AirAsia vs Vietjet

Overview

AirAsia is a Malaysian low-cost carrier. According to Wikipedia, it was founded on 20 December 1993 and began operations on 18 November 1996. Its IATA code is AK, its ICAO code is AXM and its call sign is RED CAP. The airline is headquartered at Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA). Its parent company is listed as Tune Group, and the airline business has continued to use the AirAsia brand since the group renamed itself Capital A in January 2022. AirAsia is not a member of any of the three global airline alliances. Its loyalty programme is AirAsia Rewards.

Network and hubs

The main hub is KLIA Terminal 2, the low-cost carrier terminal. Other operating bases are Johor Bahru, Kota Kinabalu, Kuching and Penang. Wikipedia states that the airline serves more than 166 destinations in 25 countries, a figure that includes its affiliates. The group also includes units in Thailand, Indonesia, Cambodia and the Philippines. Wikipedia also notes that AirAsia X has been merged into the AirAsia Group.

Fleet

As of May 2026, Wikipedia's fleet table lists these passenger aircraft in service:

• 69 Airbus A320-200
• 29 Airbus A320neo
• 8 Airbus A321neo
• 1 Airbus A321LR

That makes 107 passenger aircraft. Three A321 freighters operate for its Teleport cargo business. FlightGlobal reported that the first A321LR was delivered on 30 April 2026, with at least 62 on order. The same report says AirAsia plans to return 14 aircraft to lessors during 2026 and to reduce its total fleet. Wikipedia also lists a large order book of A321neo, A321XLR and A220-300 aircraft.

On board

The sources reviewed did not give current details of cabin classes, seat pitch, meals or entertainment, so these are not listed here. Wikipedia notes that AirAsia was the first Malaysian airline to offer onboard Wi-Fi, in 2014, but this does not confirm that Wi-Fi is available today. Travellers should check the airline's website for the aircraft and route they plan to fly.

Good to know

• As a low-cost carrier, AirAsia generally sells extras separately. Check the current baggage and fees pages on the airline's website before booking, because allowances were not confirmed in the sources used.
• Flights from KLIA use Terminal 2, which is separate from the main terminal.
• Loyalty programme: AirAsia Rewards.
• No on-time performance figure was found in the sources used, so none is given here.

Overview

Vietjet (Vietjet Aviation Joint Stock Company, ticker VJC on HOSE) is a Vietnamese low-cost carrier. According to a 2026 industry report, it was founded in 2007, began commercial flights in December 2011 and is led by chairwoman Nguyen Thi Phuong Thao. Its headquarters are in Hanoi. It does not belong to a global alliance.

Network and hubs

The same report puts the network at 254 routes (52 domestic and 202 international), with the busiest gateway at Tan Son Nhat International Airport in Ho Chi Minh City. The group operates in Vietnam, Thailand and, more recently, Kazakhstan. It carried 28.2 million passengers in 2025 on more than 153,000 flights.

Fleet

The report lists a group fleet of 135 aircraft in 2026, of which 101 are in Vietnam. Types include the Airbus A320, A321, A321neo, A321XLR and A330, the Boeing 737-8, and a planned batch of COMAC C909 aircraft. Fleet figures change often and come from a secondary source.

On board

• Eco: lowest fare; seats, meals and checked bags are extra.
• Deluxe: includes a checked bag, free seat selection and a meal.
• SkyBoss: the first three rows of the A321, in a 3-3 layout. Simple Flying found the seat width (18 in) and pitch (29 in) the same as economy, with food, priority services and lounge access added.
• Business: per Happy Fares, relaunched on 1 January 2026 with leather seats in a forward cabin.

No verified information on in-flight entertainment or Wi-Fi was found.

Good to know

• Baggage: allowances depend on fare and route. The Thai site FAQ lists 20 kg checked and 7 kg cabin for Deluxe, and 30 kg checked and 10 kg cabin for SkyBoss. Check the booking for your route.
• Changes: Business, SkyBoss and Deluxe changes carry no fee beyond the fare difference. Eco changes incur a fee, per the Vietjet guide.
• Seats: advance seat selection is chargeable on Eco fares, subject to availability (Vietjet).
• Lounges: Vietjet does not sell lounge access separately; it comes with SkyBoss fares.