AirAsia: Johor Bahru to Alor Setar flight experience

AirAsia flight AK6172/6173 is a direct flight between Johor Bahru, Johor and Alor Setar, Kedah and holds the distinction as the longest domestic flight within Peninsular Malaysia, with a scheduled flight time of 1 hour 20 minutes. This direct flight is operated 4 times per week, providing direct flight connection between Johor Bahru and the northern states, and provide an alternative to flying to/from the busier Penang International Airport.

Part 1: Checking in at Senai International Airport

I arrived at Senai International Airport via Causeway Link AA1, an airport bus service running non-stop between JB Sentral and Senai Airportt.



The Aeromall is an extension of the original airport terminal building. Several retail and dining outlets can be found within the Aeromall.



AirAsia's self check-in kiosks are located to the left of the Aeromall.



As I have previously checked-in via the mobile app, all I needed to do was to get my boarding pass printed from the self check-in kiosk.



Manual check-in counters are located to the left of the main terminal building.



View of the original airport terminal building.



Security screening is located at the centre of the original airport terminal building.



Entering the transit area after clearing security screening.



Malaysia Airlines 9M-MLT (Boeing 737-800) departing for Kuala Lumpur as flight MH1040. Check out my other article on KL-JB flight experience on board Malaysia Airlines. 



AirAsia 9M-AQN (Airbus A320-200) ready to depart for Penang as flight AK6424. Senai International Airport is one of AirAsia's several secondary hubs in Malaysia, with direct flights to destinations as far as Tawau, Sabah.



Malindo 9M-LMF (ATR 72-600) arriving from Ipoh as flight OD1325.



Jin Air HL8015 (Boeing 737-800) arriving from Incheon, South Korea as flight LJ97. LJ97/98 is a newly launched direct flight between Johor Bahru and South Korea and operates on a seasonal schedule.



9M-AGC (Airbus A320-200) arriving from Ipoh. This aircraft would take me to Alor Setar as flight AK6172.



Part 2: AK6172 (JHB-AOR) flight experience

Boarding calls were made immediately after the first passengers disembarked from 9M-AGC.



Today's flight seems to be a full flight.





Inside the 180-seat Airbus A320-200



My seat at row 9 gave me a good view of the engine and the wing.



The standard 3-3 abreast seating on board this flight.



Next, mandatory reading of the safety card.





Pushed back from Gate 3 for on-time departure.



Taxiing past the Royal Hangar. DYMM Sultan Johor's Boeing 737-800 BBJ private jet (9M-III) can be seen parked inside the Royal Hangar.



Volga-Dnepr's Antanov An-124 at the Cargo Apron. An-124 is one of the largest cargo aircraft in the world, and is one of the rarest aircraft types you can find here in Malaysia.



Taking off from Runway 16. While flights from Johor Bahru usually take off to the north (via Runway 34), some flights are directed to take off to the south when there are inbound flights in the vicinity.



Flying above Kulai town at 4,050 ft. Speed: 193 knots (~358 km/h).



The flight attained its maximum cruising altitude of 36,000 ft (~11km) over Kuala Lumpur. Seen here is Kuala Selangor. Speed: 470 knots (870 km/h).



9M-AGC is equipped with Rokki on board WiFi.



WiFi packages are available for purchase.



In addition to internet access, Rokki also has a selection entertainment options available free of charge. 



Although no movies were offered, Rokki did offer a selection of drama shows, mostly Korean dramas.



The cabin crew also made use of the long cruising time to sell AirAsia merchandises. Unlike most other domestic flights within Peninsular Malaysia, the JHB - AOR flight has a long cruise portion due to the longer distance of this flight.



Flying past Pangkor Island, off the coast of Lumut, Perak. This was the point where the flight started its descent into Alor Setar.



Descending over Penang. Penang International Airport can be seen in the background.
Altitude: 16,550 ft; Speed: 405 knots.



Flying past Kuala Kedah on final approach to Alor Setar. 



Touched down at Runway 04, Sultan Abdul Halim Airport (AOR).



Making a u-turn near the end of the runway.



My first glance of Sultan Abdul Halim Airport's terminal building.




To speed up disembarkation, an airstair was docked to the aft of the aircraft to allow passengers seated towards the aft of the aircraft to disembark from the aft door.



9M-AGC would then fly the return flight to Johor Bahru as AK6173.



Firefly 9M-FYA (ATR 72-500) arriving from Subang as flight FY1672.



This faux "Skybridge" connects the main terminal building with the airside building.



View of Sultan Abdul Halim Airport's main concourse.



Due to its close proximity to Penang International Airport, Sultan Abdul Halim Airport has only three destinations - Kuala Lumpur, Subang, and Johor Bahru.



From the airport, I took a short 5-minute Grab ride to Anak Bukit railway station.



From Anak Bukit railway station, you may take a Komuter Utara train to other destinations such as Padang Besar, Arau, Butterworth, Taiping (change at Bukit Mertajam), and other northern towns.