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Old Oct 22, 2016, 3:18 am
  #9  
fakecd
 
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: HKG/HND/OOL
Programs: QF Emerald. SQ Gold.
Posts: 3,143
KUL turnaround on 3K at KLIA2 terminal, not the easiest

So I did the 3k SIN-KUL-SIN turnaround with 3k683/3K684 combination with 30min connection time. My answer is, you are pushing it and I would avoid it next time even I successfully completed this.

The biggest issue is, I was under the impression that KUL was comingled like SIN where arrival/departure traffic shares same terminal/area such that once you disembark the 3K flight arriving to KUL it was matter of literally turn left (or right), re-enter the boarding gate area with security check and wola you go. Whilst this is what I was told from various reports/private accounts, my KLIA2 was anything but close to that.

I can't say if KLIA main terminal is same as SIN but 3K flight arrives to the new KLIA2. And this is where issue is. upon disembarking, I was lead to seperate corridor for arrival pax straight to immigration/transit area. It was a long-terminal so I literally ran... when I got to the center of terminal there was "international connection", I headed there. You first pass that security. ... then you keep going, at which point you arrive at the 2nd security screening where other "real" pax departing KLIA2 is subjected to... once you pass this, than you have to dash back to the gate.

I think with much of shear luck I managed this 30min turnaround on the 683/684 combination due to following luck factors:
1) it was 8am arrival and both security checks didn't have any pax line up of any extent
2) nobody asked me for my boarding pass at the security area, no question was asked.
3) I was seated at row 6 so I was first of few to disembark. And the arrival gate was at L5 in KLIA2 which is relatively close to the security for a quick 500m sprint.
4) I had internet checkin boarding pass printed.


so my word of advise for those who do this, I can offer following
1) anyone who does a SIN-KUL turn-around on 3K is purely for qantas SC. Go for the "Starter MAX" combo that earns you 20SC instead of 10SC, and seats you even closer to the front row... the additional you pay for "starter max" is well worth it considering you gain extra 10SC. Also IF You miss your flight the change is still free so you can be on next flight
2) try to do it early morning (i.e. the 683 departure from SIN) so if anything goes wrong there are 3 more 3k flights to catch back. presumably airport is quieter too.
3) I was doing this as part of TPE-HKG-SIN [then KUL turn-around]-HKG-TPE iteinery. I entered SIN after KUL turn-around, i did say my port of embarkation of "KUL" even my "residence" is in HK and I had no question asked at Singapore entry. But I hold Japanese passport so maybe they didn't care where I boarded.

Anyways KLIA2 is such a crappy terminal i don't want to spend 3hours for next 3K flight... i think i will not do this SIN-KUL turn around next time, instead find a holiday destination on 3K.
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