The Plaza Premium lounge at Kuala Lumpur airport has only one merit: that of existing. But it left me with a slightly less catastrophic impression than in my memory.
Usually the passengers of Singapore Airlines, the airline I’m flying on today, go to the Thai lounge. But the Thai airline has not yet reopened its lounge following the COVID so Thai and other Star Alliance member airlines are sending their customers to the Plaza Premium lounge.
A lounge that I know well because I used it when flying on Air France, KLM or Garuda Indonesia because it is a bit of a catch-all lounge where everyone sends their customers apart from Malaysia Airlines and the OneWorld airlines who play at home. Catch-all lounge = garbage lounge? That’s how I remember it and Olivier’s last visit here didn’t change my mind.
Will I have a good surprise?
You will find at the bottom of the page all the articles about this trip in Malaysia.
Location of the lounge
The lounge is located in the satellite of the Terminal 1 of the airport. It is on the second floor, almost at the junction of the four branches of the terminal. Ideal in 75% of cases! In the remaining 25%, and this will be my case, you will have to take the automatic shuttle to reach the satellite and then take it again in the other direction to come back to the main terminal if your flight departs from there. It’s very simple and no problem at all, you just have to be aware of it to leave the lounge at the right time and expect to walk a bit more.
Eligibility
The lounge welcomes passengers from the front classes and elite members of the frequent flyer programs of all the airlines whose alliance does not have a lounge in Kuala Lumpur. That is to say a large part of the Skyteam airlines permanently (there is a China Airlines lounge, currently closed, but from memory Air France and KLM use the Plaza Premium lounge) and Star Alliance until Thai reopens its lounge. Emirates passengers also have a reserved area.
It is of course open to Plaza Premium members but also to American Express Platinum holders.
It can also be accessed for a fee.
To put it simply, it’s a bit of a catch-all lounge of the airport, which is rarely a good sign.
Lounge layout
It is composed of a large single piece.
Were you expecting a station hall? Here you are.
Decoration not really happy, dated and worn and very noisy. No privacy either and not convenient at all if you want to work.
The only exception is a small room at the back for Emirates passengers.
I don’t think it’s prettier than the rest but certainly quieter.
The buffet is located at one end of the lounge and extends a little to the sides.
There is also a bar, the only place to get an alcoholic drink.
Food options
There is a large hot offer with vegetables, meats, noodles… an Asian lounge… with some more European options like pasta with garlic or pesto.
The usual soups.
On the salad side it’s pretty minimalist.
Finally, there are pastries.
As said before, there is a wide choice of alcoholic beverages that are served at the bar. To do this you will be asked for your boarding pass because, in my opinion, depending on the access modalities (paying or not, sent by an airline or not), some must have a limited allowance.
In the end, the offer was not too premium but I found it better than I remembered. It is copious, it has taste and without being exceptional it is not bad and it has the merit to fill the stomachs.
Facilities
The lounge offers toilet and shower facilities.
Atmosphere
Noisy and rather unpleasant. And customers with no dress code or manners. Look above at the customer who goes barefoot to the buffet and that’s just one example. Without making fast shortcuts, the high proportion of American tourists explains some things.
Bottom line
A very ordinary lounge that one learns to appreciate for lack of anything better.
Articles about this trip to Malaysia
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