Medan (MES) layout

[SilverChris]

Haven't been to MES in years but I plan to do a turnaround trip next month.

Is the MES layout like Changi's where I can just proceed straight to the gate or is it HKG style where the departures and arrivals are on different levels?

[UMD]

MES (the current Polonia Airport) doesn't have a complicated layout. When you arrive on any International flight, you will be either be bused or asked to walk to the arrival hall (usually a 1 - 2 mins ride or walk) and then you have to clear your immigration and customs there. Once you clear customs, you will leave the hall through the door on the land-side of the terminal and then turn left to walk (about 3 mins walk) to the International departure terminal where you have to check-in again for your flight. You would definitely need to pay for a Rp 75,000 airport tax before you are allowed to clear immigration again and go upstairs to the departure lounge.

There is no aerobridge gate at MES and there will never be one at the current airport as the new airport is now scheduled to be operational by early 2013.

Here is a link to a picture of MES.

http://static.panoramio.com/photos/o...l/52818612.jpg

The building with the title POLONIA written on the roof is the departure terminal and the lower building with a green rooftop is the arrival terminal.

[SilverChris]

That makes a turnaround sound rather risky. The MH flight arrives at 1510 and departs at 1550, so the gate closes at 1540. If queues are long there's a possibly i'll miss the flight.

Thoughts?

[UMD]

I have never done a turnaround flight through MES.

Personally, I also think it is risky because the arrival immigration process can takes up to at least 15 mins depending on the load. The departing immigration process, however, can be quite quick.

Can you get your BP issued to you at KUL? If you can, then this could be less risky because your main problem is to make your check in before the counter is closed at the departure terminal.

Can I assume that the reason you are doing the turnaround is because you have managed to snatch a good deal ex-MES? If my assumption is correct, maybe you can consider spend 1 night at the city before you fly out again the next day. The current MES is located in the middle of the city and all the 4 or 5 star hotels including the JW Marriott can be booked for less than Rp 750, 000 per night. Peranakan / Straits foods in Medan are also very good.

I personally believe turnaround @MES can only be possible after the move to the new airport early next year. The new airport will have a departure / arrival set-up very similar to SIN.

Here is a link to the new Medan airport at Kuala Namu:

http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showth...09197&page=120

[SQflyergirl]

ah.... I know that MES MH special - looks like somebody needs the 4 sector credits

I looked at doing a turn also, but it doesn't look possible.

to UMD: KUL can't issue BP's for return.

[SilverChris]

ah.... I know that MES MH special - looks like somebody needs the 4 sector credits

I looked at doing a turn also, but it doesn't look possible.

to UMD: KUL can't issue BP's for return.

I have to maintain a status of at least ONE FFP

At the rate I'm going I'll be back to blue for every program.....

I might do KUL-MES (arr 1510) on MH and return on AK (dep 1755)

[flyKL]

to UMD: KUL can't issue BP's for return.

Can't they? I thought they can issue return BPs for flights within 24 hrs

[SQflyergirl]

Can't they? I thought they can issue return BPs for flights within 24 hrs

Only domestically. Went up to BKK 3 weeks ago on a turnaround KUL-BKK-KUL-CDG and they could only issue the KUL-BKK and KUL-CDG BP's.

[W_Flyer]

Sorry to go off topic but does Indonesia still have passport stamps? My parents didn't have any this year

[diecastdrool]

@ W_Flyer: yes, they do. I myself had experienced a no-stamp clearance thru the immigration in Indonesia and I got into trouble when I was about to exit. I was accused of entering the country illegally...luckily I still kept my BP as a proof

[metcalve]

I lived in Medan for a couple of years and used to take the evening MI flight MES-SIN quite often. Recalled arriving at airport 15 minutes before departure time and still accepted for check-in (with bags).

MES, as an airport, is a joke.

Money talks and works wonders in Medan.

[SQflyergirl]

I have to maintain a status of at least ONE FFP

At the rate I'm going I'll be back to blue for every program.....

I might do KUL-MES (arr 1510) on MH and return on AK (dep 1755)

Hold off a bit till next week - there's another sale coming. I saw the pricing sheet (sorry, forgot to look at MES) but they're overall cheaper in J than the current sale going on now.

Think somewhere along the lines of RM8999 RT all in to LHR as a data point, if i recall correctly.

[SilverChris]

Hold off a bit till next week - there's another sale coming. I saw the pricing sheet (sorry, forgot to look at MES) but they're overall cheaper in J than the current sale going on now.

Think somewhere along the lines of RM8999 RT all in to LHR as a data point, if i recall correctly.

hmm, is it an all-J sale? RM8999 RT to LHR doesn't even get you half a one way Suite ticket

[SQflyergirl]

hmm, is it an all-J sale? RM8999 RT to LHR doesn't even get you half a one way Suite ticket

honestly... I only glanced at it, and erm... didn't see if there was a Y portion to it, sorry - only noticed the J (there were no F fares in the sheet)

Current MES sale fare is RM335 one way, so use that as a data point.

[SilverChris]

Thanks for the heads up, SQFG