I'm finally green, going onto blue. Thanks to all for the reads/ratings/comments. Also, thanks for t...
I'm finally green, going onto blue. Thanks to all for the reads/ratings/comments. Also, thanks for the advices that helped me improve my reviews. Feel free to leave any positve/negative feedbacks. :-)
Member since:03.05.2005
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****History**** There were much to talk about during the construction of Kuala Lumpur International Airport, or KLIA. Some say it's a waste of money, others say it's the white elephant of Malaysia. But yet, over the years, KLIA has proven its worth.
Malaysia proudly unveiled its new airport on the 29th of June 1998, amidst fireworks and spectacular drums of music. At 9.47pm, the first aircraft Flight MH5407, a Malaysia Airlines Boeing 777 (dubbed "Super Ranger") landed, carrying 150 passengers from the old Sultan Abdul Aziz Shah International Airport at Subang and piloted by Capt Mohamad Seth Mohd Arif and co-piloted by Capt Izham Ismail.
KLIA was, and is, indeed, one of the best airports in the world and the largest in South East Asia. It is situated in Sepang on 10,000 hectares of agricultural land and connected to the city of Kuala Lumpur through various different methods of public transport.
It incorporates the concept of AIRPORT IN THE FOREST AND FOREST IN THE AIRPORT. From above, KLIA looks like a structure hidden in the thick rainforest - all the boundaries of KLIA are the natural greens. The previous Malaysian Prime Minister, Tun Dr. Mahathir commented that "KLIA is not just an airport. It is a piece of art, dedicated to beauty as well as the environment. It relates to the greenness and the forests of Malaysia, both inside and outside." I personally think this is unique to the airport. I was told that from the satelite building, we are able to see "orang utans" in the forest,
but I've looked around couple of times and failed to spot any.
KLIA also boast the world's tallest air-traffic control tower, the biggest columnless hangar, the longest baggage conveyor belt system, biggest passenger lounge and the capacity for 25 million people a year. However, I feel that the airport is rather underused, perhaps its been designed for a much larger capacity than needed at the present moment, in preparation for the future. The airport has a RM24 million Olympex flight information display system.
Within KLIA itself, there are two terminals - for domestic and international flights. The satellite building is connected to the domestic bulding through a state-of-the-art train (AEROTRAIN). This is very convenient.
The architecture is pretty impressive. Incorporates art from the East and the west, and blends in the culture and designs of Malaysians.
*****Departures***** The checking in counters are great, with quick and efficient service. There are a total of 216 check in counters. I am pleased that i hardly have to queue for long to check in each time.
At the immigration, there are high tech 'passport readers' where you can just have your passport read by a computer which has a camera to identify you and match you to your passport. I find this fascinating but is only available to Malaysian passport holders. It significantly helps speed up the immigration procedure.
If you still cant get enough of Kuala Lumpur, there are checking in facilities at KL central, a train station in the heart of Kuala Lumpur. This station is connected to KLIA through the KLIA express, a train service which i would describe in a little more detail later on. At KL central, you can check in your bagages (which will be transported to KLIA), obtain your boarding ticket and continue shopping at your leisure before heading off to KLIA (This is very convenient especially for international flights as we are encouraged to check in 3 hours before departure. With this service at KL central, we do not have to go up to the airport that early). There are lots of shops and stalls selling all sorts of things, both local handicrafts and international products.
Also at KL central, there is the Malaysia Airlines Customer Service office where you can walk in to solve any ticketing or booking issues.
*****Arrivals***** The custom and immigration officers are very friendly and helpful. Upon arrival, there are plenty of signs leading you to the baggage re-claim area. However, it takes quite some time to re-claim the baggages. Maybe this is due to the distance between the aircraft stand and the main arrival hall.
*****Other Facilities***** The Aerotrain is a complimentary transportation system that shuttles passengers between the Main Terminal Building and the Satellite Building, operating at five minutes intervals. This two-car 250 passenger capacity train is able to move 3,000 passengers per hour per direction. It starts on the elevated track from the Contact Pier, travels under the taxiways and into the Satellite Building within two minutes. A brilliant addition to an already magnificent airport. The only disadvantage with the aerotrain is that there are very limited seating, and almost 90% of the passengers would have to stand. I believe it was designed this way to save space and the seats are only for the disabled and elderly. However, considering it's only a two minute ride, it's not much of a problem.
The toilets are, well, rather high-tech. It has this automatic flushing abilitiy. A sensor is attached at the back where it can detect when a person is done using the toilets and would automatically flush. However, the sensors are not sensitive enough and would only work at certain positions.
Other facilities include: Payphones Smoking lounges (but there are very few and located far away) Foreign Exchange Auto teller machines Baby change Prayer and Silent room Airport TV ( I love this especially during long transits. Helps kill time and boredom) Unaccompanied baggage Travelletors (Thank god for this. The airport is huge and it's tiring to walk especially when the hand luggage is heavy)
*****Accomodation for transit passengers***** Besides that, for those who are on transit in KLIA for a night, there is a hotel in the airport - The Pan Pacific hotel which is just a five minute walk away. A five star hotel with 441 rooms, its a truly magnificent hotel but could be a little costly.For those with a lower budget, there is an 80- room Airside Transit Hotel, located in the Satellite building itself. I've never stayed at both hotels, so I could not say anymore about them. Also, there are ample signs to help you get from one place to another in the airport. The airport staffs are friendly and helpful.
*****Shop and Dine***** Th shopping facilities at the domestic departure building are very limited. There's nothing much to buy but there are quite a number of eateries.
At the satellite building, the duty free shopping is AMAZING. All sorts of products, such as books, perfumes, cigarettes (way way cheaper than in the UK, trust me), cosmetics, local handicrafts etc. However, do be informed that for certain products, we are only allowed to buy a limited amount ( eg. cigarettes). This differ, depending on which country you are flying to.
If you are looking to buy local handicrafts or just normal products besides branded goods or duty free products, DO NOT buy it from the airport. It is much cheaper in the city so do not leave these shopping till you have reached the airport.
There are lots of shops serving food, both local and international delicacies. However, I must say that they are overpriced. The same dish could be obtained from the city centre for a much cheaper price and taste much better.
*****Awards***** In 2004, KLIA was awarded: 1. 5th airport of the year in a survey conducted by Skytrax Research
2. 3rd for the service element on 'Overall Satisfaction With The Airport-All Passenger' in the 2003 AETRA Annual Results.
3. first airport in the Asia Pacific Region and the first Travel and Tourism organisation in Malaysia to be Green Globe 21 certified
4. second in the Best Airport 2004 category of the Telegraph Travel Awards 2004, which is the most significant study of the travel tastes and habits of British consumers
*****Getting to the city***** I fly into KLIA at least 5 times a year and find that the best way to get to the city is through the KLIA express - a train which gets you right into the city in 35 mins for RM35 per trip. It's a non stop journey between KLIA and KL central. The train is comfortable, clean, fast and has ample space for hand luggage storage. Also, there is a tv screen in the train and it is well air-conditioned.
Other than that, you can take a taxi into the city for Rm60++ (approx 10 pounds) or the shuttle bus. I've never used the shuttle bus but the taxi can be a problem at peak hours due to the long traffic jams. Also be warned that there are many unlicensed taxi operators at the arrival hall who are looking for victims whom they can overcharge. My advice is to head straight for the airport taxi/limo counter. Do not fall into the trap of these drivers who claim that they would offer a lower price.
If you prefer a challenge and drive into the city yourself, there are car rental services available at the arrival hall.
*****MUST NOT MISS***** When visiting Malaysia, these are the places of attractions that you must visit: 1. Petronas Twin Tower - The world's tallest twin tower 2. Suria KLCC - Amazing shopping but more on the designers piece. Located next to the petronas twin tower 3. KL Tower - The third tallest tower 4. Bintang Walk - The heart of Kuala Lumpur. A stretch of shops, hotels and cafes You can get almost everything here. Shopping and dinning at its best. There's even an indoor theme park located at Berjaya Times Square, a little down Bintang Walk. I would strongly recommend everyone to stay in this area. There are hotels ranging from 3 stars to 5 stars. 5. Chinatown (Petaling Street) - Here's the bargain. Everything's so cheap that you can shop till you drop. Visit here especially at night and you'll experience the nightlife of a typical malaysian. But beware of pick-pockets. 6. Merdeka Square and the Sultan Abdul Samad Building - This is where Malaysians witness their Independence on the 31st of August 1957. A historical landmark.
*****Conclusion***** KLIA is indeed a superb airport and Malaysia is a country worth visiting for it's diverse culture.
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Jun 13th, 2005
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