A Trip To KLIA2

I landed at KLIA at about 2.50 pm from Tawau and will have to wait until 7.55 before taking a connecting flight to Alor Setar. Its quite a long wait and I decided to make a visit to the newly open KLIA2 dedicated for Low Cost Carriers to replace the Low Cost Carrier Terminal (LCCT).

GOING TO KLIA2

I am not sure for others but for me after exiting the arrival gate,I did not find signage showing how to go to KLIA2. When I asked the ERL counter the lady ask me to take the train (ERL). So I went to the ERL station and at the ticket counter did not see any sign of going to KLIA2. Maybe I missed the word KLIA2. So I took the escalator back to Level 2 heading towards the bus station. I know there is shuttle bus connecting both terminal.

There's a sign KLIA2 at Platform 12 and the fare is RM1.00. I thought it was the "real" shuttle bus plyging between KLIA and KLIA2. However it was just a normal public bus that drives through KLIA2 to somewhere else. The bus was sardine packed and imagine air passengers with large luggage taking the ride. To me its really a bad image for an international airport with poor shuttle service. The bus frequency is a 30 minutes wait, hence the crowded passengers.

THE SHOPPING MALL

The bus arrive at the bus terminal of KLIA2 and as soon as I step down, its just like a "Rusa Masuk Kampung" for me. Remember this is my first visit to KLIA2.

All this while what I read on the internet through bloggers review is about the KLIA2 proper that is where budget air traveler arrives and depart.

Photo above is a brief information about the floors of KLIA2 Terminal. Saw this one near one of the escalators at the shopping mall. 

The entrance by public transport at KLIA2 Complex is into the shopping Mall. Its just another shopping mall within an airport. Not only a shopping mall with branded items but also the presence of a grocery store to buy your daily essentials. KLIA2 has a complete Shopping Mall. Transit passengers with a few hours to spend do not have to travel to Kuala Lumpur city to shop. However maybe there should be a LowYatt like mall present. I am not sure of the price tag since I was there not to shop.

There are many eateries to satisfy your palate and the choice if yours whether going for the mamak's NZ Curry House, Western Food or the fast foods. Eateries are scattered and you need to browse through the Touch Screen Information Board to find your way. Its just mimicking Foursquare on your mobile gadgets.

I am not sure there's a mobile apps to represent KLIA2 complex so that visitors and air commuters can find their way much more easier rather than looking for the Information Board.

AIRPORT TERMINAL

KLIA2 is actually made up of two sections, the Shopping Mall and the "Airport". Both sections is segregated by an open air space for smokers to exercise their lungs (Oooppsss). The spacious checkin area do provide comfort for passengers with many self check-in terminals. However during my visit all the terminals are out of order and passengers have to check-in at the counters. This signage below was seen at the entrance of the "Airport" terminal.

 Entrance to International Departures Gates to the satellite pier that is connected via a skybridge

 Flight information display board

The Check-In counters

Main terminal building layout plan. Credit 

GOING TO KLIA

I was enjoying my meal at NZ Curry House when I spotted the shuttle bus. Well, its the actual shuttle bus between both airports. However this bus do not go to KLIA bus station but o the public car park. So commuter can't take this bus if they are going to stop at KLIA. Read on bus, if its written LTKP - KLIA - KLIA2 then it make a stop at KLIA.

Since this bus do not stop at KLIA, I took the ERL back to KLIA and the fare is RM2.00

A first timer visiting KLIA2 can get confused easily what more for foreigners. 

More information for KLIA2.


   

Malindo Air to take off from Subang on June 3

Budget traveller have another choice for flight arrangements when
Malindo Air to take off from Subang on June 3

photo credit

Penerbangan Pertama Dengan Firefly

Sememangnya amat murah jika tambang pergi balik antara Kuala Lumpur dan Kota Kinabalu untuk tiga orang hanya RM294.00. Lebih kurang RM98.00 seorang atau RM 49 sehala. Nak kira, tambang bas Ekspress dari Kuala Lumpur ke Alor Setar pun RM39.00 sehala. 

Aku dah berpengalaman naik kapalterbang sejak tahun 1974 lagi semasa hendak ke Maktab Perguruan Gaya. Kota Kinabalu untuk kurus perguruan di sana. Kali ini pengalaman pertama dengan Firefly dan berlepas dari KLIA. Nasib baik dari KLIA, jika dari Subang tentu bermasalah sikit bagiku kerana lokasi rumahku yang mudah ke KLIA. 

Check In ialah di kaunter A4 dan A5. Nampaknya tidak ramai yang sedang check in sewaktu aku tiba dan tidaklah perlu aku beratur lama. Cuma aku harap di masa akan datang penumpang boleh check in secara online seperti Airasia. 

 Mungkin kerana baru, semasa check in, staf di kaunter telah tersilap issue baggage tag. Nasib baik dia sedar sebelum beg-beg kami kena tag dan dihantar masuk. Jika tidak semua bagasi kami sampai ke Kuching. Tak pasti mengapa proses itu masih dilakukan secara manual, sedangkan Firefly adalah anak syarikat MAS yang sudah berpengalaman dalam urusan check-in penumpang. 

Sewaktu di holding lounge: Nampak tempat duduk ini dan ini satu inisiatif yang aku tidak nampak di LCCT. Walaupun ada priority seat tetapi semasa boarding nampaknya tidak ada keutamaan diberikan kepada mereka yang sewajarnya diberikan keutamaan. Selalunya penumpang yang membawa anak kecil dibenarkan masuk ke pesawat terlebih dahulu, tetapi pada hari itu petugas menggunakan seat blok. Memang baik dan lancar dan ini sesuatu yang tidak dilakukan oleh MAS sendiri. Penumpang yang duduk di kerusi belakang dibenarkan naik dahulu dan kemudian diikuti dengan kerusi tengah dan kemudian selebihnya. 

 Inilah pesawat Boeing 737-800 yang kami naik digunakan oleh Firefly untuk destinasi Kota Kinabalu dan Kuching.

Di dalam kabin. Tak payahlah nak cerita panjang. Macam kapalterbang lain juga. 

Perjalanan lancar dan tidak banyak beza dari Airasia. Namun semasa perjalanan ke Kota Kinabalu, aku telah tidak menuntut makanan walaupun anakku telah menempahnya semasa membeli tiket dahulu. Ini satu kesilapan dan semasa penerbangan balik dapatlah merasa makanan Firefly. Macam biasalah, apa yang diperolehi tidak sama seperti yang diiklankan di dalam folder. Biasalah tu. Iklanlah katakan. Sama juga dengan iklan hotel. What You See Is Not What You Get.