Tiger Airways Flight Review

Tiger Airways Flight TR492 to Kuching, Sarawak. (9V-TAE, Airbus A320-232)

On the 12th of December last year, my family had a holiday to Kuching, Sarawak as we were attending a Wedding Reception by some relatives who are staying there. This was my first time I am stepping my feet to the Borneo Island.

I left my house at around 11am and went straight to Changi Airport T2 to have lunch first. After we had a sumptious lunch, we left for Budget Terminal (BT) as Tiger Airways operates from that terminal together with Cebu Pacific. I went to the basement of T2 to catch the shuttle bus to the BT. The bus should be made a low-floor or the ones without steps so that travellers had easier time to board and alight. This happened to me as I had difficulties putting up the luggage belonging to my Grandpa. As soon as we reached BT, the queue to check-in for Flight TR492 was so long!! We queued for at least 40 Mins!! We finally managed to check-in our luggages and we immediately went to the Gate as our flight will be leaving in 20 Mins due to the long queue.

My flight ticket for Flight TR492

The queue at Gate No. 9. Passengers waiting anxiously to board the Aircraft.

Finally, I made it at the gate just on time. Phew!! Another queue emerged again as there were crowd control to make sure that passengers enter the aircraft in an orderly manner. There, I saw 9V-TAE waiting to carry passengers and myself to Sarawak. I managed board the aircraft and was greeted by 2 beautiful stewardess. "Welcome to Tiger Airways," as they greeted every passengers who stepped into the aircraft. For me, it was my 2nd time on-board the Airbus A320. My 1st was on SilkAir (9V-SLD) to Langkawi.

The interior of 9V-TAE. It could take up to 180 Economy Class passengers. Since this is a Budget Carrier, no Business or First Class is offered.

I managed to find my seat with the help of a male steward. He was ensuring passengers was sitting at their correct seat. Since Tiger Airways is a budget carrier, they fitted their A320 with 180 seats so that they can carry more passengers at one time. The seat pitch is rather quite little and the legroom wasn't that much. How much could I get from a $60 flight? Although long queues were everywhere prior to boarding, the aircraft was like 3/4 full. There was still some seats empty. After emergency briefing was done, the captain then made an announcement, "Flight crew, take-off position please." This meant tht the aircraft is getting prepared to take-off. Then, the IAE V2500 Engines roared and soon, we were airborne! After the seat belt sign was switched off, I inclined my seat back and settled for the 1hr and 6 mins flight.

This can of Coca-Cola with a cup with ice-cube cost $3. My inflight-meal onboard TR492.

Soon, the stewardess started thier routine and started to sell stuffs on-board. Since this is a budget carrier, no free inflight meal is available. I decided to purchase a can Coca-Cola and cost $3! Since I was thirsty, I had no choice but to purchase it. After I finished the drink, the stewardess took away my cup with a smile. The air-con was a blast too! I took my jacket because it was cold!! For the next 30 Mins, I kept staring to the surroundings in the cabin. Soon, we reached Kuching and it was time to land. The landing was okay and the aircrft settled at Gate 9 of Kuching International Airport. What suprised me was the passengers had to walk down and into the Terminal Building even though there were aerobridges. Tiger Airways is really budget!!

Ratings: 3/5 (For the good service onboard. Otherwise it would be 2 because of the budget services!!)