AirAsia vs Malindo Air-which one is better?

Update: Starting December, Malindo has reduced check-in baggage limit from 30 KG to 0/15/20/30 kgs depending on fare type. Malindo now has a super saver fare which is cheaper without check-in bag. Starting October 2019, Malindo has also stopped free meals, need to be purchased for MYR 10 online or MYR 15 onboard.
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I've taken several flights with Air Asia and recently flew Malindo Air. Both are providing connectivity to various South East Asian destinations and are competing for business from Indian passengers holidaying in South East Asia How does these two airlines compare? I'm presenting my findings below- a comparison of Air Asia vs Malindo air over 35 different parameters. You can go through and decide for yourself which one is better.

In brief: Malindo works out better if you've luggage to check in, need some entertainment and prefer a value for money package. Air Asia on the other hand can take you to your destination at lowest possible price, so works out if you can manage with 7kg hand baggage and without any luxuries.

AirAsia vs Malindo Air: Detailed Comparison on multiple aspects

#	Factor	AirAsia	Malindo Air	Remarks
1	What’s included in minimum fare	Only cabin bag 7kg	25 kg (2 piece baggage, meals, Entertainment)	If you’d anyway need to buy luggage extra, Malindo might be better even if base fare is a bit expensive
2	Lowest fare I’ve seen- Sample-Chennai-Bali Return	10300 INR (No check in bag, meals etc)	15300 INR	If you’ve no plans to carry check in bag, you can save with Air Asia. Else if baggage cost is to be factored, Malindo may be cheaper overall
3	Normal fare, without sale, 3 months advance booking, Chennai- Bali	14500 INR (flight only) Flight + 20kg bag + Meals= 23k	19000 INR	Malindo is clearly cheaper if you’ve check in bag
4	Chennai Bali- For family of 4 with only 1 check in bag (20kg)	60k + 9k baggage + 3.2k Meals = 72200 INR	19k x 4=  76000 INR	For large groups with only 1 check in bag, economics may tilt towards Air Asia
5	Best fare I’ve seen- Chennai-Ho Chi Minh City	10600 INR More listing here	14000 INR	Lowest fare as seen during sale. Normal fares are higher.
6	Cost for 30kg baggage-Chennai- Phom Penh, return	INR 8400	Free (upto 25 kgs)	Malindo checked bag allowance varies by fare type
7	Cost for 20kg baggage-Chennai- Phom Penh, return	INR 1500+1000+1000 +1500 (each leg)= 5000 Rs	Free (upto 25 kgs)
8	Cost for 20kg baggage-Chennai- Gold Coast, return (long route)	INR 9000	Free (upto 25 kgs)
9	Cost for 40kg baggage-Chennai- Perth, return	INR 17000 for 40 KG	INR 22000 for extra 10 kg	Malindo is expensive for heavyweight, but if you're two pax, you get 60 kg total, so there may not be a need to buy
10	Meals	Rs 180 onwards per meal, Rs 750 approx per round trip (one stop destinations)	MYR 10 online, MYR 15 on board	Malindo has stopped free meals but still cheaper than Air Asia
11	Seat Selection	INR 150 to INR 800 (hot seats) Random assignment if not paid	INR 550 to 950 depending on seat n aircraft type	Seat selection is bit expensive in Malindo, but you can arrive early at check in counter and ask for say window seat at no extra cost. Malindo very likely to seat entire family together if adjacent seats are available. Airasia may split your family across rows if not paid
12	Web Checkin	Opens 14 days prior	Opens 2 days prior
13	Travel Insurance	INR 750 approx per person	?
14	Destinations served (Ex Chennai)	Approx 45	Approx 35	Could vary based on origin city
15	Hub	KLIA2	KLIA1	KLIA 1 is more luxurious and has better facilities
16	In Flight WiFi	Select flights, chargeable, MYR 9 (USD 2.2) for 3MB [Details]	Select flights, USD 10.5 for 1 hour, USD 16 for whole flight	Malindo WiFi is more practical
17	In flight entertainment	NA	Available	With USB charging- great
18	Leg room (Economy)	Less	More
19	Business Class	AirAsia X only (Flat Bed)	Available
20	Payment charges	Rs 84 to Rs 600+ (netbanking cheapest, credit card most expensive	Free	No extra charge for payment in Malindo air.
21	Common Aircrafts	A320 & A330	B737, 747 etc
22	Loyalty Program	Available, has many limitations [Details]	Available, similar to other airlines
23	Safety Rating	5/7 * (Air Asia Malaysia) 6/7 * (Air Asia X) 2/7 * (Air Asia Thailand and Indonesia)	7/7*	As per this website
24	Recent accidents/incidents	Full body loss over Indonesia, engine failures over Australia	No major incidents/ bad press in recent times
25	Other group carriers	AirAsia India, Thailand, Indonesia, Japan, Philippines etc	Batik Air Lion Air Thai Lion Batik Air etc
26	Sale frequency	High, long term	Good, short term travel dates
27	USP	Cheapest ticket rates, everything else chargeable	Full service airline at budget fares
28	In-flight magazine	Travel 3Sixty- Very good	Can be improved
29	Customer Care/support	24x7, Satisfactory response, resolution takes longer	Day time only, Good response, quicker resolution
30	Possibility of upgrade	Low. No business class in most flights, upgrade to hot seat very low chance	Low. Upgrade to Business class needs to be purchased	No chance of complimentary upgrade in both airlines, unless when flight is overbooked.
31	Operational Since	Nov 1996	March 2013	Malindo is much younger expanding rapidly
32	Good for those who	1.can book years in advance, 2. can manage with 7kg cabin bag only, 3.wish to save every possible penny	1. Have checkin bags 2. Prefer some luxury 3. Need some entertainment (say to keep kids busy) 4. Don’t mind slight premium for extra value
33	Destinations not covered by other airline	Japan, NZ, USA	Pakistan, Bangladesh
34	Cities served in India	17	8
35	in-flight food choices	Many	Limited	AirAsia has elaborate menu with several items to chose from, but chargeable Malindo food is free but not many options

In the above list out of 35 points assessed, AirAsia wins on 11 counts, Malindo leads on 14 counts, remaining 10 do not have a decisive winner (subjective).

Summary:
Air Asia's strength is in their low cost pricing model, taking advantage of which you can reach a destination for lowest possible price. They have good network, fairly on time performance and been in business for more than 2 years with very good fan base and customer base. If you can manage with 7 kg cabin bag, if you can book at very low cost during their sales and can afford to skip some luxuries then Air Asia will work well for you.

But AirAsia's economics could be heavy on your pocket if you've to buy check in bag and other add on service. Malindo proves to be a great value for money carrier as their product is much better- includes 30kg bag, meals, entertainment and more leg room. If you're to buy all these service from Air Asia, you might as well book with Malindo- a few thousand more per ticket upfront but includes lots of value bundled into it. When flying is part of your experience, when in-flight comfort and entertainment matters, then Malindo can be your preferred choice.

When to book Malindo	When to book Air Asia
Need baggage allowance Can spend a bit more for better value and experience Need entertainment Need USB charging Wish to fly Business Class	Can manage with 7kg cabin bag Need to reach destination for cheapest price saving every possible penny Can give up some luxury and comfort Flying in large group with only 1 person needing check in bag

What has been your experience with these two airlines? Which one would you rate better or prefer to fly? Let us know through comments.

Let us check some photos:
Malindo Leg Room, entertainment and WiFi

Inside Air Asia plane nothing much exciting to click, just cramped seats and some colourful ads on the luggage compartment door. So I have hardly clicked the interiors while flying in AirAsia.

Disclaimer: Prices are indicative and may change based on cities, date and other factors. Please check with respective airline websites for latest fares. All information as experienced by this author or as available at the time of composing this post. Some aspects are subjective. Please use your discretion.

Official websites: AirAsia.com and Malindoair.com

Read May 2019 Chennai-Kuala Lumpur Batik Air experience