When it comes to international travel, I’ve always preferred flying with Air India thanks to my Maharaja Gold status, which offers comfort, recognition, and perks. However, for my recent short trip from Singapore to Kuala Lumpur, Air India wasn’t an option as there were no flights on this route. That’s when I discovered Batik Air – a name I honestly heard for the very first time while browsing for tickets.
The airline had mixed reviews online, but being the cheapest option available for this one-hour hop, I decided to give it a try. Here’s my detailed Batik Air flight review covering everything from booking to boarding and the in-flight experience.
Booking My Batik Air Flight
I booked my Batik Air economy ticket online a few weeks in advance. Reviews mentioned that cabin baggage allowance is 7 kg, and anything above that could attract charges. Since my hand baggage was 8 kg, I was a little anxious. Adding to the confusion, there was no clear distinction between a laptop bag and handbag on Batik Air’s website, unlike other international carriers.
To be safe, I prepared myself to shift some weight into my smaller bag if required.
A Surprising Start: Spending the Night at Changi Airport
I landed in Singapore a day before departure flying from Mumbai on Air India flight, which coincided with Singapore’s National Day. To my surprise, my hotel canceled my booking at the last moment because I hadn’t guaranteed it with a credit card. At 6 PM, with the city buzzing and hotels sold out, I had no choice but to spend the night at Changi Airport.
Thankfully, my Priority Pass membership came to the rescue. I accessed the Changi Lounge multiple times for free, which made my overnight airport stay more comfortable.
Check-In at Singapore Changi Terminal 3
Four hours before departure, I reached Changi Airport Terminal 3 to check in. The process was smooth – only my documents were verified, and I was issued a paper boarding pass. Surprisingly, my cabin baggage wasn’t weighed, which saved me from paying extra charges since my ticket didn’t include checked luggage.
I had completed web check-in earlier and was auto-assigned a window seat in row 27. However, when my paper boarding pass was issued, it was changed to row 12, still a window seat.
Pre-Boarding Experience at Changi Airport
One thing I always admire about Singapore Changi Airport is its efficiency. Immigration was a breeze, cleared within a minute, thanks to their ultra-fast e-gates.
Since Batik Air isn’t part of Star Alliance, I didn’t enjoy any frequent flyer perks or lounge access through my Maharaja Gold status. Once again, Priority Pass saved the day, allowing me to visit the Marhaba Lounge and the Ambassador Transit Lounge for free.
In the meantime, I also explored Changi’s highlights, including the Butterfly Garden, Movie Theatre, and premium shopping outlets. Just a few days earlier, I had also signed up for the Batik Air Frequent Flyer Program (free of cost) and received the base-tier Silver status.
Boarding the Batik Air Flight
Boarding was carried out in a structured manner. First, business class passengers were invited, followed by elderly travelers and those with children – a nice gesture by the airline. Unlike full-service carriers, Batik Air didn’t give priority to loyalty program members during boarding. Eventually, all economy class passengers were invited to board.
When I reached my assigned window seat, my excitement dipped a little – there was no window next to it. A true disappointment for any aviation enthusiast.
In-Flight Experience on Batik Air Singapore to Kuala Lumpur
Despite the window setback, I was pleasantly surprised by the seat comfort. The leather seats felt premium, and the legroom was generous – on par with Air India Premium Economy. The cabin looked neat and modern, giving a better impression than I had expected from the mixed online reviews.
Since the flight was only one hour long, no meals or even water were served in economy class. There was also minimal engagement from the crew – apart from one or two short announcements from the pilots before landing, there wasn’t much communication.
With no window to gaze out of, I simply sat back and waited for the quick journey to end.
Final Thoughts: My Honest Batik Air Review
Flying on Batik Air for the first time was a mixed experience.
✅ Positives:
- Affordable ticket pricing
- Comfortable leather seats with good legroom
- Smooth boarding and on-time performance
- Efficient check-in with no baggage hassle
❌ Negatives:
- No complimentary water or snacks in economy class
- No clear baggage policy for laptop bag vs cabin bag
- Lack of frequent flyer recognition during boarding
- Window seat without an actual window
Overall, my Singapore to Kuala Lumpur Batik Air flight was comfortable, spacious, and punctual, but missing out on a real window view dampened the excitement of my first time flying a non-Indian international airline.
For a short-haul budget-friendly option, Batik Air is worth considering, but don’t expect frills or special treatment.
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