Her idea was not taken seriously at the time because, said Kathleen Tan, AirAsia’s group head of commercial, “it was such a fantasy at the time”.(Picture: Tan is third on left with AirAsia and Expedia team at the press conference)

Now the fantasy has become a reality and Tan said she spent countless sleepless nights, “negotiating the ingredients of what goes into the (sausage)” – private joke, I think – “and I learnt a lot. Man, the Americans are tough,” she said.

To Dan Lynn, managing director of Expedia Asia Pacific, who will be responsible directly for the new joint venture, she jested, “In a Chinese marriage, the woman rules. Have you heard, your money is my money, my money is my money?”

Calling it “a first of its kind global partnership between an OTA and a low cost carrier”, Tan predicted it would be a good marriage because of the synergies between the two – namely, AirAsia’s network and expertise in a region being eyed by Expedia, and Expedia’s global clout in markets where AirAsia needs distribution.

Scott Durschlag, president of Expedia Worldwide, said he learnt more about social media from Tan in one month than the last year and more about entrepreneurship from Fernandes than two years in Harvard.

He said the union was an unprecedented win for consumers in Asia.

The key is to grow the online travel market in Asia Pacific, valued at about US$20 billion, and yet representing only 20% of the market.  In the US, it’s 50% and “that shows to me the tremendous opportunity for growth”.

While some people might ask why it took Expedia so long to really make an impact in Asia, Durschlag said, “This is the right time, the right partner, the right opportunity.”

Emphasising it was an “equal partnership” and looking at Tan as he said so, he said that Expedia would bring its strength in areas where it was strong in and AirAsia would do the same. For example, in China, Expedia would leverage on AirAsia’s network and brand. 

Tan said that the new joint venture was pitched at a new age segment of 20-something travellers in Asia. “They are the online world, and we have the perfect model for a brand new segment that is growing and with smartphones and social media, we will have the right engagement for these customers.”

Asked later if she was “woman” enough to take on this marriage which seems ruled by men, Tan said everything AirAsia had done was with grit, courage and determination and she didn’t see this being any different. 

Mark those words.