KLIA Kuala Lumpur Airport

Departures chatoic, no information about which check-in desk to go to, just that they were open. Security before customs was poor. Boarding gates were terrible, there was another security check which was understaffed so every passengers bag was opened, stopping the whole queue. Because passengers were security checked a 2nd time all duty free liquids were stopped and drinking bottles thrown away. Also meant that if one needed the toilet or drinking water, it was necessary to exit the gate and queue all over again.

Twice transited (business class). Very poor power outlet availability - I resorted to unplugging a lamp in the business lounge. Shower service in the lounge was worth it, but inexplicable lack of ventilation means they have noisy portable blowers. Big concern is that gate security is terrible - disorganised, too few staff, more concerned that men don't get patted down by a woman than with proper security scanning of bags. Accidentally got through with my iPad in my bag, and they didn't check a CPAP and battery that was check at every European airport. Security so bad I was actually scared to fly out of KLIA and I will avoid coming back.

Total chaotic departure check in. Nobody seems to manage the MH check in and drop baggage queue. Waited for an hour queue just to drop 1 bag. Some senior management should be managing the entire check in process to ensure efficient check in. The entire Level 5 departure hall is just long snake of 2 queues for MH alone occupying almost the entire width of the lobby from door 3 almost to the last door. Total nightmare and bad image for KLIA caused by single inefficient airline. MH staff said quite normal without any sense of hope for any improvements.

Such a beautiful airport but very poor power socket availability. Good luck to find a single plug for your low battery phone. I had to plug my phone by the check in counter, standing in an awkward position. It is poor compared to Hong Kong where they provide plenty of seats and sockets for passengers.

KLIA2 which is the Air Asia hub, is an absolute nightmare. Total chaos. Disgruntled staff. Non existent signage. Masses of people banging into each other. Closed service counters. You would think this is the worst airport experience of your life and you would be right. It's the perfect way to ruin any flight, holiday or business. Guaranteed. The airfares from this airport are only slightly cheaper but the pain and world class suffering is worth 10 times the savings.

I arrived at the airport at 6.50am for a fight to Sydney leaving at 9.00am with Malaysia Airlines. The queue for check in of baggage was simply unbelievable. There was was queue for all international flights and it filled the whole of the entrance lobby and snaked around in a totally haphazard fashion so that it was difficult to see where it started or stopped. There were no audible announcements and no staff available to either supervise the queue or direct customers through more quickly. The queue when I joined it was in the region of 300 people and moving so slowly that after one hour I had made little progress. Despite getting more and more anxious I was told that I had to stay in the queue with everyone else. Although I am British, there was a Malaysian gentleman immediately behind me who could not establish any more information. It was obvious that at this rate I was going to miss my flight. Seeing my distress a fellow passenger offered to mind my luggage whilst I fought my way to the front of the queue and was then told to make my way to the front immediately. I told my Malaysian neighbour and we did this and only just made it to the departure gate in time. I appreciate it was Chinese New Year but I cannot understand why there was no prior information (I was staying in the Sama Same hotel, so it would have been easy to have relayed the information). Also, why was there no loudspeaker or members of staff patrolling the queue and why were there not enough check in desks open. I have travelled extensively for many years all over the world and have never had such an unnecessary anxious experience ever. I shall be returned through KL airport in on month to fly home to the UK and I am wondering how many hours I should allow simply to check in my luggage this time?

KLIA Kuala Lumpur Airport is simply fantastic. Despite it being large I generally find it takes 10 minutes from gate to taxi which is excellent. I travel about 10 times a year and KLIA has never disappointed. Ground staff are ready to guide passengers, convenient shops are available, luggage is often ready when you come out of customs. There are information and help desks and the signage is excellent. The staff talk a multitude of languages and are always willing to help. There are lockers available along with an array of restaurants, cafes and bars.

I can't believe that they have the air-conditioning turned down, it is so hot compared to Singapore Changi. Even the escalators are switched off and you have to use the one lift available for upper deck flight. Toilets are dirty, immigration is slow and lethargic. Boarding is last minute, no urgency. Is like their local airlines, cost cuts all over the place, it was not like this before.

Used KLIA 2. Transited inbound, and formally used it on outbound. Functional airport with low-cost sensibilities and a very smooth international-domestic transit. Very convoluted layout, though, involving many snaking corridors. Overactive air conditioning that freezes you, and horrible airside food and shopping options for a city like KL. Landside shopping mall is immense but misses the point completely as it precedes check-in. Snaking corridors (yet again) that make it confusing. Clean, but loos were rarely fully dry.

KLIA has excellent access to and from the city, incredible shopping and restaurant options, and quick lines for security. However, it's a very different place once you pass through security into the boarding areas. The wide open, gorgeous interior now has low ceilings, few seats, cramped spaces, and a very limited amount of places to choose from to eat or drink. If it's your first time through the airport, you have no idea that the incredible options available to the whole public quickly disappear after you commit to finding your boarding gate. This experience is vastly different than what you'd find in America and it's jolting at first. As a frequent traveler, I know to wait to eat or drink until you've passed through security, but at KLIA it's the opposite, with no warning. My first time in the airport left me hungry and thirsty with one very expensive option to choose from. I'm excited to travel to KL again, and to take advantage of most of what KLIA has to offer, but I do not look forward to sitting at the boarding gate again.