Sometimes we do take things in our own backyard for
granted. We constantly hear about and are quick to know all about bad things:
lousy service, sucky experiences and what-have-yous…funny how bad news travel
faster than good huh?
Joining the recent Malaysia Airports Berhad (MAB) media
fam tour of Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) proved insightful. I went
out of sheer curiosity but happily, I depart from the tour brimming with new,
useful information and invaluable enriching experiences worth sharing with
other avid travellers.
KLIA PREMIER ACCESS
Wanna travel like a VIP? Dream of being
whisk through KLIA like a diva? Now, KLIA Premier Access can make it happen. Just
purchase your Priority Access Pass – it’s the ‘magic carpet’ to whisk you
through MINUS the usual hassle every ordinary Ahmad, Ah Chong and Samy has to
undergo, starting from the airport kerbside up to your boarding gate in supersonic quick
time.
You can either pre-buy the Priority Access Pass
(refer to above chart for rates) in advance or upon arrival at KLIA, head over
to the counter (shown above) to purchase. Premier Rate Access is ideal for
travellers who are pressed for time, the old and infirm or families with young
children as they are accorded Meet & Greet service and buggy service.
The Premier Access Pass also gives you entry into
the KLIA Premier Lounge. Similar to an airline lounge, you can enjoy coffee/tea,
refreshments and standard lounge facilities here.
PORTER SERVICE
Travelling with oversized luggage? Want to explore
KLIA without pushing a laden trolley of baggage? You can approach the Porter
Service counter for help. Different rates are applicable for the Porter
Service, so feel free to ask the guys on duty.
KLIA JUNGLE WALK
I bet many of you have seen this patch of lush
greenery at the centre core of the Satellite Building. There’s even a
recreational walkway and manmade waterfall through the verdant space housing
the original forest reserve that has existed before the Satellite Building was
built.
Best of all, you can walk through the Jungle
Broadwalk FREE of charge! This natural forest reserve is the epitome of KLIA’s 'Airport
In The Forest, Forest In The Airport' concept, offering passengers the
refreshing experience of walking through a tropical forest reserve. There’s
also a Circular Viewing Gallery at the Mezzanine Level.
SPEEDY SHUTTLE SERVICE
KLIA now has 10 shuttle bus services as another mode
of people mover between the main terminal and satellite building in addition to
the Aerotrain services. The shuttle bus service is available 24 hours daily and
only takes 5 minutes to transport passengers between the main building to the
satellite terminal.
VVIP LOUNGE
MAHB General Manager, Corporate
Communications Nik Anis Nik Zakaria also led us to view the VVIP lounge – a
rare chance for us to view the plush space where visiting heads of states and
those in the highest echelons of power wait or convene prior and after their
scheduled flights.
SAMA-SAMA EXPRESS
Refresh, Relax and Renew is the tagline for
Sama-Sama Express Hotel, the 80-room airside property caters to transit
passengers. Located at the satellite building inside KLIA, Sama-Sama Express
boasts a spacious, cosy lounge with complimentary welcome drink at check-in.
Shower facilities are available for guests who wish
to freshen up after a long haul flight. The use of lounge and shower facilities
start from RM45 per person.
Complimentary Wi-Fi and internet facilities keep
guests well connected while anyone needing to use a last minute meeting room
can rent one at Sama-Sama Express at RM320 upwards.
For layovers between flights, travellers can
check-in to a Deluxe room or Suite for 6 or 12 hours from RM265 onwards.
Feel peckish? Food & beverage such as the chef's much lauded sup daging and biryani should warm the tummy alongside sandwiches, salads and assorted dessert.
Three (3) minutes. That is the target response time
the Airport Fire & Rescue Service (AFRS) team strives to meet in case there’s
fire, aircraft accident, hazardous spillage on the runway or any other emergency
occurring at KLIA.
priority is to save lives in emergency cases. The team also provides
fire-fighting service, guides stakeholders on fire prevention and renders medical
first-aid instantly in emergency incidents.
We even had the rare chance of riding in
one of the Rosenbauer 8x8 Aircraft Rescue Fire Fighting vehicle – the world’s
most advance aircraft firefighting vehicle. Yes, folks KLIA has 2 of them
including the Rosenbauer model used
in the blockbuster "Transformers: Dark of the Moon" movie!
We must salute these brave men who keep watch on the safety of KLIA as the job is a taxing and highly demanding one, especially when it comes to the crunch.
UPGRADED FACILITIES
It’s also heartening to know KLIA isn’t resting on its
laurels as various airport facilities are continuously upgraded over time. For instance, Muslim
travellers from around the world will be the first to commend and appreciate
the spacious prayer rooms, separate for men and women Muslim travellers.
Prayer mats and robes as well as ablution area are
provided for the convenience of Muslim travellers.
For the general public, airport users and frequent
travellers, many of the existing restrooms have been given a facelift. They
look much nicer and warmly lit, with new hand dryers and all the basic essentials
so we can only hope users will treat the facilities well.