It's all about my travel experience and things I love to do…
Posts tagged Airport
AirAsia flies to Japan in Dec 2010
Sep 23rd
There are two objective of this post. So read the full post to find out what I am going to talk about.
1) Serves as an awareness of AirAsia’s flight to Japan-Haneda Airport.
2) Serves as an awareness also the terms & conditions plus traveling to Japan.
Wow! I am sure it is definitely a talk of the town with AirAsia promoting their fares to Japan as cheap as RM 99 one way all inclusive of tax. What’s even more interesting to find is that they have packages as low as RM 1,999 per person which includes flights and accommodation at AirAsiaGo!
Wow Wow Wow!
I was impressed at the rate of how AirAsia is going with all their marketing and promotions and opening of new routes time and time again. This time it would be Japan! Dyyiiaaammm…
Oh yeah! Moshi Moshi Japan! AirAsia is selling seats to Japan from RM 99 onwards! Check it out yo!
But wait! STOP! Don’t so rush! The sales starts at 1100 hours on 23rd September 2010, which is TODAY! hooray!
Wheeee….
Oh wait! There’s more! There’s more! AirAsiaGo is selling Japan packages in conjunction of this launch by AirAsia.
Can you believe it? Package to Japan which includes flights and accommodations from RM 699!
With that kind of package price, even my nephew and niece can go, albeit they don’t use their pocket monies lah!
AirAsiaGo also works as a one stop center for any destination you fly with AirAsia for packages. They even offer transportation and even lots more package options for you to choose.
So yeah! What are you waiting for? Go grab your credit card and start clicking the “Buy” button! If you don’t have a credit card, go grab your parent’s or if you want, ask me nicely. 
Now, happy moments are over while I need to bring these awareness up before you start clicking “Buy”
1) Terms & Conditions of purchasing this round of promotion by AirAsia.
While it is all nice and rosy about the cheap promo fares to Japan, I still think their terms & conditions is a little bit untrustworthy towards the consumer. What am I talking about? Read these fine prints by AirAsia on their promo banner:
Booking Period :
23 September 2010 – 31 October 2010
Travel Period : 9 December 2010 – 31 July 2011
Travel Notes
- Advanced booking required.
- Fares are not available during embargo period.
- Flights start 9 Dec 2010 and are subjected to regulatory approval.
- AAX flies to Japan every Tuesday, Thursday & Sunday.
- Fares and flights shown on our website are subject to government approval, all funds charged for flights will be quarantined pending Japanese government approval.
What does that mean you ask me? Ok! Don’t quote me buy just let me guess. I don’t want to be sued by AirAsia while I’m still broke.
I would believe with the above quoted statement, AirAsia has not gained any Japanese government’s approval to land at Haneda Airport while the date of 9th December may be a tentative flying out dates. While the regulatory approval would suggest that AirAsia hasn’t or still waiting for IATA or similar bodies to approves the airspace routes to be taken.
While these are the case, do not be alarmed at the same time, as this promotion may be AirAsia’s ticket to convince the Japanese government to grant them (AirAsia) a right to land at Haneda Airport. Which means, if A LOT of you starts buying, AirAsia can show the volume and the potential tourism income Japan will gain by granting flight access to AirAsia.
Now, the issue is that, what if AirAsia doesn’t get the rights to land at Haneda Airport in December and delayed till January only? What will happen to all the monies spent to buy tickets flying out during Christmas. Everyone will surely plan their holidays and if AirAsia doesn’t fly, consumer’s plan will be screwed all over.
Now, bearing in mind that customer service support from AirAsia via call in or email may not be prompt to handle the number of cases, should the above happen. Unless, AirAsia opens a dedicated channel to serve the Japanese route. What more, waiting in line at their walk-in service centers is really a bummer at times.
So, decide nicely before you buy and while you are screwed all over, don’t say I never warn you. While I am not worry for losing clients to go direct online to purchase, I do not want to see people suffer because of “dodgy” terms and conditions by AirAsia. You all know how budget carriers can be really a pain in the arse sometimes.
OK! Next…
2) Traveling to Japan. Visa is definitely needed.
Why I am concern on this matter is that, the price is so cheap, every tom dick and harry would also wanna buy. Markets I would see responding very well to this campaign or route would be the youths.
Now, be very well aware that you definitely need a visa to enter Japan and it takes a lot more in requirements to process which involves financial capabilities and traveling arrangements in Japan.
I do really suggest you read well the info stated in this page > Visa Application Requirement.
There you go, I’ve state my suggestions and it’s time to fly to Japan?
Anhyong Haseyooo!!
Eh wait… wrong country… ermm..
YAMATE!?
oh wait.. too “adult” .. ermm…
MOSHI! MOSHI!…
Murtala Muhammad International Airport, Lagos
Jul 5th
The first impression of any visitor to any country, will be the airport itself. It is the first building any tourist will see when they arrive any country. Don’t blaim anyone. It is just normal that one will have an overall perception given the state of the airport.
I was well prepared on the state of Lagos airport before I arrive. To me, the shock was even deeper as much as I have heard about Nigeria, I’ve never thought it will be as bad. How bad? Let me just explain.
This is how the airport looks like on the tarmac. As much as I have heard, the VIP halls are much better.
Coming out from the aircraft, one have to walk through te bridge and then throuh this under-maintained walkway to the immigration hall. There is an escalator going down, but before the escalator, there are officers checking for UN Yellow Fever Vaccine card. The non-courteous officer did a quick run through to make sure you have one and soon release u to the immigration hall.
I don’t know if it is appropriate to call it an immigration hall, it was stuffy, and doesn’t seem to be very well organized to live up to its “international” standards.
The air conditioning is not really working and I believe that an airport such as this should have a centralized air conditoning. There is one, LG air cond there but only one to support a 200+ arriving passengers per international flight? It could be better.
There are 8 working immigration counters, split of 4 each for Foreign and Nigerian passport holders. They have electronic systems in place but by the looks of it, it may be broken. it may have broken down. I guess, simplifying the flow of arrival would really help tremendously.
Oh, did I mentioned that Nigeria is facing a huge power issue? While waiting in line, the power went off for a good 10-15 seconds. I am very sure it is seriously affecting the airport operations.
Just a few days ago, I read in the papers that the Ministry of Aviation and the airport authority has been given 90 days to revamp the whole airport and to make it work to reach the like of Dubai International Airport and I seriously hope they do for the sake of reviving the tourism in Nigeria. If they do so, I believe a lot more airlines will opt to fly into Lagos.
A Whole New World
Jun 30th
It has been more than a day of traveling since I touched down from a 7 hours flight. Very tiring flight. It was quite a full flight. Yesterday I went to www.emirates.com to book myself seats for my flights. Got aisle seats but this recent flight I found myself a bulkhead seat. Thank god as I need the space to stretch my legs. If you haven’t know, I’m 6 footer.
So yes, here I am in a completely foreign land. It is my first time on African soil. This is the airport of where I am right now. This was once the pride of the country and even Africa, so to say.
It was the first ever airport in Africa more than 20 years ago. If you could have guessed or rather known or maybe not have any idea at all, yes I’m at Nigeria.
I’ve got scheduled meetings for the next 7days back to back. The biggest one being tomorrow and I got to get things done from now onwards.
So there you go, I’m now at Nigeria and I’ve even met another Nigerian on board my flight to Lagos earlier. Sony and I pretty much talked about Nigeria and the perceptions the country has received thus far, mostly negative, from international people abroad.
I’m currently staying at Check Inn Hotel in Ibadan, Oyo State. Very nice place. The bed is quite comfy too…
Till I write again… Watch this space for more.
Air Asia/Airline Baggage “Handling” Practice
Mar 30th
Sawadikap!…
I am back from Phuket, Thailand as some of you would already know. But if you didn’t know, now you know. 
Before I go on and proceed with my traveling experiences, let me write about one experience that I always see it with my own eyes but never had a chance to proof my words whenever I tell people what I saw.
It is about Air Asia’s baggage “handling” practice. I’m just curious, how much Air Asia actually has spent on baggage damage compensation?
Maybe to the airlines, it is cheaper to spend on compensation rather than spending time to carefully transfer our baggage from the aircraft to the baggage trolley. I don’t know, don’t quote me on this.
Here was what I captured when I arrived at LCCT on the 30th March 2010 at 0200 hours from Phuket. This flight is not my flight, but some other flight that arrived a moment earlier than us.
Looking up for my video I saw other similar videos that would show you further on how Air Asia handles your baggage.
Here’s on from danielpurser
Interesting isn’t it? Oh wells, what can I say? You want cheap and budget, your service also cheap and budget lah.
Okay… to be fair, Air Asia is not the only airline that does this kind of baggage handling. Search on YouTube reveals that almost all the airlines does this. Saves time… but does it save their cost in compensation?
This is how easyJet handles baggage from ValienteVejete.
Maybe these airport workers/airline staffs learn their trick from these luggage monkeys in the USA. Video by ministryofcctv.
But if you want to view more of baggage handlings on YouTube, click here.
It’s good that airlines offer us cheap fares and made it affordable for us to travel, but if we were to experience this kind of baggage damage trauma, why do we have to pay you to handle our baggage?
My take is that, if you want to accept a fee in handling our baggage, handle them with care! Why waste money to print out the “Fragile” sticker and stick on our bags.
Might as well put up a disclaimer right in front of your check-in counter and say “Your baggage “might” be thrown by our tarmac staffs, please take note that you can claim for any damages.” Right?
Oh wells, this is my 3rd time experiencing and seeing how Air Asia handles their passenger’s baggage. Next time, I will just buy a harder cover luggage bag or a heavier luggage bag and then see how much they want to throw my luggage!
Flying with Malaysia Airlines to Bangkok
Apr 22nd
See, the whole reason why I need a ‘blog secretary‘ is to remind me that I haven’t finish posting about my Perth Adventure. Now I am stuck! Should I continue blogging about Perth or should I start with Bangkok?
Oh no! It’s like some love hate relationship with my own blog. What the heck right? I know!
Anyways… I’ve got a plan… nyek nyek nyek…
Okay, so I went to Bangkok two weeks ago. It was such a random plan. Wingz was one of my travel companion to Bangkok. I told him I wanna plan a trip cause I got ‘jalan’ for cheap fare and cheap accommodation at Courtyard Marriott. See! The benefit of a travel agent! 
Wingz got his buddy Frostier to join in, since he needs to break his flight virginity. That fella so lucky you know! ‘Cause he broke his flight virginity with Malaysia Airlines! So many people out there now breaks their flight virginity with Air Asia. :p hahaha
Since I got my contact in MAS to give me this flight to Bangkok free of charge, I promised to blog about them like how I blog about Air Asia. FOC is only for me, not for Wingz and Frostier. Muahahahha *bragging time*
My flight was…
MH 784 Y 10APR KULBKK HS1 0910 1015
MH 783 Y 12APR BKKKUL HS1 1710 2015
I was so busy before I flew and I barely even have time to pack. But what pack? Three pair of cloths and I’m set to go!
Reached the airport very early in the morning and since I’m still early, I decided to give the self check-in kiosk a try. I’ve tried the self check-in kiosk for Air Asia at LCCT long time ago but never used MAS’ kiosk.
Such a hassle free and not like Wingz he has to line up because the window for self check in is one hour before flight departure. So he was unlucky. Muahahaha!! Take picture summore lah!
Traveling with Malaysia Airlines, I was expecting the MH is Malaysian Hospitality that was much talked and advertised all over.
The plane was a small one (Boeing 737, I think) when I was going to Bangkok but I was only complaining for the first 15 minutes upon entering the plane. This one particular stewardess was so sweet that it took my complains away! Her name is Agnes Soh. *bluek*
See! So sweet right? Her smile just threw all my complaints out of the window. She was just like the Cool & Cold Korean Lady I met when I was at Arirang, Perth. She was kinda frustrating at one point when her mate at the back of the plane was slow in responding to her request but that frustration she had diminish when she turns to the passenger. *melts*
Anyways, that aside. I have babbled enough. *hik* Let the pictures do all the talking from now on…
I got this pillow from the flight going to Bangkok…
Was served Nasi Lemak with Sambal Prawn…
Liked the deserts very much…
Liked even more the smile of Agnes Soh…
Didn’t like the seat given to me. Should have asked for emergency seat which I always do. My leg so long I can’t have enough seat pitch!! *boo* 
The flight coming back was a lot better. They are using a bigger aircraft. YAY! That time I was smarter also, I asked for emergency aisle seat! Clever right? I know!!
That flight MH783 from Bangkok to Kuala Lumpur got screen also wei!!!
The seats were a lot nicer and more comfy also!
Was served pizza. I was jealous because Frostier got rice. Was so hungry that I wanted rice, but they said finish. See lah! You want nice seats but couldn’t have nice food because when the trolley cart reaches you, everyone else had the nice food. But I got good seats!! *Hmmph!*
Oh… I was hoping to see that sweet stewardess Ms. Agnes Soh again on my way back from Bangkok.
NO! she was not on that flight. “Hi Agnes, If you are reading this…” hahaha
Anyways… it was a nice experience flying with Malaysia Airlines after so long!!!
I think with the increasing sales volume I have with MAS, I shall ask for a flight to UK?
Coming up next… the hotel I stayed in Bangkok!!…
Flying With Air Asia To Perth…
Mar 7th
We flew Air Asia to Perth. It was 5 hours of flight and it was a near full flight.
While waiting for our flight D7 2712 to Perth, we tried to get a seat at the boarding gate. It was difficult. Why is it so difficult? LCCT sure has enough adequate seats but, it is the other people waiting for the same flight are making it difficult for us to get a seat.
Those people just don’t understand that seats are for humans, not for bags! Grrrr….
It was a tiring and long 5 hours flight. You know how bad can the leg room be for people as tall as me. I can’t complain either as flying with Air Asia, you want a good seat, you pay extra.
So throughout the flight, we entertained ourselves with their on board chat system. Which pretty much took away our boredom.
I also paid for their entertainment package which cost me RM 30 and I can watch most on board movies and I watched Cars. Yeah I know how outdated I am. -_-
One lesson one should learn when flying with Low Cost Carriers is that, fill in your stomach first before flying. You can save quite a bit from the on board meals which cost a bomb. I had Sri Melur Roti Jala with a cup of coffee and it comes to about RM 12 (Roti Jala) + Coffee (RM4). Crazy!!
It was really yum for the Roti Jala, but I thought they could do better with the serving potion. Maybe two more pieces of the Roti Jala?
Time passes by very fast and the captain announces our arrival to Perth 30 minutes before landing.
We checked out and when my baggage arrives, I found that in front of my backpack, the string was torn. Must have been that the gound handling people destroyed it by holding my backpack by the string or it was just rough handling by all parties. Gah! It is new bag… *sobs*
Passing through all the immigration and out we are at the arrival hall. We took the airport shuttle that cost the 3 of us AUD $35 to the city.
The journey to the city took approximately 30 minutes and were in Perth!!!
and… we are going to explore the city…
The KLIA and LCCT-Labu Blah Blah Blah
Jan 25th
So, KLIA or LCCT Labu?
All I can say is that LCCT Labu is just a gimmick. As much as I have support for Air Asia as well as MAS, I do seriously think, spending on LCCT Labu is just not wise and no businessman would venture into that.
Why do I think so?
I don’t know. Maybe I am wrong, but don’t quote me. MY focus will be solely on KLIA and how to make KLIA better. We don’t need something new to make a name for ourselves. Just re-brand!
Why would they want to upgrade the facilities in LCCT now when they have plans to get LCCT Labu up and running soon? It is like throwing money without thinking of ROI. I don’t think any businessman would do that. Unless, the money recovered is unimaginely quick.
Again, the logic is, soil problem is not a big huge problem at all. If we have the desire to get KLIA LCCT done up as soon as possible, we can always adopt a technology to do so. The receipts from tourism can easilly offset the cost of adopting such technology. If there is any technology available.
Should cost be MAHB biggest concern, invite Sime Darby to venture into airport business and get a cut out of them. I mean, MAHB has serious problem in promoting KLIA and making KLIA to a world class airport to attract many more world class airlines. With a venture with Sime Darby, I think, maybe MAHB can quite make the cut and build KLIA to a status a par with Changi or Suvarnabhumi.
We seriously need to get a professional planner to get things done at KLIA and put KLIA and LCCT on more airline’s landing radar now! Airport is a very essential facility for any country to grow.
What I see at KLIA and LCCT now is that, they are from the same mother, but it seems that LCCT somehow has stole the limelight and KLIA is now jealous and pulling a sour face, emoing.
They should be working together to link both great facilities up and make it more convenient to the mass public. It is sad to know that LCCT sits just beside KLIA, but just because of some soil problem or railway blocking in between, there is no linkage. Imagine how much can both KLIA and LCCT benefit in terms of passenger growth if they are both well connected?
Let’s say, I want to fly from Penang to Miri. There immediate connection from Penang to Miri is on MAS in KLIA. But, there is a later flight to Miri at LCCT. I would rather save the buck to travel from LCCT and KLIA and take Air Asia instead. It’s human psychology. Distance without proper immediate connection deters a great relationship between two great airports.
Somebody needs to buck up and I do seriously think that MAHB and LCCT needs to put on their thinking cap again to restrategize their business for the benefit of the country. Not just the people. not just themselves and not for some idiot politician who say what they should do.
And they should do it, PRONTO!
