You might think flying on a rival carrier wouldn’t be something for an airline CEO to crow about on social media. That’s not how Tony Fernandes thinks.

The AirAsia boss said he had to travel on Singapore Airlines because his own planes were sold out.

“No seat on @flyairasia for three flights so had to take @singaporeair. Hehehe,” wrote Fernandes in an Instagram post published on Wednesday.

He shared pictures of himself boarding a Singapore Airlines plane, and the view from his seat, which appeared to be in economy class.

A return economy flight between Kuala Lumpur, where AirAsia is headquartered, and Singapore costs about US$70 on the budget carrier. The same flight with Singapore Airlines typically costs US$60 to US$130 more.

Fernandes’ post drew praise from some users. One wrote: “It is so refreshing to see the CEO of a private airline respect his customer bookings and not find a ‘corporate’ method to shuffle some passengers around.”

Not everyone is buying Fernandes’ explanation, however.

“Good choice you won’t miss your flight now!” quipped one user. Another wrote: “Don’t lie Tony. Even you don’t wanna fly AirAsia.”

“Lol you had to take @singaporeair because of the seat quality given on your own company @flyairasia,” another user wrote.

Fernandes may well think all publicity is good publicity given he posted a shirtless picture of himself getting a massage at work on LinkedIn. “Got to love Indonesia and AirAsia culture that I can have a massage and do a management meeting,” he wrote in October.

The since-deleted post sparked debate over whether it was appropriate, with some users slamming it as unprofessional and uncomfortable.

Fernandes took the helm at AirAsia in 2001, after acquiring the then-failing airline from the Malaysian government. Under his management, it became Asia’s fourth-largest airline until the pandemic struck and sparked the bankruptcy of its Japan and Thai operations.

For the past 14 years, the airline has been named the world’s best low-cost carrier by airline review site SkyTrax.

AirAsia did not immediately respond to a request for comment from Business Insider.

https://www.scmp.com/news/asia/southeast-as...obox=1701930770

'Only waterfish fly AA.'

-Nenen

tq for buying airasia flights so tony can sit better airlines

wayang bollywood kuat

Owe so much money to others, only repay 0.5% of the debt but still pay himself millions in salary. Topkek.

keklol

Lol, wayang ja, he know first hand that his airlines sucks big time

This post has been edited by desmond2020: Dec 7 2023, 04:50 PM

talk kok la...

flights can always overbooked

>kalo nampak ular dan tony, ketuk sape dulu
topkek
Nearlee

while i dont like TF, but being a CEO of airline means he can never take other airlines? it could be for competitors learning yada yada

Akin to a restaurant boss not eating on his own restaurant and patron others.

No problem doing undercover learning

Mau Kuda is the problem

no eat own dog food.

oh i see he got kuda, missed that part

thought someone snapped photo of his

maybe he was scouting SIA stewardess

Honestly I fly SQ for business trips and fly AA for personal trips. I prefer AA anytime compare to SQ. AA food is way better and many cheapo not willing to pay extra so I always paid for the first row seat and get treated like VIP.

SQ flights nowadays almost all full bcoz all Sinkies kaya raya. Kena squeeze like sardine.

Must check out the competition only know where to improve

Short distance flight to Pg/BKK/Sarawak AA still ok.

I flew AA to Tokyo once. By the time reach Haneda Airport I couldn't feel my ass anymore.

If you don't try the competition once in awhile, how do you know what the competition is doing better?

he took SIA because ada business class seat mah, AA mana ada business class seat for short route

Other than that he is kuat kuda type, flexing muscle saying how good AA is yada yada

This post has been edited by yhtan: Dec 7 2023, 05:42 PM

Never Aged Well.

As a person used to travel by private jet, he doesn't want to mix with cattle class people.

I don't believe that its fully booked and there are 0 seats.....

do you think Toyota company staff and management all drive Toyota only?

This post has been edited by bereev: Dec 7 2023, 05:53 PM

maybe he wanted a very specific time

if not, impossible no seat coz every hour there is a flight

Ya right

even CEO doesnt wanna fly his own company

topkek

Tony can literally go to jail for a crime and AA seats will still be filled from front to back.

Its not just his prices are attractive. Its the only ones most Malaysians can afford...Before AA barely anyone flies to Taiwan/ Korea. Now every ali, muthu and chong go on yearly overseas holiday (esp taiwan)

Yes, there are so many flights everyday and no way that every flight is 100% booked.

Management probably yes as they are probably given company cars

This is like ccp phone makers ceo caught using iPhone

Indian way of doing business always try to keep the costs down. Which is good.

Likely it was important meeting and can’t take risk of probable flight reschedule