Airasia more expensive than MAS?

I recently flew Malaysia Airlines ("MAS") on my trip to Kuching.  It was an amazingly lovely experience.  Firstly I had to make a late booking on the flight and was pleasantly surprised to find that MAS was actually cheaper than the supposedly low cost Airasia.  How does that happen? No wonder Airasia is making big profits.

Well I checked in online so I just had to drop my luggage an hour before flight.  I was queuing for my turn when my flight number was announced and we were told to go to another counter for dropping the bags faster. So I did and I asked the counter guy when is boarding time and he said - now. I looked at my watch and was surprised that it was 20 minutes to departure time.  Anyway, it's amazing how seamless it all was, not really having to worry about being shut out at the counter.

And I got onto the plane, it was a lovely Airbus.  The steward helped me to put up my cabin bag. And the food... oh, it was yummy.. lovely roti canai for breakfast!

Well, I now check for MAS tickets first.  The gap between MAS and Airasia prices also seems to be closing. And in many instances, Airasia prices are more expensive than MAS.  There really should be a check on Airasia prices - why their air tickets are so expensive for a low cost with no frills.  How is it justifiable that Airasia, budget airlines can have more expensive fares than MAS a full service airlines.  Flights from KL to Kuching used to be around RM400 return for excursion fares if you stay more than 2 nights. In many instances, Airasia prices are higher than that. 

I also want to express appreciation for MAS in adding more flights during the last Hari Raya holidays and keeping the fares lower than Airasia. Such corporate social responsibility by MAS is in the right direction, and such generosity should really begin in our own country.  I really hope to see more sensitivity in a family-centric country like Malaysia not to have crazily cheap fares to overseas destinations during festive seasons, whilst having very high domestic fares when our own people are struggling to find affordable airtickets to fly home. I also hope that our national carriers will truly take care of Malaysians first.