Tiger Airways Review
Our Rating : 
Review Date : September 2011
Tiger Airways Australia we had to test. An airline that operates in our home country that has become a national embarrassment. In July and August 2011 Tiger was grounded for 6 weeks by Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) due to safety concerns.
Tiger is once again flying but with very limited routes and under close observation so we can assume that it will be safe.
Tiger started in Australia in November 2007 and part of the larger Tiger Airways operation based in Singapore. The aim was to offer very low cost seats. That part was achieved and has been a factor in reducing air fare prices in Australia.
flickr image by Kentaro Iemoto@Tokyo
The most significant problem with Tiger is that so many flights are late or cancelled. The chances of your flight being delayed or late are such that we refuse to book our staff on Tiger and only flown a few test flights. Tiger have promised to improve both punctuality and reduce cancellations and we suspect giving the close watch by the Federal authorities on Tiger Airways improvements will happen.
Check in is an unpleasant experience and you have to be their 45 minutes before and no chance of an extension. Late and you lose your seat. And to add to the hassle you have to pay $25 for the privilege of checking in. That fee can be avoided if you use web check in but has to be done 4 hours before as we found out when we checked in on line 3 hours before and then forced to pay the check in fee and queue.
In Melbourne, Tiger uses an old terminal that is very overcrowded and resembles a Third World Airport.
In the air Tiger is OK and the aircraft are clean, well presented and the staff pleasant. Like all low cost airlines you pay for any refreshments.
Overall we recommend avoiding Tiger unless you are desperate to save money, but then if the flight is late or cancelled the small savings are lost as Tiger do not offer any assistance. The only plus we can give Tiger is that they keep the fares down for the competition.
A huge question is whether Tiger Airways Australia will be able to survive, but the management is confident they can. Being partly owned by Singapore Airlines might save it. It does surprise us that one of the best airlines in the world has any interest in one of the worst.
Write a Review6 Comments
Phil August 20, 2011 (London)This is not a good airline and very annoyed that on a recent flight the airline was grounded and no assistance from Tiger Airways. The money I paid was returned but no compensation and I was forced to pay a lot more on another flight. I will not attempt to fly on Tiger Airways again.- David August 20, 2011 (Brisbane)Surprised they are still flying. Never ever heard a good word on this airline. Everyone has been frustrated by the delays and cancellations. I hated being charged $25 to check in. Will only fly with them again if the price is very cheap and I can risk not reaching my destination.
- Sam February 12, 2012This is not a good airline. Expect to be delayed and treated with no respect. I am surprised it is still flying as all my friends have horror stories and refuse to fly on Tiger Airlines.
- Alison Holland May 24, 2012The only good thing to say about Tiger is that they are cheap. However once you have paid you have to be prepared that your flight might be cancelled or delayed, total disorganisation and to arrive at a shed if you are travelling to Melbourne.
- Frances Smyth July 8, 2012My husband and daughter spent 7 hours at Sydney airport as their flight was cancelled. Nothing was offered while they waited and nothing on the flight to Melbourne. After having a 3 day trip reduced to 2 days I wanted to extend my daughter's trip by one day but was told that it would cost $120 to do this. Hmmmm......... How is this OK? I was told that they had fixed the problem by getting them to Melbourne that day but when this cuts in to a lot of the trip it does not seem a good outcome. Really, how much does it cost to move someone on to another flight when the problem was caused by them. Why bother trying to get back in to the Australian market? Will not fly with them again.
- david July 10, 2012Frances I do feel for you and we remain how anyone would ever choose to fly with Tiger. It is one of those airlines you try once and never again. I had a terrible first flight and will never fly Tiger again. I guess you will do the same. Surprising how they keep flying as they will run out of "first timers"!
