Best spot: Passengers watching a movie while waiting for their flight at the newly refurbished Movie Lounge. — AZHAR MAHFOF/The Star
KUALA LUMPUR: Passengers travelling through Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA)Terminal 2 are beginning to notice small but meaningful improvements as the terminal undergoes a series of passenger-centric upgrades ahead of Visit Malaysia 2026.
Travellers have welcomed the changes, particularly the smoother check-in experience, refurbished boarding areas and more comfortable waiting spaces.
A couple from Italy, who had just completed their check-in, said they were pleasantly surprised by how quick the self-service process was.
“We just scanned our tickets, keyed in our details, weighed our bags and dropped them off, and we were done,” they said, adding that the convenience helped ease the usual stress of airport queues.
“It was a lot quicker than the usual queuing, and we went on our way without worrying about the flight schedule.”
Passengers familiar with the airport also noted visible upgrades at the boarding gates.
A Filipino tourist who wished to be known only as James said he immediately recognised the changes while waiting for his flight at Gate L.
“I’ve been to Malaysia many times, so I’m quite familiar with the airport. The redesigned area is much more spacious and breathable compared to the narrow corridors I had to wait in previously,” he said, adding that he hoped other gates would receive similar treatment.
These enhancements come as Malaysia Airports accelerates phased renovations to improve passenger flow, comfort and overall travel experience.
Terminal 2 general manager (operations) Shahrunnizam Abd Jamil, who led a tour of the refurbished areas, said the priority was to elevate the terminal to full international-airport standards while addressing long-standing passenger concerns.
At the heart of the revamp is the fully upgraded International Gate L lounge, now one of the terminal’s standout features.
Once known for its congestion and narrow layout, the area has been widened and redesigned into an open, comfortable space where passengers can relax before boarding.
The newly refurbished surau is another key improvement. Malaysia Airports has completed upgrades for 24 of the 40 prayer rooms, with the remaining 16 scheduled to be done by 2026.
Shahrunnizam said the renovations were guided by passenger feedback.
The terminal has also enhanced accessibility with an upgraded Calm Room for passengers with hidden disabilities such as autism and ADHD.
Families may register at the Customer Experience counter, where trained staff are on hand to support them throughout their journey.
Adding cultural charm to the terminal is a kebaya exhibition developed with Kraftangan Malaysia, featuring batik, songket and woven textiles.
The themed showcase will rotate every few months to highlight Malaysia’s rich heritage.
For passengers with long layovers, the refurbished movie lounge in the Satellite Centre has also become a popular spot to unwind with films, comfortable seating and massage chairs.
“We saw many passengers lingering for hours without a dedicated space to rest, so these facilities help ease the anxiety of waiting for the next flight,” said Shahrunnizam.
Meanwhile, check-in and baggage processes have been streamlined with Self-Service Bag-Drops and open-belt bag-drop kiosk systems to reduce queues, especially during peak seasons.
Shahrunnizam said the upgrades are also meant to shed the lingering perception of Terminal 2 as a low-cost facility.
“This airport is not a low-cost terminal. The standard now matches what Terminal 1 offers, and we encourage the public to change their perspective,” he said.
He added that recent changes in governance have allowed Terminal 2 management to approve improvements more quickly.
Malaysia Airports will continue rolling out enhancements in phases, with a commitment to ensuring Terminal 2 is fully prepared to welcome the expected influx of travellers during Visit Malaysia 2026.
“What we want is to progress and show the public that we are an effective organisation providing facilities for all passengers using this airport,” Shahrunnizam said.
