KL Weekender via Malindo (SIN-KUL-SIN)

[ycp81]

This would be a short review of my last weekend hop to nearby Kuala Lumpur on one of the lesser known airline, Malindo Air. Malindo may already is a familar name in Malaysia, but in Singapore, many are still unaware of the airline's existant, much less the almost full-service (at LCC prices) it offers. This is my 3rd ride with them and I am still very satisfied with the airline and the value it offers.

Friday evening after work, home for quick dinner and shower, and I was heading to the airport for the 2130pm flight. No problem with checking in just an hour before STD. Malindo, along with th rest of the Lion Air group, uses Row 1 of Changi for check-in. No queues at all.




Proper boarding pass issued.




Departure from Gate A18.





30 September 2016
Malindo Air
OD 806
Singapore (SIN) - Kuala Lumpur (KUL)
B737-900ER
9M-LNJ
Economy Class
Flight Time: 0H48M


The scheduled B738 was swapped to a slightly larger B739ER. Could not get a good shot of the aircraft.




Boarding the aircraft. Got to my seat at Row 30. The B739ER has the older version of IFE screen and system, but still of good quality.






Legroom is very good! Easily 33-34" pitch.




Inflight magazines and IFE options. IFE was switched on after takeoff and you can use your own earphones to enjoy the IFE, though choices are rather limited compared to proper full-service carriers.








Garuda and LionAir parked beside.




Boarding in progress. Crew were actively assisting with the boarding. Flight was not too full in Economy (about 3/4 full), and I guess simarly so in Business.

[ycp81]

Boeing Sky Interior towards the rear.




All ready for the short hop to KUL.




Safety video played.




Video of the safety demo.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rwiPwGLWLwM


Taxi to Rwy02C.




Departure










Video of the takeoff from Rwy02C.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J0Rh6iFbBrI


Cabin ambience with dimmed cabin lights.




IFE was switched on. I settled on the Flight map for this short flight, even though the whole IFE selection of movies and TV shows are available.

[ycp81]

Estimated to arrive at KL slightly behind schedule due to late departure from SIN.




Cabin crew swiftly began service, dishing out refreshments in bumpy conditions. Seatbelt signs were turned on throughout the flight due to the bouts of turbulence as we were flying at a low altitude in the clouds.




Refreshments served on this short sector is a mini-muffin and a cup of orange juice or water. This is a change from earlier this year when they served a sweet bread and pre-cupped water.




Our flight routing.




Very soon, we were descendig towards KUL and landing on Rwy32L.




https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X_EcCSnGm1g


Parked at KLIA1's satellite terminal. Malindo has since shifted back to KLIA1 so as to enable connections and code-shares with other full-service airlines.




Disembarking.




A short, pleasant and comfortable flight on Malindo Air. The offerings on the short hop is certainly impressive and matches up to the full-service carriers.


Immigration and security was swift, and a 28min KLIA Express train ride later, we were right smack in KL Sentral, a 3.5hrs journey from my home to KL city. Before checking into the hotel, I had a light supper at one of the Indian eateries in Brickfields.

Maggie goreng with chicken




Stayed at Le Meridien KL Sentral. Rooms were newly refurbished, with very comfortable beds and excellent amenities. The swimming pool, which was shared with Hilton, was huge and resort-styled. Certainly a very recommended hotel to stay.






Views from room and lift lobby.

[9V-SPL]

Thank you for the TR!

I have flown Malindo a few times, mostly on SIN-KUL-TRV runs at times when SilkAir proves to be a little pricey

[ycp81]

Some of the food we had in KL on this short trip.

Famous Peter's Pork noodles, loh mee and char kuay teow at a food center near the hotel.








Famous Kim Lian Kee Hokkien noodles at Petaling St. Also ordered a Moonlight Hor Fun.






Discovered this new hawker center at ICC Pudu, which consists of many renowned hawker stalls from the old Imbi Market. The hawker food are all cheap and delicious and the center was bustling with locals. Ordered crispy popiah, curry noodles, chee cheong fun, nasi lemak.

[ycp81]

On the trip back to the airport, I took the Airport Bus from KL Sentral, which is a 55min ride to KLIA. Reached the airport by 6pm for the 7.40om flight. Checked in at the Internet check-in counter which had no queues. Newspapers were available at each counter for yours to take.




Boarding pass issued. Apparently the flight was retimed by 10min late due to late arrival of the aircraft from Langkawi.




As it was still early, we decided to grab some dinner at Old Town White Coffee restaurant. The eatery also offers nice views of the tarmac.








Proceeded to the gate at 7.20pm, where security screening for the flight had just started. The flight was further retimed to 8.15pm due to the late aircraft arrival from the previous sector.




Aircraft being serviced for the flight.





02 October 2016
Malindo Air
OD 805
Kuala Lumpur (KUL) - Singapore (SIN)
B737-800
9M-LNP
Economy Class
Flight Time: 0H43M


Boarding was called at 8.10pm, 30min pass the STD. Entered the aircraft cabin and surprisingly, pillows were placed on every seat, which was not available on the previous flight. The seats on the B738 were also newer than the B739ER, with bigger IFE screens and new interface. However, seat pitch was slightly less at around 32".

[ycp81]

New issue of inflight mag for the month of Oct.




Wing view.




With the cabin crew's proactive assistance, boarding was completed efficiency for the almost full flight. Captain also apologised for the delay due to the late arrival of the previous sector.




Safety video played as we pushed back 45min behind schedule.






It was a short taxi to Rwy32L as we started the takeoff run from the mid-section of the runway to save some time.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zA8XylcVX8E


Climbing away from KLIA.




IFE started up. Different interface and slightly more entertainment selections than the B739ER aircraft.

[ycp81]

Refreshment service commenced immediately. Similar to the incoming flight, mini-muffins were handed out, and the crew are glad to give you more if requested. Orange juice or water was also offered subsequently, with seconds also offered if requested.








Visit to the lavatory, which was equipped with just the necessary amenities, but clean.




View down the aisle with crew in action.




Our flight path. We managed to slash some flight time due to ATC providing a vector across Johor to Changi, instead of the normal trek down south of Singapore before heading northwards to join the approach.




Crew clearing the trash while descend started.




Approaching and landing on Changi Rwy20R. Arrived 35min behind schedule.






Video of landing.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e3gbfnHHT8I


Parked at Terminal 3 Gate A19.




Disembarking.




With Changi's efficiency, check-in bags were already circulating the belt when we cleared immigration.

From flight histories, apparently this last OD KUL-SIN flight of the day is rather prone to delays due to rolling over of earlier delays. To minimise such inconveniences (luckily the delay was not too long), Malindo should revise their scheduling to prevent too tight turnarounds. Apart from the delay, Malindo has again provided efficient and great service on this short sector.

Thanks for reading this short trip report!