Yesterday marked my first visit to the newest addition to the Flight Club family, situated in KLIA Terminal 1 Main Terminal Building.
Owned by the Plaza Premium Group, this outlet is the latest of three Flight Club locations at KLIA, joining the Flight Club Signature in the KLIA Terminal 1 Satellite Building and the Flight Club Grab N Go at KLIA Terminal 2.
Its strategic placement beneath the Plaza Premium Lounge and Plaza Premium First towards the 'G' gates piques interest as to whether it's pivoting more towards a lounge than a traditional restaurant.
A Comparison with Global Counterparts
My experiences at various Flight Clubs, especially those at London Heathrow Terminal 4, set a decent baseline expectation.
I found an old picture of my Fish N Chips set meal that I managed to get while visiting the Flight Club at Heathrow Terminal 4, haha!
Typically, certain credit cards offer complimentary meals at these establishments. The new KLIA outlet follows suit, providing a distinct menu for walk-in paying customers and another for corporate clients via credit cards.
At the time of writing, the following credit cards offer complimentary set meals at this location:
Ambank notably promotes this venue as a "Flight Club Flagship," suggesting a more premium experience compared to other global locations.
Interestingly, the receptionist had indicated that most credit cards have access to the corporate set meal, with the notable exception of UOB and Citibank credit cards.
Layout and Ambiance
Upon entry, courtesy of the cordial reception staff, I was struck by the scale of the establishment. Kindly excuse my lacklustre photography skills for this time around, as I was trying my best to respect the privacy of other patrons at the restaurant.
The area is surprisingly spacious, possibly even more so than the Plaza Premium First lounge situated above it.
The seating arrangement includes options with panoramic views of the tarmac overlooking the 'G' gates, along with privacy-oriented cubicle-style seating which would appeal to those seeking a quiet dining experience.
Menu and Dining Options
While I reserved an extensive review of the food and beverage for a later visit, the preliminary glance at the menu showed a broad range of options.
Despite the airport locale’s typical price premium, the diversity of the menu promises something for every palate.
However, the corporate set menu available to credit card holders, though including 2 meals and 2 beverages, seems restrictive with only four set choices (Porridge, Noodle, Rice, and Vegetarian), especially when compared to the more extensive options available on the regular menu.
Quick Service Section
The restaurant also features a takeout bar on the left side, catering to travelers needing a quick grab-and-go service.
This section offers an assortment of beverages, ready-made sandwiches, pastries, and cakes, ideal for those not inclined to sit down for a full meal or who are pressed for time.
Final Thoughts
The new Flight Club at KLIA Terminal 1 impressively blurs the lines between a lounge and a restaurant with its vast space and significant F&B offerings. While the exclusive set meals could use enhancement, the overall proposition is compelling.
Given the often-crowded nature of Plaza Premium locations, this new space could very well serve as a quieter, more exclusive alternative for discerning travelers, especially if partnered with a unique offering similar to UOB's private lounge concept.
Honestly, there is so much potential for this space to develop. I would love to see another bank doing something similar to that of UOB above at this latest Flight Club.
Until then, I'll continue to indulge in my favourite Curry Laksa at the Plaza Premium First upstairs.
