Flight delayed at KLIA? Here’s what’s going on plus 7 tips to help you stay sane


In case you haven’t heard, KLIA has been facing major systems disruptions since Wednesday night (Aug 21).
We are pleased to share that the check in counters, immigration and baggage handling systems at klia2 terminal are up & running as of 7AM. However, the Flight Information Display System (FIDS) is still facing intermittent disruptions.
Malaysia Airports (@MY_Airports) August 23, 2019
It seems like the situation is pretty chaotic and the whole thing has reportedly caused more than 68 flight delays so far.
If you are stuck in the airport or have a plane to catch soon and not sure what to do, here are some quick tips to keep you sane!
1. Be there early
Dear Malaysian, please come 7 hours earlier as your parents said. I’m dead in KLIA rn 😭 pic.twitter.com/g9ZK8Sd0R7
AH (@mirulfizz) August 23, 2019
Check-ins and baggage are apparently being handled manually. Obviously, this is gonna take some time and result in incredibly long queues. So, THE EARLIER YOU ARE, THE BETTER.
KLIA has been advising travellers to be at the airport AT LEAST 4 hours prior to your flight’s scheduled departure.

2. Know your rights.
Hello, @kprash5. Thank you for contacting us. We have replied to you via Direct Message. We would appreciate if you could check your inbox. -JO
Malaysia Airlines (@MAS) August 23, 2019
If your flight has been delayed, or even worse, cancelled, you can contact your airline and file a written complaint.
Potential compensation perks can include a free lunch, complimentary hotel stays, or alternative transportation. By knowing what you can claim for, you can make the best out of a bad situation.
3. Bring some extra cash.
It’s always a safe bet to bring some emergency cash when travelling just in case your credit/debit cards don’t work or aren’t accepted.
If you end up staying at the airport longer than expected, you’ll be able to buy some food. At the very least, if you’re bored then you can use the money to pick up a sudoku puzzles book at the airport convenience stores.

4. Keep your phone close and fully charged
We urge passengers to check with the respective airlines on the latest flight schedule. Please stay calm and do approach our airport staff for further assistance on ground. #MYairportsupdates
Malaysia Airports (@MY_Airports) August 23, 2019
We know it might be a long wait and you’re probably gonna spend that time fiddling with your phone but be sure to keep your battery levels up and bring a fully charged power bank.
In case your flight gets further delayed or cancelled you’ll need it to contact your friends and family and make last-minute arrangements and bookings.
having a system failure at KLIA,flight info error; aku tak hadapi masalah langsung sbb ever since i stepped into the airport, many airport personnels are there to help and I can see they approach every single passenger and assist em right away. Thanks @malindoair @MY_Airports pic.twitter.com/dxKZW5Zm4z
Haie Hadid (@haiehadid) August 22, 2019
5. Do some sightseeing at the airport
Found yourself with a lot of time but nothing to do? Explore KLIA while you wait.

You can spend time leisurely scanning the duty-free shelves or lepak-ing at one of the many restaurants. We even heard they have a spa somewhere in the airport.
Of course, we’d advise that you double-check your boarding gate and time before you go on your airport adventure.
Yeah guys! Back to Manual as @ 0828am for international flight! #klia #prayforklia pic.twitter.com/E6oEZKC4L8
نورمينا مسلم (@mynamuslim) August 23, 2019
6. Bring something to do.
Current situation in KLIA airport. Still in manual condition. Shoutout to the KLIA staff who have been helping us the whole day!! ❤️ thanks for the roti jagung and water too 👍🏻👍🏻 you guys did well pic.twitter.com/QJ3cpOacpa
adri zul ancheta (@adrizulancheta) August 23, 2019
The wait might be a long one, and you can only scroll through Facebook/Instagram/Twitter before you get bored of that too.
So, bring along something to kill the time. Whether it’s a tablet loaded with books, a Nintendo DS with your favourite games, or just a crossword puzzle, these activities will help you keep your sanity intact during a stressful time.
7. Take a nap
My wife was there during checking in at 4.30am. You guys did a good job managing the crisis, staff are polite eventhough you can see that they are very tired. Hopefully there are better solution managing IT BCP in the future. @MY_Airports https://t.co/XhwiFlEsB0
hazmy (@johnkudin) August 23, 2019
Lacking sleep? Now is literally the best time to catch up on some much-needed Z’s. Apparently, KLIA is known to be quite popular for comfortable naps.
The best chairs and benches are located airside in the Main Terminal, with especially good spots located near the 2nd-floor food court and the Samsung lounge. We’ve also seen several reports saying there are sleeping pods on the mezzanine level of the airport!
Bring eyeshades and earplugs for the best sleep as airports tend to be busy around the clock.
Dear passengers, our Airport CARE Ambassadors are ready to assist you at KL International Airport. Please look out for them and ask them for the right check-in queue to save your time and effort. They are also equipped with the latest flight information for your convenience. pic.twitter.com/mZbxA5688n
‘ Malaysia Airports (@MY_Airports) August 23, 2019
If you’re currently at the airport, let us know what’s going on via our Facebook, Twitter and Instagram!

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