KLIA vs LCCT: Round II
In this round of KLIA vs LCCT, we have comparison between the KLIA and LCCT.
One point is awarded to the party who wins the category.
Architecture
KLIA [1] Score:1
LCCT [0] Score:0
- KLIA was a multi million ringgit project aimed at boosting you-know-who’s ego. So definitely has an unfair advantage.
Comfort
KLIA [1] Score:2
LCCT [0] Score:0
- Again, all of us are paying for the overchilled building. At KLIA, no one needs to walk on the tarmac to the plane whether sun or rain.
Check-in Queue
KLIA [1] Score:3
LCCT [0] Score:0
- KLIA counters are more organised. In LCCT, everyone’s lumped into a warehouse, a bit like getting out of the country during WWII. Or like traffic jam on Federal Highway, when 6lane roads become 3.
Luggage pickup
KLIA [0] Score:3
LLCT [1] Score:1
- LCCT wins this category because their planes are smaller, thus there are fewer luggage and people getting off the plane at the same time. And also, fewer planes landing at the same time at peak hours. So, people can pick up their luggage quickly and leave LCCT sooner than those at KLIA.
Duty free shop
KLIA [1] Score:4
LLCT [0] Score:1
- Our ex-PM wanted to people to go to KLIA like going to Mid Valley. Obviously KLIA will win this category. LCCT lost in number of shops and variety in their inventory. Eg. No martini to buy for our Shag diva.
Friendly staff
KLIA [0] Score:4
LCCT [1] Score:2
- We notice the LCCT staff smile a lot more. And the staff at the taxi service actually greeted the customers and said “have a nice journey, bye bye!”
Taxi service
KLIA [0] Score:4
LCCT [1] Score:3
- Same budget taxi, different management. LCCT got smiley staff and cheaper taxi fare. LCCT definitely wins this category.
Food
KLIA [1] Score:5
LCCT [0] Score:3
- Food stuffs are equally expensive in both terminals. LCCT lost due to lack of choice.
Public Transport
KLIA [1] Score:6
LCCT [0] Score:3
- KLIA has the ERL. LCCT has SkyBus. Also ERL is more expensive (RM 35), but it takes only 30 mins from Sentral. SkyBus is much cheaper at RM 9, but the journey takes 1 hour 15 mins. The other option is to take the ERL to KLIA then a bus which costs RM 2 to LCCT. But the strength of the fast train wins.
Immigration counters
KLIA [1] Score:7
LCCT [0] Score:3
- At the last count, there were only 3 immigration counters at LCCT for Malaysians, two of which are for the *smart* passports. So if there’s a crush at the LCCT (imagine: Medan and Surabaya flights at the same time), you’d be left hot and bothered.
Final score: KLIA 7, LCCT 3. Not bad for LCCT despite the ultra low budget for its operation in its first month. Hope Mr. Fernandez will be forwarded this blog piece too (and free package tours?) 
Shagadelica tips to travel via LCCT
- Check-in: Try not to overpack, and hand-carry your luggage (make sure it is not over sized too). Air Asia has this no ‘check-in luggage’ counters where you can check-in like you’re a Gold card frequent flyer. Then you can avoid arriving LCCT very early only to join the long check-in queue.
- Immigration: Again, go early to avoid the crush.
- Money-changer: We didn’t see one, though we suspect there’s one somewhere in the warehouse. So change your money before departing for the airport.
- Food & drinks: Eat before you arrive at LCCT. Or pack a sandwich, curry-puffs, water etc. No nasi lemak is worth RM 12.00 in this age of economic depression and queueing for a long time does make one hungry.
- If you’re driving to LCCT, take some extra time too. It takes a little longer than going to KLIA.
April 7th, 2006 at 5:46 pm
Interesting Comparison of Malaysia Latest LCCT Airport Terminal With KLIA…
Shagadelica wrote an interesting comparison of Malaysia latest LCCT terminal and KLIA. I personally had gone LCCT the 4th times (fetching relatives). He has some useful guide on travelling with LCCT though….
April 7th, 2006 at 5:52 pm
I hated LCCT the moment I heard that I need to drive 15 minutes further to reach there. It’s totally a waste of time & money in times where petrol & toll is expensive.
I miss the old days when the airport is in Subang. Old & packed but justified considering the distance. huuh …
April 7th, 2006 at 5:52 pm
trackback url went wrong http://shakk.us is the correct one.
Interestin and accurate comparison dude.
April 7th, 2006 at 10:52 pm
nice point review…i’m going to LCCT next week…hope it not as bad as what u review..hehe
April 8th, 2006 at 2:26 am
wheres de score 4 de pramugaris of a.sia / mas? that oughta b interesten..pictorial comparison would b added bonus..thx tunasing
April 8th, 2006 at 11:18 am
Hmm or alternatively can we take the KLIA transit from Sentral to Putrajaya, get down buy another ticket to KLIA from there.. Its half the price of wat u pay to KLIA by ERL. Then take the bus to LCCT from KLIA?..
The part about changing trains on the ERL is definitely true cos I did that a few time…
April 27th, 2006 at 5:30 pm
I think it’s ridiculous comparing the two. In the first place, LCCT is for LOW COST Carriers. It’s where the ppl travel with the cargo.. Duh.. You can’t expect it to compete with KLIA (or even the old Subang airport).
Why is the comparison “ridiculous”?
We descriptively compared the services provided by 2 places with similar functions. We didn’t pass judgement on whether LCCT’s lower level of service was compensated for by the lower airport tax.
May 12th, 2006 at 9:03 pm
May i know how long will it take from KLIA to LCCT through the bus shuttle service?
May 18th, 2006 at 2:57 am
We don’t know dear Jen. Have not tried that yet. If you do, please let us know.
cheers!
August 7th, 2006 at 9:32 am
It takes around 15 minutes drive from KLIA to LCCT and vice versa through the bus shuttle service.
February 9th, 2008 at 11:05 am
LCCT taxi service cohort with touts
Whatever you do, do not take the LCCT taxi services! Even in your most desperate moments. The following is a summary of their absolutely degrading, demeaning (for Malaysians) and high handed services.
My flight arrived from Bali (AK 905) on 8th February 2008 @ 10.30pm. There are two passengers (including myself) and 1 large baggage with 4 other smaller bags. Upon queuing up for about half an hour, I was informed that there are no more tickets for budget or (mini van) category taxi’s. They offered premier taxi’s that cost RM77.30 to the Subang area. The lady at the counter asked me which area I was residing and I informed her it was in the Subang area near Hyatt hotel. She recorded this in the receipt which I still have. Below are more detailed accounts of the whole episode:
1. Walked aimlessly to the domestic counter from the taxi counter which is about 100 meters away. Not a very convenient location.
2. Found the premier taxi’s by accident since there were no signs to direct us there. Went up to the taxi driver of a black Hyundai bearing registration number WAQ 5372 and handed the ticket to the driver.
3. Loading of luggage into the trunk of the taxi was done by me with the driver just looking on instead of lifting a finger to help
4. The driver sped to the destination as I think he wanted to return to the airport to get the after midnight 50% extra on picking up more passengers. The luggage in the trunk was thrown around including fragile items that were purchased.
5. Upon arrival near the destination, the driver insisted to drop us off at Hyatt hotel instead of our house which is in Puncak Nusa Kelana Condo. This is when the extortion begins.
6. From the underpass where he was about to make his decision it was 500 meters to Hyatt and 800 meters to our home. The driver started asking for more money and extorting us threatening not to drop us off at the destination, slowing down the taxi and mentioning that the amount usually charged is RM77 not RM71. He failed to realise that I had paid RM77!
7. I bit my lip and allowed him to drive to our home where I opened the trunk myself and unloaded the baggage with the taxi driver looking on.
8. I then gave the driver a tongue lashing as he was no longer in control of the situation. He challenged me to make a report and took down the condo details. He asked the guards at the condo for my name and unit number and threatened to send “people” over. He said that the amount for this area is usually RM99 which was firstly not communicated to me when I got the ticket and if he had issues he should deal with the company not with the passengers. For another 200 meters the cost is RM20? If that is the case, it is approximately 180KM from my condo to LCTT so using the same costing of RM10 for 100 meters the total taxi cost should be RM18,000! Perhaps the drivers should also consider education at least if not for themselves, for their children; otherwise they would end up with the same mathematical and other mental deficiencies.
The company (at the ONLY counter just after arrival immigration services) monopolises the entire airport area. Because of this monopoly they feel they can operate in any fashion that they desire. This is a farce and giving Malaysia a very bad reputation for tourists especially of being hit by touts as soon as they enter our country! It’s not enough that the tourists are manipulated but the Malaysian’s themselves are conned in the same way! LCCT is either just turning a blind eye to this or working hand in hand with these operators as they have done nothing despite numerous posts and complaints. Syabas LCCT…another job well done! Malaysia boleh!
I can be contacted on drsurajmenon.my@gmail.com for verification of authenticity of this posting.
Dr Suraj,
Are the “Black Hyundai” the KLIA limousine vehicles?
If so, please file a complaint with KLIA at this page, forwarding the e-mail & any response to us. We’ll keep posint them until you get a satisfactory reply.