Over the past weekend, we made a short getaway to Kota Kinabalu in Sabah, East Malaysia. It was not my first trip to the city, and the main purpose of the getaway was for the food, especially the seafood which the seaside town is famous for.
The flight up was on AirAsia, with departure from the brand new Terminal 4. Boarding passes were printed from the self-check-in machines.
Flight info display. T4 is literally a AirAsia terminal.
Using my Priority Pass, we visited the Blossom Lounge. I would say this this is the best of all Priority Pass lounges at Changi Airport, offering better ambience and F&B then the many other SATS Premier and Dnata lounges at T1-3. The lounge is also used by premium pax on VN/KE and some others.
Salad bar
Hot food and noodle bar
Sandwiches and desserts
Alcohols
My food selection. All were rather good, and way better than the T2 SATS Premier Lounge.
Being the KE lounge for its premium pax, KE's inflight magazines are available on the magazine racks as well.
About 25min prior to departure, we headed to the gate, where boarding was just about to commence.
It was a special-liveried A320 today.
22 March 2019 Air Asia AK 1792 Singapore (SIN) - Kota Kinabalu (BKI) A320 9M-AQD Economy Class Flight Time: 1H59M
Boarding
Hot Seats with red headrests.
Normal rows.
Cargo being loaded.
Legroom was LCC-ish tight as expected.
Inflight magazine and BOB/shopping menu.
Boarding was completed rather swiftly, and it was going to be an almost full flight this evening.
Pushed back right on schedule.
It was a lengthy queue for departure with at least 5 aircraft ahead of us.
Departure from Rwy02C.
Shortly after takeoff, service started with the distribution of pre-booked meals, followed by sales of snacks, drinks and merchandise.
We pre-booked 2 meals. Each meal came with a coffee or water. First was the AirAsia signature Pak Nasser's Nasi Lemak. As expected, it was spicy and tasty.
The other meal was the Nasi Kandar with Chicken Varuval. This might not look appetising, but was delicious as well! Malaysia AirAsia certainly knows how to prepare authentic south-east Asian dishes.
Flying into the sunset.
Another view of the cabin.
There was nothing much else to do for the remainder of the flight, till we approached and landed into Kota Kinabalu Intl Airport Rwy02 ahead of schedule.
Parked at the gate and disembarked.
SilkAir at the gate beside.
Bonus : Click here displayhide
Immigration and customs were swift and within 10min after disembarkation, we were onboard a Grab ride for the 10min hop to the city center! First stop, seafood! And it was amazing that we could actually reach our dinner spot right in the city center, Welcome Seafood Restaurant, just 20min after getting off the aircraft!
This restaurant is very popular and offers value-for-money seafood. Had a reasonably good seafood dinner with the famous coconut pudding dessert to wrap up the day.
We stayed at Le Meridien Kota Kinabalu for 2 nights. The hotel seemed to be renovated quite recently, with a very modern looking lobby.
Rooms are newly renovated, huge and comfortable as well.
Our hotel room offered a sea view.
For breakfast, we had the famous Tuaran Mee and a Sarawak Laksa at Seng Hing Coffee Shop, just behind our hotel.
Passed a huge wet market Pasar Besar, selling everything from fruits, veges, meats and seafood.
Along the KK waterfront.
I love KK
Kota Kinabalu city center
Tried a famous Sandakan Wet Market Fried Pork Kuey Teow inside Suria Sabah shopping mall.
Sunset from hotel room.
In the evenings, a market is set up across from the hotel.
Second round of seafood dinner, this time at SuangTian Seafood restaurant. It was a fantastic seafood dinner!
Breakfast on the last day was the famous and delicious pork noodles at Kim Hong Lee coffee shop, also just behind the hotel.
Visit to the Sunday Market along Gaya Street.
Another plate of the delicious Tuaran Mee with seafood.
The sea is pretty clear today.
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Verdict
Air Asia
6.9/10
Cabin6.0
Cabin crew7.5
Entertainment/wifi6.0
Buy-on-board menu8.0
Blossom Lounge - 4
7.9/10
Comfort8.0
Meal/catering8.5
Entertainment/wifi7.5
Services7.5
Singapore - SIN
9.3/10
Efficiency9.5
Access9.0
Services9.0
Cleanliness9.5
Kota Kinabalu - BKI
8.3/10
Efficiency9.5
Access8.0
Services7.5
Cleanliness8.0
Conclusion
It was a short and pleasant 2hr flight on AirAsia.
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