Malaysia Airlines 3 London (LHR) – Kuala Lumpur (KUL) Friday, February 15 Depart: 10:50AM Arrive: 7:10AM (+1 day) Duration: 12hr20min Aircraft: Airbus A380 Seat: 2D (First Class) Upon boarding through door 1L I was greeted by one of the chief stewardesses, who directed me to my seat, 2D. The cabin had only eight seats in…
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Wow- that is a super indepth trip report, the seats look good, the food and drink seems a little sub-par for F but good Business Class, is that fair or did it taste better that it seemed?
Must say its a heck of a long series of flights just for the journey- next time why not spend a week in each place to check it out? Gotta be better for the body and soul?
You know you're the FIRST person to actually have a FULL report on MH's new A380 F Class, right? Props! 🙂 To answer your question-- I think one-world airlines do prioritize their emerald members in food ordering and selection priority. When I was flying BA, they did the same thing and took the orders of the emerald members first (there was a list of them on the CSD's ipad), and they gave them their food selections first (and told me that my choice was not available).
PS: I think a lot of airlines claim that they have the widest bed in the air. Like this lufthansa PR person: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4iG0XXxA6Nk I would like to see how they would justify it if we were to bring up other airlines' claims about it.
The hard product perplexes me. It looks almost as if they're going for a more modern look, but it sort of comes across looking cheap. Perhaps it's the red splattered everywhere.
I'm curious as to how this stacks up against other A380 seats.
@ Saverocity -- Agreed the food wasn't especially "refined" for the most part, but it did taste very good. Actually have a pretty interesting comparison between the business class and first class meal service with the return sector.
I had to make this trip so quick because I literally only had a five day window in which I could reasonably travel. I wanted to try Malaysia's new first class, and that was the only opportunity I had to do so.
Hi,
We are going on Malaysia Airlines first class in a few months and love our champagne. Did you find out why they didn't serve it on the ground?
Is it better than Cathay or just different?
Dale.
@ Dale -- I would guess it's because airlines have to pay taxes for alcohol saved on the ground, and I'd guess Malaysia didn't want to pay that. I'd say Cathay still has the edge over Malaysia.
so they don't have catering upon request like on other airlines? in cathay or emirates first you can order any meal any time...
So Lucky, the big questions is...SQ or MH? If any discussion turns the online air traveler community into a bunch of Twilight-esque Team X vs. Team Y arguments, it would be this one...
It seems like the seats themselves are like the Suite seats on Etihad, minus the door.
Regardless of the quality of the food, the amount of selection is impressive. 5 choices for breakfast? That's something you don't see often.
Also, for those interested:
http://www.prweb.com/releases/prweb2012/12/prweb10192683.htm
Lucky, maybe a piece from you with your thoughts about the results?
feels a lot like the TG A380 F.
differences :
1. TG has 12 seats (much easier for redemption).
2. TG is on upper deck.
3. TG operates it to both Europe and NRT (not sure if HKG is still scheduled), and either side is allowed for US-Asia redemption on UA
4. TG's colors are the most subtle and bland ones. MH are bit more bold.
I think the conclusion i could draw from this trip report is that "F is F, but MH F is no SQ F"
@ Lantean -- While it's not explicitly offered, I'd be willing to bet they'd serve you what you want when you wanted.
@ wwk5d -- I'm Team Singapore... and Team Jacob! While Malaysia has a fairly good product, I don't think they're quite to the level of the world's top airlines.
Yes, the variety of options was impressive, and interestingly enough the business class menu was almost as extensive, as I'll share in the return portion of the report.
Thanks for the thorough trip report. Looking forward to having the opportunity to fly MH F sometime in the future.
Luckieee I don't see the point of in-flight commercials but weirdest thing is those real estate ones in Singapore but on CX flights??!?
Lucky, you mentioned the long take-off roll on the departure. Do you think that's just the nature of the A380? When I flew the A380 (Air France) I thought the same thing. In fact, the roll was so long that I started to get concerned that we'd run out of runway before it took off, lol. When it suddenly did lift off the ground I was surprised, as it didn't feel like we were moving fast enough for it to get airborne. I'm guessing it's just the nature of the plane, but I haven't flown it enough to make a good comparison.
Thanks. This is probably one of you Top Ten posts. I find it amusing that with only EIGHT FC seats, they publish FIVE Main Course choices. I know you mentioned that (as OW Emerald) your order was taken first, but I wonder, did you overhear others being told that their first choice was not available? There is either a lot of that, or some substantial waste - as we KNOW they are not carrying EIGHT servings of all FIVE. What do you think?
As for the no alcohol before takeoff, I'm sure it is at least related to the TAX ISSUES. Again, a very nice segment report. -C.
I love that the Belgian Waffles with caramelized cinnamon bananas is the "light choice!"
Not sure how happy the shops are that there's a sign that says "keep walking!"
I'd been looking forward to this report for several days and it didn't disappoint... definitely putting this one on the to do list.
Regarding measurements could they possibly mean that wall to wall, their open suite is the widest in the sky? Certainly seems possible being 1-2-1 on the lower deck of the 380. And it's also a flat bed seat... ergo "widest bed in the sky?"
@Ben -- You can't use AA miles to book LHR/CDG - KUL? A nice RTW from SFO would be SFO-LHR in BA F then LHR-KUL in MH F and finally KUL-HKG-SFO in CX F. Isn't that bookable for 200,000 miles?
Do any airlines provide spoons for caviar service? I notice it missing when I fly Cathay as well.
I enjoyed reading this report Lucky! Thank you! I recall Malaysia Airlines used to fly to New York City via Stockholm but they terminated that route a few years ago. 🙁
"What I noticed with the curtains open was just how close coach felt to first class"
The horror...the horror.... 😉
@Lantean- Hey, I get Bernoulli's principle, but I'm not sure what point you were making in relation to my post. Please explain if you don't mind.
"For example, they would remove plating from the tables without a tray, while also carrying dirty dishes from other passengers."
Are you serious? Who cares?
Coutureguy: I don't think Lantean meant that Bernoulli's principle is literally why it takes a long takeoff roll. The A380 is the largest and heaviest commercial airliner in the sky. It has to get up to the proper velocity to fly, which takes longer in a heavier aircraft. Especially if they want it to be comfortable for the passengers!
Think of it like cars -- a sedan might go 0-60 in 6.5 seconds... a bus might need 15+ seconds to do that same thing!
If you're paying attention and fly enough you can tell the difference when you fly longer vs short routes on the same aircraft. For example, a BWI-SAN 737 is loaded with fuel and will require a longer takeoff roll than the same 737 doing BWI-JAX.
Thailand has their version of the pulled tea also. Although I think you can only find it on the ground instead of in the air. 🙂
Kinda giggled at the 'Mocktail' section of the menu with the Virgin Cuba Libre. Isn't that just some coke?
Looked good though, all in all.
@David- Your last post is essentially what I said in my post: "I'm guessing it's just the nature of the plane." 🙂
Now Lucky has flown quite a bit on the 380s, and in his post he said that the takeoff roll "was extremely long", indicating that it was probably longer than even he was used to. So that's why I wanted to get his opinion on that point.
Nice trip report! I don't think I've ever seen you order so many "local" dishes before (thinking of your other trip reports with OZ, CX, NH, SQ)! Looking forward to reading the return flight.
The reason your order was taken first (and that other passengers suddenly appeared in first class) is most likely that the others were traveling on space-available employee passes.
I think that it's going to be hard to beat this product. From what you heard from Lucky, it was fantastic. They really should route it to the US. Not only do a lot of Asian airlines only fly to LA and not nonstop, but the prouducts are subpar compared to what you see on routes to Europe. They should really think about expanding their offerings and services. What do you think Lucky?
@ Willy -- The galley was pretty close so there was a bit more noise than usual from there, though nothing bothersome, really.
@ Coutureguy -- Definitely the nature of the plane, but also notice a difference in the length of a takeoff roll between a fully loaded LHR-KUL flight and a HKG-SIN flight, given the difference in the amount of fuel it's carrying.
@ Cook -- Thanks! I was going to post it with the return trip report, but interestingly almost all the entree choices were identical in both first and business class. Perhaps the plating was a bit different, so I have to wonder if they just share the entrees between cabins. I didn't see anyone get turned down on their choice.
@ Justin -- Perhaps so, but even that is a stretch. I still think the full width of a Singapore Suite is greater than what Malaysia offered. But that at least sounds *more* right.
@ unlucky -- I am serious, and I don't care. I'm simply noting the small details that differentiated them from Singapore. Like I said it didn't bother me, but Singapore flight attendants are specifically trained to only remove things with an empty tray.
@ CalAggie21 -- Thanks! Hey, I love Malaysian food. 😀
@ Claire -- While it's possible, I don't think they were. Many of them had frequent flyer cards, so I feel like it's more likely they were operational upgrades than on employee passes.
@ AidanAhearn -- Yeah, to be honest I'm a bit puzzles by both Malaysia and Thai's service to the US. They're huge airlines with an extensive European network, though they have at most one 777 a day to the US. You'd think there would be more of a market, but I'm guessing they know something that I don't.
@ Gene -- You could on a distance based award, though not a partner award. 200,000 miles is a bit steep for me when United charges 140,000 miles for the same award.
I for one am fairly unimpressed with the alcohol selection. With obvious exception of Dom, the wines were very limited and not to my palate. Just a Chardonnay and a Riesling on their flagship product? Lame. Also their spirt selection is overly J class. Step it up to Johnny Walker Blue like your competition, MH.
As for the pre-departure Apple juice, I'd 100% bring on-board a chilled mini-bar sized bottle of bubbly from the terminal and ask them to serve it to me, (which is within regulations).
JRL
@Wade – Correct
But I can swear I've been on an airline that actually provided mother of pearl spoons for caviar service proper. Anyone know the carrier I'm thinking of? Asiana?
JRL
@Ben -- I realize that I don't get the "free" routing via Europe, but I can buy 3 one-way partner awards SFO-LHR-KUL-HKG-SFO for 200k, right?
It looks like you could do SEA-LHR-KUL-HKG-SFO for 180k using a distance-based award. Not bad considering *A F awards would require either undesirable UA flights or difficult to obtain seats on LH, LX, or SQ (maybe TG wouldn't be too difficult).
Great trip report Lucky! As mentioned above, I like that you went more for the 'local' cuisine on this trip - good choice. Malaysian food absolutely rocks!
Great report and I've been waiting for one on MH. Also, like the other commenters, kudos for going with the local dining options.
Well just want to share this with you... I flew a J roundtrip on MH from HKG to AKL via KUL. I have noted that the F/As all make an effort to recognize me and call me by my last name. On the return flight, I was really early and saw the notes on the manifest for the ground agent in first class counters. I saw my name, along with another passenger, noted with our corresponding seat numbers. Both reminded the agent that I am an Emerald/MH Platinum members. Since MH possibly has a small pool of Platinum members, they really go out of their ways to make sure that the top elites are well taken care of, and I hope they can keep it up. During the return flight, the head F/A in J (no F on these flights) said hello and greeted me by my last name, as soon as I walked toward my seat. However this service seems to be limited to long haul and on regional sectors, there were no special treatment. (Other than better meals in MH J, the service element is actually pretty weak on regional flights, and the F/As are notably stressed. Long haul is very different)
I am flying MH in April and this trip report gives me a good idea on what to expect.
Just to annoy you, cause I do find the ad annoying whenver I fly with Malaysia
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_HStZNOxefI
Hehehe
@ williej -- I would say Cathay's have the edge, though haven't tried the new ones since they switched from Shanghai Tang.
Hi,
Malaysian doesn't seem to be releasing first class award space on the KUL-CDG or KUL-LHR routes. Have they just stopped offering award space or release it last minute now?
Thanks,
Dale.
@ Dale Reardon -- Yep, this has been the case for six months now, not even seeing space close to departure anymore:
https://onemileatatime.com/and-the-latest-airline-to-more-or-less-stop-releasing-first-class-award-space-is/
Where are the Malaysia Airlines Blue stripes on the fuselage of the A380? I didn't see them. I saw them on your return trip to London on another MAS A380.
@ Edward Ang -- Good catch. Oddly some of their A380s don't have that stripe. Odd that with such a small fleet they'd have different liveries.
Hi Lucky, your blog was very impressive with transparent and constructive comments and I like it. I am Malaysian and glad to see you fly with MH. To answer your question regarding on to not serving champagne or wine on the ground is not because they’re just too cheap to pay the taxes but Malaysia is one of the typical Modern Muslim country although here also got Christian, Hindu and Buddhist as well. Hope that Im not too late to share this with you and your reader. Btw, thanks for choosing Malaysia Airlines and I hope MH will improve in future.
OH how did you put up with COACH CLASS so close to you you poor thing.I dont think they wash to ,have another cappucccino as you love so much and stop having a HAIRY FAIRY FIT DEAR ps love your work
You say "I think Malaysia Airlines’ most direct competition is Singapore Airlines, so I was curious to see how the service compared." However I think the most direct competitor is BA on the same route. Not sure how they compare though.
You also say "And while the seats were among the least private of any airline on the A380, they were extremely comfortable for both lounging and sleeping. " IMO BA F A380 seats are the worst for privacy.