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MAHB was the ones who demolished the old subang airport building for a reportedly RM140million. Half of it in consultancy fees. Can you blame them for putting up the airport taxes? The same guys now charges every Malaysian, whether they are in Kota Kinabalu or Penang, similar airport taxes to cover the cost of building KLIA. They cannot even handle the taxi and illegal parking problem at KLIA, what more aeroplanes.

Jeff, interesting write-up on the new terminal (I haven't been there yet). Haven't had very good experiences with AA. First time in Jan (Sibu-KL), I had my luggage tampered with (no apologies/any response from them after the incident). 2nd time, my flight from KK to KL (Feb) was retimed twice, delayed for more than 6 hours and we ended up departing only at 3.15am. They could only tell us "technical problem". Yes its good that "everyone can fly" but now I can't help but hv second thoughts.

The LCCT reminds me of Terminal 3 in Subang. Except that it is so far from the Main Terminal.

The other problem is the aircraft parking. The old T3 had the aircrafts nose-in at the gate, making passenger movement shorter.

This LCCT has aircrafts parked at the apron, and passengers frequently needs to walk a considerable distance amidst airside vehicles and aircrafts.

I wonder what happens when it rains? A friend told me once his flight was delayed because they could not board passengers due to torrential rain.

Honestly, I just wonder how much money can be saved by spending money to make a terminal that maximise passenger inconvenience?

While it may be called "Low Cost", as Jeff pointed out, the food prices is anything buy "low cost". Maybe AA should take over the food outlets too? Caveat, while AA fares are still cheaper than MAS, the price seems to be creeping up, now that MAS Supersavers are no more.

By the way, haven't been back to the main terminal since AA moved out. That is a fair bit of passenger traffic removed. I wonder if KLIA is back to the errie empty vacuous place it was when it started?

Been through LCCT twice since it opened and I didn't think it was too bad. Both times no problems with AA in terms of flight times so was really pleased. I'm going to fly from the singapore budget terminal in June so will be keen to see the difference.

The part I didn't like was the transfer between KLIA and LCCT. Use the traditional coach bus that doesn't work with passengers lugging oversized bags etc who want to carry onto the bus!! Then they squeeze everyone in so people standing also up to the door. I think in Singapore they use the proper busses suited for airport (everyone standing type).

Oh, and no burger king ;-(

I even slept overnight recently because took the last flight back from BKK and first flight out to Kuching. Here is a tip, use the SUN newspaper as a temprorary mattress of sorts and find quiet corner. I don't know people can sleep on those chairs because not even. I think I must have slept quite well because another passenger woke me up at 5:30 because he was concerned I was going to miss my flight!!

Yes I agree with the limeuu, I bet the KLIA domstic is like ghost town or will be when they rationalise the flights. Another white elephant in the making. Wonder if AA and MAS can switch?

I've used the LCCT frequently and I really like the "economy" of it.

I don't understand the complaints about the "low class" because all I want is to get to be able to board the plane asap when departing and get out of the airport asap when I arrive. I certainly didn't like the lengthy walks at KLIA.

And LCCT does just that.

I've also got to wake up some 40 minutes earlier in the mornings to catch my flight using Skybus instead of KLIA Express, but hey, I save RM26 for it. Great!

And with Digi EDGE service, I get to blog and surf while waiting for flight. Time is usefully spent.

With the exception of the distance, I love the airport.

:) Tony P

Like in all things Malaysian, our third world mentality will make this facility a third world infrastructure. All it takes is time.

The LCCT looks? OMG....Just wait for few raining season and monsoon month, we will know the QUALITY of RM1 Billion LCCT.

JEFF OOI says: For the record, the LCCT was built at a cost in slight excess of RM100 million.

After 1987 Korean air being bomb, it is standard procedure to offload luggages if any passenger fail to make it on time. Perhaps the pilot should announce the name of the passenger who delayed the whole flight.

I was there on Sunday. The LCCT sucks big time. I was in Manila a year ago and their low cost terminal was much more organized, better and spacious.

Air Asia is much more nonsense as compared with Cebu Air, a low cost carrier, that I took. The stewards were much friendlier and there was complimentary drinks. I wonder why can't they do as well as Air Asia.

Anyways, the LCCT is just not up to standard!

To comment on this by Jeff.... (But in-flight, the pilot announced that KLIA was restricted to one runway for all take-offs and landings that morning, so delays snowballed. Which is which?)

I was at KLIA on 1st May 06. There were a group of us plane spotters outside of the airport near the perimeter fence area from 9AM to 6PM.

On that day (in fact, the whole of that week) runway 14R was used for taking off and landing from 11AM to 6PM.
Traffic was not that busy for the whole day and the air traffic controllers were doing a good job too. Not much of congestion on Runway 14R. The max for a plane to wait for their turn to take off should be around 10 to 15 mins.

If single runway operation was to blame for the delay of flights, certainly other airlines would be affected as well.

I would say AK is using this minor issue as a lame excuse to cover their short coming.

hi jeff,

hehe, out of topic abit. you can fly KLM for less than RM400. sometimes it's almost half of that ammount. to top that, they have online check-in (you can pre-select your seats prior airport check-in) and issues e-ticketing. it's less hassle, great service and cheaper too! (sounds like a good chinaman deal, haha).

once we got stucked at the airport for AA flight delay, for 3 hours to miri.

when on board, i was talking to my friend, "Now Everyone Can Fly...but LATE"

suddenly nearby passenger started to laugh...real loud...

Slightly off topic, but I am beginning to think that there is room for an "intermediate cost" airline.

I think AA has gone the low cost model too far. Read yesterday's letter in Malaysiakini about a passenger being charged for use of a wheelchair!! Yeah, everybody can fly, except for the handicapped.

A reasonable "Intermediate Cost" airline will dispence with the class system, airmiles, special lounges, meals, etc to cut cost.

However, it should still serve drinks gratis, have designated seating, use aerobridge, be on-time (read reasonable trunaround time; AA's 20 minutes is TOO short).

Charge between MAS and AA fares, and I will definitely use it.

This is off topic and yes this is a low cost terminal. The steel trusses are not even fire-protected. (Steel trusses are those triangular structure as seen in the supporting the roof e.g. the photo with the coffee shop, cafe ekspreso).

I don't have to explain how weakly steel behaves in fire as many have already read / heard how the Twin Tower, NY collapsed due to fire.

I don't know about you guys but my feeling is that LCCT was built so as to lower the profitability of AA. That's my personal feeling.

No matter where you place AA, I am sure they will survive unlike some "other" airlines.

Side track a bit, it seems that delaying flights is not the "sole-rights" of AA. In China, 80% of the domestic flight will get delayed for at least an hour, all for one announced reason -- "air way congestion".

Over here in China, you are lucky if your flight was announced delay before you enter the air plane. At least you can wander around at the airport, stretch your leg a bit, do some eating, go toilet, buy ice cream, etc. Often enough, passengers are only told that the flight was delayed when we already sitting inside the airplane, with safety belt securely fastened. You just cannot do anything. Meal could not be served because they just simply do not know when can they take off... (they are worried if meal is served halfway and they have to take off, then food might be spilt..).

Perhaps we should have a global forum on the topic "how to have on-time flight schedule" to save passengers' valuable time.

Nowadays, taking on-time flight is really a great bonus for a traveller. And we never get to know the real answer behind of all these flights delay...

Another grip, and sorry again, off topic, The new AA A320s are the MOST uncomfortable aircraft I have ever been in, in my entire life! There is zero leg room, (I am a 6 footer), and the seat back CANNOT be reclined. At least the old B737-300s have decent leg space, and reclinable backs.

swee ann, no, AA actually wants this kind of setup, they initially wanted Subang, but the G said no. They will make NORE money now, as their overheads are lower at the LCCT, and their fares have gone up, when the competition from MAS is gone.

In spite of all the complaints about MAS, I have always defended them, they at least have decent services, nice clean aircrafts, and a pretty good on-time track record.

It is not the A320s that are uncomfortable. You can put a double bed and shower in one if you want (of course have to BYO - buy your own). The seat size and leg room depends on the airline. The seats can be shifted or dismantled as required.