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A Fireflying Weekend to Ipoh
Again, I embarked on another short weekend trip to neighbouring Malaysia, making a visit to the town of Ipoh in the state of Perak. Since the start of direct flights from Singapore to Ipoh, Ipoh has been gradually gaining popularity for holidays by Singaporeans, as well as convenient access by Ipohians in Singapore. Currently, there are 3 to 4 flights daily to Ipoh, operated by Firefly and Tigerair (soon to be Scoot). Malindo Air, which I flew previously more than a year ago on my first trip to Ipoh, has pulled out of the route due to low loads. However, Tigerair seemed to be able to make the route work, increasing its flights to double dailies on certain days. Firefly maintained its twice daily flights. This trip, I would be flying on Firefly, which is the regional arm of Malaysia Airlines and operating solely ATR72 turboprops.
Checked in at Terminal 2 an hour before departure at the Firefly counters. There are 4 counters opened for check-in, 2 each for Subang and Ipoh. Boarding pass was prnted on Dnata stock. https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4312/3...e4dfeb51_b.jpg https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4306/3...8fe5da85_b.jpg https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4304/3...e2db19c6_b.jpg It was a drizzly afternoon. Tarmac view at T2. https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4303/3...1d8867b9_b.jpg Both Firefly flights to Subang and Ipoh were departing from F55, which is a bus gate. https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4298/3...9d053cfd_b.jpg Code-shared with MH https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4303/3...5ac55b86_b.jpg Tigerair A320 at the gate. These aircraft will soon be repainted in Scoot's livery. https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4294/3...4a3f23c4_b.jpg 14 July 2017 Firefly FY 3546 Singapore (SIN) - Ipoh (IPH) ATR 72-500 9M-FYA Economy Class Flight Time: 1H18M Both passengers for Ipoh and Subang were at the gate, but Ipoh pax were called for boarding earlier as the Subang flight was slightly delayed ue to late arrival of aircraft from Kuantan. Ferried by the bus to the remote stand. Firefly's first aircraft would be performing the sector today. This flight is part of the 4-sector Subang-Singapore-Ipoh-Singapore-Subang routing. Long working day for the pilots and crew. https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4316/3...45d91d26_b.jpg https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4299/3...61284f1d_b.jpg Welcomed by a crew at the door and proceeded to our seats. Configuration on this ATR72 is 2-2 for a total of, yes you guessed it, 72 seats. 2 cabin crew will be working this flight. The cabin was clean and well-maintained despite this being Firefly's oldest aircraft. https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4302/3...b4658e94_b.jpg https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4302/3...2ab70b95_b.jpg https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4310/3...90f5c403_b.jpg |
Firefly markets itself as a full-service regional airline and hence all frills are offered, including free check-in luggage and complimentary refreshments. However there are talks that Firefly will stop offering complimentary refreshments soon. Crew came down the aisle with snacks in a basket, offering a choice of peanuts, muffins and curry puffs! I had a curry puff and a muffin. Tasty and filling snacks.
https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4301/3...0bff4fa7_b.jpg https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4304/3...906aaea4_b.jpg https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4314/3...1ba40011_b.jpg A choice of soya bean milk and mango juice were offered. Both for me please! As the seatbelt signs were kept on (with hardly any turbulence though), no hot drinks were offered. https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4304/3...392f170b_b.jpg As mentioned earlier, the weather was rather good for flying. Not sure why the seatbelt signs were swithed on for almost the entire flight. https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4327/3...c8c6cc5e_b.jpg After the snack service, a crew came to me and requested if I could fill up a survey on the tablet. Sure! https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4307/3...b66c0c0f_b.jpg Port Dickson, i think. https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4314/3...a1f27043_b.jpg Near Port Klang. https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4292/3...277102f0_b.jpg Compared to the jet which only took 50min, the flight on the ATR72 was almost half hour longer. We soon started the descent into Ipoh. https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4301/3...58e4ef21_b.jpg https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4319/3...a617570f_b.jpg https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4313/3...b2a5e542_b.jpg https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4329/3...7ea76a73_b.jpg Landing in Ipoh Sultan Azlan Shah Airport Rwy04. |
Ipoh! I've always wanted to go - do you have any pics of on-the-ground you'd be willing to share?
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A rapid taxi and parked at the terminal.
https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4313/3...59d57261_b.jpg Disembarking and a short walk to the arrival hall of the small terminal. https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4323/3...d8734131_b.jpg https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4319/3...6dae6838_b.jpg https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4316/3...a8c613a3_b.jpg No queues at the arrival immigration for foreigners and we were through immigration and customs in a couple of minutes. Bliss of arriving at small airports! Last shot of the aircraft after clearing immigration. https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4295/3...43b2a7b5_b.jpg It was a great flight on Firefly. Service was excellent by the cheerful crew members, complimentary refreshments were more than adequate for the short flight, and aircraft, though rather noisy, was well-maintained and comfortable. However, with competition heaing up in the turboprop market due to entry of Malindo, I guess it will not be long before we see Firefly cutting on the frills. Only a maximum of 4 international flights a day to Ipoh, all from Singapore. There are also daily domestic flights to Johor Bahru. https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4291/3...6e8862d7_b.jpg It was only a 10min cab ride from the airport to Ipoh Town, where we would be staying at Weil Hotel, a 4-stars hotel which is supposedly the best in Ipoh Town. Rooms are big and cozy, and location is very convenient to the famous eateries and sights in town. https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4320/3...7e61dc00_b.jpg Sights of Ipoh old town and the street art. https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4308/3...635011b6_b.jpg https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4313/3...5f75e4a3_b.jpg https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4325/3...b477487f_b.jpg https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4324/3...ede3c42a_b.jpg https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4322/3...f2d6171b_b.jpg |
But of course, everyone goes to Ipoh not for the sights, but for the great food! Got some traditional biscuits from this pastry shop where the famous Kaya puffs are sold (and disappeared when the freshly-baked trays of puffs are brought out).
https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4293/3...4db09754_b.jpg Dinner at the famous Tuck Kee restaurant. The Moonlight Hor Fun is oh-so-good, paired with crunch beansprouts and tender squid pieces, heavenly.... https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4305/3...7cc79d73_b.jpg https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4329/3...719e4c0c_b.jpg https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4321/3...71b46e89_b.jpg Late morning, tried the dimsum at Ming Court. Unfortunately, we were rather late and most of the popular items were sold out. https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4297/3...ba9dddfd_b.jpg https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4308/3...e59df73b_b.jpg Teowchew-style beancurd at Concubine Lane. https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4309/3...25950e73_b.jpg Followed by delicious satay and duck egg fried kuay teow. https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4310/3...8da2236e_b.jpg https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4304/3...2eb8c3b7_b.jpg For this trip, I tried another famous tauge chicken kuay teow stall. The kuay teow was really rich and tasty, and chicken was very tender. https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4299/3...82f5d28f_b.jpg https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4305/3...8030957d_b.jpg A popular supper place would be Tong Sui Kai (Sugar Water Street), where we went after a movie. https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4325/3...9d37b45f_b.jpg |
Supper of wanton noodles, curry mee, rojak, fried meat, interesting prawn cracker with soya sauce and nuts, and a mountain of fruits dessert.
https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4319/3...a81361ea_b.jpg https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4314/3...cfc2a9a5_b.jpg https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4322/3...00691024_b.jpg Tried another recommended dimsum place, Chef Fatt, on the 2nd morning. Great dimsum! https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4307/3...966458a4_b.jpg And the last meal of horfun with chicken and tauge at the food center near the hotel before heading to the airport. https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4312/3...ce81166c_b.jpg Hailed an Uber ride to the airport at less than half the price of the overpriced airport taxis. Checked in an hour before departure. Boarding pass was printed on a receipt paper. There is only a single shop, selling local confectionary, in the terminal building and no other shops after immigration and security. Hence, it is advisable not to arrive at the airport too early as there is literally nothing to do. https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4303/3...7af121c7_b.jpg https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4301/3...6f320cc6_b.jpg https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4321/3...1408ac77_b.jpg https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4329/3...2c90b300_b.jpg FIDS and the tiny departure lounge after security. https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4321/3...6b3006d9_b.jpg https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4301/3...ba4146ab_b.jpg Our aircraft arrived 5min late from SIN. https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4321/3...cfbbc86a_b.jpg |
OMG, thank you for posting those. Methinks it's time to go back to Malaysia... the food looks absolutely incredible.
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16 July 2017
Firefly FY 3547 Ipoh (IPH) - Singapore (SIN) ATR 72-500 9M-FYL Economy Class Flight Time: 1H28M Taxi to the parking stand. Firefly's newest ATR72-500 (Firefly has reduced its fleet and withdrew its entire new ATR72-600 fleet from service) would be operating this flight. https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4313/3...45dfe2d6_b.jpg Barely 10min after the aircraft had parked and incoming passengers disembarked, boarding was called. We made the leisurely walk along the tarmac to the aircraft. https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4308/3...70eb3e89_b.jpg https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4301/3...4df06c6f_b.jpg https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4305/3...b9878fda_b.jpg https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4316/3...7f8c1829_b.jpg Cabin shot. The flight would be more full than the incoming. https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4321/3...535f8cae_b.jpg Firefly logo on seatbelt buckle. https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4322/3...60e6e675_b.jpg View out the window. https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4297/3...178fc280_b.jpg Again, once the last passenger boarded, doors were closed and safety demonstration performed. https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4330/3...53520555_b.jpg Taxi out for departure. https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4324/3...fdc25008_b.jpg And a very powerful departure out of Rwy22. https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4330/3...fe22bffc_b.jpg https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4309/3...0e93d662_b.jpg |
Climbing out of Ipoh.
https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4309/3...b5fcb8ef_b.jpg https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4307/3...d4dd348e_b.jpg Shortly after, the refreshment service started. On the flight, the meal cart was used and hot beverages were offered as well. https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4316/3...ec134b4f_b.jpg The great cabin crew offered me one each of all the available snack choices of curry puff, muffin and peanuts! Snack feast onboard! https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4313/3...429819cb_b.jpg https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4313/3...57c6f449_b.jpg Had a hot tea to go with the snacks. https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4307/3...5df64e11_b.jpg Admiring the scenery below as we flew over Kuala Lumpur. https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4322/3...fba80f75_b.jpg https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4295/3...ff3703e8_b.jpg https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4318/3...5b185294_b.jpg Making a left bank as we passe Malacca. https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4313/3...3a8706d3_b.jpg https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4292/3...69edc1fe_b.jpg Made a visit to the tiny lavatory, equipped with the minimal amenities. https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4300/3...e1b69039_b.jpg |
View of the cabin.
https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4298/3...b1b38495_b.jpg Descending into Singapore. We flew a long approach pattern along the southern coast of Singapore, passing Batam and Bintan, before heading up north and approaching from the north. https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4317/3...c610b0d5_b.jpg https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4323/3...6783f167_b.jpg https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4318/3...f13f34c8_b.jpg https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4318/3...e34e11d0_b.jpg Approaching and landing into Singapore Rwy20C. https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4320/3...0a756f1b_b.jpg https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4308/3...81608976_b.jpg Parked at the remote stand for disembarkation. https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4299/3...f511e71e_b.jpg https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4327/3...d0a2110b_b.jpg https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4296/3...1c55024e_b.jpg Passing Scoot and SQ while on the bus ride to the terminal. https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4314/3...ef367db6_b.jpg https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4291/3...53842ba9_b.jpg It was again a smooth and comfortable ride on Firefly with very good service and offerings on this short-haul route. Definitely looking forward to fly with Firefly again in the near future! Thanks for reading! |
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