Cebu Pacific is the Philippines' largest low-cost airline, with bases in Manila, Cebu, Clark, Davao and Iloilo. AirAsia X is the long-haul low-cost arm of the AirAsia group, flying mainly from Kuala Lumpur. Travellers compare them when pricing no-frills flights between Southeast Asia and destinations such as Australia and Japan, or when choosing between a Manila and a Kuala Lumpur gateway.
Quick verdict
Both are low-cost carriers with no alliance, so extras such as meals and checked bags cost more on either. Cebu Pacific suits travellers flying within the Philippines or from Manila, and those who want a strong punctuality record. AirAsia X suits those starting in Kuala Lumpur or wanting long-haul low-cost flights, with the option of a Premium Flatbed seat for more comfort. Check the current timetable for your route, as AirAsia X is adjusting its network in 2026.
Choose Cebu Pacific if…
- You are flying within the Philippines or starting from Manila, Cebu, Clark, Davao or Iloilo.
- You want a carrier with a strong punctuality record: 84.98% on-time arrivals in April 2026 (Cirium).
- You want a single economy cabin with food pre-ordered or bought on board.
Choose AirAsia X if…
- You are starting from Kuala Lumpur and want a long-haul low-cost flight on an A330-300.
- You want an angle-flat upgrade: Premium Flatbed includes 40 kg of baggage, a meal and fast-track immigration in Kuala Lumpur.
- You are heading to London: AirAsia X flies via Bahrain to Gatwick, its first UK service since 2012.
At a glance
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Key differences
Network and hubs
Cebu Pacific operates from five Philippine bases, and its subsidiary Cebgo covers turboprop and smaller-airport routes. In July 2025 the airline served 37 domestic and 26 international destinations. AirAsia X is built around Kuala Lumpur, with medium- and long-haul routes to Australia, Japan and London. It is the better fit for Malaysia, Cebu Pacific for the Philippines.
Recent network changes
AirAsia X's network is shifting. An August 2026 report says Sydney flights are being suspended, with capacity moved to Melbourne and Perth, and Delhi flights are being cut. Cebgo took over AirSWIFT's flights from 1 July 2026. Check the timetable for your dates.
Cabins and seats
Cebu Pacific has one economy cabin, including on its A330neo aircraft. AirAsia X has Economy plus Premium Flatbed, two rows of angle-flat seats on the A330-300. The fare includes a meal, water, pillow and blanket, seat selection and priority services in Kuala Lumpur. No lounge access is confirmed.
Baggage and fares
Cebu Pacific allows one cabin item and one personal item, with a 10 kg limit on Cebu Pacific flights and 7 kg on Cebgo. Checked bags depend on the fare bundle or are bought separately. AirAsia X allows 7 kg carry-on; Economy checked bags are extra (a 20 kg Value Pack is offered), while Premium Flatbed includes 40 kg. Adding extras at booking is the cheaper route on both.
Food and entertainment
Neither airline includes meals in its basic fare. Cebu Pacific sells food from its CEB Fun Café menu and lets you pre-order, with a wider menu from 1 December 2025. A Wego guide reports no seatback screens or Wi-Fi on Cebu Pacific, so bring your own entertainment. On AirAsia X Economy, meals are paid extras; Premium Flatbed includes one.
Fleet and reliability
Cebu Pacific passed 100 aircraft in July 2025 and keeps taking new A320neos. Cirium rated it the top Philippine carrier for punctuality in April 2026. AirAsia X flies A330-300s only, with plans to move to A321-family aircraft, including the A321XLR, and retire the A330s within about six years.
Frequently asked questions
Is Cebu Pacific better than AirAsia X?
It depends on where you start. Cebu Pacific is stronger for Philippine routes and has a good punctuality record. AirAsia X is stronger for long-haul low-cost flights from Kuala Lumpur and offers a Premium Flatbed cabin.
Does Cebu Pacific or AirAsia X include checked baggage?
Not in the basic fare on either. Cebu Pacific includes checked bags only in certain bundles. AirAsia X Economy sells them separately, and Premium Flatbed includes 40 kg.
Do Cebu Pacific and AirAsia X include meals?
No, not in economy. Both sell food on board, and Cebu Pacific also allows pre-ordering. AirAsia X Premium Flatbed includes one meal and water.
About Cebu Pacific Read more
Overview
Cebu Pacific is a Philippine low-cost airline. According to Wikipedia, it was founded on 26 August 1988, began flying on 8 March 1996 and is based in Pasay, Metro Manila. It is the largest airline in the Philippines by fleet size and is controlled by JG Summit Holdings. The company is listed on the Philippine Stock Exchange. Its regional subsidiary is Cebgo, which took over the flights of AirSWIFT from 1 July 2026, according to Wikipedia. Cebu Pacific does not currently list a global alliance membership in the sources reviewed.
Network and hubs
The airline has five bases: Manila, Cebu, Clark, Davao and Iloilo. Wikipedia gives 62 destinations including Cebgo. In July 2025 the Manila Bulletin reported 37 domestic and 26 international destinations. Cebgo operates the turboprop and smaller-airport routes.
Fleet
In July 2025 Cebu Pacific became the first Philippine airline with 100 aircraft: 12 Airbus A330s, 40 A320s, 26 A321s and 22 ATR turboprops, as reported by the Manila Bulletin. The airline said it was then the largest A330neo operator in Asia-Pacific. Deliveries continue: the third of four A320neos due in 2026 arrived in Manila on 11 September 2026. Fleet totals vary between sources, so treat the figure as approximate.
On board
- Cabins: a no-frills economy product. Seat pitch was not found in the sources.
- Meals: none are included. Food and drink are sold on board from the CEB Fun Café menu, and meals can be pre-ordered. A wider menu began on 1 December 2025.
- Entertainment: a Wego guide reports no seatback entertainment and no Wi-Fi, including on the A330neo.
Good to know
- Hand baggage: the airline's hand carry guidelines allow one overhead-bin item (56 x 36 x 23 cm) and one personal item (20 x 20 x 35 cm). The weight limit is 10 kg on Cebu Pacific flights and 7 kg on Cebgo flights. Liquids must be in containers of 100 ml or less.
- Checked baggage is bought separately or included in certain fare bundles. Adding it online in advance costs less than paying at the gate.
- Punctuality: Cirium data gave an 84.98% on-time arrival rate in April 2026, the best among Philippine carriers.
- Loyalty: the frequent-flyer programme is Go Rewards.
- Safety: the most serious accident listed on Wikipedia was Flight 387 in 1998.
- Lounges, change fees and fare prices were not confirmed from official sources; check the airline's website before booking.
About AirAsia X Read more
Overview
AirAsia X is the Malaysian long-haul low-cost airline of the AirAsia group. According to Wikipedia, it was founded in 2007 as FlyAsianXpress, began flying on 2 November 2007 and is based at Kuala Lumpur International Airport. It is not a member of an airline alliance. Its IATA code is D7, ICAO code XAX and call sign XANADU.
The corporate structure changed in 2025–26. Journal de l'Aviation reports that AirAsia X completed the acquisition of AirAsia Berhad and AirAsia Aviation Group from Capital A, which remains a minority shareholder. A Bursa filing of 24 April 2026 proposed renaming the listed company AirAsia Group Berhad, subject to shareholder approval. The airline continues to sell flights as AirAsia X.
Network and hubs
The hub is Kuala Lumpur. Routes run to Australia, Japan and other medium- and long-haul markets. Flightradar24 reported that daily Kuala Lumpur–Bahrain–London Gatwick flights on the A330-300 were due to start on 26 June 2026. This is the airline's first UK service since 2012. An August 2026 report says the Sydney route is being suspended, with capacity moved to Melbourne and Perth. Aviation Week reports that Delhi flights are being cut. Check the current timetable before booking.
Fleet
The fleet consists of Airbus A330-300s. Wikipedia lists 18 aircraft, while ch-aviation counted 19 in October 2025. The group has cancelled its order for 15 A330-900s and plans to retire the A330-300s within about six years. It will shift towards A321-family aircraft, including the long-range A321XLR.
On board
- Economy: a no-frills fare, with seat selection, meals and baggage as paid extras.
- Premium Flatbed: Australian Frequent Flyer describes two rows of angle-flat seats on the A330-300. The fare includes 40 kg of checked baggage, seat selection, a meal and water, a pillow and blanket, priority check-in and fast-track immigration in Kuala Lumpur.
No verified details on seat pitch, entertainment or Wi-Fi were found.
Good to know
- The carry-on allowance is 7 kg. Checked baggage is not included in the basic Economy fare. The Value Pack includes 20 kg, according to Alternative Airlines, which describes the sister carrier Thai AirAsia X.
- Baggage and meals cost less when added at booking than later, according to a 2019 review.
- The loyalty programme is BIG Loyalty, according to Wikipedia.
- No lounge access, change fees or punctuality figures were verified, so check the airline's website.
Sources (8)
- Cebu Pacific expands fleet to 100 - Manila Bulletin
- Cirium ranks Cebu Pacific top carrier April 2026 - Manila Bulletin
- Hand Carry Guidelines - Cebu Pacific Help
- Cebu Pacific: What is included - Wego
- Cebu Pacific expands in-flight menu - AvGeek Philippines
- Aviation A2Z: AirAsia X to suspend Sydney flights
- Aviation Week: AirAsia X cuts Delhi
- Australian Frequent Flyer: Premium Flatbed overview
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