Malaysia Airlines has a very cool “private terminal transfer” option for its premium passengers departing from KLIA Terminal 1, a surprise for me on my journey to Bali.
Private Terminal Transfer On Malaysia Airlines: A Pleasant Surprise Before My Flight
This trip has moved so fast, especially with all the drama surrounding Timor-Leste, but I’m going back today and tomorrow to talk about my journey from Kuala Lumpur to Bali on Malaysia Airlines.
When checking in for my flight to Bali, I was handed this card:
Like with Air France La Premiere or Lufthansa First Class, Malaysia Airlines currently offers tarmac transfers, but not just for its top-tier elites or Business Suite (formerly first class) passengers, but all its business class passengers:
Malaysia Airlines passengers departing from KLIA Terminal 1 will be relaxing in ultimate comfort by being chauffeured between terminals in Mercedes-Benz S-class, Mercedes-Benz EQS or premium buses.
The 24-hour service is exclusively available to passengers in Business Suite or Business Class and Enrich Platinum members. The service departs from Gate G1 (Main Terminal Building) to Gate C1 (Satellite Building). Upon arrival, passengers should proceed to the ‘First and Business Class’ entrance located near Gate C1 (Satellite Building) for transfers to the Main Terminal Building.
I was curious to check this out and headed to Gate G1.
There, an agent examined my boarding pass and directed me downstairs. Malaysia Airlines has repurposed a gate area for its tarmac transfer operation. Another traveler was sitting there and I was welcomed in and told to take a seat.
It took about seven minutes, but I was soon invited outside and into a waiting Mercedes-Benz.
The journey to the Satellite Terminal, normally done via train, took a few minutes. There is something so fun about driving on a tarmac and it was a busy morning at KUL in terms of aircraft movement.
We reached the terminal and the driver quickly jumped out and opened the door for me. He invited to proceed upstairs and wished me a pleasant flight.
This Is A Great Value-Add
I’m not sure why Malaysia Airlines is doing this (since the train actually works just fine), but I certainly enjoyed this and find it a wonderful value-add to the premium cabin experience.
My journey was at 6:20 am during a quieter time. Logistically, I wonder how this is possible/feasible during busy departure periods, unless most people just skip it.
CONCLUSION
I enjoyed an unexpected treat in the form of a Mercedes-Benz tarmac transfer prior to my Malaysia Airlines flight, even though I have no oneworld status and was only traveling in business class. While this seems like an ambitious undertaking by MAS, it was pulled off very nicely and made the trip all the more pleasant.
If I remember correctly I believe the chauffeur service started when the train between terminals shut down. While others had to take buses, premium passengers got this instead, and they just kept the service after the train was fixed.
The trains are still having problems. They have not been fixed properly & keep breaking down in the worst possible way. MAS is not taking the risk of having disgruntled premium passengers & would rather maintain this until the trains are properly fixed.
Why would anyone willfully go to Bali?
I like it…this time, I was just transting, though.
Why wouldn’t they?