Video captured from on board the plane showed the terrifying ordeal unfold.
Food and other items were strewn across the floor as cabin crew held on for dear life.
Five people were injured after extreme turbulence on the flight from Taipei in Taiwan.
One of the cabin crew could be heard in the video asking: “Is he dead?” after seeing a person lying on the floor.
Another employee was captured on the clip trying to calm her colleagues down.
She said: “Guys, don’t be panicked, don’t be panicked. Ok? It’s going to be aright.”
A woman’s voice could be heard asking: “You OK, am I crushing you?”
A man then replied: “No, no. Don’t.”
More yelling followed, with a man yelling: “Careful, careful!”
One of the cabin crew could also be heard saying: “One, two, three, sit down … wait, wait, wait!” as they tried to lift someone off the ground into a seat.
Towards the end of the clip one of the cabin crew said: “We need a translator.”
The drama unfolded on flight D7377291, an Airbus A330 carrying 291 passengers and 11 crew.
AirAsia has confirmed the five injured passengers were treated when they landed in the Malaysian capital.
The airline said in a statement: “The aircraft landed safely at Kuala Lumpur International Airport 2 at 4.30pm.
“Five injured passengers were treated by paramedics at the airport upon landing.
“All other passengers were attended to by ground staff and provided necessary assistance.”
The dramatic incident occurred just days after 30 passengers were injured during extreme turbulence on an Aeroflot flight.
Shocking video showed passengers flung into the aisles and blood smeared through the cabin in the grisly aftermath caused by the air pocket.