I have been avoiding Batik Air for a long time, but I finally decided to try them. This review reflects my first experience with Batik Air, an airline that enjoys many negative Trip Advisor reviews.
Summary
Rating: 61%
Route: Krabi to Kuala Lumpur, 667 km, 1 hour 16 minute
Airline: Batik Air is a member of the Lion Air Group of Indonesia, comprising Batik Air Indonesia, Super Air Jet, Lion Air, Wings Air, Biz Jet and Thai Lion Air. Batik is a Malaysian hybrid full-service carrier and flies to several Southeast Asian destinations, founded in 2013 as Malindo Air. Rebranded Batik in 2022.
Plane: Boeing 737 MAX 8, 9M-LRP, branded Lion Air, Single-class
Seat: 17D, Emergency Exit Aisle
Fare Paid: $US43.91 plus $US12.38 for the emergency exit seat
Highlights: Affordable option for regional travel.
What Could Have Been Better: Minimal service, no in-flight entertainment.
Will I fly Batik again? No. I think I would choose AirAsia first. I can’t believe I am typing that!
Booking: 10/10
Booking the flight was straightforward. Batik Air’s website provided clear options, and I had no trouble securing a ticket. I booked an emergency exit seat, which I paid extra for. Payments were processed quickly, and the ticket was issued immediately. No problem with my international Visa card.
One of the things that impressed me was that being able to buy a train ticket from KL International Airport station to Kuala Lumpur Sentral Station at the same time as my flight ticket.
The KLIA Express is a fast and convenient train service connecting Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) to the city centre in just 28 minutes. It offers a comfortable, air-conditioned ride with free Wi-Fi and ample luggage space. It is the best way to get into KL Sentral
The QR code Batik sent me for the train worked smoothly when entering and exiting the train system. I have not seen Malaysian or Air Asia offer this option.
Check-In: 6/10
For someone who checks in online often, Batik’s check in was a most cumbersome and frustrating experience. Batik Air uses Bookcabin, a third-party service, for its online check-in and cabin management.
The service can be accessed via a link from Batik’s website or via a separate app you can download for Apple or Android or Huawei phones. I didn’t bother downloading an app to check-in. Note that Bookcabin also sells flights and hotels and has its own loyalty program that is similar to Batik Air’s program.
The separate check-in system can seem confusing at first. There is no explanation on Batik’s website or in Batik’s FAQ about how to use this check-in process or why they outsource it.
The next test was language! Check-in at Bookcabin is available in English, Bahasa Indonesian, and Thai. The default setting is Bahasa. Finding the small icon to change the language was almost impossible on my phone screen, so I switched to my laptop, where it was more prominent.
Bookcabin handles check-in for all Lion Air Group airlines
For Batik Air, you must ensure you know whether you are flying Batik Air Indonesia (ID) or Batik Air Malaysia (OD).
Inputting the ID booking code for an OD flight won’t work.
When I accessed my booking, I discovered the emergency exit seat I had paid for had vanished due to an aircraft change. My exit row seat in row 12 was four rows in front of the emergency exit (Row 16 and 17) on the new aircraft. My seat hadn’t been transferred, and the emergency exit and upfront sections were fully booked, so I could not move myself. This happens from time to time on budget airlines (less so with the full service) and it is annoying that they do not automatically accommodate people who have paid for specific seats.
At the brand-new Krabi Airport, the friendly check-in agent apologised for the seating issue and suggested I apply for a refund for the extra payment I’d made for an exit seat. Although it would have been great if staff were empowered to process the refund on the spot, she went above and beyond by offering me a new emergency exit seat for free. She also apologised that the only available seat in the exit row was on the aisle, rather than my preferred window seat. Her proactive and kind service turned the situation around, leaving me impressed with her professionalism. I was slightly bemused that the person in the window seat slept through the flight! What a waste of a view!
Krabi Security and Immigration
The security line at the brand-new Krabi Airport was surprisingly fast, with no wait at all. My electronic luggage tracking tag drew some curious attention, sparking interest from the security staff.
The friendly immigration agent stamped my passport after confirming the duration of my trip, completing a smooth and pleasant departure process.
Lounge: N/A
Krabi International Airport offers a single lounge for Priority Pass holders and eligible passengers flying with airlines operating out of the international terminal.
Beyond security, the airport pleasantly surprised me with its selection of cafés and shops, far exceeding my expectations for an airport of this size. The waiting area at the new airport is very pleasant.
Boarding: 7/10
The boarding process at Krabi Airport was surprisingly well-organised, exceeding my low expectations. Interestingly, there was no priority boarding for passengers such as the disabled, elderly, or families.
Instead, staff simply called out row ranges, starting with the back section, followed by the middle, and finally the front of the plane. We boarded via jetbridge.
Few passengers had check in luggage, likely due to Batik Air’s strict enforcement of cabin baggage weight limits, which helped ensure overhead bins were easily accessible. Many reviews describe being charged very high amounts for oversized cabin luggage by very assertive staff. I did notice some foreign passengers (not from Malaysia or Thailand) carrying noticeably oversized and overweight cabin bags, but the staff seemed unconcerned.
Once aboard, we were warmly welcomed by the crew, setting a positive tone for the flight.
The Plane
I had initially booked a flight on a 737-800, but as mentioned earlier, Batik swapped it for a 737 MAX 8—an aircraft I’m still trying to avoid. Batik seems to swap equipment on this route every day! In May 2017, Batik Air Malaysia (formerly Malindo Air) became the first airline globally to operate the Boeing 737 MAX 8. This plane did not have a Batik livery and still carried some Lion Air markings on its fuselage, as it was originally owned by Lion Air. It was with some slight trepidation that I boarded a MAX 8 with the Lion Air logo, as this was the same model involved in the first crash of this series when it tragically plunged into the sea in 2018, killing all 189 people onboard.
Batik Air Malaysia’s fleet includes the Airbus A320-200 (45 aircraft), Boeing 737-800 (21), Boeing 737-900 (3), Airbus A320neo (1), Airbus A330-300 (5), and Boeing 737 MAX 8 and MAX 9
Overall, the cabin felt efficient and suited to short-haul regional travel. One feature I do like are the overhead bins that are very spacious. LED lighting illuminated the interior, creating a clean and contemporary ambiance.
Seat: 7/10
Batik Air operates two configurations for its Boeing 737 MAX 8 aircraft. Configuration 1 features 12 Business Class seats in a 2-2 layout, followed by 150 Economy Class seats in a 3-3 layout, offering a total of 162 seats.
On my flight, the aircraft was configuration 2 its all-Economy version, with 180 seats in a 3-3 arrangement. The seat itself was typical for an economy-class regional flight, with a pitch of 30 to 31 inches and a width of approximately 17 inches (ca. 43 cm). I didn’t recline it.
It was functional for this short flights but I would not find it overly comfortable for longer trips.
Service: 8/10
The crew was polite, efficient, and professional, but the service felt detached.
Safety: 7/10
Batik Air’s safety rating on airlineratings.com is 5/7. I do prefer airlines with a 77 score like Air Asia or Nok.
The emergency exit briefing was delivered so softly that I couldn’t hear it clearly, nor did any of the nearby passengers seem to understand it. I suspect that due to the plane swap, the passengers seated in the emergency exit row may not have specifically chosen or been prepared for the added responsibility of sitting there. This raised concerns about whether the instructions were understood or adhered to by those in the exit row.
On the positive side, the crew’s visual checks appeared thorough and sufficient. They were strict over where baggage was placed. I did note, that while Batik Air requires all mobile phones to be switched off entirely—not just put into flight mode—during take off and landing, some electronic items were clearly in use by passengers. Cabin crew spoke to some passengers and told them to turn them off completely and stood next to their seat until they did it. Other passengers on their phones were ignored! This inconsistency detracted from the sense of a fully enforced safety culture.
Overall, while there were some adequate procedures in place, certain lapses left room for concern and improvement in ensuring passenger safety and compliance.
In-Flight Entertainment: 1/10
Batik Air does not provide in-flight entertainment, Wi-Fi options, or power outlets. However, it does have an in-flight magazine that I didn’t read!
Food and Beverage: 0/10
No food was provided, though a purchase service was available. On some flights, I understand Batik provides free catering. I presume they are their longer flights from Asia.
Batik Air Frequent Flier
The Batik Air Club is Batik Air’s dedicated frequent flyer program, distinct from Lion Air’s Passport membership. Members earn miles on flights with both Batik Air and Lion Air, with three tiers available: Silver and Gold. Miles can be redeemed for the usual rewards, including flight upgrades, free flights, and other services. I found the information on the website about the program to be very sparse.
However, I didn’t enrol in the program, as I don’t plan to fly Batik Air or Lion Air again in the future.
Arrival Experience:
We arrived at Satellite Terminal A, which is part of KLIA Terminal 1, a few minutes ahead of schedule, which was a pleasant surprise. The disembarkation process was smooth and efficient, thanks to the use of a jet bridge.
Satellite Terminal A primarily serves international flights and is connected to the Main Terminal of Terminal 1 by the AeroTrain, an automated people-mover system. However, the AeroTrain has been completely out of service since March 2023 due to technical issues and before that was partially out since 2021. The replacement is expected to be final ready in February, 2025. Not before time. It has made transiting KLIA more irritating than it should be as passengers are bused to the main terminal.
The tip is to walk as quickly from your plane through the terminal, go downstairs, and join the queue for the shuttle buses. Dawdling can mean the other 300 people from your plane are in the bus line ahead of you. While the process was well-organised—complete with staff offering free drinks to passengers waiting in line—it is still an inconvenient and time-consuming experience. Allow extra time to transit as the walk to the bus and the queue can be very annoying.
The shuttle eventually brought us to the Main Terminal of Terminal 1, where immigration, customs, and baggage claim are located.
I had completed the Malaysian Arrival Card 24 hours before departure. This meant that as an Australian, I could immediately use the which allowed me to use the eGate at immigration. I was through the gate in 20 seconds after arriving at the immigration area. Many passengers were unprepared having not filled out the card online or were unfamiliar with how to use the e-Gates. This overwhelmed the nearby immigration staff, creating the appearance of long queues. Much of the delay was due to confusion rather than an actual backlog.
Since I didn’t have checked baggage, I passed through customs quickly after a standard bag X-ray scan and exited into the terminal. I actually boarded a train 45 minutes after my plane had landed!
Final Thoughts
Batik Air offered an affordable and efficient regional flight experience, though there were areas for improvement. The brand-new Krabi Airport set a positive tone with its streamlined processes and friendly staff, while KLIA’s excellent facilities ensured a smooth arrival. The lack of in-flight entertainment and minimal service was a small downside. The airline’s punctuality was commendable.
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