Riding Air Asia to Macao

I recently took a trip to Kuala Lumpur. When I left Malaysia I did not head back to the Philippines immediately. I went to Macao first!

The photos below are some photos of the Low Cost Carrier Terminal (LCCT) and inside the Air Asia cabin.

The LCCT did not surprise me at all. It was similar to the international airport at Clark Freeport but bigger.  The terminal is very bare and basic, no fancy flooring, no fancy ceilings and lighting just the basics.  The are no air bridges as well, instead passengers go their respective planes by BMW (by means of walking).

It was a good thing that I bought express boarding so I was one of the first passengers who walked to the plane and was able to seat on the first row.

If you want to eat on board you can only do so by purchasing meals from the flight crew.  Prices can be sky high.  The prices are quoted in Malaysian Ringgit (RM) which is about thirteen (13) pesos per RM.  However, during internet booking passengers can pre-order meals online which costs from 60 to 95 pesos.

The fligh was around three hours long.  Without anything to entertain you the flight can be very boring.  Make sure you have a book to read or an ipod/mp3 player to listen to.

Opon arrival at Macao International Aiport, the plane parked on the tarmac.  Passengers disembarked again by BMW and rode a bus to the main terminal.

I shall post more photos when I have the luxury of time.

Inside the LCCT international passengers waiting area

Inside the LCCT international passengers waiting area

I waited in gate T8 for my flight to Macao

inside the air asia cabin, most passengers were obviously Malaysian or Chinese

some air asia goodies for sale

other air asia merchandise for sale

waiting for other passengers to disembark from the plane and board the bus to the main terminal building

Venetian Macao food court

Venetian Macao canal

 

a replica of a Venetian building at the Venetian Macao

Malaysia Airlines Zero Fares Around ASEAN

Image via Wikipedia

Just last Monday morning I just learned that Malaysia Airlines (MH) is offering Zero and discounted fares around South East Asia. This includes travel between Manila/Cebu to Kuala Lumpur/Kota Kinabalu.

Please check it out here. (Please read the terms and conditions fully before you hit submit!) The booking period ends Tuesday 3 June 2008 and travel period is from 1 July to 14 December 2008. I have booked tickets myself and I was only charged about USD 125.00

Here is the actual breakdown:

Philippines: Travel Tax = USD 37.20 (PHP 1620.00) each
Malaysia: Passenger Service Charge = USD 15.80 each
Surcharge = USD 71.90 each

[By the way, I called the MH office in Makati to verify if the taxes on my e-ticket really includes the PHP 1620 travel tax. The representative at reservations confirmed it.]

I’ve tried comparing my fare if I were to fly via Air Asia (AK) but I get a better deal with MH because the travel tax in already included in the total fare. Also, MH lands at NAIA (Ninoy Aquino International Airport) and the ultra modern KLIA (Kuala Lumpur International Airport) in Manila not unlike AK that uses DMIA (Diosdado Macapagal International Airport) and the KLIA – LCCT (Low Cost Carrier Terminal).

I cannot wait until I fly to KL!

[Disclaimer: No compensation received or will be received from MH by posting this on my blog.]

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