Firefly Review – Episode 2: Subang SkyPark
Welcome to the Episode 2 of my Firefly Review series. Click here if you have missed Episode 1: The Sexy ATR-72 posted here last week.
This week’s episode zooms in on the home of Firefly, the Subang SkyPark.
(Image by Perpustakaan Negara Malaysia)
Sultan Abdul Aziz Shah Airport or better known as Subang Airport is a place with lots of histories and memories to Malaysians. Ask any random Malaysian aged 30 and above and they would have at least one memory of being in Subang Airport. It could be in a form of “First Flight ever”, “First Time Going Overseas”, “First time Leaving Malaysia for Studies in the US or UK”, and many more great memories of being in Subang Airport.
As for me personally, Subang Airport is where my passion towards aviation was sparked for the 1st time. I was a little boy back then and we used to go the airport not only for flying but for one other reason which is to EAT.
Yes you get it right, back then we went to Subang Airport just to eat. Shah Alam 20 years ago did not have any good restaurant or fast food joints. So every time we were celebrating birthdays or good results in exams, my parents will drive the family all the way to Subang Airport to have A&W or dinner at one fine dining Indian restaurant (if I’m not wrong, the name was Shiraz or something like that).
Those were the good old days where one can eat Coney Dogs with root beer, run around in the airport, watch planes over the airport balcony without being labeled as a threat to aviation security.
Fast forward to current days, airports have since changed into a busy, tight-security area where people try to avoid at all costs. And as much as I love watching stewardesses doing catwalks while pulling their bags at airports, this is how I feel about most airports nowadays:
a) Airports are getting more and more crowded
Yes, try to be at some airport terminals during morning rush hour and you feel exactly like Puduraya during Hari Raya. No fun at all.
b) Airports have become boring
Airport terminals are now becoming like a typical – row of counters + plastic seats + people in a warehouse-type building.
c) Airports are getting further away from cities!
When going to the airport takes as much time as the flight itself, it may be a good idea to drive all the way instead of taking a flight.
d) Airports are becoming too big!
Too big until, walking from one to another is as good as jogging. Exercise is good, but it’s not fun to walk with luggage and trolleys especially when you’re short of time.
***
So just like me, if you are from Klang Valley and hate to go to airports for the same above reasons, do consider an available option, fly Firefly Airline from Good Old Subang Airport (or know known as Subang SkyPark).
Yes, the photo above is the glorious artist impression of Subang SkyPark. From an old and forgotten airport to a spanking modern hub for business jets and turboprop airlines (Firefly being one of it!).
I don’t usually trust artist impression. But as the transformation progresses, I started to believe that the project managers are doing quite well. But how good is Subang SkyPark? Let me give you a quick tour through some photos I snapped during my last Firefly flight from Subang.
a) From Check-In to Boarding Hall in just few minutes!
Passenger drop is just meters from the security check, airlineoffices and check-in counters.
Spacious without being too big.
With Nice and attractive deco, this tree reminds me of Dubai International Airport interior…classy!
b) Facilities that are modern and relevant
Another LCD screen, but none of the screens actually showing Flight Information.
Basic Facility – Phone
Maybank and CIMB Bank – Counters and ATMs
There’s also money changer and mini-mart serving the visitors.
c) Accessibility
It’s true that public transport accessibility is still not up to mark but there is for the time being scheduled bus services by Rapid KL.
And of course, adequate taxis using affordable coupon system
But 1 main reason why Subang Airport is the best is the strategic location being so near to cities in Klang Valley (Subang Jaya, PJ, Shah Alam, Klang, Damansara, Kelana Jaya, Sungai Buloh, Rawang and even KL City!)
Compare it with KLIA!
Since the airport is near, it’s not a bad idea to drive and park at the airport. Cheaper rates compared to KLIA as well.
Or if you’re rich, lazy or need assistance, valet parking service is available.
I personally think accessibility is not an issue and once there’s a better public transport, it would be even better.
d) Food & Beverages + Shopping!
Good Food = Malaysian. And the good news is Subang SkyPark is not short of good choice of food outlet. I guess these f&b outlets are catered for workers around the airport area as well.
Starbucks!
Big Apple Donuts!
Kapitan Kopitiam!
Some local delicacies. No A&W but at least there’s Butler 
Local Ice-cream chain, MingoMingo.
***
My verdict is Subang SkyPark or Subang Airport is a good alternative that simplifies and air travel and making it more fun! Firefly flies to major cities in Peninsular Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia and Thailand from Subang Airport hence for your next business or leisure trip, give Firefly Airline and Subang SkyPark a chance and be ready to enjoy air travel and relive the magical of Subang Airport.
26 Responses to “Firefly Review – Episode 2: Subang SkyPark”
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My Selangor Story
Highlights!
yeaa.. lots of old chinese restaurants are still there to this day. thanks for reminding, i should go back for a visit sometime!
nice airport btw. it kinda looks like the Penang one. i always imagined Subang airport to be some old, dingy place. when was this new one finished?
Bro, photos shot from ur normal digi cam or ur sony? quality so-so
but good views on it as always. Another reason to fly those ATR@ Firefly.
Edward: It was taken using my Sony Alpha but I was too scared of being stopped by the security for taking random photos around the airport, so i simply went shoot shoot shoot…
WM: I like the new refurbished Subang Airport but i personally think they should preserve a part of Terminal 1 last time as Subang Airport deserves a slot on its own on Malaysia’s history.
great pictures.
Hi There,
I passed through the subang airport everyday on my way to work. I find the interior design impressive but it would be interesting to see how we Malaysians maintain it.
patricia.. agreed!
preserve and what? unless it’s the first airport in the country (is it?) then maybe lah
is Firefly the only airline utilizing the Subang Skypark?
dulu masa aku 1st time took firefly balik ke tganu, mak aih panasnye takde aircond, dgn berhabuk…isk macam menyesal je aku naik firefly kat subang. time tu munir kecik lak tuh, berpeluh2 anak manja aku. tp skrg aku kalau balik mmg guna subang airport, dkt. pastu condition pun ok. staff pun mesra. balik raya ni pun aku dah booking firefly (tp aku konpius ni mcmana la aku nak menambah seat) hahaha LOL hanya ko je faham ye azuan.
Aina: Thanks
Patricia: I agree. I really hope the building services will do a good job in maintaining this beautiful airport.
WM: It was not the 1st airport in Malaysia. Before Subang, the Sungai Besi airport serves as the main airport. But i still think Subang Airport deserve a place in the history book. It’s our first real international airport! I really hope they can have one corner in Subang SkyPark dedicated to display the history of the airport.
WM: Besides Firefly Airline…. Berjaya Airlines, Vista Jet and few private jet operators and flying clubs utilize the Subang Airport along with the RMAF.
Aninie: Ada joke yang mengatakan, the plane has two big fans outside so kalau panas bukak tingkap jer. hehehe Seriously, the airline has improved thanks to the new ATR-72. Last time the fokker-50 was a bit old hence the discomfort.
ELEH, eleh eleh eleh eleh eleh eleh. (saje eleh byk sbb aku bg short comment tak leh cis)
aite
….
“Your comment was a bit too short. Please go back and try again.”
right. =.=”
Thanks for the review. I’ve nanged it on your nuffnang.
nanged it on nuffnaf?? o.O wazzat??
It’s part of nuffnang. Where you can Nang or Dang a submitted blog post.
awesome. thanks. i’ll give it a try
Thanks everyone!
i will be travelling with Firefly for the first time in 2 weeks
cant wait ot try it out after reading your reviews/posts 
just a few questions… do you know if the parking shown above can be used for overnight parking? do you know the charges for overnight parking? is it safe to leave the car there overnight?
Hi Fashah! Thanks for visiting my blog.
Yes, there are a lot of cars overnight at Subang SkyPark. It’s open space but there is a guard in the area. TRy parking your car closes to the pay booth.
Charges, i’m not so sure but i parked my car from 6am till 12 midnight and it was RM19. i think u just add RM1 per hour after the first RM2.
my dad use to work at CIMB branch b4..there is lots of different to compare nowadays..i really lurv the new environment of the airport…
THey should cater the need of fee per entry so that we can park our car there for few days till the day we return which means we do not have to bother our friends/relatives to fetch us. what say you guys?
I have been following up on this Firefly Review – Episode 2: Subang SkyPark | My World blog for a while and I find it very impressive. I plan to add it to my rss feeds.
I don’t normally comment on blogs but your post was a real call to action. Thank you for a great read.
azuan, ko mimpi nak keje kat subang, last2 kena gi klia. anyway, aku kalah bet ceh sbb ko la. hangin. ni kalau dtg Vista Tower meh belanja aku. aku gaji ciputttt hehehe
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