Tiger Airways is a low cost airline which commenced its operations in Australia in November 2007. Essentially Tiger Airways offers cheap flights on its 12 destinations in Australia. As a budget airline service the ticket cost covers the seat booking and 15kg of check in luggage. The airline also offers upgrades on luggage of 5kg, 10kg and 15kg that is paid for on top of the ticket price.
No food or drink is included in the ticket price however an in-flight service offers food and drinks for sale. Generally these prices are expensive for budget conscious travellers.
Baggage and Flight Check in is Strict! Initially travellers have been caught by the strict check in procedures and been denied check in after the 45 minute cut off time. Here an excerpt from Tigers check in policy so you don’t get caught.
“Baggage check-in opens 2 hours prior to the scheduled time of your departure. Check-in desks close strictly 45 minutes before scheduled departure time.
Tiger Airways recommends that passengers check in two hours prior to scheduled departure. Check-in desks in the Budget Terminal close strictly 45 minutes before scheduled departure, by which time passengers should have completed the check-in process and be in possession of a valid boarding card. We reserve the right to cancel your reservation and deny you boarding if you do not comply with the Check-in Deadline.
Any passenger not having completed check-in formalities and be in receipt of a boarding card within the above time line will forfeit their seat and no compensation will be given. You will be expected to purchase a new ticket on the next available service.”
The hub of Tiger Airways is Melbourne’s Tullamarine Airport. Tiger flys to Alice Springs, Adelaide, Hobart, Launceston, Canberra, Newcastle, Gold Coast, Sunshine Coast, Rockhampton and Mackay. Tiger also has flights to Perth and Darwin utilizing these cities as exit points to fly internationally into Singapore.
The flight experience is good with new planes and friendly staff however the baggage collection for Tiger at Melbourne Airport is budget. It is situated next to the large and luxurious Melbourne terminal, in a shed with cyclone mesh fencing open to the elements. The baggage service is fine and bags are available for pick up in a reasonable time frame. This ending to a trip reminds the traveller that they are flying a budget airline. Don’t let this put you off however as the cost savings compared to its competitors more than makes up for this little bug bear.
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Monday, 30. June 2008
Why does Tiger Airways need 45min checkin when all other domestic carries allow 30mins, are they that inept? It’s stupid they dont allow people with even carry-on bags if you are a minute late, when the plane does not depart for more than 45mins, Tiger is never ever be an option with Jetstar and Virgin around.
Tuesday, 15. July 2008
Tiger Airlines would have to be the worst Mickey Mouse settup I have ever had the misfortune to experience. From paying extra for seat allocation only to arrive at airport to be seated somewhere else cause they’d doubled up!!!!, computer system was down!!! TWO broken suitcases!!! early closure of checkin counter due to being short staffed!!! very difficult to contact anyone, end up with heavily accented girl in a call centre with an english vocabularly of 4 lines!!!! the list goes on. NEVER AGAIN, took a chance with a cheap fare, paid for it tenfold. Best to spend a little extra & travel with confidence.
Wednesday, 30. July 2008
Tiger airways are soo F***** stupid!! NEVER gonna fly with them!! rather pay extra $$ and go with JETSTAR!
45mins check in on the dot!!! My younger sister & brother got there 25mins early (They’re usually always about 30mins early for domestic and 2 hrs early for international flights….was abit late that day due to traffic) and they would’nt even allow them on plane!. Freakin plane wont even take off in another 25-35mins atleast! what kind of BS nonsense is this??? At the end both me sis & bro lost there tickets so we went back home and bourght a ticket with JETSTAR next morning.
Tuesday, 5. August 2008
I am frustated and surprised by tiger airways postponing flight from darwin to singapore. I booked ticket from darwin to singapore and singapore to chennai(both tiger airways) in two different itenary in Dec 2008.They are so rude , charged me difference from singapore to chennai( as I have to postponed as tiger changed darwin to singapore due to unknown circumstances). Tiger were rude and roared at me and charged the difference . December is the peak season, how come they ruined the holidays of people with out any suitable compensation or booking some other flights. There is no law in australia which binds them to make decision before they sell tickets. They are cancelling flights for commercial purpose or not for security or technical purpose. Is it not the responsibilily of them to think of operational cost before they issue tickets. Customers have to loose money if they book with diffrent airlines in peak season. I feel it is courtesy or their responsibility to avail tickets for nearest date if they wish to travel on those or nearby dates.
Monday, 18. August 2008
never fly with tiger. flew from Darwin to Singapore. My baby’s stroller was charged as excess luggage. Complained about it in Singapore. They were so rude and unhelpful. Since then, we have never flown Tiger.
Tuesday, 19. August 2008
Comfortable flt. Cbr/Melbourne but long wait for Melbourne/Drw
departure,0200 spoilt it..Ditto for return wheen Tiger canc. our orig.
Melbourne/Cbr. flt. to late afternoon after arriving at 0800..
All staff from checkin to flt. staff very polite and knew what they were
doing..Would utilise there servics again…
Wednesday, 10. September 2008
Never fly with then again on 5 january Darwin Airport closed due to Cyclone, will not refund money, claim I missed flight due to personal circumstances, their website claimed airport closed, did not answer phone number on web site, tried for 6 hours, engaged. Better to pay a few dollars more and know you will not have this BS. Now have to take them to Small Claims Tribunal to get money back, I guess they figure, if we make it hard enough, people will not bother.
Saturday, 20. September 2008
Travelled Tiger Airways a couple of times,the only downer for me is the fact that you have to check in 45 mins before departure time but other than that i find them reasonably priced and for a budget airline i think there service was great.
Monday, 22. September 2008
Three 17 year old girls were declined their schedule flight TT 7402 21/9/08 as it had closed, our party was at MELB terminal T4 at 6.05am flight departure was 7.00am. By the time the queue & got to the Check in Desk it was 6.30am, to be told sorry flight was closed, no accouncement that the flight was closing except for the Rockhampton one which left at 6.55am. The girls were able to rebook on the next flight for an additional $630.00 to the Gold Coast. I have been unable to contact or talk with anyone at Tiger Airways who prompt quality customer service for customers, the check in staff showed no empathy towards our plight and were smirking and smiling during the whole outcome, inside secutirty camera footage would confirm all of this. Ripped Off - Customers have no say or rights anymore.
Thursday, 16. October 2008
Would not recommend anybody to fly with Tiger Airways. 15 minute minimum walk from plane to their shed (I mean terminal) at Melbourne airport. Ages for luggage to turn up at Melbourne and Gold Coast airport. Notification of change in flight times by email (what if I didn’t check my email?). Only a couple of seats at Melbourne luggage carousel area. Only a couple of seats at Gold Coast check in area. Only 2 check in staff at Gold Coast airport causing a long wait in line. Cheap and nasty airline.
Monday, 10. November 2008
Flew from Melbourne to Adelaide. Had a carry on baggage ticket. One bag was too heavy, but was allowed to tranfer items to a suit bag, then allowed through. Found the check in asistant very helpful.
The waiting lounge facilities are very budget in presentation. The flight is a pleasnt experience.
Happy so far.
Tuesday, 18. November 2008
My fiance was 4 minutes late for a flight check in (so there not 45 mins early but 41) to get to a funeral in VIC travelling from QLD, they couldn’t care less abut the funeral and would not let him on the plance. DISGUTSING and appalling. Should be ashamed of yourselves Tiger….scum.
Thursday, 20. November 2008
I think I can sadly top all the previous BLOGS- here is a copy of my complaint letter to Tiger Airways sent to them today.
To the attention of: Commercial Services Dept – Tiger Airways
I am writing to speak to someone regarding the 5 different changes to my flight plans by Tiger Airways over the last 3 months.
I have also attached the previous letter sent regarding what I have been through in the past with Tiger Airways regarding the same issue.
Since writing the original complain my flights have been changed again 4 more times.
Each time Tiger Airways has made it impossible or very inconvenient to catch my connecting flight.
So far as of yesterday 19/11/2008 my Adelaide to Melbourne flight (***) has been changed to the following times,
1. Original flight leaving 7.55am then changed to 11.30am, then changed to 7.40am, then changed to 2.05pm and now finally again changed to 8.45am- this is a total of 5 flights in 3 months.
Secondly my connecting flight from Melbourne to the Gold Coast (***) has also been changed numerous times,
1. Original flight leaving Melbourne at 11.30am, then changed to 7.05pm, then changed to 6.40pm.
My current flight plan as of today (god knows how many more changes Tiger Airways can make in the month to my take off in just over a month) is
Depart Adelaide Thursday 25/12/2008 at 8.45am arriving in Melbourne at 10.30am, then I am stuck in Melbourne for 8hours on Christmas Day until I depart again at 6.40pm arriving in Gold Coast at 7.45pm. You have ruined me Christmas holiday which I had planned to spend with my family.
Sadly I am not the only one involved I have 8 other people going with me that have been inconvenienced- following bookings: ***, ***, ***, ***, ***, ***
This is a total of 11 hours to get from Adelaide to Gold Coast which would normally take 4-5 hours with stop over and flight changes. I would be able to fly overseas for less time than this. This is completely unreasonable and very inconsiderate on behalf of Tiger Airways.
I have had to make a total of 10 (STD) PHONE calls and have been on the phone for a total of 3 hours over the time of originally booking my flights until yesterday with the last call I made.
I would like someone to contact me on ******* between the hours of 9am - 7pm
Australian Eastern standard time, within 24 hours to discuss this matter. I am at the point now that I am considering going to the News Papers, Radio and TV news to voice my disgust at Tiger Airways and the service that I am receiving from your call centre.
Please have someone call me ASAP to discuss this matter before I take this further.
Monday, 24. November 2008
Ouch, that hurts Milenko.
I’m in the same situation, I had booked a flight to leave from Melbourne to Launceston on 25/12/08 leaving at 8am. I have since received an email telling me the flight will now leave at 4:30pm. There goes Christmas Lunch….
Tiger are cheap, for a reason…. I think Qantas and Virgin are just sitting back and laughing.
I will not waste my time with Tiger anymore, I’d rather pay a bit more and actually get what I pay for.
Hopefully the ACCC will do something about Tigers bait and switch advertising.
Tuesday, 25. November 2008
Hi,
I agree, in particular, comments from Milenko (20 Nov 2008). Myself and a group of 4 others booked a flight to Singapore from Melb for mid Feb 09 with Jetstar. This is not the problem!
However, we also booked a connecting flight from Adelaide to Melb, leaving at 9.45a, arriving Melb @ 11.30, which would allow us sufficient time to check in for the flight to Singapore, which leaves at 1.30pm.
But oh no, Tiger informed us the other day that our Adel/Melb leg had been changed to now leave at 17.30p, which of course, if we accepted this, we would miss out on a connecting flight to Singapore. This is approx. a 7 hour difference!?
Tiger says ‘contact us’, but after 5 days of trying, to which the phone line was permanantly engaged or the recorded message says ‘please hold to speak to an operator’ and then eventually hangs up, I am still waiting to speak to someone from Tiger Airlines.
I have even tried ringing Tiger in Singapore and have had the same problems. I then decided to ring Singapore Airlines (they own Tiger, according to the Website), but they didn’t want to know about the problem.
If you read the fine print on Tiger website, it says we (the passenger) cannot get a refund of fares etc, if it is our error and this is understandable.
BUT what if the shoe is on the other foot - Tiger changes the flight details that do not suit!?
Should not they at least get you on another flight to match your connecting, refund your money or have the decency to have someone at the other end of the phone.
For a company trying to ‘make it in Australia’ they are going the right way about how NOT to run a business!.
I have contacted my local TV/new/media to give them my story, so maybe something may happen, but I will NOT be using them ever again.
Wednesday, 10. December 2008
The Tiger Airlines ‘Hotline’ is indeed totally disfunctional. Both their phone and fax seemed to be permanantly engaged during business hours. Has anyone been able to contact Tiger via another means? Anyone have a mailing address? Flights changes by them are a real problem - especially when it is impossible to contact them.
Friday, 12. December 2008
I am in a very painful and embarassing situation. Could someone here kindly suggest me what to do?
I have booked a total of 8 domestic airtickets for my relatives from Canada, who will be on their first Australian trip in March 2009. Today I tried to upsize their luggage by contacting the Call Centre, I called 10 times at different times of the day, and every time I attempted by making different selection of services. However, every call I made was cut off soon after selection!! What’s worse, there is no other way of contact except this. I am very angry and frustrated.
I have just stumbled across this website and read your comments, and I am now even more anxious. I’ve never realised their services could be so appalling, but I’ve already paid in full for their airtickets which worth more than A$1500. Their policy states that no refund will apply to cancellations except in the event of death or flight re-schedules.
Does anyone here know of other possible contact methods to the airline? I am now all at sea. Their final Tiger flights were scheduled only 1/2 day before their international flights back to Canada. If I cancel their airtickets, I will get no refund and have to bear the loss. If I make changes to their schedules, I still have to prepare for the worst that could happen to them.
Many thanks for reading my message. I share the empathy of you all.
Monday, 15. December 2008
I have just returned from Adelaide after flying in with Tiger, waiting over two hours before departure. Because I was travelling with a child I was told to arrive early to ensure we would be seated together! I should have realized that something was dodgy about this airline when the queue for Queensland fight didn’t move for nearly an hour.
They changed the boarding gate at the last second (whilst I was in the toilet) and forgot to change the signage, which then looked like people were boarding a flight to Canberra, very unprofessional and the check in staff member was very rude as my baggage was 800 grams over the allowance so I had to line up three times to recheck the weight and carried half my clothes on board and still got slugged $25 for this!!
Three hours after arriving in Adelaide I got a message via my mobile (from Singapore) to check my email, which my husband did , my flight had been changed, I tried unsuccessfully to change my flights to a more suitable time via the booking number which was coming up as invalid and via the telephone which rang out or just hung up if I was fortunate enough to get a message machine!!!
I couldn’t get through to anyone and ended up booking with Qantas, the contrast was amazing very professional, fantastic service, sympathetic staff, easy check in with very little waiting time, and a person on the phone to talk to about any changes or queries. I am out of pocket $200 dollars but I will tell everyone I know about this ghastly airline and the lack of customer service, I hope the Australian Government shuts them down because they are ripping people off.
The old saying you get what you pay for seems to be true here.
Friday, 19. December 2008
OMG!!. My father’s friend just climbed over the back fence at 2.00am after a terrible experience with Tiger Airways.
The plane was originally leaving at 4.00am. saturday morning.
Then the flight was changed to 1.35am. saturday morning.
We dropped him off at 12.30, so he had 15minutes ontop of the 45minutes.
To find that they had shut the gate at 12.25 due to over booking the flight.
6 people were left without a flight.
1 man argued with the flight check staff for 30minutes and was let on the plane.
The 2 flight check staff then turned and walked away, leaving the remaining 5 people without service or contact details.
Unfortunately and much to the 5 remaining people, (2 of thoughs people had been there 3 hours early,) found out that they would not be receiving refunds, even though it was tiger airways fault.
I dont understand how these people are still running a business, and shouldn’t it be conpulsory for a business to have a telephone number, or atleast a complain desk/office. Or even just a complaint box, so you know they complaint actually made it to the airline.
Tiger Airway’s you are a disgrace. I may be 16 but I’m going to be watching thoughs TV add and listening to the radio adds, very very carefully, and anything that is incorrect i will record and sue them for false advertising, maybe then they will get the hint.
I’m very determind to get rid of this idiotic company.
Look out Tiger Airways. Alot of people really really hate you!
Monday, 22. December 2008
As I write this, my phone has just clicked over th 50th minute that I have been ON HOLD to Tiger Airlines..in Singapore (Melbourne number is ALWAYS engaged).
Absolutely ridiculous.
We booked our flights for christmas to return to Tasmania. Our flights were Gold Coast- Melbourne, Melbourne - Launceston.
Having booked approx 6months ahead of time to SAVE money, this has resulted in one of the most EXPENSIVE and ANNOYING christmases EVER.
1. They changed our flight approx 2 months ago. Very annoying, which meant we then had a 6 hour wait in Melbourne between flights - annoyed but accepted this as a one off.
2. our flights were scheduled for xmas eve - 24th Dec. On Friday 19th Dec, we receive an email saying that they have AGAIN changed our flight - this time leaving only 15minutes between legs. Totally impossible to make this work, since they cannot check you in from your original destination, and you have to collect bags and re-check in with a 45 min advance.
Their solution - refund us / give us a credit / shift our Melbourne leg flight to the next day (we would have to o’night in Melbourne at OUR cost) which meant we would not arrive until 8pm XMAS DAY - oh but for that option, a $180 fee would apply.
3. Contacting them is a nightmare… they must have 1 person on the phones, with 100million angry frustrated and annoyed customers!
RIDICULOUS
in order for us to get to our final destination, we had to cancel our flight with Tiger, and buy a last minute Virgin flight, for xmas eve - around $280 per person!!!!
I am extremely unhappy with the service and on-chargin of every cost to the consumer.
I WILL NEVER FLY TIGER AIRLINES AGAIN AND RECOMMEND EVERY PERSON I MEET TO NEVER FLY THEM EITHER.
Sunday, 4. January 2009
Tiger appear to be almost operating in a fradulent manner. They called us to state our flight had been moved 5 hours into the future and we could have a refund if that was unacceptable. They refund very little but will do if the flight is changed greater than 4 hours. So we called the service centre (an ordeal in itself) and were granted a refund in 21 days. After 26 business days, still no refund. Ive refaxed a request and sent another copy via registered post to ensure delivery. Could not even get through to the call center this time. Next step will be a VCAT application to see them in court which they cannot avoid. With the level of complaints over this airline and surprised authorities are not yet involved with their conduct. The most annoying part is that they offered the refund within their policy guidelines. It is as if they drag their feet long enough you will give up.
Monday, 5. January 2009
Tiger have messed me up twice now and they won’t have the chance to do it again.
I booked Launceston to Melbourne and then a flight within two hours to Adelaide. I received an email telling me my flight to Melbourne had been cancelled and I had been put on a flight that reached Melbourne after my Adelaide flight had departed. I had to pay a change flight fee to book a more expensive ticket and wait 5 hours for my Adelaide flight.. I phoned Tiger at least 30 times but it was never answered. I was told at the airport to write to a particular address and have received no reply.
Second incident. I booked Adelaide to Melbourne , and Melbourne to Launceston. Because of illness I had to change my flight for a week later. I tried many times to achieve the change but every time was told there was an error in my details which were right all along. Eventually the change flight page was locked against me. I phoned the given number many times and no answer was forthcoming. I have subsequently booked on Virgin, despite paying Tiger a fare which I either surrender or try to negotiate with somebody who isn’t there.
It’s clear to me that anyone who books with Tiger does so at their peril as, like me, they might well end up forfeiting their fare and flying with somebody else.