Review of Air Asia flight Kota Kinabalu → Kota Bharu in Economy

Introduction

Airline : AirAsia
Flight : AK 5345
Route : Kota Kinabalu – Kota Bharu
Aircraft : A320Neo
Duration : 2 Hrs 20 Min
Date : 09 July 2020

Hello everyone. This time I will be sharing a domestic flight in Malaysia. From north Borneo island of Malaysia to the East Coast of Peninsula Malaysia.

After the government lifted interstate travel ban and allowed domestic tourism at the early of June, I immediately browsed AirAsia’s website to look and find any available domestic flight from Kota Kinabalu. However I was hesitate to book at that time.

 A few days later, AirAsia introduced their ‘Cuti-Cuti Malaysia’ or ‘Holiday in Malaysia’ promo fares covering all domestic routes. Then I booked Kota Kinabalu-Kota Bharu flight in July.

AirAsia operates three weekly flights between these two cities, however as I observed on flight aware website, all flights in June were cancelled. I waited patiently until July came, I was advised to not check-in online because if the flight is cancelled I will no longer able to manage the booking.

Thank god, as the early of July all flights to Kota Bharu departed on schedule, not Kota Bharu alone, but most of domestic flights were on schedule. The gloomy and dark sky is getting bright and clearer aye? 

I arrived at Kota Kinabalu International Airport 2 hours prior departure.  

Check In

I go directly to the check-in kiosk to print my boarding pass.
AirAsia contactless kiosk. Simply scan QR code on your mobile apps. 

Then, your boarding pass is printed.

At this time, most of non-frequent flyer were confuse and didn’t how to use the kiosk. This thing look easy, but for few people this is confusing. So, once they saw you successfully get your boarding pass, they will approach you and asked for help. Anyway, where is AirAsia’s ground team to assist their customers?

Security and Immigration Clearance

Passed the security check before immigration clearance. 

Why do we need to go through immigration check as this is just a domestic flight? Because state of Sabah (and Sarawak) have a special and additional immigration rules. Everyone must cleared immigration upon entering and before leaving these two states.

 You will get a stamp for every entry and exit in Sabah and Sarawak. Unique right?

 There are 3 entry points from East Malaysia to Sabah; Kota Kinabalu, Sandakan and Tawau. 4 entry points to Sarawak; Kuching, Bintulu, Sibu and Miri. You will get a passport stamp from those airports too. 

Airside

Kota Kinabalu Airport is facing the sea 

Silent and not too much passengers movement
Boarding was called on time. Additional announcement regarding physical distancing was made too. 

Boarding

Most of the passengers were people from the East coast states. Uncles and aunties finally can go home 

The entire flight was uneventful, I didn’t purchased any meal onboard because I’m planning to eat once arrived in Kota Bharu. Kota Bharu is my favourite food heaven!

Arrival

The entire flight was uneventful, I didn’t purchased any meal onboard because I’m planning to eat once arrived in Kota Bharu. Kota Bharu is my favourite food heaven!

Disembarkation process was made in order 

We used the stair down to the tarmac

A very short walk to the terminal 

Sultan Ismail Petra Airport, Kota Bharu. Named after the late Sultan of Kelantan. 

I leave the airport after 10 minutes disembarked the aircraft and went straight away to the famous Kedai Nasi Ulam Cikgu. Yummy!

Thank you for reading. I will post International and domestic flight report alternately until my collections are out of stock ;)