Off to Singapore Changi T4 and AirAsia AK710 Singapore Changi Terminal 4 to Kuala Lumpur International Terminal 2
Growing Old with In Style
Back to the airport after a short pit stop in Singapore. Now, let’s go to Kuala Lumpur with AirAsia.
In this mammoth trip report (note, headings subject to change)
- Yes. I’m that old. Next.
- Off to Heathrow, Terminal 3 and Cathay Pacific Lounge
- BA768 London Heathrow to Oslo Airport (Club Europe)
- The Best Laid Oslo Plans, and the OSL Lounge
- TK1754 Oslo Airport to Istanbul Airport (Business Class)
- Welcome to Istanbul Airport… Wait, where’s my passport?
- TK054 Istanbul Airport to Singapore Changi (Business Class)
- Welcome back to Changi and the Ibis Budget Ruby, Geylang
- Back to Changi Terminal 4 and AirAsia AK710 Singapore to Kuala Lumpur International
- Into Kuala Lumpur and the Holiday Inn Express KLCC
- To the Batu Caves
- Exploring Kuala Lumpur
- Back to KLIA, The Golden Circle Lounge
- MH627 Kuala Lumpur to Singapore Changi (Economy Class)
- HOTEL: Intercontinental Singapore, Bugis
- For the love of Nasi Lemak and Hawker Markets
- Exploring Singapore, whilst avoiding Rain
- Glasses in a Rush
- Pokémon Centre Singapore
- Back to Changi, and the Lounge
- TK209 Singapore Changi to Istanbul Airport (Business Class)
- Into Istanbul and the Sheraton Levent, Istanbul
- Back to Istanbul Airport and the Turkish Airlines Lounge
- TK1753 Istanbul Airport to Oslo Airport
- A leisurely Oslo transit
- SK815 Oslo Airport to London Heathrow (Economy Classes)
- Homeward
- Older, Never Wiser
After checking out of the Ibis Budget Ruby, I hailed a Grab for the return trip to Changi Airport. Whilst I could have taken the MRT to Changi Terminal 3, I would have needed to spend time messing around with transit to Terminal 4… and when Grab prices are more than reasonable, it is silly to mess around.
On top of that, it is a direct link to the terminal – something that Changi Terminal 4 needs (as well as the upcoming Terminal 5). If airports want people to make the modal shift from Car to Train, it needs to be to the door in a lot of cases to make it work. And yes, that means building meaningful transit and connection options.
Arriving at Terminal 4, I was dropped off by the AirAsia doors.
Terminal 4 exterior.
People were milling around the area, weighing bags and such. That is never a good sign.
I therefore weighed my bags and quietly moved along. There would need to be a little rebalancing before I flew.
Robocop – Changi edition.
With that done, it was time to exit Singapore and proceed through immigration and security. Unlike the other terminals at Singapore Changi, Immigration and Security are completed one after another, rather than security at the gate.
They also love to use facial recognition to do the stamp-outs and boarding. Biometrics can be useful – dependign how long they’re stored for and their intended use cases.
With that done, one of course exits via Duty Free. This being changing, there was plenty of it.
From the Big Lotte Duty Free
to the TWG Tea shop
Terminally driven.
As I had no lounge access on this ticket, I camped out at a desk for a bit to give the phone an extra boost, whilst typing a few things.
It killed some time, given I was around an hour early.
Towards the gates
Heading to the gate, it was along the main pier of Changi Terminal 4, with a view of the departing traffic. I headed to Gate G6, where the flight would depart from and parked up to watch some aircraft go past.
I’ve had worse airport views.
Cebu Pacific A320neo
FedEx Boeing 777F
Scoot Embraer E190-E2
Singapore Airlines Boeing 737-8
Singapore Airlines Boeing 777-300ER
EVA Air Boeing 777-300ER
AirAsia A320ceo
Two Vietnam Airlines aircraft – Boeing 787-9 in front.
I suppose what surprised me is the growth of single-aisle traffic. On routes where we used to see the widebodies roam, we see Embraer E190-E2s, Boeing 737-8s and A320neos. The signs of a changing time in aviation, where efficiency is the name of the game.
Speaking of efficiency, whilst the aircraft was running a little late, the gate staff called forward people to drop their luggage. I asked if they wanted to tag my backpack through – they only wanted checked wheelie-style bags as opposed to backpacks.
No matter.
Around 10 minutes late, the AirAsia A320neo came into view. This was painted up in an advertising livery.
Painted up.
Parked up.
Immediately, people started lining up into groups, with the airline managing three boarding groups. I had paid for Group 1 access (as I wanted to carry two bags through). Thus, it was time to work out the queues.
With people disembarking, boarding was called forward. Thankfully, they did not weigh my bags or check sizes – and I was allowed to proceed.
It was time to experience another new airline. But first, there was the queue to board, as disembarkation was taking a few more minutes than was wanted.
Just like queuing in Brussels, Hamburg, or Bucharest.
With everyone off, the doors were opened, and the race aboaed began.
Side view
AK710 Singapore Changi Terminal 4 to Kuala Lumpur International Terminal 2
AirAsia
Seat 17F – Single Class
107 Avios Earned (via AMEX card payment).
Boarding the aircraft, there was a bit of chaos as people were trying to find seats and settle in. I made my way down the cabin.
Move it people
With my backpack in the overhead compartment, I settled in. Whilst this aircraft is an A320neo, it has not seen the latest seats that AirAsia have been deploying from Mirus. Thus, it is a rather thick and well-padded seat.
I’ll explain why I’m checking the backs of safety buckles around AIX time.
This has the upside of excellent butt comfort, as well as a well-padded back. The downside, it heavily impedes the 29” seat pitch – and I could feel it, with my knees right against the seat back.
Doable for an hour or so. Beyond that, I would like new knees, please.
Boarding in progress
Oh well.
In the seat, there was plenty of paperwork in the seat, with sales magazines as well as the safety card.
About the only free thing.
Cathay Pacific Airbus A321neo next door.
Now, if there is one thing that sets the AirAsia announcements apart from other airlines is the near enough constant announcements. And I mean, if there were five minutes without an announcement, we were doing well.
Cabin ready to go.
Passengers boarded quickly enough, with the cabin getting full very quickly. Thankfully, there was no fights for overhead bin space, as it was controlled at the gate.
With everyone aboard, the crew wasted no time in getting everyone ready, as pushback was a mere 10 minutes from our booked departure time.
AirAsia does not mess around, it seems. With the aircraft pushing back, the safety demonstration was carried out manually in Malay and English.
Pushing back – aircraft waiting to go.
As it was a short taxi from Terminal 4 to the departure runway, the crew completed the demonstration and secured the cabin.
Turned away from the terminal
Turning to the runway
As the aircraft turned, the engines roared into life, pushing the aircraft into the sky.
As the aircraft climbed, it continued to be announcement city aboard the aircraft – although given this is a 16-mile flight, speed is of the essence. For those who want a European comparison – think the Birmingham/London – Dublin Route, London-Paris, London-Amsterdam.
In other words, you do not have a lot of time to do a service onboard.
Though you might feel pinnedin if you are in the window seat.
Service began with pre-ordered meals, followed by drinks and snacks. Now, which idiot would pre-order a meal for a 50-minute flight?
Correct. – I will add that I was not the only person who ordered a meal. What did I go for? It was, of course, a Nasi Lemak.
For an in-flight meal, this was more than perfectly serviceable.
It had flavour and taste (which, considering some of the inflight meals I have had on long haul, I would be more than happy), with the peanuts and sardines bagged separately, and wooden cutlery. The only downside was the smell.
I can deal with that – and so could my seatmates.
And again, there were constant announcements, from inflight sales to immigration matters to landing notices.
Yes. warnings for landing. Remember how I said it is a 186-mile flight? The captain had made good time during the flight, and we were soon closing in on KLIA.
Service was cleared down quickly as the crew efficiently made their way through the cabin.
I did a quick check to see what other IFE options AirAsia had. On this A320neo… apart from the paperwork, there was no in-flight server or internet connection – not that it is needed on these short hops. On the longer hops that AirAsia operates, that could be an issue unless you plan.
Our descent into KL was a little bumpy, but the aircraft navigated its way through the approach path.
Eventually, the A320neo planted itself at Kuala Lumpur International Airport.
The aircraft taxied off the runway and started to be directed to a terminal.
Turning off the active
Passing the fire station
KILA 2
Air Asia widebodies
In the past, I have only used KLIA Terminal 1, so I was in for a new experience as the aircraft made its way to Terminal 2. This terminal was built in 2014 to replace the budget terminal (although budget carriers are still its focus).
I was fully expecting the aircraft to taxi to a remote stand, and then we would be walking to the terminal.
Instead, the gates were mostly empty, and the aircraft was directed to one for international arrivals.
With ease, the Airbus A320neo parked up at its base. And yes, everyone got up at that point. Nothing changes in the world.
When the crowd thinned a little, I grabbed my stuff and headed to the exit.
Overall
This was very much an A to B flight, and that’s fine in itself – it got me from Singapore to Kuala Lumpur without six hours on a coach. Whilst the seat was padded, my knees paid the price for that.
As for the food options? A lot better than I’ve had on some long-haul flights.
That… says a lot in itself.
Next:
Trains, Monorails and the Holiday Inn Express, KLCC
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