As mentioned in a previous post, Malaysia Airlines has launched a new budget carrier - Firefly. The new airline - which they bill as Malaysia’s first “community” airline - is based in Penang and flies from there to Langkawi, Terengganu and Kuantan, as well as Phuket and Samui in Thailand. Introductory fares are very low, but the usual exclusions and fine print applies.

In case you missed it, the old Bangkok International Airport re-opens as Don Muang Airport this Saturday/Sunday (25 March). Low cost carriers Nok Air and 1-2-Go will move all their flights there. Thai will move about a dozen ‘non-connecting’ domestic flights to the old airport, which will now be known by the code ‘DMK’. Be sure to check your tickets!

For those traveling light, there’s a new ‘city check-in’ at the Ladprao subway station. You can check in for your flight there and then board a (free?) bus to DMK.

I’m just back from a quick trip to KL on business, and collected a few notes worth sharing:

There’s now a ‘hop on/hop off’ tour bus going round to the major sights in KL. Seems to hit all the places you might want to visit, as well as all the hotels. The cost is RM 38 per person (group rates available). More info at http://www.myhoponhopoff.com (warning: overly animated site!)

Air Asia has launched it’s new budget hotel brand ‘Tune Hotels’ with the first location in KL. They were advertising a launch rate of 99 sen (RM 0.99) in the KL papers, but as with Air Asia, there’s lots of fine print and exclusions (such as ‘administrative fees’). You also need to bring your own towel and toiletries. More information at http://www.tunehotels.com

New (to me) on the KL - Singapore luxury bus route is Aeroline. The service runs between the Corus Hotel in KL and the Harbourfront Centre in Singapore. They also have a Singapore - Penang route. Full schedule and even on-line booking is available at their web site.

Malaysia Air is starting up a low cost subsidiary, to be called “Firefly”. It will apparently be based in Penang and service Langkawi, Phuket and other destinations in northern Malaysia. I think the web site will be flyfirefly.com but there’s nothing there yet.

Lastly, the ‘World’s Best Airport’ (15 - 25 M Passengers) seems to be having trouble with the train that connects the main terminal to the international concourses. Expect delays getting to or from immigration. They’ve also added a security check just past immigration when departing. This is in addition to the check at the gate.