Krabi to KUL, connecting on MH: Air Asia or Batik Air?

[ringingup]

We will flying back to London from KUL in Feb.

We will be staying in Krabi and planning to arrive in KUL in the afternoon for our 11:30 pm flight, leaving a gap of more than 6 hours between flights.

We have the option of flying from Krabi to KUL with Air Asia or Batik Air.

Air Asia
Arrives at T2 whilst MH operates from T1
They have multiple flights a day
They seem to be more generally on time
I believe you can buy a fast pass that includes fast track immigration on arrival

Batik Air
Arrives at T1 but we will have to clear immigration anyway as I understand, given we will have luggage
If buying business, we should be able to use fast track immigration on arrival.
Only one flight per day and often with significant delays. Even if we arrived at 8:30 pm, hence 4 hours late, that should still be enough time to make our MH flight

Any recommendation? We’re ok with not staying in KL from the night before. There is an inherent risk involved, but we’re ok as long as the buffer between flight is long enough.

[SamG]

I’d probably take Air Asia, rarely had a delay with them but Malindo/Batik something went wrong pretty much every time! It’s simple to transfer between terminals on the train

[ringingup]

Thanks SamG! How many hours would you aim to leave between the Air Asia flight and the MH flight? I can either arrive at 14:45 or 16:55 to depart at 23:30.

[The real Swiss Tony]

Whilst the temptation might be to go for the later flight, I’d think carefully about what you might do with those extra two hours. Is it usable pool time, or will you just be hanging around waiting for a taxi? If it’s marginal, go for the earlier one. At least you have a fall-back plan.

And book direct with the airline. I’ve seen Air Asia flights 50% cheaper (so saving maybe £10) by going through a big OTA, but if it goes wrong you want to be talking to the organ grinder.

[ZoeB]

We booked an overnight (but only used it for the day) in the on airport hotel when we had a long connection. worked really well, spent time around the pool. Was many years ago but overnight was cheaper than day use – but we did book for 2 then sneak my teenage kids in.

[davestat]

I would pick Air Asia out of the two options but also think that MH flies the route. PS I don’t think the rail link between the terminals has operated for several years and is due to be replaced in 2025 or the year after. If flying MH you would get to the right terminal avoiding any transfer

[ringingup]

Sadly MH don’t fly that route. They fly out of Phucket. In hindsight I should’ve changed the itinerary to end in Phang Nga instead of Krabi, but it’s too late to change now.

[TJones]

There is a rail link between the terminals: the KLIA Ekspress. The fare is MYR2. Or there is a free bus. It’s the shuttle in T1 to the satellite that isn’t operating.