No-frills airline connects UK to Asia for less than 100 pounds

London, Nov.26 : Travellers will be able to fly to Asia for under 100 pounds on a new no-frills service from London to Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

According to The Times, AirAsiaX, backed by Sir Richard Branson's Virgin Group, will fly from London Stansted Airport to Kuala Lumpur's international airport five times a week from March.

About 40 per cent of the seats will be priced at 99 pounds, according to the airline, with the average fare expected to be 150 pounds, well below a typical rival fare of 500 pounds.

Passengers will be able to connect with low-cost flights to Hong Kong, Thailand or Australia, slashing the cost of a holiday to Asia's popular tourist destinations.

Onward flight costs to Bali will be as little as 40 pounds, 98 pounds to Hong Kong and 248 pounds to Melbourne.

Like the European no-frills operators, AirAsiaX will operate a basic service, charging passengers three or four pounds for meals and five pounds for an entertainment system.

The parent company AirAsia - known as the Ryanair of the Far East - will operate an Airbus 340 for the 12-hour trip. Booking began at midnight and can be made through the Air Asia website.

The flights will operate between March 11, 2009 and October 24, 2009.

ANI