I am not joking. Besides, I’m really bad when it comes to pranks and jokes. Therefore, there is no doubt a new AirAsia website is on its way out of the factory. The launch date is definitely not confirmed and I wouldn’t know when is it either. If you’re asking what proof do I have a new AirAsia website launch is coming, I’ve got a few screenshots of their improved system and it is good.
However, I will not be deemed liable for the sharing of this information as my sole purpose is to only let other users know the vast improvement AirAsia has made to its internal website system. And before I forget to mention, I might be jumping the gun here about a new website but I sure do hope they release something with this same experience. I wonder if it’s because AirAsia appointed TMS. It’s going to be great if you continue reading.
The first screenshot I’d like to share is the ever important AirAsia flight booking. For any airline, the ease of booking a flight should be peanuts in order to lessen dropouts of unsatisfied customers. How would you recognize if AirAsia is going through a facelift? The banner. It’s different from the homepage. Not to mention the whole user interface for booking now is very clean and clear.
Secondly, let’s have a look at the interface to check your flight booking status. Or as they call it; Check n’ Change. The login panel is located prominently on the left and you’re even reminded to login if you have an account. What I find personally odd is the requirement of instructions above before the form. The process seems awfully straight forward and I do not think such a step was needed.
Next up is the following step if you’re altering your flight or the details in it. Yet again, this is a no brainer except they should probably change the PNR No. to something more definitive like Booking Number instead. I’m rather curious to why there is actually a need to search for the flight booking. If the system was personalized on a member basis, shouldn’t I be viewing my recent bookings automatically? I doubt I’ll have as many bookings for the whole year. But the information shown is just right and not too bloated. Great!
Now this is something new I never did take notice until now. AirAsia actually allows a customer to choose if they would like travel insurance with their flight. It tickles you a little because you’re wondering it’s not like the plane will crash. So I think the misinterpretation here actually needs to be clarified better. What does the travel insurance cover?
The AirAsia itinerary is now very good. The first part of information tells you your booking date, booking number and its status. All the important part of your flight right there on top. :) The second part tells you in detail about your flight booked and the third is the payment details. Now, if it wasn’t for the Terms and Conditions the page could actually have been shorter. I personally feel AirAsia should have shorten this list into a bullet list instead. Keep things simple and straight forward. Don’t boggle the customer.
Now, this is something definitely not in the older system. The move of employing a waiting bar is a must if you have a system with multiple transaction with over a thousand people booking their flights online. At least this will visually assure the customer their transaction is being processed rather than just seeing a dead “Loading” sign.
Ultimately, if the new AirAsia follows this direction I believe they will close the gap or even overtake the sales currently held by MAS. Not to mention other local budget airliners may not stand a chance because AirAsia is working towards a dummy proof system here.
If you helped AirAsia redesign their homepage, what would you do?
[tags]AirAsia web design, Airline booking experience, Airline website[/tags]
wow, how in the world you got all this insider stuff? haha..kinda cool.
About time AirAsia changes their system and layout.rebranding is what Tony F does best.
Hope they can incorporate ajaxified scripts..instead of waiting for the page to reload.
neway, cool site sir!
The insider part isn’t an information leak but more like a customer’s point of view. It just so happens this customer is a web designer in Malaysia who concentrates more on user experience. :P
I’d disagree so much of the AJAXified part because if the thing doesn’t work without Javascript, it’ll be a real problem later.
Well, thanks for dropping by Mahendran.
AJAXified or not, it looks good. Very clean.
Noticed Malaysian have the tendency to be very ah-beng. The everything-in-your-face type. Let the users seek their passage, not feed them a pot load.
and what do you mean AJAX without Javascript? AJAX it is based on Javascript + XML + HTML. BTW, AJAX is since 99, unless you are running on windows 3.1, you’ll have problem loading the page. Else should work just find.
BTW, who is the TMS you mentioned?
Edwin:
Thanks for leaving your comments.
What I meant about AJAX and Javascript above is that AJAX relies on Javascript.
If by any chance Javascript was turned off or worst, a user’s browsing device didn’t have Javascript (disabled people for instance) then the website may be rendered not usable by the active user.
Thank you for the history in AJAX as well. I never did know it was used even back in the 90s.
As for TMS, they’re an Asia company. You can learn more about them at:
http://www.tmsasia.com/
And find out more about what TMS was expected to offer AirAsia here:
http://www.dannyfoo.com/blog/2005/07/airasia-appointed-tms/
I think the website works well most of the time, but when it crashes, you dont have much hope but to go to the call centre. Thats when the higher fares apply. I think they need to put more effort into improving the customer interface, that means both the website and their call centre.
@airasiareviews: I’m surprised if their website crashes. For any company dealing with high turnover services should no longer have crashes. It sounds as though crashes occur often.
hmm.. i already get used to the old Air Asia page…don’t know can get use to the new one or not.
Well, if everything was planned out right you might not even feel it. :)
The new one still having an issues especially on infant where there is a case happening on Facebook earlier this year..
What was the case about?