Malaysia has a total of 42 airports — an interesting mix of international, domestic, and aerodromes. Navigating through them is as much mind-boggling for a first-timer in the country as for a frequent visitor. The mushrooming airports in the country only prove the passenger traffic growth. Amongst these, the Kuala Lumpur International Airport (or KLIA) happens to be the main international gateway and the busiest in Malaysia.
The KLIA officially opened in June 1998 and covers an area of approximately 100 square kilometers. KLIA has two parallel runways and two main terminals — the Main Terminal Building and the Satellite Building. The Main Terminal Building, or the MTB, is designed to handle both domestic and international flights. It is connected to the Satellite Building by an Automated People Mover system. The two terminals are 1.5 kilometers apart from each other.
How to Contact the Airport Authorities
Kuala Lumpur International Airport has its address at 64000 Sepang, Selangor, Malaysia.
For feedback or complaints, you can call +60 3-8777 8888. Additionally, you can write to [email protected] to share your feedback on facilities, transportation, boarding or others. For making changes to your reservation or for registering a complaint on lost baggage, we suggest you reach out to the respective airline.
More About the Airport
Passengers can avail of all the modern amenities and facilities that they can hope for in an international airport, including duty-free shops and boutique stores, souvenir shops, restaurants, cafes, bag wrapping services, AMV system, mobile and fixed currency exchange counters, ATMs, prayer rooms, lounges, mobile device charging stations, free WiFi, shower facility, and a transit hotel. Art lovers and connoisseurs will appreciate the art and cultural exhibits on display.
KLIA is owned and managed by Malaysia Airports Holdings Berhad (MAHB). The MAHB is responsible for the airport’s day-to-day operations.
KLIA has won numerous awards for its innovative design and high-quality facilities. Some of the best features of the airport include its spacious and airy terminal buildings, state-of-the-art baggage handling system, and a dedicated ‘Jungle Boardwalk’ area where you can relax amid greenery and a waterfall.
Many major airlines operate from KLIA, including Malaysia Airlines, Air Asia, Emirates, Qatar Airways, Cathay Pacific, and Singapore Airlines. Many among them also have their hub at KLIA.
Overview of the Terminals
Kuala Lumpur International Airport has two main terminals — KLIA1 and KLIA2. The former is used for full-service and international airlines, whilst the latter is used for budgeted and low-cost carriers.
The main terminal is divided into three levels. Level 1 is for the arrivals, baggage claim, customs and immigration, and transportation options, such as taxis, buses, and rental cars.
Level 2 is designated as the departure area for domestic flights and includes check-in counters, security screening, restaurants, cafes, and food courts. Level 3 is the departure area for international flights, and includes check-in counters, immigration and customs facility, security screening, and a wide range of duty-free shops and restaurants serving local and international cuisine.
The Satellite Building is connected to the main terminal by the APM system and is used exclusively for international flights. The Satellite Building also has several levels.
Level P is used for arrivals, and includes immigration and customs facilities, baggage claim, and transportation options.
Level 1 is the departure level, and includes check-in counters, security screening, and a range of shops and restaurants. Level 2 is the departure level for premium passengers, and includes lounges and other exclusive facilities.
How to Check Arrivals and Departures Online
- Visit the official website of KLIA and click on the ‘Flight Info’ tab on the menu at the top of the page.
- Select ‘Arrivals’ or ‘Departures’ depending on the information you need, and enter the date and time range you are interested in, the airline name, flight number, or destination/origin airport. You can also leave these fields blank and directly press ‘Search’ to view all flights for the selected date.
- You will be able to see all flights matching your criteria, including the scheduled and actual arrivals and departures, the status of the flight (canceled, delayed, on-time, etc), and the gate number.
You can also access real-time flight information by downloading the airport’s mobile app, or even by contacting the airport’s customer service. If you have already arrived early at the airport, you can check out the status from the flight information display boards.
What are the Lounges Available
We are listing below a few lounges and their locations across the two terminals at KLIA. However, the list is in no way restrictive.
You will find Malaysia Airlines Golden Lounge, Malaysia Airlines Regional Lounge, Plaza Premium Lounge, Cathay Pacific Lounge, Emirates Lounge and Qatar Airways Lounge at Satellite Building. If you are on KLIA2, you have Plaza Premium Lounge, Cathay Pacific Lounge, AirAsia Premium Lounge and Sama Sama Express Lounge.
Please note that the availability of the lounges will vary depending on the airline, class of travel, and membership status, and lounge access policies may change over time.
Useful Amenities at the Airport
As discussed in a preceding section, Kuala Lumpur International Airport offers various amenities and facilities to flyers to make their travel experience more comfortable and convenient. Some of these include (but are not limited to) free WiFi throughout the airport; duty-free shopping; and restaurants and food outlets serving local and international cuisine and beverages.
You can also add to the list lounges catering to all types of flyers; prayer rooms; children’s play area; baby care facilities; medical services to attend to emergencies; baggage storage areas; information desks; transportation options; currency exchange corners; and ATM and banking services for passengers who need ready access to their funds.
