Air Asia: Bkk-kl-jkt Connecting Flights - Luggage Transfer?

[sonic_11uk]

I booked some Air Asia tickets from Bkk to Kuala Lumpur, then onwards to Jakarta. There's a 3hr 30mins difference from when the plane lands in KL, and departs to JKT.

I was told that Air Asia will not transfer my luggage, instead I would have to collect it myself from the luggage belt, and check it back in again for the onwards flight to JKT.

I've not had to do this before and was curious if I would have to have my passport stamped into KL and check right out of the airport to get to the Air Asia check in desk.

Apologies if this seems like a trivial question; 'just a bit nervous about how it's supposed to work.

Cheers!!!

[ovenman]

I've not had to do this before and was curious if I would have to have my passport stamped into KL and check right out of the airport to get to the Air Asia check in desk.

Yes, upon arrival at KLIA you will need to clear inbound Malaysian immigrations, collect your bags, go upstairs to the departures hall, check-in for your flight to Jakarta, and then clear outbound Malaysian immigrations.

[sierra01]

I think it's one way they keep the price of the airfair down, it costs them money to transfer your luggage.

[steve w]

I think it's one way they keep the price of the airfair down, it costs them money to transfer your luggage.

sounds like the only reasonable reason

[AsiaWolfie]

I did exactly this BKK - KUL - CKG thing in July 2548..... 3.30 hours can be very TIGHT. expect the flight to be 1 hour late, then queue at least 30 minutes at the pathetic immi desk at KLIA (s.u.x.x.x.x most in Asia, they could easily do it in 5 minutes if they would provide more counters, space enough is available for that....).... then RUSH to the airasia check-in where u can expect to queue for another 30-60 Minutes (though the international flights have a different check in counter and its usually faster there).

and one very important thing: they are NASTY AND STRICT AS h.e.l.l when it comes to luggage these days at airasia's Check-in at KLIA. so, if you bring 16,2 KG be sure u will be charged for 1 KG excess luggage (14 RM each KG for an international flight). even u checked in at BKK or any other airport with no hassle... HINT: try to go to another check in counter at KLIA which is not in use at the moment, and weigh ur luggage. so, if u have more than 15, remove everything HEAVY u can from the check-in bag and stow it in the hand-luggage bag which they usually DONT weigh unless it obviously looks oversized.

i had about 30 flights with airasia since their very start in 2002, and until 1 year ago or so, everything was quite okay, but nowadays they definitely S:U:K:K:K:K:K most..... obviously, they can not or are not willing to handle their growth in a proper way....

Edited January 6, 2006 by AsiaWolfie

[sonic_11uk]

Thanks so much for the responses guys, it's all very helpful!

For using KL as a transfer point, are there any immigration forms to complete (for UK Passport holders), or is it just stamp out and go through (before tearing away to find the international check in desk?

THX!

[AsiaWolfie]

well, u have to fill in the immigration-form, which usually will be provided by air asia's ground staff at the BKK-check-in, so u can do it without hassle during the flight (and the cabin crew has forms available as well) , and then u have to clear immigration in KL in the same way as any other travellers have to do. after that, collect ur luggage, pass the customs desk, then take the elevator or escalator to the upper floor (departure hall) check in at the airasia-counter at KLIA, and then proceed to the departure area where u will get your departure-stamp from the Malaysian immigration (this takes usually less than 5 minutes, no big queues there). if there is no flight delay from BKK, u have plenty of time for that, but u never know b4. if u have time to spend at the departure level and u r hungry, MCD and KFC are there and a cheap option to fill ur stomach and rest for while....

oh and, send regards to JAKARTA, my beloved smiling angel with the dirty face....

Edited January 7, 2006 by AsiaWolfie