Review of Malaysia Airlines flight from Senai to Kuala Lumpur in Business

A video version of the trip report is here:

BACKGROUND

With Singapore Airlines, a MNL-SIN-KUL-SIN-MNL flight isn't that much more expensive than a MNL-SIN-MNL flight, just a hundred-ish US dollars more.  It would have given me access to the carrier's long-haul business class product on the A350.  Yes the flight is barely 45 minutes long which is barely bit of time to enjoy the manually-deployed flat bed.  But one could still say they have flown on SIA's long-haul business class product.  

There was one problem though.  When I was booking my SIA journey, the flights I wanted were not showing up in the system.  There were only flights up until late morning, nothing flying out late in the afternoon.  The latter time was important to me because I was using a free hotel night.  As frequent Singapore travellers know, the island city has some of the most expensive hotel nights in the world, only beaten by hotel rates in US cities that are easily accessible by public transport.  So I felt the need the maximise every possible moment in the hotel room.  An early flight (which consequently means an early check-out) would be like wasted money.  The funny part was that those evening flights were available if I would book SIN-KUL as a separate or standalone journey but it would cost me much much more.  So I decided to take my chances.  I would later call the contact centre and they could offer those evening flights but at a much bigger fare difference of over US$200.  

A luxury bus with reclining seats, inclusive meals, and IFE would have been possible but I think the unpredictable traffic would be a turn-off.
  
I found an alternative to get to KL.  It was with Malaysia Airlines and a business class ticket.  It could cost RM 420 (US$91, £71, €83).  Given that a Christmas ticket between Manila and Boracay would cost considerably more, this deal was a steal.  I would just have to travel 55 miles north of the border.  But it was just as well.  I always wondered what was at the other side of the border.  Furthermore, I could also add Malaysia to the small list of countries I have taken domestic flights out of (others included the US, UK, Philippines, Norway, and Germany).  So I went ahead and gone with this flight.

GETTING TO JOHOR BAHRU

We were having a good time with my friends as we had lunch at my hotel.  Time went by quickly.  It was 15.00 and I called for a Grab to take me to Woodlands Train Checkpoint.  It was a half-hour ride.  

I figured that the KTMB train service from Singapore to Johor Bahru was the best way to cross the border by land as we could avoid the traffic jams.   

We arrived at the checkpoint with 40-ish minutes before departure.  But the checkpoint has not yet opened and the queue at the entrance was building. 

TIP: Purchase your shuttle train tickets from Singapore to Johor Bahru months in advance.  They sell out quickly.  They cost S$5 (US$3.75, £2.90, €4.30) from Singapore and RM5 (US$1.10, £0.85, €1.10) from Malaysia.  Regardless, this beats travelling across the border by car where it could take 2-3 hours to finish formalities.  

For obvious reasons, we were not permitted to film inside the checkpoint.  But there are no facilities or stores that are noteworthy.  First we clear Singapore passport control then walk across a corridor to Malaysia passport control.  It reminds us of what happens when leaving the European Continent via Eurostar: clear Schengen passport control before clearing UK passport control whilst in Paris or Brussels.  

After passport control, we had to go through one final security checkpoint similar to what one goes through when taking a flight.  But this is for customs.  No issues here.  It was off to the train.

The train journey was unremarkable.  It was a full train.  The seat had nothing in the way of a power outlet (though it might have been one on the front wall), wifi, etc.  But again it was just a five-minute journey.  

At Johor Bahru, it took a while to find the bus berth that would take us to the airport.  We had to take another escalator downstairs turn right then left and go to the end of the bus platform.  But the frequency from JB Sentral to the airport leaves a lot to be desired as only one departure per hour and at the top of the hour.  One buys a bus ticket somewhere in between at RM8 (US$1.60, £1.35, €1.75) but pay it only in cash.  

On a side note, other things that reminded me I was in Malaysia was that my mobile phone signal directly from Singapore has faded so I had to switch to roaming services.  Unlike the intra-EU-wide roaming, it can be expensive and use of domestic data allowances are restricted.  I tried as much as possible to stay within my Singapore provider when we were closer to the border but this proved more challenging once we were further away from the coastline, i.e. even just one mile away.  

AT THE AIRPORT

The bus journey lasted a good 35 minutes.  It means arriving at Senai Airport 35 minutes after leaving JB Sentral.  It was exactly two hours before our departure.  Certainly there is no comparison between it and Changi Airport.  But there are an adequate number of eateries which one could find landside.  Pizza Hut, KFC, Starbucks, and several others were available.  One could even buy flowers at a vending machine and could shop for tech accessories at make-shift stands.  But toilets leave a lot to be desired.  

The check-in desks were tucked into a low-ceiling room.  One had to have their wannabe checked bags x-rayed.  Unfortunately we were not permitted to take photos of the check-in desks in the area.  It was evident too that Malaysia Airlines was not the dominant carrier at Senai Airport.  Only two check-in desks and two flights served it during the day.

About an hour prior to departure, I entered the secure side of the airport.  The security check was fairly quick.  Facilities there were much more bare bones.  Only a few stores and a Burger King were open.

The one thing I lamented about Senai is the lack of a business class lounge for Malaysia Airlines and other customers willing to pay a premium.  Yes I get the notion "you get what you pay for" but a lounge is a must for business class passengers.  A lounge serves to provide a calming atmosphere.  And yet that was absent.  

TIP: If flying out of Senai airport, do all your eating and shopping before you clear security.

FLIGHT PROPER

MH1058 from JOHOR BAHRU-SENAH to KUALA LUMPUR
Flight Number: MH1058
Gate: 3
Aircraft: Boeing 737-800
Scheduled Departure Time: 19:45
Aircraft Registration: 9M-MLO

I found myself at the front of the premium lane so I was sent on my way quickly.  But the staff only got my seat number and did not scan my boarding card.  Perhaps there was a technical error.  

As I walked in to my aircraft, it felt refreshing from the get-go.  The plane featured Boeing's new Sky interior.  I knew this was coming because at some point, Malaysia Airlines informed me of a change in my seat (I booked a business class seat in row 4 at first but the refreshed 737-800s have only 3 business class rows).   

The seat was a blue recliner with a leg-rest and was slimmer than previous iterations.  A cocktail tray popped out and there was an in-seat pocket by the sides.  Although I reallocated myself to seat 1C, nobody else was sitting beside me so I was free to move about to seat 1A.  

A downside of these seats is that the IFE monitors were removed.  Content can be watched using a personal device and the local wifi connection.  The seat had a purpose-made holder for tablets and phones.  I was able to watch an episode of FRIENDS there.  But the moving map did not seem to work.  Universal power outlets were provided for those who wanted to charge their devices.  

The crew gave us a pre-departure beverage.  I chose water.  They also came along with a hot towel, which helped me feel refreshed.   

TIP: To know whether your aircraft will shift to Malaysia Airlines' refreshed 737 cabin and you are in business class, book a seat in row 4.  When it changes, you will get an email telling you the seat you booked is no longer available because of an aircraft change.

After take-off, the flight passed uneventful.  I was served with peanuts, a ham and cheese sandwich, as well as a Coke zero.  They were presented well and tasted fairly delicious.  I also had my iPad switched to MHStudio so I could navigate it whilst watching.  We finished with some small bits of chocolates.

Within 15-20 minutes, the crew collected the silverware from our table.  They announced service was ending as descent would commence shortly. 

The cabin was soon dimmed.  From this point, there was nothing of note to report.  But it felt like we were circling around KLIA.  And based on what was on my clock, we were going to land slightly behind schedule but by technical definitions, would not be classed as late just yet.

POST-FLIGHT

Once our flight docked at the gate, I made my way for the exit.  Arriving on a domestic flight at KLIA was similar to arriving from a domestic flight in the US.  Departing and arriving passengers share a space.  Shops and eateries are all over the place.

KLIA's original terminal still looks brand-spanking after 25 years in operation.  I last used the facility in 2009.    

It took a while for my bags to make it.  But I think they were amongst the first to emerge.    

I opted to take the KLIA Ekspres to my hotel.  I wondered if the VIP service was still available.  It would enable one to have a porter and a shuttle after arriving at KL Sentral.  The service would cost RM155 (US$33.60, £26.20, €30.75) but given that would transpire hours later, would have been much needed.  Instead I purchased an RM120 (US$26, £20.30, €23.78) but it was a return ticket and included access to public transport for two days.

The KLIA Ekspres is fairly fast and efficient service.  Once at KL Sentral, all berts were off as to how I would get to my hotel.  All I knew was that it was next to a train station.  I inadvertently changed lines when it was not necessary.  Also, accessibility on some of those lines, especially the KL Monorail needed work.   As a result, I finished my journey and arrived at my hotel almost at midnight.

TIP: If you not well-versed with KL's public transport network but wish to use the fast KLIA Ekspres, then consider hiring the VIP service.  The service would cost RM155 (US$33.60, £26.20, €30.75) one-way but when pressed for time, it can potentially save you hours of learning how to get around KL and your hotel with your heavy bags by yourself.  

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