An open letter to the airlines

Dear MAS, Firefly, Air Asia and Malindo Air,

For all the promos that you are currently having - having special airfare deals specially for this coming festive Raya season, it is very disappointing to see that none of your deals are offered during the critical week towards Hari Raya which is the final week before Hari Raya (20 July - 27 July 2014). 

Strategically, as a customer - and yes, I am a frequent flyer of all of your services, I believe this is a wrong way to do as most of us - the last minute travellers will need to purchase our tickets balik kampung at a very last minute. And I can assure you, these last minute travellers are the majority flyers. 

For your information, unlike others, I do not have the privilege to do an early online ticket purchase. You may think that I was "stupid" for not purchasing the ticket earlier like most of your customers did during your many many special deals. We, my husband and I, don't have the privilege to plan our holidays in advance due to our nature of work. Hence why, we always purchase our tickets balik kampung for raya when it is closer to the date.

I have been consistently checking on the fares to Alor Star for the past few days but sadly, it costs more than flying to Krabi or any other Southeast Asia countries.

I hope you will re-evaluate your fares especially during the peak week of the festive season allowing people like me to get the change to purchase our tickets balik kampung. It is ridiculously expenses for the return fares to Alor Star amounting RM1K++ for an adult with a child.

Thank you so much for your understanding. I hope to see a good news coming out from either one of you in this coming weeks.

Salam and Regards,

A concern flyer.

Melbourne Part 3

Day 4 (Sunday, 4 May 2014)

We received a not-so-good news late Saturday night whereby our flight to KUL will be delayed by 3 hours. Instead of flying back on Monday 1230am Melbourne time, we are expected to depart at 0300 Melbourne time. Thanks to Air Asia, we were able to spend more time in Melbourne doing nothing.

The group leader (the tour person) gave us extra free and easy time on Sunday morning to do what ever that we want to do before continuing with our city tour - meeting family and friends. However, the unlucky me, I didn't do much that morning except for the frequent visit to the toilet due to a sick tummy. I suspect this was due to the overloaded of food that I had the day before. Makan macam orang tak pernah makan sepuluh tahun, ini lah jadinya.

Since our flight was delayed, we had no choice but to checked out from the hotel on Sunday (still!) and to pack our bags and bring them along during the last city tour. Lucky us, our tour driver is a superb person that allowed us to pack our bags in the bus.

We had our lunch at the Chinatown and headed to Victoria Market for souvenir shopping right after. It is something similar to the Paddy Market in Sydney where one can get cheap souvenirs. Since I just got back from Sydney not too long ago, I didn't buy much. A basic t-shirt to the family. 

I was really looking forward to the factory outlet visit siap allocated money for it. However, I was very very super disappointed to see that few of the branded label boutique (read: Micheal Kors, Burberry, Coach) were no longer there. Yang tinggal adalah boutique-boutique yang tak seberapa nak best. I walked around and decided not to get anything. Beli sepasang baju Iman at Cotton On (macamlah Malaysia tak ada) and that's it! To be honest, I think JPO (Johore Premium Outlet) lagi best kot!

The plan was to have coffee at the cafe tapi memandangkan hari hujan tanpa henti, niat untuk ber-kopi pon terpaksa dibatalkan. Hai, kecewa lah hati.

Since our flight was delayed, the tour person decided to drive us around the city (again). We visited few entertainment and historical places saja untuk membuang masa before headed for dinner (Makan lagi)

The city of Melbourne

The Shine of Remembrance - A historical building

And we finally had our final dinner together at one of the Chinese Restaurant in the city.

We headed to the Crown Hotel as the rest of the gang wanted to experience the casino but I decided to stay on the bus to re-pack my bag.

And finally at 2300 Melbourne time, we depart to Melbourne International Airport dengan keadaan yang sungguh penat sekali.

I received a not-so-good news again upon arrival. Izwan's grandmother was warded and he wanted to go back to Alor Star right after I arrived - which we did. I was so kelam kabut that right after I checked in my luggage, I ran to the nearest counter to get MAS flight to Alor Star. Memang mencabar minda dan perasaan. 

Dah lah pkol 11 malam, mana ada counter nak buka. Nasib baik ada free internet service, I managed to get us the ticket and boarded MAS to Alor Star the moment I arrived KUL.

Oh, Melbourne International Airport wasn't as happening as Sydney's. Tak ada apa-apa yang menarik di situ. We wasted 4 hours before finally boarding the plane. Sungguh penat menunggu. And, we finally arrived KUL at 0930 Malaysia time the next morning, Alhamdulillah.

All in all, I had a good time visiting Melbourne. Who knows maybe I may come back but with a different purpose and objective *hint*hint*

#prayforMH370

Yesterday night, the Prime Minister has officially confirmed that MH370 has ended in the southern of Indian Ocean. They have also assumed that there were no survivors and that, they are still continuing with the search and rescue mission to look for the "black box" and possible, to look for the plane.

My prayers are to the family and friends of MH370 passengers and the cabin crew. Al-Fatihah.

But what I don't understand is that the stupidity that the reporters have shown throughout this whole period of time with their inappropriate-insensitive questions, provoking the search and rescue team for their capabilities in doing their job. I'm sure and I believe that they have done their tremendous job in searching for the missing jetline. 

Although I strongly believe that they are not telling us the whole truth but I'm sure, they have done their very best in controlling the situation. Who would have thought that such incident can happen here in Malaysia. We are among the safest country in the world and yet, it can still happened.

And honestly, the China Chinese have to really know how to manage their anger and patience. It's THE Indian Ocean that we're talking about. Even the submarines can't go any deeper than that.  And there is no point in pointing fingers to anyone at this point of time. Please, be patience!

It's always easier said than done. I personally couldn't imagine if my family, husband, parents were in that plane and I'm not sure how I can handle it if it happens to me. There is no words to describe how it feels. It's heartbreaking, for sure!

This incident is really an eye opener to all of us. But Allah has a better plan for all of us. Redha!

Semoga roh mereka ditempatkan di dalam golongan orang-orang yang beriman. Al-fatihah.

MH: Malaysian Hospitality

As written clearly on the title, this is going to be one biased article on Malaysian Airlines. No, I was not paid to write this article nor I was hired to do so. This is solely based on my past experiences boarding on both MAS and Air Asia and totally on my personal point of view.

Yes, no doubt Air Asia is THE No. 1 Low Cost Carrier airline in the world but to be honest, their services are still not THE No. 1 just yet. No doubt that within 10 years, they have grown so much; expending their destinations to more than 50 routes (and I think, they are more than that), liked by most people and I totally agreed with what they stand for - "Now Everyone Can Fly" which is a huge success especially for Malaysia Airline industry. They created positive competitions not just to MAS but to other full service airlines as well as the low cost ones. They are very competitive. They know their market well - They know Malaysia market very well hence the tremendous growth. However, the low cost title leads them on having the low cost services.

I'm not a frequent traveler. But I can be considered as their every year passenger for both of the airlines. I check on their fares every now and then. I'll definitely purchase their tickets if I find it attractive. You know lah, Malaysian travelers really opt for cheap fares and I'm one of them. Raya is my favourite time to purchase air tickets because we go back to Kedah with it but I have to say, my priority is always on MAS. I don't mind paying a little bit extra just to fly with them. 

I've traveled on long haul with both airlines before and because of that, my loyalty for MAS increases. If you opt for comfort, well MAS has it. In fact, they have it all especially when you have to travel together with your children. Due to the bad experience I had recently traveling to Sydney with Air Asia, it made me not want to travel with them anymore. I guess my expectation for them was very high and I was expecting an A class services from them else why THE No. 1 title? Unfortunately, it wasn't as expected. Very disappointing.

I'm actually not sure where this post leads but my point is, looking at the recent report on MAS, I really hope that they can improve especially on their services. People have been making bad remarks on them especially on how their crews have been treating the guests. They should be carrying the good name of Malaysia because they are the first brand that foreign travelers seen on Malaysia. And the report on MAS not making money doesn't make sense at all. Never have I seen an empty flight on local or international destinations and how can they not making money? They really have to improve that area though!

Dah merepek dah ni but as a loyal MAS traveler, I have so much faith in you and I really wish that you can serve us better.

With this doesn't mean that I will not travel with Air Asia. I will somehow ...... will. MAS don't have flights to Krabi, no? And I don't totally don't like Air Asia. I hope with the launch of KLIA 2 will somehow improve Air Asia's services. They have the potential to grow and their services have to grow too. The trust is not there yet - for me that is!

This is solely based on my experiences and my personal point on view. Apology if it offended you my dear readers. We have our own preferral on certain brands/products and I can say that MAS is my preferred brand. You may have different opinion towards this but this is mine.

Have a nice week a head.

Friday, 16 August 2013

It's a must photo kalau naik kapal terbang. Taken on my way back to Kedah.

How I wish life is as peaceful as the above picture. Le Sigh!

MAS vs AirAsia



AirAsia BIG & MAS Enrich



I am supporting both - product buatan Malaysia.

Regardless of their differences in political interest, for all I know, I'm going to the one who offers me the lowest rate during my traveling period.

Note to self: Macam lah kau travel like all the time wahai Ajlaa.