Cebu Pacific vs AirAsia

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.

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.