Flight Review: AirAsia AK5417 from Kuching to Johor Bahru by Airbus A320-200

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AirAsia AK5417 is a daily afternoon flight from Kuching to Johor Bahru, and the only airline operating on this domestic non-stop route. Heading back to Singapore, I got on this domestic flight rather than a non-stop flight straight back to Singapore as it was a lot cheaper to fly domestic on a Sunday.

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The check-in counters are on the far right side of the terminal building.

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A security scan is required for all bags before entering the check-in rows area.

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However, the AirAsia self check-in kiosks are located outside of that area.

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Heading to the self check-in kiosk to reprint my boarding pass.

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My boarding pass for my AirAsia AK5417 flight from Kuching to Johor Bahru.

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Heading back to the left side of the terminal to enter the transit area.

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Departure Hall A is for domestic flights within Sarawak which does not require immigration clearance.

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Departure Hall B is for domestic flights outside of Sarawak which requires immigration clearance. As Sarawak has autonomy on immigration, passengers heading to West Malaysia and Sabah must go through immigration when exiting Sarawak.

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There is also a separate door at Departure Hall B for international flights.

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Heading into Departure Hall B for immigration clearance to exit Sarawak for my flight to Johor Bahru.

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On exit from Sarawak, the immigration officer stamped my boarding pass with the usual Malaysia exit stamp.

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However, my passport was left unstamped, as an exit stamp would void both stamps and then I’ll suddenly become an illegal immigrant. The exit stamp is only given when I leave Malaysia totally.

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Heading down to the transit area after immigration and security clearance.

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Turning left to my gate.

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There is a food court on the way to my gate, but I didn’t need to eat anything since I had already pre-booked my lunch for my flight.

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Passengers from the previous flight had just arrived just as I got to Gate 1.

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Seems like Gate 1 is assigned for JB flights.

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9M-AQC in BIG Duty Free x SimplySiti Livery would be flying me to JB.

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Like most domestic flights, AirAsia stops short of the aerobridge and passengers use the mobile stairs to disembark.

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Heading to the Zone 1 queue for priority boarding. A new boarding procedure at Kuching as compared with other airports, Zone 1 passengers board first as usual, followed by those registered with F.A.C.E.S., followed by Zone 2 and Zone 3 with all remaining passengers.

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Heading down the first part of the aerobridge to the staircase.

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The view of 9M-AQC from the staircase.

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9M-AQC on the apron.

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Heading up the mobile stairs to board the aircraft.

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AirAsia WiFi is available on 9M-AQC.

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The awkward view of stopping short before the aerobridge in front of the terminal.

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Heading to my seat.

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The legroom on board AirAsia’s Airbus A320-200.

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The sticker on the tray tables still indicate the WiFi service as roKKi Wi-Fi.

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The view of the aircraft from my Hot Seat. As the flight was rather full, I was unable to move to a window seat.

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Shortly after the seat belt signs were switched off, I was served my pre-booked meal.

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I tried the new Prawn & Chicken Wonton Noodles for RM10, plus 60 sen SST, since this was a domestic flight.

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The Prawn & Chicken Wonton Noodles was very flavorful and surprisingly still springy and not soggy, even better than many wonton noodle stalls on the ground. The wontons were also very generously filled. In fact, I thought it was even better than the Michelin-starred Mak’s Noodle in Hong Kong.

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This is also my first time having a soup on board Economy Class in any airline. This might actually be my new favourite on the Santan Menu.

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After the meal, I ordered an additional Iced Matcha Latte for RM7. No additional SST is charged from the published menu price for on-board purchases – perhaps AirAsia would include the SST in the price.

I don’t think you can get an Iced Matcha Latte even on full-service airlines.

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The clean toilet on board the aircraft.

The flight landed at Senai at 2.38pm – 22 minutes ahead of schedule, and it was a quick direct taxi to the gate.

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Surprisingly heading up to the terminal via the aerobridge at Senai.

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Heading up to the terminal building.

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9M-AQI in AirAsia Foundation livery which sent me to Kuching the day before resting on the tarmac.

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Following the path to the main part of the terminal.

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Entering the main transit area.

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Looking back at 9M-AQC.

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Heading to the escalator down to the baggage reclaim area.

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The baggage claim area is split into an international and domestic section, with security at the entrance to the international baggage claim area to check for those arriving from outside of Malaysia.

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As I had no bags to pick up, I headed straight out of the baggage reclaim area.

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With the early arrival, I quickly headed over to the Causeway Link counter to buy a ticket for the impending Causeway Link Senai Airport Shuttle Service AA1 departure to JB Sentral at 3pm.

Overall, another pleasant flight with AirAsia as usual, this time made better with the excellent Prawn & Chicken Wonton Noodles I bought.

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