Post: #1

I'm interested in this. Even when the trip is between two close cities in neighboring countries, often the cheapest flight involves flying back to Singapore or Kuala Lumper in a V-shape.

Why is this? Surely it is cheaper to fly a shorter distance than a much longer one with a stop off? I'd like to know the economics behind this.

Post: #2

(01-30-2015 11:27 AM)Phoenix Wrote:  I'm interested in this. Even when the trip is between two close cities in neighboring countries, often the cheapest flight involves flying back to Singapore or Kuala Lumper in a V-shape.

Why is this? Surely it is cheaper to fly a shorter distance than a much longer one with a stop off? I'd like to know the economics behind this.

Hub and Spoke System, this is pretty much how all forms of transportation operate.

However if they airline could consistently fill the plane from random city A to random city C without going through the hub, then there would probably be a direct flight.

Post: #3

^ This. In addition, demand for direct flights is typically higher since it's quicker, there's less hassle involved, and a lower chance of delays etc when you're flying direct instead of making a connection. Higher demand leads to a higher sale price.

FYI the airport code for Kuala Lumpur is KUL. KIX is the code for Kansai International in Japan, lest anyone read this thread and book an unfortunately mistaken itinerary!

Post: #4

There's a lot of flights from Europe to Asia that now go via Dubai or Abu Dhabi. Those guys have set up their airports as hubs too.

Post: #5

SIN airport is one of the coolest airports in the world.

If you can get into the Singapore Airline lounges (the ones for elites) they are like palaces.

Post: #6

Woops, don't know how I mixed up those airport codes. Yes, KUL.

Post: #7

For Singapore, I think it is due that the place is a hub with a lot of international events and business tourism, the same kind as in Dubai or Hong-Kong.

For Kuala Lumpur I would say it is partly due to the fact that the airport is the home-base of Air Asia which is the cheapest airlines in the area and they have now flight from and to region outs Asia such as Europa or Australia. Plus, Malaysia has as many tourists as Thailand (around 20 millions a year). Also, Malaysia is one the richest and most developed country in South East Asia with a lot of immigrant from the surroundings country. If you combine those three facts that pretty much explains why a lot of flight to KL are quite cheap and why it is a hub.