I was excited for my first flight on Malaysia Airlines in a couple of years, as I had only previously flown their A380s and 777s. I was curious how their regional product compared. My first impression of Malaysia's 737 was extremely positive. The 737 had the Boeing Sky Interior, with larger than standard bins and…
Continue reading: Review: Malaysia Airlines Business Class 737 Kuala Lumpur To Bali
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Warms my heart when I hear that the crew were so into their jobs, and young! Especially with the difficult place MH is in right now, the crew have always been fantastic through it all.
Wow, what a difference a year makes! The catering on my MH flights last summer was really tasty, even on short hops within Malaysia. This...does not look so good.
I have a Malaysian regional flight coming up next summer so I was highly anticipating this review. Thanks, Lucky!
I don't like 737's but just because I think they are overused but then that is because they are so good. I like to hear cabin crew like the job, I always believe if they don't they should give it to someone that wants it because so many people do. I am enjoying your blogs Ben, look forward to the next one!
Great review! Just one (very, very) small thing regarding your writing. I've noticed lately that you've been starting sentences with "Like, ..." It sort of comes across as childish and petulant, and doesn't add anything to your writing. So, for example, this sentence: "Like, it wasn’t just beautiful compared to the previously crappy terminal, but was nice in absolute terms." would be way stronger if it just read "It wasn’t just beautiful compared to the previously crappy terminal, but was nice in absolute terms." I get that sometimes it's nice to write in the same way we talk aloud, but sometimes it's not so great.
Anyway, big fan of the blog, and apologies that I wasn't able to suppress the writing instructor part of me!
Catering presentation has gone down a bit, though I had the ayam masak merah on this exact same route last December and it was *excellent*.
I wonder why does KUL mark their gates for "B764" parking?
Are they trying to solicit service from UA or DL? 🙂
I will fly MAS short-haul flight in less than 2 months. This report is very sufficient to justify what kind of service and food it can provide. May be I will choose to fill up my stomach in the lounge of Xiamen airport~
Re food presentation: Well, this is what ayam masak merah really looks like ... it's a typical malay dish.
Until about 10 years ago, the south east asian carriers had a western option even on the regional routes - often an overcooked beef tenderloin. That's why even Westerners usually preferred the asian selection and the weatern one got culled ...
I can fully agree with this review, it sums up my ample experience flying 'MAS' biz class on regional routes. In fact, the conclusion about the food quality vs service and cabin appeal applies to all MAS biz class flights. Service is great if not outstanding (always depends on the actual crew members, naturally), planes are generally well maintained and clean (although some of the older 777s are clearly showing signs of ageing now), entertainment programme is so-so and food... well, as you said: eat it when you're hungry, otherwise you won't miss much. Expect for the signature Satay sticks on long-haul routes - they add a very nice local touch, are usually very tasty and should not be missed. Bottom line: I generally like flying with MAS, and am not perturbed by all the bad news about them (or rather the horrible fate they suffered) in the past 2 years.
Lucky, I'm Malaysian and this is my first post. I normally shy away from posting on forums but your blog is one of my favourites and I read almost religiously. I love the balanced way you report on certain airlines and even when they deserve a fair degree of criticism, you take an nuanced approach, erring on the side of being gracious; which makes your blog a joy to read
I think you were quite fair on the food review. The quality of the food in business class has sadly dropped in recent times. Yes, ayam masak merah does look like that but it doesn't mean it has to be served that way and I feel that they could have worked a little harder on the presentation. In addition, I am hard pressed to remember the last time I had anything memorable in business class, apart from the satay (which you won't get on regional flights)
Keep up the good work, Lucky. Hope to see more trip reports about Malaysia and it's other attractions. I know KL is not your favourite SEA destination but hopefully one day, you might see another side to it. It's a rough diamond I know, but I feel it's still a diamond nevertheless 🙂
Excellent review. Just right amount of essential info. Pictures were particularly helpful.
Just to let you know Malaysia Airlines no longer serves alcohol in any class on regional flights of less than 3 hours. I'd also be interested to see another review of a Malaysia Airlines regional flight a year on from your last one and a comparison.
I had the worst Business Class experience on a 'leased' MAS aircraft for KUL - DPS -KUL flights.
I booked on MAS website and it stated B777 aircraft. I was hoping to fly on Angled Lie-Flat business class seat. But it turned out to be a leases B738 aircraft with old 90's Business Class seats.
It has overhead screens for entertainment and we were given a portable media player i3000, which was heavy and bulky. The portable media player was supposed to be placed on table but how can we watch movies when we had to use the table when food was served? I had to stop watching movies when food was served.
Secondly, all seat adjust buttons were not automated. All business class passengers had to pull the seat lever and push our backs to recline the seats.
So please beware before purchasing MAS business class tickets. The website shows a different aircraft and it is very unlucky if get to fly on Leased aircraft. Not worth to fly.
I'll fly with MH from Malaysia to Taiwan with business class. Woah can't wait.
thank you Lucky for your best review!
Hi Lucky. Im a fellow Malaysian. For Your Info, your spelling on our famous pulled tea has gone wrong. Its should be Teh Tarik instead of Teh Terik. The actual meaning in malay of terik is blazing and tarik means pull. Hope you had rectify the mistake ASAP.
Cheers,
Aaron