Batik Air

I am writing to lodge a formal complaint regarding my experience on Batik Air flight OD171 from Denpasar to Sydney on 14 August 2026. Unfortunately, what should have been a straightforward journey became an extremely stressful and upsetting experience. The problems began during check-in and continued while we were waiting at the boarding gate.… Read more

After waiting for an extended period, we were informed that our carry-on luggage could not be taken into the cabin because the aircraft was supposedly full and there was insufficient overhead storage space.

We questioned this decision because our carry-on luggage contained sensitive and important documents, and we believed we should have been permitted to take the luggage into the cabin and place it in the overhead compartment. Nevertheless, despite our concerns, we complied with the instruction and handed our luggage over to be placed in the aircraft's luggage compartment.

We were seated in seats 15B and 15C (ELS). However, once we boarded the aircraft, we were extremely surprised to see that several overhead compartments were empty. At the same time, other passengers were permitted to board with carry-on luggage and place their belongings in the overhead compartments.

Naturally, we were extremely frustrated and questioned the cabin crew about why we had been told that there was no available overhead space when, upon boarding, it appeared that space was available and other passengers were subsequently allowed to use it.

Unfortunately, the cabin crew were unable to provide us with a satisfactory explanation. During the discussion, the situation became heated. A male flight attendant told us that if we continued shouting, action could be taken against us. We understand that cabin crew have responsibilities to maintain order and safety, but we felt that the situation was handled in a way that escalated rather than resolved our concerns.

The situation became even more uncomfortable when another passenger became involved in the discussion. We felt intimidated and uncomfortable during this interaction, particularly as we were already extremely frustrated by what had happened with our luggage.

This entire experience significantly affected our flight. Rather than feeling comfortable and welcomed as passengers, we felt that we had to defend ourselves over an issue that could have been resolved simply by providing a clear and reasonable explanation.

The incident also had a significant impact on my wellbeing. I have a history of anxiety and depression, and the stress of the situation caused me to experience significant anxiety and panic symptoms during the flight. Instead of being able to relax and travel normally, I spent much of the flight distressed and worried about the handling of my luggage and the way the situation had unfolded.

In addition to the above, I found the seats uncomfortable, which further contributed to an unpleasant overall experience.

I am particularly disappointed because I have always had a positive impression of Malaysian airlines and have been a great admirer of the service associated with Malaysian aviation. Unfortunately, this experience with Batik Air did not meet the standard I expected.

I therefore request that Batik Air:

Conduct a formal investigation into the handling of our carry-on luggage and explain why we were told that there was no available overhead space when overhead compartments appeared to be available. Review why other passengers were subsequently permitted to bring carry-on luggage into the cabin and use the overhead compartments. Review the conduct of the cabin crew during our interaction, including the statement that action could be taken against us. Review the involvement of the other passenger and the circumstances in which we felt uncomfortable and intimidated. Provide a written explanation of the outcome of your investigation. Consider appropriate compensation or another suitable form of resolution for the distress and inconvenience caused by this incident. I would appreciate a prompt response and a meaningful resolution to this complaint. If the matter is not appropriately addressed, I reserve the right to escalate the complaint to the relevant Australian consumer protection and fair trading authorities and any other appropriate regulatory bodies.

I hope Batik Air will take this complaint seriously and use it as an opportunity to review the conduct of its staff and the procedures used when managing passengers' carry-on luggage.

I look forward to receiving your response. Regards Kuljeet Chadha JP

Do you enjoy cramming yourself into a tiny space for five hours? Do you enjoy the thrill of not being able to move your legs? How about sweating through the entire flight because the air conditioning nozzles appear to have been purchased from Temu? Well, Batik Air might just be the airline for you. When we found out that debit cards weren’t… Read more

accepted, only credit cards and some cash, we were thrilled to discover that we’d been provided with one 250ml bottle of water to share for a five hour flight.

A lovely couples’ hydration experience.

But the real highlight came when staff threw out passengers’ unopened bottles of water before boarding, only for us to discover that the plane was going to run out of available water with three hours of the flight still remaining.

Fantastic planning.

And if you’re passionate about environmental sustainability, you’ll absolutely love Batik Air’s approach to the bathrooms.

By “environmentally friendly,” I mean apparently being toilet paper free.

Imagine getting to the toilet only to find there’s no toilet paper, the bins are overflowing onto the floor, and you’re forced to navigate around rubbish just to use the bathroom.

Truly an immersive experience.

Then, just to add one final layer of comedy, when we got off the plane there was a full stack of bottled water sitting at the front of the aircraft.

So apparently the water existed. It just wasn’t interested in helping us during the five hour flight.

Overall, the experience was about as enjoyable as getting a flat tyre five minutes before an important appointment.

Would I fly Batik Air again? Only if I suddenly develop a strong emotional attachment to suffering.

Took a flight on 24 of July 2026 from Kuala Lumpur to Tashkent. With 4,5 hours delay keeping all of the passengers inside of the plane without turning aircon on! Moreover the crew was keeping to lie during whole time that the aircon is on and it just time to cool down the cabin… After 2 hours of delay, after the passengers started to complain the… Read more

crew offered the water to passengers.. The plane itself is completely outdated : monitors are not working, no cold water in the toilets, only hot, and the main thing- space between the chairs, it is extremely narrow, and this kind of plane is surely cannot be used for 8 hours flight !

International holiday flight Perth-Bali changed by one day. Company make it very difficult to contact them. Refuse to answer emails. Had to cancel first leg of flight and rebook at significant cost with another carrier. Will NEVER book with them again and strongly suggest checking other users reviews before you book. Show details

Extremely disappointing customer service from Batik Air. I spent 154 minutes on the phone trying to sort out a baggage issue and still could not get a clear answer. On 31 March 2026, their AI support gave conflicting advice, first saying the booking… Read more

did not specify baggage, then saying the Perth to Denpasar flight had 20kg, then saying the same rules applied to the return flight. Later that same day, Batik Air customer service emailed saying the outbound had 20kg but the return had no checked baggage allowance at all.

Because Batik Air failed to properly process the baggage, I then had to pay AUD 1,251.00 on 2 April 2026 for what should have been the original requirement of 20kg each way, and then another AUD 1,080.00 at the airport on 6 April 2026 to get the baggage on board because the fees customer service said were processed had not actually been processed.

Now I am being told I may have to wait up to 30 days for a refund, and even that refund amount appears to be incorrect. Very poor systems, very poor communication, and a completely unacceptable customer experience.

Our flights was from Kuala Lumpur to Sydney in two legs, one stop in Denpasar. Initial flight left 2 hours late but made up one hour to Denpasar. We were two of the few who did not have to leave the plane in Bali, given our new boarding passes without fuss and the next leg was only 1 hour late. The inflight service was really good from the crew. Noting the reviews we had a different experience and would consider Batik Air again. Show details

I used Batik for the Bali trip. Great budget airline. Reasonable fare and very good service. Water and complimentary breakfast provided. Aircraft were clean and tidy. The staff were very helpful. I would recommend Batik Air to Bali for the punctuality and great service. Show details

Avoid. Deliberately booked a set of flights as the route uses the A330. Two weeks out they've downgraded to the 747. If i wanted to fly a trash plane I would have booked with a more reputable airline. Despite advertising the plane, they refuse a refund. If you order a Large coca-cola and they give you a medium you wouldn't accept it. Or maybe you… Read more

ordered a 4 seater large rental wagon, and they give you a small 3 door hatchback instead. The literal equivalent of what they've done and they expect you to just take it.

On top of that we paid extra for seat selection and the downgrade means that extra money goes straigth into their pockets as you can't choose now. Absolute crooks.

Do not fly this airline. Was delayed 12 hours going over of Bali and they only gave a few hours notice ( not good for people who drove regional areas to the airport). Then same thing happened return journey home!’ Show details

Stay clear stay clear ,worst airline ever they cancelled my connection flight 3 times with no explanation why which forced us to cancel our holiday in lankawi which cost us $4500 Because the accommodation doesn't refund .

Awful flight. This was my first and last time flying with this airline. I paid $6,000 for my family — four return tickets from Sydney to Bali — and they sold one mini water bottle for $5 AUD with no complimentary water offered during a 6-hour flight. I was entitled to four cabin bags and only had two, yet when I asked to check one in because I… Read more

had a baby, the staff were rude and wanted to charge me per kilo, completely ignoring the fact that I was two bags below my allowance.

I tried to speak to a manager at the airport but was told there was no manager available.

On the aircraft, it was clear this had been done to most passengers in an attempt to extract extra money for check-in bags — yet there was no overhead space for everyone’s luggage anyway, so the checked luggage hold was likely empty. The flight attendants spent a lot of time rearranging everyone’s bags, and with young children and a baby, my essential bag ended up six seats away from me.

I would not recommend this airline to anyone.”

We did not get the seats we paid for on both our flight to and from Bali. In fact, our seats were terrible. Seat selection cost $399.52. After 2 months of ignored emails, Batik Air have offered me a discount code which is insulting. Batik Air T&C's state I am entitled to a refund and they refuse to acknowledge this. Show details

Paid $720 for seats we never received – Refund refused ​ Our family of five paid $720 in advance for extra legroom seats, yet the airline failed to provide them. ​To make matters worse, they are now refusing to refund the money for the service they never delivered. This is completely unprofessional and feels like a theft of $720. Batik Air has… Read more

proven to be the most unreliable airline we have dealt with. ​Taking a customer's money and refusing to provide the service or a refund is unacceptable. Avoid at all costs.

OMG! Where do I start? These guys are grade A scammers and fraudsters. I wish there were a minus rating. Before our flight from Melbourne to Bali, I called them to purchase extra baggage. The operator asked for my last name, pulled up my record and… Read more

advised that there is no need to buy extra baggage as I already have 20kgs on the ticket. I asked multiple times if he was sure; all I got was an affirmative yes. I was stoked.

Journey to Bali, no problems. When returning, I was advised that I only had 7 kg. I was 13kgs overweight. Paid $300+ for extra baggage. Came back, called the customer care, which Batik has given to some random company called airline rep services. Came back and emailed for my refund, I got a call from them threatening me for asking for a refund. 40 emails later, nothing happened.

They broke a suitcase also, and the behaviour of their ground staff- DISGUSTING.

Pay a bit extra, don't fly with them.

I would give a minus if I could , cancelled my return flight from kula lumpa to Perth , leaving myself and my family over 9 hours at the airport, turning this into a night flight. No apology . My seat and my wife’s seat were broken, most uncomfortable flight I’ve ever taken , I’ve flown over 200 times and this is the worst flight I have ever been… Read more

on, kept the light on for most of the night flight , one toilet only , had 4 flights in total to and from Vietnam, every flight was delayed , no apology or anything , they couldn’t give a toss. Please avoid if you want a nice holiday .

BATIK AIR's attitude to passengers is very, very disappointing. I should have read the reviews. In their effort to conserve fuel, they cancelled my segment of the flight from Perth to KL. I can understand that in an effort to save money. What I can't understand is why they booked me on a flight leaving 5 hours later, knowing that I would miss my… Read more

connecting segment from KL to Colombo by an hour. At that point, it would have been a domino effect for my other connecting flights. They had an earlier flight they could have booked me on and I would have made my connection segment with no problem. It says volumes about a company that puts profit above passengers. In the end, I realized it was easier to take my financial lose, book with another airline, and warn people about this airline. :-(

DO NOT USE BATIK AIR. I’m posting this so other people don’t go through the same ridiculous situation I just went through. I tried to change my flight from next week to TODAY because of an urgent situation. There was clearly availability showing on the website, but the website kept giving an error with no explanation. On mobile, the site just… Read more

kept redirecting me in a loop so I couldn’t change anything.

Then I tried to contact customer service — but there is NO WAY to talk to a human. I contacted the Kuching office and asked them to help me contact Batik Air, and Batik Air told them to tell me to contact them via email, feedback form, or WhatsApp chatbot. The WhatsApp chatbot then told me to go back to the website to manage booking… THE SAME WEBSITE THAT DOES NOT WORK.

So I called the Perth Airport office. First, they kept insisting I booked through a travel agent (I DID NOT and I repeated this multiple times). Then they finally checked and told me there was no availability — even though on my screen there clearly WAS availability. Then they told me I cannot change the flight on the website… SO WHY IS THERE A “CHANGE FLIGHT” BUTTON ON THE WEBSITE?

So let’s summarize Batik Air’s system: • Website doesn’t work • WhatsApp chatbot tells you to use the website • Office tells you to contact KL customer service • There is no way to call KL customer service • Airport staff refuse to help

They just send you in circles until you give up.

One of the Perth staff even told me I was being “unreasonable” and then pretended the phone call dropped. Absolutely unprofessional.

Never again. If you value your time, money, and sanity — avoid.

They'll call you to the front desk and admit to breaking your luggage before it's even gone on the plane. Then they'll do everything they can to give you wrong information and then ignore you. Unfortunately dealing with them over email is like… Read more

dealing with a bunch of sloths that have been dropped on their heads one too many times. What a nightmare this is.

Safe flight.. sure, I didn't die. But my luggage did. RIP.

Went from Brisbane to Bali late taking off both sides and then lost my baggage and then trying to give me 18 AUD staff quite rude everyone has been quite dismissive about the situation seats were uncomfortable get the CEO 28 million never used this airline pay a bit extra with someone else Show details

During booking 1 requested 1 checked bag and the fee charged to my credit card reflected same. after reviewing my itinerary checked bag was not reflected. I could not connect with customer service by phone or by app so after hearing about… Read more

outrageous fees at checkin I decided to try to pay a second time. My attempts were rejected on the app and the website. I desperation the morning before my flight from Bali I went directly to the airport. Staff there would do nothing. From the airport I went to the local ticket office…… it was closed!!!!!! After all this when checking in I was charged $300 USD.