Access: Priority Pass + Paid Upgrade

For me, access started with entry to the Plaza Premium Lounge, which I entered using Priority Pass. From there, I was able to upgrade on arrival to Plaza Premium First for MYR 95 (roughly AUD $30–40), payable in cash. The First section shares the same entrance as the Premium lounge but features a small partitioned check in area.

For the price, it’s a relatively low-friction way to significantly change the lounge experience although the dining situation via bar codes and a menu on your phone is as far from First as it gets.

The Space & Atmosphere

Plaza Premium First occupies roughly a third of the overall lounge footprint. It’s smaller, but far calmer and with a completely different vibe.

The space is:

• Noticeably quieter than the main lounge

• Filled with glass, light, and open sight lines out the apron and runway

• High ceilings with ceiling fans, giving it a relaxed, almost resort-style feel

There’s glass everywhere overlooking the apron and runway which enhances the sense of space and light. Despite being right next door to a busy lounge, this section feels more relaxed and quieter.

Clientele: A Slightly More Corporate Crowd

One thing that stood out immediately was the clientele. Compared to the main Plaza Premium Lounge, Plaza Premium First attracts a noticeably more corporate crowd - plenty of travellers in business suits, busy on laptops, clearly settling in for long-haul flights. It feels more like a space used by experienced, frequent travellers rather than families or casual lounge-hoppers.

The Standout Feature: Runway & Apron Views

This is where Plaza Premium First really delivers.

Seating along the windows provides excellent views of the runway, apron, and aircraft movements. Watching widebodies taxi past while enjoying a quiet drink is easily the highlight of the lounge.

Even though the terminal itself is very open, the positioning of this lounge gives it particularly strong sightlines — making it one of the better places at Kuala Lumpur International Airport to simply sit and watch the airport at work. Great for plane nerds like myself 🤓

Dining - could do better

Plaza Premium First offers à la carte dining, which on paper sounds like a clear upgrade. In practice, it’s a little more nuanced.

To access the menu, I had to scan a barcode and view it on my phone, which immediately takes away some of the 'First' feel. It’s efficient, but it doesn’t quite align with what you might expect from a premium-labelled lounge experience. If you're going to market yourself as First, then ditch this practice immediately - perhaps its a hang over from the COVID days.

The food itself was perfectly fine - I had the barramundi. But if you’re chasing authentic, flavour-forward Malaysian food, the main Plaza Premium Lounge next door actually does it better. The laksa and hot dishes there are richer, more aromatic, and ultimately more satisfying than the plated options in First.

Final Thoughts

For MYR 95, Plaza Premium First at KLIA offers good value, as long as expectations are aligned.

You’re not paying for better food. You’re paying for calm, views, light, and a more composed crowd. If you want have bite and a drink and watch the action unfold, then this is great spot alongside a slightly more corporate, well heeled clientele. Just don't expect to be blown away by the a la carte dining; bar codes are not special and should be binned in restaurants and cafes.