Why AirAsia CEO Tony Fernandes Chooses to Fly with Singapore Airlines

AirAsia CEO Tony Fernandes Takes Singapore Airlines Flight Due to Sold-Out AirAsia Planes

AirAsia Chief Executive Officer Tony Fernandes recently found himself traveling on a Singapore Airlines flight because his own airline’s planes were completely sold out. Fernandes took to Instagram to share a glimpse of his seat inside the Singapore Airlines flight, along with a picture of himself boarding the plane.

“No seat on @flyairasia for three flights so had to take @singaporeair. Hehehe,” Mr. Fernandes wrote on Instagram. This unexpected move by the AirAsia CEO caught the attention of internet users, who had mixed reactions to his post.

While some praised Fernandes for respecting his customers’ bookings and not resorting to corporate methods to shuffle passengers around, others were skeptical of his explanation. One user commented, “Don’t lie Tony. Even you don’t wanna fly airasia,” hinting at possible issues with AirAsia’s seat quality.

This is not the first time Fernandes has faced public scrutiny. In October, he received backlash for attending a virtual meeting shirtless while getting a massage. Although he initially shared his appreciation for AirAsia’s work culture that allowed him to multitask, many criticized his behavior as “inappropriate.”

In response to the controversy, Fernandes shared another post, indirectly addressing the issue. He emphasized the company’s strong culture and spirit, stating that they have never lost sight of their goals and are making progress despite the challenges of the rebuilding phase during the pandemic.

As Fernandes continues to navigate public opinion, his recent experience on the Singapore Airlines flight adds to the ongoing discussion surrounding AirAsia and its CEO.