Review of Tiger Airways flight Singapore → Kuching in Economy

Just barely a month after my Vietnam trip, I and a friend had the impromptu decision to make a very short 3-days trip to Kuching. Searching the websites for the best fares, I settled for the budget Tiger Airways up to Kuching and 5-stars Malaysia Airlines back to Singapore. With the offers, the Tiger flight probably cost less than the taxi fare from my home to Orchard while interestingly, MH offers the lowest fare (with all frills thrown in) on the date we are flying back! Finally had a chance to experience MH's short haul regional service with the meal boxes!

24 June 2010
Tiger Airways
TR 2494
Singapore (SIN) - Kuching (KCH)
A319
9V-TRB (3rd time on this plane!)
Budget Class

As reported a few times before, nothing new about Tiger's flight experience apart from the late arrival of the inbound aircraft from Hatyai (due to airspace congestion according to the pilot), resulting in a late departure. Also it was my 3rd time on the A319 9V-TRB aircraft!! And I also had the same Korean crew member which I had flew with last year to Penang onboard the same aircraft! Talking about coincidence!! As I guess most of you would be very familiar with Tiger's inflight service by now, there would be minimal reporting regarding this leg. In fact the flight was very similar to my last Tiger flight (check out my previous reports).

A320 9V-TAB preparing for flight to KUL. The plane looks very dirty!


Our plane, 9V-TRB, has just arrived late. We were boarding via Gate 10.


At the gate awaiting pushback. We pushed back about half hour late.


Cabin view.


Pushed back and preparing to taxi.


Passing the SQ B777s parked at the remote stands.


Taxi to the runway, passing terminal 2.


B747SP and B763 of Sands


Jetstar A320 waiting clearance for takeoff beside us. We were cleared for takeoff ahead of Jetstar even though they Jetstar plane reached the runway holding point first.


Takeoff from Rwy20C


Climbing to 3?000ft. The pilot did not inform of the flight altitude.


It was very cloudy throughout the whole flight.


Even though it was cloudy, the flight was generally smooth. Out came the snacks/drinks trolleys followed by duty free trolley but not much sales were done. Most passengers prefer to while the hour away doing nothing. The crew were not overly friendly but performed their duties professionally. Not that I would expect anything more from them.

Descending through very cloudy skies.


Bako National Park?


Just before making the turn back to the airport.


Final approach into Kuching.


Landing in Kuching. The touchdown was very smooth! One of the best ever.


We landed about 20min late. Well, the captain did apologise for the late arrival, so some sort of service recovery here.

Looks like KCH is A380 ready! Wonder when will one actually fly here,


Another view of our baby airbus after disembarkation.


The largest plane at the airport, a MH A333.