alvin is the lead crew for this flight and it is indeed so nice to be his passenger this time.

Another flight attendant I did took notice of is Chelsea. She was usually smiling. Chelsea was on CA2 position on board, and in charge also of our sector. She would always give out that nice smile whenever pass by my seat.

I did not pre-order anything as I just wanted to vlog and relax throughout the flight. Our trip was smooth. No turbulence. Though I am not afraid of turbulence at least I can just stand up at any time to stretch a bit and return back to my seat.

I think you can purchase meals on board or you may just pre-purchase them as you book your flight. The Super App has them all. No need to sift through other sites.

Conversations with Kat and the rest who were in the back

Many passengers would listen to podcasts, sleep, or read books during redeye flights, especially since AirAsia is a low-cost airline. That means no IFEs, well, in exchange for ultra-low, fares. For me though, I decided to go to the galley to enjoy a brief conversation with flight attendant Kat Lansang and the other cabin crew. Sorry, I forgot her name. If you are reading this, please accept my apologies. For some reason, I feel so at home with AirAsia flight attendants.

Really down to earth individuals!

Well, of course, I had to observe some protocols like asking them permission first to converse. I also made sure that there was no cart service so as not to block the aisle which may slow down the service. At that time too, there were not many passenger calls.

Some things to take note off if you want to go to the galley

While the lavatory is located near the galley, there are just some protocols to observe in case you want to converse with the cabin crew. First, just don’t barge into the galley like it’s a lounge. The galley is a work area for the crew, hence, they need the space. Also, the galley is not a place to hang out. Hence, please do observe the following protocols:

• Make sure that cart service and F&B service are not ongoing. You just don’t know how busy these flight attendants can be during service. They need the space to move around.
• Ask permission first if you can stay for a while and converse with them. If they say yes, just be observant. In case of a pax call or an emergency, please do clear the way immediately.
• Be sensitive too. Sometimes, flight attendants want to eat their meals during midflight and they stay in the galley to eat. Their meal time is not necessarily a time for you to hang out in the galley. Again, ask for their permission and just be sensitive too. Let them finish their meals first if possible.

While the galley is not a place for passengers to lounge around, if you want to talk or converse with the cabin crew there, then just better observe these protocols. Respect whatever decision they have.

Smooth and comfortable flight with warm cabin crew

Our two-hour redeye flight was not as boring as others may perceive. I felt it was short, maybe because I had different ways of entertaining myself. However, this would not have been a great experience if not for the warmth and accommodating cabin crew of AirAsia Philippines.

The lights were later on dimmed for those passengers who want to get some shut-eye before landing. Next thing you know, we were about to land.

I peeked out the window and yes, I do see tiny lights. We were indeed near. The flight was very smooth. Lights were already switched on in preparation for landing. It was near midnight.

Landing at Kota Kinabalu

If I can recall, we arrived on time amidst the delay in Manila. Landing was smooth and the cabin crew had to disinfect the cabin before landing. This is part of the safety protocols of the Malaysian government. Our touchdown at Kota Kinabalu was smooth. I think we were the only flight to arrive at that time.

There was not much to see also during landing except dots of lights. Not as entertaining in the camera but somehow surreal knowing that I am in another country after more than two years.

Redeye flights are not bad after all

Redeye flights are not bad after all, The flight from Kota Kinabalu is not too long. Two hours is not bad after all, especially if you would rather sleep or you do know how to entertain yourself. As for the AirAsia flight redeye experience, I was happy. Thanks also to their friendly cabin crew who did make us feel at home all the time. Amidst the ungodly hours, these people are up with all smiles, ready to assist every passenger and ready to respond to any emergency, which they pray will not happen.

Thank you AirAsia for the wonderful experience!

AirAsia Philippines flies between Manila and Kota Kinabalu twice a week. You may book your flights via their Super App or through https://www.airasia.com.