Air Asia sudden changes to KL to Kochi route

[supertrav]

I've recently got an email notifying me of the change in time for the Air Asia KL to Kochi, India route. It changed from 3:20pm to 8:55pm. The problem is that I arrive at KL at lunch time. What gripes me the most is having to stay at the LCCT (more like a unairconditioned shed) for close to 9 hours. I am extremely annoyed that they would make such a change to what was otherwise a conveniently timed flight to Kochi. I've had to book a room at the LCCT Tune Hotel which charges for air conditioning, toiletries etc. This is something that I did not expect and has definitely put me off Air Asia for good!

Has anyone had a similar experience?

I am definately returning to our Singapore to Kochi route despite the expense.

Supertrav

 

[kpc]

Why not catch the KLIA Express into town, do a bit of shopping, have a meal etc instead?

 

[supertrav]

Unfortunately there is alot of baggage and there is no way to check in early.

 

[yohy?!]

unfortunately that is the lot in life for those travelling on LCCs

 

[kpc]

Unfortunately there is alot of baggage and there is no way to check in early.

Locker and Luggage Storage : Malaysia LCCT, Relevant Malaysia Travel Info For Your Journey

 

[richie9x]

Just a fact of life - airlines change their schedules and have delays. With a LCC you just have to live with it. Even a premium airline might not offer you much for a daytime delay or reschedule. If you have travel insurance you might be able to claim the cost of the room.

I once had a flight on Air Asia X from KUL-TPE delayed by 4 hours. I just sat at a friend's bar in the city drinking caprioskas for a few hours.

 

[supertrav]

Thanks for all the suggestions. Unfortunately travelling with a group means that luggage storage is not a viable option. With long delays, I've had my fair share, but they were in far nicer airports with better amenities. The joys of travelling with LCCs...

 

[Aussie_flyer]

Thanks for all the suggestions. Unfortunately travelling with a group means that luggage storage is not a viable option. With long delays, I've had my fair share, but they were in far nicer airports with better amenities. The joys of travelling with LCCs...

how big is the group? What difference does it make if the group stores the luggage? how is it not viable? The bus from LCCT to KL Sentral leaves very regularly and only RM10, go and do some shopping or go out for lunch in town. Turn a negative into a positive. This is all part of travel (yes it is more likely on a LCC but I am very glad we do have LCC options these days!)

 

[dajop]

Thanks for all the suggestions. Unfortunately travelling with a group means that luggage storage is not a viable option. With long delays, I've had my fair share, but they were in far nicer airports with better amenities. The joys of travelling with LCCs...

Why not just get 1 room - without all the add-ons - at the Tune hotel for luggage storage?

 

[supertrav]

Why not just get 1 room - without all the add-ons - at the Tune hotel for luggage storage?

I tried that but they didn't allow us to do that. The booking people kept telling me to get a 'refresher package' which meant that we had come on the day and book a room. There was no guarantee of room availability.

In the end we had to book 2 rooms for 1 night as they didn't allow all 4 of us to occupy 1 room. Why I did this was that we all needed to take a shower and have a rest. This is important because when we arrive in India it would be late evening and with baggage etc it would mean arriving at our accommodation early the next morning.

Whilst the Changi the Airport Hotel provided a similar refresher package and accommodated all 4 of my group in one room. There was no extra surcharges for ac, toiletries etc. I don't understand why this couldn't be implemented at the LCCT Tune Hotel.

I've also heard of horror stories where people who had waited in line at the check-in queue at KL LCCT, which was only manned by one customer service rep, and it took so long that they had missed their flight. As you know with LCCs, there is no re-scheduling of flights and no refunds - you need to purchase a new ticket. I am hoping to avoid this so no day trips to KL unfortunately.

Really it has been headache after headache...

supertrav

 

[Aussie_flyer]

I tried that but they didn't allow us to do that. The booking people kept telling me to get a 'refresher package' which meant that we had come on the day and book a room. There was no guarantee of room availability.

In the end we had to book 2 rooms for 1 night as they didn't allow all 4 of us to occupy 1 room. Why I did this was that we all needed to take a shower and have a rest. This is important because when we arrive in India it would be late evening and with baggage etc it would mean arriving at our accommodation early the next morning.

Whilst the Changi the Airport Hotel provided a similar refresher package and accommodated all 4 of my group in one room. There was no extra surcharges for ac, toiletries etc. I don't understand why this couldn't be implemented at the LCCT Tune Hotel.

I've also heard of horror stories where people who had waited in line at the check-in queue at KL LCCT, which was only manned by one customer service rep, and it took so long that they had missed their flight. As you know with LCCs, there is no re-scheduling of flights and no refunds - you need to purchase a new ticket. I am hoping to avoid this so no day trips to KL unfortunately.

Really it has been headache after headache...

supertrav

Seems you made a mistake going with a lcc if you are worried about queues

 

[supertrav]

Looks like it....

 

[RB]

I've also heard of horror stories where people who had waited in line at the check-in queue at KL LCCT, which was only manned by one customer service rep, and it took so long that they had missed their flight. As you know with LCCs, there is no re-scheduling of flights and no refunds - you need to purchase a new ticket. I am hoping to avoid this so no day trips to KL unfortunately.

Really it has been headache after headache...

supertrav

Was certainly not the case when I was there- Was no worse than I see at T2 SYD. Maybe you are more susceptible to headaches:shock:

 

[supertrav]

thanks RB...btw did you web check in or checked-in at the counter

 

[RB]

thanks RB...btw did you web check in or checked-in at the counter

At the counter. We had a flight in & stayed overnight at Tune. Had no internet access or time so had to line up. The initial experience early in the morning was a bit overbearing but it was the same process- just unfamiliar surrounds

 

[fersea]

I was there a few weeks ago after initially flying into the KLIA airport which was very nice. However, it took me an hour to get through immigration at KLIA (admittedly coming in) but when I flew out of the LCCT looked a bit of a mess but check-in, security etc was very quick.

I also stayed at the Tune hotel. I got there late at night and then had an early flight so I literally repacked my bag, went to bed, got up had a shower and checked out. For that purpose it was fine. All the rooms do have a ceiling fan if you don't want to pay for airconditioning and of course you can bring your own toiletries.

Think about it this way - how much are you saving using a LCC? I am sure that is more than the $50 AUD for the Tune Hotel room.

 

[moa999]

To be expected for lcc.
Terminal will get better with klia2 next year

 

[k_sheep]

The terminal isn't bad at all anyway. Plenty of nice cheap eateries. Can pay for lounge access if you feel that way inclined (though I've heard it's not great value).