After a few days in SIN it was time to head to Kuala Lumpur. The taxi driver had the verbal dexterity of a London cabbie and with sore ears we arrived at an almost deserted T2. Checkin was completely empty and within minutes we were off through an equally empty security into the quiet abyss of the shopping area cum departure lounge.
The facilities at SIN really are top notch and we both made use of the free internet PCs which are randomly dotted around.
Looking at the screens we could see what could've been as our departure was originally to have been an SQ flight that was cancelled and replaced by MI (Silk Air) before we booked - bye bye 1 TP.
Heading over to the gate we saw our grubby A320 looking like a minnow next to one of the brand spanking new SQ A330s. The gate area itself was pretty dingy and we didn't appreciate the plasma TV set on an US cookery channel blasting at OAP volume level.
A single boarding announcement for Business class saw the entire departure lounge stagger to the air bridge with no-one there to check boarding passes. There were no other announcements so we eventually headed off to join the back of the queue.
The A320 was only about 3/4 full so I understand why SQ are giving up putting B777s on this route. I reckon we were pretty much the only holidaymakers on board judging by the number of singles that had all taken aisle seats the whole way along the ac.
After takeoff the crew did a free drinks round and announced there would be no food service due to the short flight time. The pilot announced 'Ladies and Gentlemen we have just reached our cruising altitude, I hope you have enjoyed our service on Silk Air today. Cabin Crew, prepare the cabin for landing' which tickled only me!
Landing over some enormous plantation in KUL it struck me that this is an obviously busier airport than SIN. Being a small ac we were quickly off and had to board a shuttle train to take us over to the other terminal. The other terminal was a building site with narrow passageways weaving through hoarding emblazoned with signage proclaiming the aiport to be the best in the world.
Best in the world? No way. Not with the 1 hour queue we faced for immigration that spilled out of the queueing system and into a general throng by the wall, not helped by a plane load of Emirates PAX that obviously cannot comprehend what queuing is all about.
Through immigration with a guard that showed so much disinterest I wonder if she had a TV under the desk we reached an unbelievably crowded baggage hall and searched in vain for our flight on the screen. Seeing an SQ office we (and other PAX from the flight) headed there to find out where our luggage was - the office was locked closed. Eventually after random walking we found a pile of Silk Air baggage abandoned in the middle of the hall.
Leaving the secure area we continued to feel the difference to SIN as we were inundated with taxi touts whilst we made our way the the KLIA Ekspres train. It's not cheap but was perfect for us as we were booked into the Hilton which is part of the KL Sentral station complex.
At KL Sentral, upon passing through the exit barriers a Hilton rep was there to call a car to whisk us the 2 minute circuit around the station and into the hotel reception.
Overall, an average journey however KLIA was really appaling and leaves me shudding at the thought of returning there in future - I guess it didn't help that we'd just left from SIN which really is quiet and calm efficiency personified.
