Lounge Review: Plaza Premium Lounge (Main Terminal/Terminal 1) - Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KUL)
Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KUL), or KLIA in short, has a brand new Plaza Premium Lounge in the Main Terminal Building (Terminal 1) and this spacious airside lounge is what Singapore Airlines currently uses for Business Class, PPS Club, as well as Star Alliance Gold passengers departing on an SQ flight. Not to be confused with the older Plaza Premium Lounge in the Satellite Terminal, this brand new Plaza Premium Lounge is just a short walk away from Gate G in the Contact Pier International without needing to hop on the aerotrain at all.
Escalator to Entrance
Plaza Premium Lounge (Main Terminal/Terminal 1) - Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KUL)
Since the start of 2022, most Singapore Airlines flights out of KUL have been operating from the Main Terminal Building, and therefore, eligible passengers (those traveling in Business Class, or have PPS Club and/or KrisFlyer Elite Gold status) have since then been given the option of having either lounge access at the older Plaza Premium Lounge (which is located within the Satellite Terminal Building, and will thus require the use of Aerotrain, or an MYR 35 meal voucher to be utilised at Starbucks - I have always gone with the latter option since the Aerotrain is constantly not in operation, and I can honestly access the Plaza Premium Lounge with The American Express Platinum Card for free anyway if I really wanted to.
Main Dining Area
Plaza Premium Lounge (Main Terminal/Terminal 1) - Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KUL)
As a PPS Club member departing from KUL on an SQ flight yesterday, I was informed that I will be able to access the Plaza Premium Lounge prior to departure - I did not really pay attention to the terminal building, and I simply assumed that flights were departing from the Satellite Terminal Building once again (just like pre-COVID days) but to my surprise, I noticed that my flight was actually departing from the Main Terminal Building (which is sometimes referred to as Terminal 1) near Gate G, and the invitation was for the new Plaza Premium Lounge in the Main Terminal! Now the good news is, if you already have The American Express Platinum Card, you will be able to enter this lounge free of charge with your charge card and you may bring one or two guests along with you (this is still subject to confirmation as the website is telling different things).
Bar
Plaza Premium Lounge (Main Terminal/Terminal 1) - Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KUL)
The new Plaza Premium Lounge is located near Gate G of the Main Terminal Building and it is honestly such a beautiful airport lounge. While some may argue that the flagship Malaysia Airlines Golden Lounge in the Satellite Terminal is nicer, there is no doubt that this is probably the most impressive third-party-operated airport lounge in KUL right now. There is also a Plaza Premium First Lounge located directly behind the Plaza Premium Lounge and they both share the same bar area from different ends (but I would assume the beverage options would be different). Passengers may opt for spirits, draught beer, white, and red wine (all complimentary as part of the access) or opt for cocktails at an additional charge.
Cordoned Off Area
Plaza Premium Lounge (Main Terminal/Terminal 1) - Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KUL)
Entry into the Plaza Premium Lounge is fairly straightforward - my boarding pass was taken and scanned for record before being stamped on the back. I was told to bring my boarding pass along when ordering alcoholic drinks at the lounge but I am not sure whether this is for age verification purpose or for something else. At the same time, I was also given a slip of paper with an activation code for 24-hour access to the WiFi which works without a hitch. Upon entering the Plaza Premium Lounge, I can’t help but to notice the small cordoned-off area which is currently closed off to the rest of passengers - this could be a reserved seating area in the future like what they do over at the Blossom - SATS & Plaza Premium Lounge in Singapore Changi Airport Terminal 4.
Buffet with ‘Live’ Noodles Station
Plaza Premium Lounge (Main Terminal/Terminal 1) - Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KUL)
The Plaza Premium Lounge operates from 6:00 AM to 11:00 PM daily and it spans quite a large area with different seating configurations for different types of travellers. The main dining area is probably where you will find most passengers and it also offers the most direct access to the buffet spread, as well as the bar. The selection of hot food is quite modest with two carbs, one protein, and a vegetable, but there is also a ‘live’ noodle station where passengers could order from - there were three different noodle dishes on offer during my visit.
Located directly next to the hot food section is where you will find a small selection of salads, desserts, and cheeses in a refrigerated counter. There is also a station for hot tea, and an integrated fountain system for you to enjoy different kinds of flavoured soda beverages (e.g. coke). If you are craving for a cup of coffee, you may order it from the bar directly and you will be served a proper cup of barista-style coffee.
Fried Noodles and Ayam Masak Merah
Plaza Premium Lounge (Main Terminal/Terminal 1) - Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KUL)
While more variety will always be welcomed at any lounge, the quality of food is actually quite good and I dare say that the taste is probably even better than both of the Malaysian Airlines lounges that I have been to in recent months - both the flagship lounge in the Satellite Terminal, as well as the regional lounge in the Main Terminal (which I will be reviewing in a few weeks to come). If you have been traveling out of KUL for quite a number of years now, you might remember the Singapore Airlines SilverKris Lounge here at KUL - this has been out of commission for the longest time and I honestly do not expect it to reopen anytime soon.
Main Dining Area
Plaza Premium Lounge (Main Terminal/Terminal 1) - Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KUL)
The Plaza Premium Lounge was actually really crowded during my visit and I had reservations on taking photos initially since I typically do not like to make anyone uncomfortable with my photography. However, as you can see from the photos, there is actually plenty of space to sit in spite of the crowd and you can really settle in to one of the little nooks located at the sides of the lounge if you crave a little more privacy, or if you are looking for a spot to get some work done.
Quieter Living Room
Plaza Premium Lounge (Main Terminal/Terminal 1) - Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KUL)
Located towards the back of the lounge past the buffet section is what they call the Living Room where you will find a quieter area where people are mostly sipping their drinks, or catching up on some reading. This is a much smaller area and I honestly prefer this to the main seating area which is livelier, but also busier during peak periods.
USB Charging Ports and Universal Power Outlets
Plaza Premium Lounge (Main Terminal/Terminal 1) - Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KUL)
If you are looking to charge up your mobile devices before your flight, you will be delighted to know that there are plenty of USB charging ports, as well as universal power outlets located throughout the lounge. If you are sitting in the quieter zone, most of these can be easily accessed. However, if you are sitting in the main dining area, you might find some of these ports hard to reach as they are located in slightly awkward locations (like directly under the seat) and it may be quite challenging for some travellers to access them easily.
Signature Curry Noodles
Plaza Premium Lounge (Main Terminal/Terminal 1) - Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KUL)
I love spicy food so I obviously could not pass up on the opportunity to try the Signature Curry Noodles here at the Plaza Premium Lounge - it was surprisingly good and it is easy to see why this is a crowdpleaser. Condiments are available by the side of the noodle station and passengers can easily add and omit what they like and dislike from the dish - smart!
Seating Area
Plaza Premium Lounge (Main Terminal/Terminal 1) - Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KUL)
I really like the overall aesthetics of the new Plaza Premium Lounge here in the Main Terminal Building and I dare say that I prefer this over both of the Malaysia Airlines lounges in KUL - I used to redeem 12,500 Avios for a one-way flight from KUL to SIN on Malaysia Airlines Business just to utilise one of the Golden Lounges, but with the opening of this brand new Plaza Premium Lounge, there is just very little incentive to do so anymore. The wines on offer were also surprisingly drinkable (much better than the sparkling that the serve over at the Golden Lounge) and I have actually had six glasses before my flight out of Kuala Lumpur International Airport.
If you are here for a longer layover, and would like to freshen up before your flight, shower facilities can be found here at the Plaza Premium Lounge and as you would expect, bath towels, as well as personal amenities like toothbrushes are provided upon request. I really like the fact that the shower suites have an ensuite bathroom which I am sure will be appreciated by long-haul travellers.
Seating Area
Plaza Premium Lounge (Main Terminal/Terminal 1) - Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KUL)
It goes without saying that the Plaza Premium Lounge at the Main Terminal Building is the best airport lounge at Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KUL) at the moment with plenty of comfortable seating areas, natural daylight, and beautiful contemporary interiors. As you may already know, Plaza Premium Lounges are no longer accessible using a Priority Pass membership, so if you do not hold any elite statuses in a Star Alliance frequent flyer program, your best bet would be getting The American Express Platinum Card which comes with some of the best lifestyle benefits in the market.
The Travel Club Lounge in the Satellite Terminal of KLIA might be a good spot to work before your flight, but the subpar food and beverage offerings make it a poor choice for those seeking quality refreshments.