Since I have never seen any TR on this relatively new subsidiary company of Malaysia Airlines, named FireFly, I would like to share my experience when I was in Malaysia end of November. This was my first flight with them from the old International airport in Kuala Lumpur, the former Subang International Airport or known currently as the Sultan Abdul Aziz Shah Subang International airport, which consisted of two main terminals, T1 and T3 in the old times, but now T1 is being converted into a sort of International Convention Center and T3 is being rebuilt to serve as a low-cost airport for travellers who does not want to drive the 1 hour to KLIA. More history of this airport can be found at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sultan_Abd ... ah_Airport
Intro:
I booked my ticket actually 2 days before departure for a price of about RM280 (approximately 60 Euros) for a same day return flight to Penang Island. I bought the first flight out (approx 6.50am) and return with the last flight at 21.15. However, after arriving in BKK from AMS, I received an SMS that my flight has been canceled and I was rebooked onto the 14.30 flight. I was thinking this was ridiculous if they could see that I had a same day return. After settling into my hotel and resting a bit, I thought I would try my luck and not waste money calling the call center in Malaysia but just go to the MH office in BKK. Arriving at the MH downtown office, I was told that they do not deal at all and actually have no system or can help me at all with my booking. In the end, I had to call Firefly from my hotel room. I managed to change my flight to the next available morning flight leaving at 09.25. They had the following note in my new reservation
URGENT!!!FIREFLY
FY 2080 HAS BEEN CANCEL, MOVE TO FY 3602
FOR MORE INFO, PLS CALL FIREFLY
Here is a copy of my trip itineary and price.
Flight Detail:
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Date: Flight No: Departure: Arrival: Stop:
Sun 23 Nov FY2084 Subang (SZB) 9:25 AM Penang (PEN) 10:25 AM ( 0)
Sun 23 Nov FY2099 Penang (PEN) 9:15 PM Subang (SZB) 10:15 PM ( 0)
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Fare and Charges Detail: Total For 01 guest(s) Fare: 159.90
Airport Tax: 18.00
Fuel Surcharge: 54.00
Insurance Surcharge: 10.00
Admin Fee: 42.00
---------
Total: 283.90 MYR
SZB-PEN
FY 2084: ATR72
Actual departure time: 09.30
Seat 16D
p.s: Sorry for having the photos in thumbnail format, I uploaded my photos without resizing..
I arrived about 08.30 and check-in was not even open. I was informed it would open within 15 mins. Here are a few shots of the check-in hall which was undergoing heavy renovations.
Check-in area view
Check-in area with shops
Check-in desks
Air Asia advertisment
Only one check-in desk opened with just a piece of paper pasted at the desk indicating the flight number and destination. I waited for nearly everyone to check-in before I approached the counter. I was given those supermarket type receipt with an allocated seat number. Checking in luggage with Firefly is free until 20kg, better than some of the low-cost carriers here in Europe or even some US full service carriers!
Walking through some cardboard covered corridors, I arrived at the one and only security checkpoint. On the way, there was some nice view of the Eurocopter hangers and some unique props.
Some Malaysian organization propeller
Eurocopter hangar
After passing through security check (fluids are still allowed for domestic flights), I was greeted with the departure waiting area
The hall was getting busier and soon departure time was approaching and still no sign of any activity at the desk. During this time, one of the planes were brought in, but this was for the flight to JHB. 10 mins to 09.00, some FY agents arrived to prepare the gate for arriving passengers and surely, I saw our plane arriving and within 10 mins, it was parked and arriving passengers streamed into the the hall. There was a change of crew. At 09.15, they started the boarding process.
FY flight to JHB
Boarding my flight
This was my second time on an ATR72 (first with AZ Express), and so of course the last row was actually near to the door. At the door, we were greeted warmly by the FA. Boarding was completed in about 20 mins. Here you see the FA helping out some passengers
Some image of the cabin and safety card
Seats
Leg room
Printed materials
Seatbelt
Overhead panel
Doors were closed and safety demonstration was done manually. After the demonstration, I noticed that we were still on the same spot even though the engines were running with no pushback. Later, the captain came over the PA and announced that there was a small mechanical issue and the door was open. A technician came aboard heading to the cockpit. A few minutes later he left and within 10 mins, we were told that the issue was solved and could proceed. After closing the door, the FA's took their seats. The plane was pushed back and taxied towards the active runway. We taxied past some interesting aircraft, but too bad I was on the wrong side of the aircraft. Here are a few shots I tried to take when I was on the right side on the active runway (apologies for the quality)
Control Tower
Airrod hangar
Flying over Perak State
About 15 mins after departure, the FA's got into action preparing for a snack (I was surprised)
We were offered either water, OJ and hot beverages on request
Muffin
The flight time was only 50 mins. During the snack time, the captain came on the PA with information on the routing and approximate time of arrival. It was a smooth flight with spotty clouds.
Soon, Penang Island came into view.
Landing
Cargo area
Passing some villages next to the runway
Control Tower
Lauda Air (anyone know what this aircraft is doing here? chartered flight?)
Air Asia special livery
Parking into bay
I waited until everyone got out and took some other shots of the interior
Saying goodbye to the plane that flew me here
I walked straight out and collected my rental car.
Here are a few more shots of my day trip to Penang. I also took the Ferry across to the mainland.
Ferry and Harbour area
Waiting to board the Ferry
Shots from the Ferry
Busy shipping straits (the Straits of Malacca)
Arriving on the mainland
I had a nice one day visit to the Penang. In the afternoon, I received another SMS that my flight that evening was delayed by 30 mins. Later, I went back to the island via the Penang Bridge to meet up with another friend later in the evening. An hour before the new timing, I went to the airport returned my car and checked in. Sadly, the flight was further delayed and in the end the delay was slightly more than one hour.
Overall, I think FireFly offers a reasonable product for the price. However, I think that they should solve the issue of delays as I heard that it is very often that their flights are delayed due to lack of aircraft. Product wise, it is good and I do think that they do have the ability to expand. Service from the FA was very Malaysia Airlines, so I believe they must be trained at the same place. The return flight was smooth and I just slept most of the way due to me being tired and jet lagged. I arrived back into a wet and windy Subang.
Hope you enjoyed the unique report! Feedbacks are as usual always welcomed!
