Today we have an early start departing at 0650 flying Perth – Kuala Lumpur, self-connecting to hometown Kuching with a layover of 3h50 which gives us a little bit of buffer in case of delay. That would see us arriving into Kuching at 1805.
The fare from Perth to Kuala Lumpur was AUD65 return plus taxes which made it AUD180 return. Not bad for flight time of around 5h30 each way!
The flight was comfortable in a compressed seating configuration of 9 seats across, in the Airbus A330 originally designed to take 8 seats. The seats looked of high quality but slid forward to achieve a recline which takes up one’s own legroom rather than encroach into the person behind. Each seat was fitted with a personal TV but content requires payment. [Edit: The seats proved unpopular with customers who also didn’t part with their money to pay for the content; they were swiftly replaced with lighter seats]
The domestic flight from Kuala Lumpur to Kuching was also cheap at MYR84 return plus taxes which made it MYR144. We had a “self-connect” of 3h50 as the airline doesn’t do connections. The “self-connect” was purely at our own risk so we had to allow sufficient time for normal processing time and possible delays.
All-in-all, who can complain for the “self-connect” when the prices are so low! Thumbs up for AirAsia X and AirAsia, the budget airlines! [Edit: As AirAsia grew to become rather large, they did start offering connections.]
While waiting at the domestic boarding area of Kuala Lumpur Low Cost Carrier Terminal (KLIA LCCT), I noticed the “Weapon Room”. Not sure why it has to be so clearly marked!
Weapon Room at the domestic gate area of KLIA LCCT.
We landed back in hometown Kuching at 1805. Ramadhan and Eid (Hari Raya Puasa) had passed a few weeks ago. The street decorations were still up.
Eid (Hari Raya Puasa) lighting. Child asking father for forgiveness; normal on the morning of Eid.