Air Travel, Kuala Lumpur

If you arrive at the Low Cost Carrier Terminal (LCCT) at KLIA, and take a Skybus for RM9 to KL Sentral, beware of the taxi touts when you get to KL Sentral. It would be much cheaper when you get off the bus, to go up the stairs, go through KL Sentral to the taxi ranks either in front of KL Sentral facing the Hilton, or at the KLIA Ekspres arrival Hall where you have to get a coupon to a pre-determined destination.

At least there you get ripped off officially by the taxi companies & KL Sentral management (because the coupon system is still more expensive than if you go by just the taxi meter).

KLIA (Kuala Lumpur International Airport) is the best introduction of what XXI century Malaysia tries to show to foreign visitors: a shining, brand new airport with futuristic architecture, good shopping areas and an efficiently organisation.

Although it is located far away from the city center, an express railway takes you to the Central Station in just half an hour.

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If I ever had to live in KL , I think Air Asia would be my favourite airline hehehehe. The prices of tickets is so low anyone can afford to fly. The flight is not bad and you gotta pay for food like every budget airline. The only problem with Air Asia is that many a time they are delayed and that has stuck with them. So if you have a connecting flight to somewhere else , rather book a earlier flight with Air Asia just incase they delayed and end up like me running like you can`t image ending up late for my other flight.

I would fly with them again if in Malaysia or Indonesia , the staff is friendly and I`ll say a good service all round accept for the delaying part.

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Malaysia's official airline would be Malaysia Airlines System or famously known as MAS. One disadvantage of this airline howver would be their expensive price. Another alternative to MAS and a much cheaper airline would be AIRASIA. AIRASIA flies to every destination domestically and even a few international destination.

Air Asia is a budget airline... It is to be noted that "budget" price air-ticket is only available when you book 2 or 3 months in advance.. and only on not so popular routes... The flight times are not so ideal and you may have to travel at rather odd hours of the day...and brace yourself for flight delays... Being a budget airline, no in-flight service is provided but you may purchase food and refreshments in-flight... The good thing is that these are reasonable priced...

The airline flies not only domestic routes but regional routes as well...

Booking is thru the internet and booking office at the airports... But beware, sometimes you may be charged for double for your flights (system glickes)... and it will take you months to get a refund (if you get it at all)...

Golfers are also reminded that they have to pay RM25 for their golf bags, which are carried free by full-service airlines...

KL's airport is brand new, sparkling clean, spacious, and has nice shopping. However it's spread out (long walks to gates.) kind of reminds me of the Austin, Texas Airport in the US. Very similar architecture.

The airport is at least a 1 hour drive from KL (1 hr. without traffic) And there is not too much near it (rather rural) So if you are there for just a few hours, you probably do not have enough time to go anywhere.

But it has all the conveniences of any major airport - Lockers, shopping, internet access, etc.

Air Asia has the best rates I have found in and around SE Asia and Thailand.

I usually fly last minute and 1-way (cause who knows where I'll want to go next) And have always gotten a great price with Air Asia.

Recently, I even booked the same day and got 1-way fare KL to Phuket for $57 USD. Nok Air and Bangkok Air are very competitive as well. But, for me, Air Asia has larger routes (more cities serviced).

The planes are well kept and free seating (like SouthWest in the states)

1 thing to watch out for - all the Asia carriers (Thai Air included) have a 15 kg luggage limitation and charge 5-7 RGT per kg over. So your luggage could be more expensive then your person. If you are returning to an area and do not need all your baggage check with your hotel or lockers at the airport for leaving it behind.

Air Asia is one of the new airlines that fly internationally for very few $$'s. We tried it for the first time on this trip and they fly from Clark (former US airbase) in Pampanga to KL for about P8,000. From KL to Siem Reap it's around P4,500.
The only downside to incredibly low flight prices is the lack of food on board. You can buy snacks if you get hungry but the choices are very limited. I suggest you make sure you eat somethng before you leave Manila since the flight is almost 4 hours. Almost an hour more than if you fly with an airline that uses bigger aircraft.
All in all, though, Air Asia offers great value and allows people more mobility within the asian countries they fly to.