Malaysia Airlines: Kuala Lumpur to Johor Bahru flight experience

In the weeks leading up to MATTA Fair (Sep 2019), I stumbled upon Malaysia Airlines' website where promotional fares are being offered for some of their domestic and regional flights. With some luck, I managed to secure a RM109 one-way promotional fare ticket from Kuala Lumpur (KUL) to Johor Bahru (JHB).

Part 1: Checking in at KLIA

Malaysia Airlines operates out of KLIA's main terminal.

The departure hall is located at the top-most floor of the main terminal building.

As I have already checked in online via the airline's mobile app, its a quick and easy trip to the self-check-in kiosk to get my boarding pass printed.

My boarding pass for MH1057, departing at 17.45.

With some extra time to spare before my flight, I decided to make a quick trip to Anjung Tinjau, a public viewing gallery at the contact pier.

From Anjung Tinjau, you can get a clear view of the apron on the contact pier ("A", "B", and "C" gates).

You also get a clear view of the AeroTrain tracks connecting the main terminal building with the satellite terminal, where most international flights are situated.

Part 2: Entering Transit Area
Entrance to the domestic transit area is located at the eastern end of the terminal building.

Queueing up for document check.

Taking the escalator down to the contact pier after clearing security.

The contact pier consists of 11 gates at each of the apron "wing". At the atrium between both wings is a shopping arcade.

View of the walkway leading to one of the wings.

There are two types of gates in the contact pier: "open-concept" gates (odd-numbered) for narrow-body domestic flights only...

... and large, "gate-hold room"-type gates (even-numbered) for both domestic and international flights. A series of doors can be opened and/or closed to provide access to either the domestic or international transit area only.

My MH1057 flight to JHB was scheduled to depart from gate A11, a domestic-only, narrow-body gate located at the far end of the contact pier.

Gate A11 provides a good view of the parking area for airport ground handling equipment, remote stands, and the VVIP terminal building.

Then, 30 minutes before the scheduled departure time, I received a notification that my flight has been re-timed to 6.05pm due to late arrival of the aircraft. Blimey...

Per Flightradar24, the late arrival was caused by the bunching of flight delays caused by late departure of the aircraft's first flight of the day (MH2660 from KL to Tawau). The aircraft departed 39 minutes late and, considering the tight turnaround margins for domestic flights, caused the delay to cascade down the aircraft's flight schedules for the day.

After waiting for another 30 minutes, the aircraft 9M-MLE arrived from Kuala Terengganu, 20 minutes late.

9M-MLE is a 737-800, a third-generation Boeing 737 variant also known as the 737 Next Generation. 9M-MLE is one of the few members of Malaysia Airlines' 737 fleet to wear the iconic old MAS red-blue-grey livery.

"Full service" turnaround being carried out (refuelling, lavatory tank clearing, etc.)

Refreshment supplies being replenished by the catering vehicle.

Part 3: Flight experience

15 minutes before the new departure time, boarding calls were made.

Boarding 9M-MLE as MH1057.

Interior of the economy class section.

View of the Passenger Service Unit with one of the reading lamps switched on.

I was seated at row 7 towards the front of the economy class cabin. This seat gives me a good view of the aircraft's CFM 56-7B engine.

Next, mandatory reading of the safety card.

One interesting point was that the rear exits are blocked in the event of a water landing... that's interesting...

Pushed back from the apron.

During the pushback and engine start-up, drop-down screens were deployed for safety demonstration.

Taxiing towards Runway 14R.

Taking off from Runway 14R.

Due to the haze, it was impossible to get a clear outside view.

After the fasten seatbelt lights were switched off, refreshments were served. On domestic flights, the refreshments consist of a packet of salted peanuts and a cup of orange juice. Not bad, actually.

10 minutes later, the seatbelt lights were switched on for descend and landing.

Arrived at Senai International Airport for Johor Bahru.

Overall, this was a rather decent short-hop from KL to JB. The airline's performance and service quality for this flight was within expectations for a full-service airline and flag carrier.