Malaysia Airlines offers what’s possibly the most unnecessary yet simultaneously lovely ground service to its premium passengers. I can’t make sense of why it’s offered, but I’m certainly not complaining! Let me first share some background, and then I’ll talk about my experience.
In this post:
Malaysia Airlines offers private terminal transfers
In early 2024, Malaysia Airlines introduced a private transfer service between the main terminal building and the satellite building at Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KUL). This service operates 24/7, and is available to all Malaysia Airlines business class passengers, as well as Enrich Platinum members (though not those with oneworld Emerald status through a partner program).
Those eligible for the service should proceed to gate G1 in the main terminal building, where the transfers depart from. These transfers are fully private, so aren’t shared with anyone else outside of a traveler’s party. Each car can hold up to four people.
When this service first launched, it was because the Aerotrain, the airport’s automated people mover that transports people between the terminals, was shut down for an extended period of time for repairs. During this time, the airport set up a bus service between the two terminals.
So the idea was that offering private transfers would be a nice personal touch for premium passengers. But here’s the thing — even with the Aerotrain back up and running, the airline has kept this service around.
That’s a bit odd on the surface, because the Aerotrain is really efficient, and runs every few minutes, with a journey time of just a few minutes. The private terminal transfers don’t actually save any time, so that’s the point?
I suspect there might be a couple most likely explanations:
- The airline realized that it’s a “surprise and delight” amenity that exceeds expectations, and ends up being memorable for passengers, and therefore has a halo effect; after all, private tarmac transfers are typically reserved for some top first class products, and not just any business class passenger
- Since this is offered in partnership with Mercedes-Benz, perhaps this isn’t actually costing the airline a whole lot, and it’s almost a good way for the car company to promote its vehicles to a relatively affluent crowd?
My experience with Malaysia Airlines’ Mercedes chauffeur
Since I’m currently on a trip where I’m flying Malaysia Airlines business class, I had the chance to check out this service. Okay, truth be told, since I’m in a transit, I may have just gone from the satellite terminal to the main terminal, just so I could return to the satellite terminal with this service (hey, don’t judge, reviewing this stuff is part of my job!). 😉
When you’re in the main portion of Terminal 1 at Kuala Lumpur Airport, just turn right, in the direction of gate G1. It’s just past the duty free shopping and Plaza Premium Lounge, on the right.
At gate G1 you’ll see a sign for “MH Private Terminal Transfer,” and that leads to a door, where there’s a staff member who will check your boarding pass. You’ll then be sent down an elevate to the first floor, as the terminal is on the fourth floor.
On the ground floor, there’s a waiting area with several chairs and couches, and there’s even a coffee machine.
One thing I can’t vouch for is how long the wait gets during busy periods. I did this at around 3AM, when Malaysia Airlines has no flights, so suffice it to say that there was no one in sight. 😉 But I’d imagine that during some times of the day there’s a wait, which again, makes you wonder what the point of this is (since the Aerotrain is efficient).
Anyway, the experience was lovely. One Malaysia Airlines employee helped me with my bags and placed them in the trunk, and then another employee drove me across the tarmac, a drive that took around three minutes. He then removed my bags out of the trunk for me. As you’d expect, there was great plane spotting along the way. The car used for this service is the all-electric EQS 500 4MATIC.
Bottom line
Malaysia Airlines offers a private transfer service between the main terminal building and the satellite building in Kuala Lumpur. While this was first offered when the Aerotrain was shut down for work to be performed, it has stuck around ever since.
What a pleasant surprise to see something like this for business class passengers, and they really try to make it something special, with a pretty seamless experience. I’m not sure there’s much in the way of time savings with this service, but I certainly think it has a nice halo effect for the overall experience.
What do you make of Malaysia Airlines’ premium ground transfer service?
Come on Ben, I really dont understand you...
A luxury M.Benz ride is far far better than 3 minutes standing in those unpredicted/always breakdown Aerotrain...
Fantastic service. You never know when the train is going to break down again. It makes you feel special
The most uncomfortable Mercedes Benz car I have ever been in, If you are tall and try and get into the very cramped door in the back, you have to be a contortionist just to get in. I've given up and now take the train
Who doesn't like beimg pampered. Necessity is never in the equation where indulgence is in play.
Driven to gate or driven to satalite?
Satellite.. Not to the gates
They’re continuing it because it is a great ad for Mercedes-Benz’s Malaysian distributor since it is a captive audience. Win-win for all.
It’s an efficient service for an airline which is making you feel premium . The train is efficient but crowded most of the times and with very less number of seatsand this also means the premium customers will have to stand for the 3 minute journey. Premium means class and class comes with smaller finer things that Malaysia Airlines has thought about . Aero train resumption a Malaysia Airlines still continuing the service means they...
It’s an efficient service for an airline which is making you feel premium . The train is efficient but crowded most of the times and with very less number of seatsand this also means the premium customers will have to stand for the 3 minute journey. Premium means class and class comes with smaller finer things that Malaysia Airlines has thought about . Aero train resumption a Malaysia Airlines still continuing the service means they think about thier premium customers. Only airlines with ambitious vision think long term for thier customers.
Oh my god! You have to stand for 3 minutes! Q'elle domage. Poor baby. We wouldn't want to bruise your ego.
Reminds me that I will take transit skytrain in Singapore from term 2 to 3; and, it's 4 minutes. Hope we will survive.
The main reason if why it was offered was because the aero train was down for 3 years and everyone was subjected to take the buses for transfers to the Satellite terminal. Although there were special buses for premium passengers, Malaysia Airlines decided to let their premium passengers have this service since obviously they had more flights than anyone else. It was a welcome treat for Malaysia Airlines' Business Class passengers and their Enrich Platinum...
The main reason if why it was offered was because the aero train was down for 3 years and everyone was subjected to take the buses for transfers to the Satellite terminal. Although there were special buses for premium passengers, Malaysia Airlines decided to let their premium passengers have this service since obviously they had more flights than anyone else. It was a welcome treat for Malaysia Airlines' Business Class passengers and their Enrich Platinum members. Do take your time to research the reason before dissing it as unnecessary.
What you stated is exactly what he mentioned in the article. Jumping into conclusions doesn’t help, the actual reason why they kept it was because Mercedes Benz decided it was win win. The service started with BMWs on the i7 but BMW didn’t want to co share the cost of running this so Mercedes actually picked it up and sustained it.
This was explained. In full. In the article. That you just commented on.
MH continues to run this service because other than the reasons above, including the Aerostar only operates certain hours, the Aerostar can suddenly fail & it has failed several times since they have resumed operations. Running this service currently provides a backup just in case the Arrotrain fails again & again. We locals are very disappointed with the reliability of the Aerostar.
The backup is the shuttle bus. Not this. Also Aerotrain reliability have improved well since November 2025
MH continues to run this service because other than the reasons above, including the Aerostar only operates certain hours, the Aerostar can suddenly fail & it has failed several times since they have resumed operations. Running this service currently provides a backup just in case the Arrotrain fails again & again. We locals are very disappointed with the reliability of the Aerostar.
The aerotrain generally stops its services between 11:59pm - 5:00am, of which during this period, passengers have to take the buses instead. The limo would definitely be a better option than the bus.
My last visit to KLIA was when during the train closure and that bus ride wasn't the most pleasant experience. Will be there again soon with family so will try to do this! Hopefully our flight departs from the satellite terminal as I doubt they'd let us take the car there only to take the train back.
I did this a few months ago and I was looking forward to seeing what you said about it.
When I did it there was one other couple just in front of us. They ended up waiting about 5 minutes and then we had to wait another couple of minutes after that.
I don't know how many cars they have running simultaneously but it could certainly be quite a wait at busy times.
The train is so quick and easy that really this is nothing more than a gimmick, but it was still fun :D
The aerotrain doesn't run from 12 midnight to 7am everyday. The limo service by MH runs all day long and you have an option to use it even when the aerotrain is running
That title nearly sounded like Futurama’s Hedonismbot… ‘How deliciously absurd!’
It's painfully pathetic that you feel compelled to spam every post with your boring comments and responses.
1990, is only doing what you rarely do, really, John?
The deranged Indian role-playing as a Brit is even worse.
This JohnBot, could it be the spawn of EskimoBot or the other way around? Either way, I am sure that Ben, appreciates your click JohnBot, even if your post lacks gravitas.
Thanks John (and Aero)! See you around!
I like your comments 1990!
Thanks Mick! The more the merrier!
The transfer is also offered in the other direction for arriving and connecting pax.
You might well be flogging a dead horse with this article Ben. One suspects that the usual bunch of armchair travellers would be too scared to step onboard an MH flight.
Sadly, MH scaled back to being more of a regional carrier after those tragedies, but it’s been a while, and it’s less that people wouldn’t fly them because of stigma, and more so because they aren’t based in SE Asia.
I am a big fan of MH and fly them several times a year. This service is indeed a quality treat whenever you need to go to the other terminal. I enjoy it roughly 3 out of 5 business class trips…the other times they have directed me to the waiting business class shuttle bus to avoid waiting for a car.
I'm too scared to set foot on UA and their superior Polaris. So I settled with the inferior way to Denver and whine like a wanker at everyone else.
Oh! Dear, dear …. the brain dead donkey could not resist a canter down to the depths of its miserable existence, simply to offer click support to Ben. Not only that but it drags an accomplice down with it too. Well done EskimoBot, you never fail to disappoint a chap who is enjoying the trappings of his colonial past. Mighty fine rewards for our old investments don’t you know …. :-)