Ryanair!!! From Singapore, joined Mar 2002, 4608 posts, RR: 30 Posted (10 years 2 months 2 weeks 22 hours ago) and read 4281 times:
I embarked on this trip in Aug 00. Since I discovered a.net so late, I thought I'd make up for lost time and tell you about previous trips as well! I was in was in Sydney for a week before heading to Langkawi and back to Singapore so here's my report!
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SYD-KUL, MH 132, 747-400, 48K, Y Class
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After a week gallivanting through Sydney and drives through the country, it was time to return to Asia and continue mu holiday in Langkawi. I arrived at Sydney Airport (SYD) and the scheduled dep time for MH 132 was 2120H. The airport was very crowded as usual. Looks like the normal cluster of night flights leaving before the noise abatement curfew. Malaysia Airlines flies out from the newer side of SYD, which is nicely renovated. However, both sides of the terminal could have been renovated since because I have not been back there.
After check in, I walked back outside to the pax drop off point to spot a/c at the end of the terminal bldg. The weather was chilly and I saw an Air NZ 767-200 docked at the aerobridge. Moments later, a MH 747-400 sailed into gate 56, next to the Air NZ. Arriving from Kuala Lumpur (KUL), MH 133 (KUL-SYD-MEL) would continue on to Melbourne as MH 132 (SYD-MEL-KUL) as well and returning back to KUL. Hence, this flight was designated with two sets of flight numbers! Interesting... what a clever way to save on overnight parking fees!
A Thai 777-300 glided onto rwy 16R further north after flying lowly over the suburbs. This Thai 777-300 would follow a similiar route to MEL before returning to BKK. SYD-MEL vv must be a popular route huh?
I decided to proceed through immigration. Guess what? I had a friendly female immigration officer! It's my first time experiencing an amicable one in SYD. We chatted about where I went and what I did during my stay in Sydney... blah blah blah...
"Look at all the SYD stamps in your passport! Either you are a student, or you are seriously addicted to Sydney, hey?" Hmm, she ended her sentence with "hey?", was she a Queenslander?
She wished me a pleasant flight and I entered the departure hall. I wished that all immigration officers were like her! The terminal building was new because of the Olympics. I have seen this airport expand so much within the last 2 years. It was unbelievable that this bright and airy terminal (with so many shops!) was actually SYD, when less than two years before it was small and perpetually crowded. New and larger window panels were installed to allow a better view of the tarmac (I saw a beautiful looking Sri Lankan A340 taxi to its gate at the opposite pier!). Looking at the plan view of SYD, you realise that the authorities have done all the can in terms of expansion. So let's look forward to a better SYD some place else huh?
I have attached a pic of SYD and you can see the latest extended terminal in the background denoted by the white roof, next to the SQ744. They added more shops. MH 132 was parked at the gate where an Asiana 767 is parked. As you can see, the authorities have expanded the terminals in all possible ways and there is almost no more space for development.
The call to board came over the PA from Gate 56 and pax from First and Golden Club Class were called to board first. This was a free trip for me so no Club Class for me this time ! Since there was only one aerobridge, there was no simultaneous boarding of Y Class pax. When it came to my turn, boarding was called by row numbers.
Boarding was swift for this full flight. Settling down in my seat 48K, I noticed that the seat covers had the 2000 Sydney Olympics logo on them. Not surprising since MH together with Ansett, were the official carriers (I miss AN!!!! ).I had the window seat at the emegency exit so it was legroom galore ! But there were no footrests. PTVs were mounted on the armrests and they extended like in F and J Class. We took off into the night skies via rwy 16L to MEL. Flight was smooth and we were offered two kinds of sandwiches (which were 2 sizeable rolls with turkey and cheese, and tandoori chicken - yummy! ) and drink service. The cabin crew was excellent throughout the 1hr 10min flight because smiles were very forthcoming.
MEL was very quiet during the transit. A Gulf Air A340 was boarding for S'pore and Bahrain. The Thai 777-300 from SYD soon joined us. Even though it was late, shops in MEL remained opened probably to cash in on the last few flights departing for the night. After a quick change of crew, we re-boarded MH132 and continued our way to KUL.
A new batch of crew, still as friendly if not more, took over and served us in this sector. Beef stew was one of the choices for supper. It was delicious because I wiped the plate clean with my warm roll. I settled for a nightcap after dinner when the cabin lights were dimmed. But it was not easy to sleep even though I had the moveable headrest and ample legroom. The pitch of 34", large by Y Class standards, was comfortable, but I am not one who can sleep sitting up. I watched 2 movies on my PTV and fiddled around with the audio channel selections. I attached a pic of a dimmed cabin on a MH 744, the scenery would have looked similar to this...
I did not even feel the time fly by because the cabin lights suddenly came on and the smell of coffee filled the surrounding. A trolley appeared next to me as a nervous looking stewardess asked if I wanted breakfast, all this while clenching her fist... I chose the omelette as opposed to fried noodles. I smiled as she put the tray on my table and asked her if this was her first flight. She giggled "Enjoy your meal, Sir." and continued serving the rows behind me.
While I was gobbling up the omelette (complete with small, cute and round potatoes), the airshow put us at a north-westerly heading with Bali a distance behind us. Momentarily, the PTV airshow display would show a plane with an arrow poiting towards Mecca. Local time was 0400H.
"Ah... what a wonderful flight this has been!" I thought to myself as I sipped my morning plastic cup of tea.
A video about arrival procedures in KLIA was screen as we approached Singapore. Thereafter, the cabin crew came round to collect the headsets in preparation for landing. A smooth touchdown with no reverse thrusts audible ended this perfect flight from SYD and MEL. It was 0530H in the morning and there was hardly any movement on the tarmac. Tailwinds had pushed our flight that we landed 30mins ahead of schedule.
We disembarked at the satellite terminal and walked into an empty bldg. There wasn't a single person to be seen at all except for the passengers from my flight.
I had to meet a girlfirend of mine, Joanne, and together we were going to Langkawi. Our flight was leaving at 1300H from Subang Airport (SZB), the other airport in Kuala Lumpur. She does not normally get out of bed till after 1200H so getting her to meet me at 1130H in Subang was an achievement !
After collecting my luggage from the carousel, which was within 10min after arriving at the arrival belt, I had to figure out what to do with my time. I also had to fight to stay awake because I hadn't slept throughout the 8hr 30min flight from MEL. I spent the rest of my 5hrs in the viewing gallery. Other than the occassional MH a/c and a SQ shuttle, it was a boring day at KLIA. I noticed a Thai A300 through my dry and sleepy eyes. I kept nodding off on my bench, worried that I would miss my flight from Subang...
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SZB-LGK, MH 1908, 737-400, 12F, Y Class
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A MYR70 taxi ride and 45min later brought me to SZB. I briefly saw the old int'l terminal bldg that looked so sad, fenced off and abandoned. I arrived at the domestic Terminal 3 which was still operational. Presently, one can still choose to fly out of SZB with MH on certain domestic routes. SZB is so much closer to KL so its not surprising the locals are not looking forward to the day when this airfield becomes the property of RMAF in mid-2002, which will signal the closure of SZB as a civilian airport. Other that MH, Air Asia and Pelangi Air flies out of SZB as well.
Within, it looked old and dated compared to the spanking new KLIA. White & grey ceramic tiles together with stained white walls, plus wooden check in desks, gave the entire environment a tired look. However it seemed more crowded than KLIA so obviously people still preferred to fly out from here domestically instead. From a taxi, Joanne stumbled out looking like she always does in the morning, half-asleep! After grumbling about getting her up so early, we checked in and proceeded to our departure gate 39.
I noticed there was no aerobridges in SZB thus, everyone boarded via airstairs. Cool! The entire departure hall was sitiuated on the ground level, like the rest of the terminal. I was tired from my overnight flight and Joanne, tried too, from God-knows-what?! So we ended up looking like 2 zombies sitting stoned in a cafe trying to wake ourselves up with horrible coffee. While we were catching up on old times, the boarding call came over the PA for MH 1908 to Langkawi.
Walking up the airstairs to Door 1L of the 737-400, it looked old and tarnished, like most of their 737s in their fleet. I slouched down into my window seat 12F and promptly dozed off - this was how fatigued I was! The roar of the 2 engines awakened me when we powered for takeoff. I looked back and saw the one-runway airfield through the 3 octal skies and wondered how the hell did KL survive with such a small airport for so long before KLIA's mammoth existence? This airport not only served KL but the surrounding areas of Klang Valley and Petaling Jaya as well... a combined area larger than Singapore!
This 737-400 was not very well maintained within as well. I observed through my half opened eyelids that the walls were scratched and seat fabric was old and faded. However, the cabin crew was anything but old and faded. They were bubbly and smiley when serving OJ (it was the only choice on this 45min sector) no doubt underlining my holiday mood. As we descended for Langkawi International Airport (LGK), we flew over the island of Penang.
Approach into LGK kas to be one of the most scenic I have ever seen, next to Phuket. Sunshine radiated from the cloudless sky illuminating the emarald green sea with pristine white beaches was clearly visible outside my window . Langkawi is also made up of a cluster of small islands that look so inviting poking out of the sea. Mountains and plains covered with lusciously thick vegetation were laid out like a paradise-inspired carpet as we glided further down for landing.
Reverse thrust roared to stop our fully loaded 737-400. LGK has a newly renovated one-storey terminal that looks like a mini-KLIA. Similar shiny grey marble flooring, large window panels and for the ceiling as well allowed a lot of sunlight into the terminal bldg. The entire scenery was very welcoming. Friendly MH ground staff were at hand to help us through the small terminal bldg after we disembarked via airstairs. Yes! There are friendly MH ground staff and they are found in LGK !!! I convinced Joanne to take a photo of me by the 737-400 while she hid behind her large sunglasses, grumbling (again), blamed me for making her look like a tourist and hurriedly snapped... the picture turned out blurry. Thanks a lot, girl!
This was my first time flying Y Class with Malaysia Airlines and I was not at all disappointed. I have been very satisfied with their Golden Club service previously and am even more impressed with the Y Class in-flt service ! Food on the ex-SYD and MEL sectors were excellent because I left no crumbs. The spontaneously cheerful cabin crew topped off my happy experience with the airline, even though I was fatigued by the journey.
I hope that Malaysia Airlines would continue to soar like they rightfully should in the years to come. It would be a waste to see an excellent airline go down the drain because of financial difficulties.
SQ772 From Singapore, joined Nov 2001, 1792 posts, RR: 5 Reply 4, posted (10 years 2 months 1 week 5 days 19 hours ago) and read 3966 times:
Congrats, another great report Ryanair.
Amazing you can actually remember so much details from a flight you took 2 yrs ago! I can hardly remember the chronological details of the SIN-CGK-SIN flight I took last month!
SQ772 From Singapore, joined Nov 2001, 1792 posts, RR: 5 Reply 6, posted (10 years 2 months 1 week 5 days 2 hours ago) and read 3942 times:
My oldest boarding pass was from 1987, KLM SIN-CGK-SIN on Y class and J class. I keep the boarding passes of all my flights too, just that I have problems remembering the details unless something good/bad happened. Looks like I will have to make full use of my palm next trip.
Oh btw, until last year, my oldest inflight magazine was from OA dated 1975!! Unfortunately, someone accidentally threw it away during spring cleaning...
Ryanair!!! From Singapore, joined Mar 2002, 4608 posts, RR: 30 Reply 7, posted (10 years 2 months 1 week 4 days 19 hours ago) and read 3925 times:
I still have some Silver Kris mags from the 80s the route network only had some fifty odd destinations. I think I have a Discovery (CX) mag somewhere circa 88. I also have a Sawasdee (TG) mag from 88 as well.
Hmm... nice to look at the mags and see how the airline has changed over the years. I guess you know by now that I collect airline mags too! You can imagine all my Going Places (MH) mags I have laying around! They used to be called Wings Of Gold until the late 80s/early 90s...
Cheers
Ryan
Welcome to my starry one world alliance, a team in the sky!
SQ772 From Singapore, joined Nov 2001, 1792 posts, RR: 5 Reply 8, posted (10 years 2 months 1 week 4 days 9 hours ago) and read 3910 times:
I know I shouldn't be in a.net during office hours, but then...weak willed.
Yes, it was previously called Wings of Gold...I have a copy dated 1983, when they still had their old uniform, rather awful looking IMHO. Their current ones are much more pleasant looking.
As for Discovery, also a copy dated back to 1983...and looking at the pictures of their first class cabin then, you realise that the airline industry has certainly progressed through the years. Actually, the first class seat resembles SQ's current A310 F class seat...very old.
One of my favourite copy of Silver Kris is the 40th anniversary issue...(1987), which featured the Miss Universe peagant when it came to Singapore, as well as an article and pictures of the new (current) SQ livery, cabin interior designs, as well as new designs and colors of SQ tickets and ticket jackets etc...very nice.
I am a collector of inflt magazines, but more importantly, I look out for anniversary issues. Currently, my favourite issue is from QF's 75th Anniversary...lots of behind the scene photo essays of a typical day at Kingsford Smith.
SQ772 From Singapore, joined Nov 2001, 1792 posts, RR: 5 Reply 10, posted (10 years 2 months 1 week 4 days 3 hours ago) and read 3897 times:
No problem scanning it for you; but I don't know how to post it in a.net, perhaps u can advise. Alternatively, I can send it to your email address. Let me know your preference.
SQ772 From Singapore, joined Nov 2001, 1792 posts, RR: 5 Reply 13, posted (10 years 2 months 1 week 4 days ago) and read 3884 times:
Ok. It's not scanned yet. Will have it scanned soon and you should receive it before the end of the week.
Just hope the scanner will produce some clear results.
Tsentsan From Singapore, joined Jan 2002, 2016 posts, RR: 18 Reply 14, posted (10 years 2 months 1 week 3 days 7 hours ago) and read 3867 times:
Ryan, where did u stay in LGK? Hope you tells us more about what you did on LGK
I went there June 2001, flew MI, and it was a superb flight, albeit on the same aircraft 9V-SLA. We (Me and a friend) stayed at Berjaya Resort, very nice place, and rented a car and drove around. LGK is really a very nice little island, away from most civillisation, and perfect for relaxing.
Ryanair!!! From Singapore, joined Mar 2002, 4608 posts, RR: 30 Reply 15, posted (10 years 2 months 1 week 3 days 1 hour ago) and read 3867 times:
Tsentsan,
I stayed in a villa at Sheraton, Berjaya is further down past Pantai Cenang. There is really nothing much to do in Langkawi except to chill in the sun... it was raining 2 out of 3 days I was there ! I had tea at The Datai (had to see how wonderful that hotel is with my own eyes...) and basically just drove around the island.
Pigged myself out (together with Joanne, of course) on seafood which was bloody cheap! Where else in the world can you find big plate of deep fried soft shell crab for MYR10!!!!????? Wah lau... in Singapore it's S$2.50 for 4 pieces!
Wouldn't go back there direct fm Singapore though... I bought the 3 days package in KL for MYR240. That was actually all I paid for this trip because my Sydney trip was free, paid by SAF. Not bad huh?
Welcome to my starry one world alliance, a team in the sky!
Tsentsan From Singapore, joined Jan 2002, 2016 posts, RR: 18 Reply 17, posted (10 years 2 months 1 week 1 day 19 hours ago) and read 3837 times:
Ryanair - U lucky bugger
I loved the Berjaya, very nice. We went to drive around, and found the best place to be Gunung Raya, very nice... even to the extent that we woke up at 5am and drove there to try to catch some sunrise... yeah.. some sunrise.... and seeing a snake on the way down.. woah... kewl
Nice place Langkawi, good for spotting too (except there aint much to see).
Ryanair!!! From Singapore, joined Mar 2002, 4608 posts, RR: 30 Reply 18, posted (10 years 2 months 1 week 1 day 12 hours ago) and read 3830 times:
They have excellent areas to spot planes, I saw a Pelita Air Service C130 other than the usual MI A320, MH 737 / A330...
Good place to relax, I agree. You should try the Sheraton next time, and buy your package in KL! Very cheap because you only pay in ringgit and it's considered domestic travel! Plus, you get to see KL as well!
Cheers mate!
Welcome to my starry one world alliance, a team in the sky!
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From Singapore, joined Mar 2002, 4608 posts, 
! Since there was only one aerobridge, there was no simultaneous boarding of Y Class pax. When it came to my turn, boarding was called by row numbers.
).I had the window seat at the emegency exit so it was legroom galore 
!
The entire departure hall was sitiuated on the ground level, like the rest of the terminal. I was tired from my overnight flight and Joanne, tried too, from God-knows-what?! So we ended up looking like 2 zombies sitting stoned in a cafe trying to wake ourselves up with horrible coffee. While we were catching up on old times, the boarding call came over the PA for MH 1908 to Langkawi.
! Food on the ex-SYD and MEL sectors were excellent because I left no crumbs. The spontaneously cheerful cabin crew topped off my happy experience with the airline, even though I was fatigued by the journey.
From Australia, joined May 2000, 1864 posts, 
From Malaysia, joined Nov 2001, 163 posts, 
From France, joined Mar 2002, 57 posts, 
! I had tea at The Datai (had to see how wonderful that hotel is with my own eyes...) and basically just drove around the island.
From United Kingdom, joined Jul 1999, 2899 posts, 
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