TRIP REPORT - MEL - KUL on Air Asia X (D7)
(apologies to those expecting a novel, this will be mostly point form)
Arrived for our 1240am departure at 10.30pm, booked in the lie flat seats for $682 one way.
Made our way to the premium line, no one ahead of us, straight through, checked in.
They are strict with regard to carry on. My roll on weighed 9.5 kg, so had to be checked in, my laptop carry bag was no problem weighing total of 5kg. Checkin lady suggested I could move things between bags, but ultimately that would not have worked. Opportunity to test premium bag tags anyway.
Made our way through immigration etc, weaved our way through the duty free stores, down to gate 9. Had a coffee at one of the cafes. Close to boarding time, and things were going to be delayed.
Having looked into D7 a little, I had found that they do have a good track record of on time performance, I was a little surprised that boarding had not started by 1215am.
We boarded at about 1220am, made our way to onto the plane, and even though the flight had a lot of pax, the boarding line moved and people were seated very quickly. I think that the restriction on the amount of carry on luggage may have had something to do with this as people were not scrambling for space over head and messing around with 2-4 bags.
Climbed into the seat of the A330-300, and was very impressed with the seat. Now I am not sure if this was one of the ex AirCanada planes (those in the now maybe able to tell me), but the seat was very comfy, not hard at all!
I was given a bottle of water by the host, and the staff were all very pleasant, smiling etc. We were then provided with a pillow and blanket prior to push back.
We ended up pushing back at about 1255am IIRC, then we were up and away.
No in flight TV, I knew this, so had pre loaded a couple of movies on my laptop, and also knowing there was seat power I was not concerned about my battery dropping off.
There is an inflight magazine (that must be left on the plane), and very little else. Also, by knowing this ahead of time, I had my own reading material. And the fact it was an overnight flight with an early morning start at the trade show I planned on sleeping anyhow.
The meal came out (included in the price, but you must make sure you select your meal when booking your flight, or edit your details more than 24 hours before the flight - No changes available less than 24 hours prior to departure - more later).
The meal, as stated in other discussion was not very large. I enjoyed it, chicken with a bbq sauce, some potatoe and rice and yucky string beans (I dont like them). I was asked when I would like the meal (now or later) by the FA very soon afgter the seat belt light was turned off. I opted for now.
Once the meal was delivered (and removed when finished - they are very quick with clean up) I put on my movie and pretty much passed out. I did notice maybe once or twice the cart went by offering drinks/snacks throughout the night.
No breakfast on offer, you are woken after descent has commenced, so not really hungry at that point, and busy filling out arrival card etc and not long till landing. Arrived about 10 minutes ahead of schedule, so made up some time in the air.
Made our way off the plane, no air bridge, and walked along the tarmac to the LCCT (low cost carrier terminal???) probably only 150 metres or so. We were probably parked the furthest away, but there were a number of other Air Asia planes already on the ground.
Got ourselves through immigration very quickly. Being let off the plane first was nice, but we took our time and plenty of others ahead of us, but the officers were processing quickly and 5 desks open.
Made our way to baggage claim, our tagged bags were already there waiting for us. Through customs, not any event there, then out to find our way to the centre of KL.
Experience on AirAsia X flat seat - highly recommended
Further note -if you want to get to KL, there were a number of options. There was a bus to take you to the other terminal and then train it in, or a taxi. Just after you get through immigration you will see a taxi booking desk. Simply pay them RM75.00, they give you a ticket that has your requested destination and make your way out of the terminal past McDonalds and all the other food places (LOADS OF OPTIONS) down toward the bus terminal. You will see the taxi rank in the centre medium strip. An attendant will direct you to a taxi. Give him your slip, and close your eyes, the drive is just over an hour, and a good chunk of that is sitting in traffic once you get into KL. Traffic and the way people drive is very different, and after almost taking out a policeman, 3 pedestrians and 2 motorbikes (all because the driver did not notice, or care the light had been red for sometime), I wish I had been asleep.
It turns out there are two taxi types (executive and the white/red or white/other colour) The executive taxis are normally blue, and nicer, but cost a little more - that is the one we took for our drive back to the airport)
That is the trip over - the trip back in next post
