There's nothing here that's terribly surprising, but on some level I do find the evolution of the Malaysia Airlines A380 to be interesting and odd. Malaysia Airlines has obviously had a very rough ride the past several years, following their loss of two 777s just weeks apart. The airline was already struggling before, and those…
Continue reading: Malaysia Airlines Launching A380 Flights To Saudi Arabia
Share your questions, experiences, and thoughts below.
Unfortunately, the hajj is actually this week, so they’ve missed it. And hajj flights use a separate terminal at Jeddah.
They basically don't know what to do with them, hence their ad hoc scheduling. Same goes for China Southern and their 5 A380's. They normally use an A330 on the route PEK AMS, not even a larger B777, but then they swap in an A380 for the summer season. I have heard that they are nowhere near full, but what else can they do with these giants?
I recently flew MH business class for the first time, it was surprisingly ratchet. I imagine these flights will be no better, without any booze to cope!
Tragic Geographical Freak Error... Malaysia has every characteristic of an African airline. They should leave Oneworld, merge with Air Zimbabwe and form an alliance with Air Algerie, the new Nigerian airline, TAAG and a few others. They should hire Willie Walsh as their CEO, also disgruntled top executives at Air France and the Customer Service Department of Spirit. MAD Magazine could become their in-flight publication.
Oh, and is Oscar Munoz available these days?
They are going to regret this. This route attracts lost of first time flyers, some of which dont even know how to use a toilet.
When GA deployed their new 777 to Jeddah they got lots of nasty surprises. And have since then put old planes back on that route.
The days of airlines profiteering from Haj contracts are long gone and even more so for Malaysia, as one doubts that Mahatir is well-disposed to a particularly close relationship with them after the Najib/Saudi billions scandal.
However, still lots of Saudi tourists in Malaysia, especially families.
@Ron. I know what you mean; years ago I took a PIA flight , a 747,from Karachi to Islamabad on which 99% of the passengers were NW Frontier folk returning from Haj. Only a 2 hour flight but I've never seen anything like it and as for the state of the cabin.....( not pejorative, they were simply unfamiliar with usual protocols for flying).
You said they should plan ahead better: they are putting in place regular flights for next year's pilgrimage! If they are still in business by then....
Don't worry.... They'll do just fine at that route... They already signed multiple contract with multiple of tour agencies for hajj and umrah pilgrims.... 60% seats for the next 3 years are already booked.. what they need to do is to sell the 40% unfilled seat...