I have included some pictures I took with my camcorder, and will add several more which I took with my analogue camera after scanning them…

Langkawi trip report

In December I booked a return flight from Bangkok to Langkawi. Thai Air Asia inaugurated this service on 6 January and had a special promotion, offering free flights. I managed to get free seats on both segments, paying only about 35 euros for taxes and surcharges via their website (plus 11 euros BKK departure tax).

After parking at Suvarnabhumi Airport, I proceeded to the check-in desk in row E. There were long queues for the Air Asia flight to Kota Kinabalu, but the Langkawi queue was very short. Travelling with hand luggage only, I was checked in in about one minute and after being handed over my boarding pass – which very much resembles a supermarket receipt - I made my way towards immigration.

Immigration took a while and then I walked toward my gate, C1A, in the eastern end of the terminal complex. Just as with y first trip from Suvarnabhumi last November, I found the departure lounge to be very warm, uncomfortably so I might say. Although Suvarnabhumi incorporates some striking, modern designs, it could really do with more functional features, such as efficient air conditioning and more toilets. It is not a spotter-friendly airport either; the windows are too small, coated with sunlight-blocking film, and quite dirty.

16-1-07: Thai Air Asia flight FD3567, BKK-LGK, 1415-1650. Boeing 737-300 HS-AAV. 30 minute delay on departure, 20 minutes on arrival.

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Photo © Poowin Bunyavejchewin

Boarding only commenced around 14.10 so obviously we would have a delay. We were taken by bus to the aircraft, a logo jet advertising the Thai movie King Naresuan, and I sat in seat 23F. The plane was only half full or so and I had the three seats in my row to myself.

Taxiing from our stand to runway 01L took quite long, and we were number four for departure. The runway was also being used for some landings. I saw a Corsairfly 747-400 come in, among others (is this the flight from Stockholm?)
Once cleared for departure, and with such en empty aircraft, the take-off run was very fast and short. We climbed out steeply and turned right twice to head towards the Gulf of Thailand and Malaysia.

The flight was smooth and uneventful. The cabin crew was very efficient and friendly, first offering food and drink and later Air Asia merchandising. I had a tuna sandwich and a Pepsi for a very reasonable 120 bath (2.50 euros).

The approach into Langkawi was very interesting, flying along the coastline and over various islands. We touched down smoothly on runway 03 and taxied to the remote stand. An Air Asia 737 was just leaving, while a Malaysia Airlines 737 was parked next to us. Also a couple of business jets and some small aircraft from the local flight school. While walking from the plane to the terminal I took a few pictures after asking the security guard whether it was OK, upon which he smiled and put a thumb up. Also the immigration officers were very friendly. Now that’s a nice welcome!
While Thailand is known as the Land of Smiles, I never ever saw the immigration officers smile. Now, at Suvarnabhumi that may be because it is so bloody hot, but they never smiled at Don Muang either…



I picked up my rental car and checked in in the Helang Hotel, right adjacent to the airport. I requested a room with airport view. It offered a sideways view of the runway and the control tower. Although a bit worn out, this hotel has clean and very affordable rooms and would also be a great base during the bi-annual Langkawi International Maritime and Air Show Exhibition (LIMA).

Spotting at LGK

The next day I basically divided my time between spotting around the airport and going online (free WiFi) in the Starbucks at the ferry terminal in Kuah town. I started off by filming the first arrival of the day, a MAS 737 from Kuala Lumpur, followed by a breakfast in the terminal. There I also had a nice chat with some student pilots from the flight school.
The airport offers some excellent spotting locations around its perimeter. There is a road along the entire perimeter of the single runway 03/21 and it looks like the authorities have prepared for people wanting to watch aircraft. For example, along a long stretch from Rwy 03’s threshold toward the terminal there are numerous parking spots along the main road.



Security personnel give no hassle at all. A patrol car drives around the airport continuously and they will slow down if they see you stand along the fence, but this is followed by a friendly nod and a wave (as long as you behave, that is). Taking pictures and filming is not frowned upon, however I did not film the take-off of a military CASA CN-235, just in case. Granted, there is not much variation here – most flights are Air Asia and Malaysia Airlines – but it is a great little airport to spend some time. Well, little… the runway can handle 747’s and one of Malaysia’s largest flights schools is based here. And not to forget the bi-annual LIMA air and sea exhibition!



The fence is quite low all around, and at the eastern side (opposite the terminal building) there is some higher ground from where the fence won’t bother you at all – no ladder required. During normal conditions, passenger planes will use Rwy 03 for landing and Rwy 21 for take-off, and you can get some great close-up shots.

The island’s main town is Kuah, at about 15 minutes driving east of the airport.
A tip if you want to spend some time in Starbucks at the ferry terminal and have a car: Don’t be tempted to park the car along the road, like many locals do. There are signs saying that it is prohibited, and I have seen cops walking around and writing out tickets. Instead, save the potential hassle and park in the official parking lot; it is only RM 1 per hour and there is always plenty of space.

18-1-07: Thai Air Asia flight FD3566, LGK-BKK, 1730-1805. Boeing 737-300 HS-AAS.


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Photo © Andy Graf - VAP


I gave back the rental car at 16.00 and checked in for the flight back to Bangkok. There were two Air Asia counters open, one for BKK and the other for Kuala Lumpur (for which the flight was delayed 20 minutes). Checking in took quite a while because the agent was having an extra look in the passports. Thailand has recently tightened visa rules, and airlines must make sure that the passenger will be allowed in the country. Basically the focus is on people without visas, the ones who want a stamp on arrival – the new rule says that these people can stay a cumulative maximum of 90 days in Thailand on such stamps over a 180-day period.

My plane arrived with a slight delay, but as the scheduled turnaround time is 40 minutes instead of the usual 25, departed on time again. The passenger load was similar to that on the outbound leg, and again I managed to get a row of three seats to myself. Take-off was via runway 21, after holding short for some 5 minutes to let the delayed flight from Kuala Lumpur land and get off the runway, and we climbed out banking left over Kuah town and into southern Thailand. The flight itself was again very good. The cabin crew was very friendly and efficient, and their English was excellent. The approach into Bangkok was very calm and the touchdown one of the smoothest I ever experienced. We parked at gate D6, which is right opposite immigration, so I was in my car and driving back home again in no-time!

I also got a nice souvenir for myself and a great addition to my airplane model collection: the Air Asia Airbus A320 logo jet for Manchester United in 1:100 scale…

My Air Asia experience was superb, I would say almost ‘smooth as silk,’ without being sued by Thai Airways hopefully. Definitely much better than my first flight with them in November 2005 to Macau, where the return flight was delayed at least four hours and we ended up catching a flight back home with Cathay Pacific from Hong Kong instead. I am very much looking forward to the start of operations of Tony Fernandes’s new pet project, the long-haul, low cost carrier Air Asia X, which is scheduled to take off in July.

This year in December is the bi-annual LIMA air and maritime exhibition. I sure hope I’ll be able to visit Langkawi again around that period. Anyone been there before?