It’s a long, long way to Kuala Lumpur…
AKA: AirAsia Ouch!
Flight from Melbourne to KL on AirAsia X was not nearly as horrible as I feared but no better than I expected. Check-in was again a breeze. Flight left twenty minutes late, but landed twenty minutes early. Seats cramped, but a bigger issue I found was the lack of legroom meant I couldn’t stow my bag below the seat in front. Overhead compartments seemed small and I had trouble fitting my (reasonably small) carry on inside. I annoyed everyone around me constantly getting up and down to access it that in the end I gave up, stowed it as best I could in front of me and tried to wrap my legs around it. This was uncomfortable even for someone with my short legs so I would definitely recommend bringing a second small carry-on with the items you are likely to need on board.
One of the reasons I was constantly getting my carry-on down was that your boarding pass needs to be checked by the crew for anything you have pre-ordered (e.g. meal or entertainment unit). So learn from my experience and keep it handy!
The meal I had ordered (‘International’) was passable – chicken was mildly spiced, potatoes were dry but soaked up the chicken sauce and the less said about the steamed veges the better!
I managed to sleep fitfully, regularly readjusting to sooth whichever appendage was making known its discomfort.
KL LCCT was efficient, but poorly signed. I tried to purchase a ticket for AirAsia’s bus service (Skybus) into KL Sentral, but the fellow at the Skybus counter directed to a counter further along. After purchasing the ticket I realised this was for another, slightly dodgy looking, bus company. After finally finding the bus I settled in as it quickly became apparent it would leave o
nly when full. On the other hand, they didn’t check my ticket so I guess I got the ride for free. Thankfully this only took around half an hour and we were on our way.
From KL Sentral bus station I had to find the monorail. I knew it would be a walk, but I thought it would be clearly signed. After about twenty minutes of aimless wandering and asking a few people I found it, but by then I was dripping with sweat. Even after I dragged myself into the hotel lobby, after ten minutes of air conditioned monorail I was covered in sweat! I don’t think I made a great first impression really…
Posted in: Malaysia
