AirAsia has begun to impose a counter check-in fee on customers that choose to utilise the airline’s check-in counters at selected airports throughout the world. Aside from Malaysia, the fee will also be applied to AirAsia passengers that fly from Vietnam, Brunei, Cambodia, Laos, Taipei, Kaohsiung, and Honolulu.
In Malaysia, the counter check-in fee has been set at RM 20 for domestic flights while passengers on international flights need to fork out RM 30. The airline has also listed down the fee in other currencies over at its official website.
The flat rate check-in fee applies to all customers regardless of their age with the exception for infants of up to 24 months who do not occupy a seat by themselves. The fee will also be waived for passengers that meet the conditions below:
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- Reduced mobility
- Travelling with an infant (under 24 months of age)
- Young guests travelling alone (YPTA)
- Affected by schedule changes and flight cancellations
- No airport check-in kiosks are available or all check-in kiosks are unserviceable
- Unable to complete web, mobile or kiosk check-in due to a system error
- Purchased a seat upgrade or other additional paid services at the check-in counter.
- BIG Platinum and BIG Black Members
- Premium Flex and Flatbed guests
- Red Carpet guests
- On travel warrant and government bookings
- Sky Marshals on duty
As you might have expected, the recent COVID-19 outbreak is the reason behind the implementation of this new check-in fee. AirAsia stated that it wants to encourage customers to utilise contactless digital check-in methods which can help minimise physical contact between them and the airline’s staff.
Interesting enough, the check-in fee can be paid by passengers even before they come to the airport if they somehow really want to use the check-in counter. That being said, AirAsia might want to inform their customers much earlier about this additional fee though instead of announcing it right on the day of its implementation.
