Hello from Malaysia, as I just flew Malaysia Airlines’ Airbus A330-900neo business class on the 7hr30min flight from Tokyo Narita (NRT) to Kuala Lumpur (KUL). Let’s be honest, historically Malaysia Airlines has not been regarded as a top tier carrier in Asia, though the airline has been trying to make some improvements, including investing in its fleet.
I was looking forward to flying the carrier’s newest long haul aircraft, and seeing what the product is like. While there were still some areas for improvement, I walked away with a very favorable impression — the cabin was comfortable, the amenities were good, the service was phenomenal, and free Viasat Wi-Fi was nice as well!
In this post I’d like to share some initial impressions, and then soon I’ll have a full review.
In this post:
Malaysia Airlines’ A330neo business class seats are great!
Malaysia Airlines is the global launch customer for the Collins Aerospace Elevation product, which is a new reverse herringbone seat with a door (well, at least in terms of branding — it’s really an update on the Super Diamond seats). Honestly, there’s nothing earth shattering about the hard product, but it feels exactly like what you’d expect.
One thing to keep in mind is that the A330’s fuselage is significantly narrower than on planes like the A350 and 777, so typically that means premium seats will feel much tighter (in order to still have at least four seats per row).
So I’ve gotta say, this felt to me like a very comfortable product, as I sometimes forgot that I wasn’t on the A350. The bedding also helped, with a substantial pillow, a mattress pad, and a cozy duvet.
Unfortunately I ended up in a center seat in the bulkhead row (due to my assigned seat being broken), but even so, I was very comfortable.
The seat’s tech was excellent, from wireless charging, to USB-A and USB-C charging, to AC power outlets.
Malaysia Airlines’ A330neo has good entertainment, free Wi-Fi
Malaysia Airlines’ A330neos offer free Wi-Fi for all passengers, with Viasat being the provider. There was no log-in process, and there’s no need to be a loyalty program member, or anything. Speeds were generally quite good, so what a nice surprise to get that service (I just hadn’t realized Malaysia Airlines was offering that).
When it comes to entertainment, Malaysia Airlines’ A330neos have the Safran Rave system, with 17.3″ 4K screens that have bluetooth audio. While not among the best out there, I found the entertainment selection to be quite good, with a solid number of movies, and in particular, a large library of TV shows.
An amazing inflight supervisor makes for a good flight
Honestly, what was most memorable to me about this flight was Hamdan, the inflight supervisor. He has been at Malaysia Airlines for a staggering 36 years, and has six months to go before retirement. What an absolute legend this guy is — he’s one of those seasoned professionals who obviously takes pride in what he does, and he was working my aisle.
He couldn’t have been lovelier. He personally greeted each passenger, and he had an eye for detail that’s all too often missing. There’s something so inspiring about people who do the same job for so many years, and take pride in it year after year.
The rest of the crew was friendly as well, though Hamdan was really in a league of his own. I couldn’t help but ask him about his plans in retirement — he said he has a bakery that he’ll dedicate all of his time to. I asked if he was looking forward to still traveling when he retires, and he didn’t have to think twice about it — “no.” Lol.
Malaysia Airlines’ business class food is good, but…
I was mostly impressed by the food & drinks in Malaysia Airlines business class, and it’s clear the airline has put some effort into improving things. For example, pre-departure options included the carrier’s signature drink, a blend of hibiscus, roselle, lychee, and longan.
Not only that, but a flight attendant then came through the cabin with a bottle of champagne and glasses, offering to pour each passenger a glass — what a nice touch! Christian Naude was the champagne on offer, for what it’s worth.
The main meal service then began with the signature satay service, with both beef and chicken skewers, plus salted peanuts.
That was followed by an appetizer of grilled chicken breast with couscous salad, which quite frankly, struck me as being rather random and neutral on a flight between Japan and Malaysia (two amazing food countries)… but I suppose maybe that was the intent?
The dessert was also on the tray, and consisted of a raspberry and pistachio mousse, though you’d think that could’ve been coursed out. That was the extent of the dessert, so it was a bit unusual that there was no cheese option (though the snack menu did have a fruit plate or ice cream that could be ordered later).
Then main course choices included a Malaysian option, a Japanese option, and two Western options. I opted for the Malaysian option, which consisted of ayam masak merah, essentially a spicy chicken dish. It was excellent.
There was then a limited selection of snacks that could be ordered throughout the flight. I tried to order the classic egg noodles, but the seatbelt sign was on for nearly the last two hours of the flight, and hot drinks and soup can’t be served when the seatbelt sign is on, so that was a no-go.
So I went for the other option, which was… California rolls. Erm, that’s the first time I’ve ever eaten California rolls on a flight departing Japan, but…
Like I said, there were definitely some areas for improvement, but broadly speaking, I was a fan. That’s mainly because I love Malaysian food, so between the satay and the main course, I was more than satiated.
Bottom line
Malaysia Airlines’ Airbus A330neo business class is a very nice ride, and represents an exciting new chapter for the airline. The airline is the launch customer for the Collins Aerospace Elevation product, a reverse herringbone seat with doors and great tech. Given the narrow fuselage of the A330, I found these seats to be comfy.
On top of that, I loved the free Wi-Fi, good entertainment, and spectacular service. I thought the food was quite good (thanks mainly to the satay and other Malaysian dishes), though I feel like some minor changes could be made to take it to the next level (not having such a generic appetizer, coursing out the dessert, and not serving California rolls).
Either way, all-in-all I was very impressed, and I’d gladly fly with Malaysia Airlines again!
What’s your take on Malaysia Airlines’ A330neo business class?
We have just travelled from Melbourne to Heathrow. Is Kuala Lumpur, my main complaint on the first part of our journey my husband had to step over me to go to the toilet. We were on the RH side of the plane, despite being informed when they changed our seats for the new neo that all seats had aisle access. The food and service was excellent, we return9 on the same flights on the 7...
We have just travelled from Melbourne to Heathrow. Is Kuala Lumpur, my main complaint on the first part of our journey my husband had to step over me to go to the toilet. We were on the RH side of the plane, despite being informed when they changed our seats for the new neo that all seats had aisle access. The food and service was excellent, we return9 on the same flights on the 7 th March. As a seasoned traveller I was disappointed in the range of movies, not much new stuff but a minor point. We are both in our 80’s and we were very well looked after.
When the crew is good. They are the best, otherwise they are very average. My hit rate getting great experienced ones are probably 1 in 3 or 1 in 4. IMO MH satays are better than SQ. MH wines are better than QF. In-flight meals better than NZ. The seatbelt sign stays on far longer than they are necessary, especially so after the SQ turbulence incident off Thailand. The chef on call menu is poor...
When the crew is good. They are the best, otherwise they are very average. My hit rate getting great experienced ones are probably 1 in 3 or 1 in 4. IMO MH satays are better than SQ. MH wines are better than QF. In-flight meals better than NZ. The seatbelt sign stays on far longer than they are necessary, especially so after the SQ turbulence incident off Thailand. The chef on call menu is poor compared with SQ. The beef fillet was tiny, now it's no longer on the list. Platinum lounge is average, the flight information screen in the dining room was out of order for more than a year, competing with the KLIA aerotrains? Some menu items could be better, poor selection of wines with no cocktails, but that said, the food selection at the business lounge is superior to many other airlines. Agree with another comment, the IFE library needs improvement.
Flew Malaysian from KUL to SYD on the A330 NEO and similar experience. Very pleasantly surprised and will definitely look at doing it again when planning our next trip. The seats with the doors were good, service was competent if a little robotic, but still way better than some of the competition.
Nice to read your review =- interestingly, a few weeks ago i also flew on this route when I was very impressed with Malaysian Airlines' new signature drink with the champagne graciously served as a second welcome drink like you also happily experienced; i felt a sense of pride in the Malaysian flight crew when flying their flagship A330 neo - thank you for sharing good review!
Hypercritical about a grilled chicken ….. and then you order a second chicken dish?
You're right the crew makes the difference and leading stewards are the key.. Flew on a few MH flights lately and most of them were great due to the crew.. And yes the satay is still the best. Food, there still still room for improvement. Food and lounge experience, they need to be like CX. The platinum or first class lounge was not a great experience during my last trip in January. They need to...
You're right the crew makes the difference and leading stewards are the key.. Flew on a few MH flights lately and most of them were great due to the crew.. And yes the satay is still the best. Food, there still still room for improvement. Food and lounge experience, they need to be like CX. The platinum or first class lounge was not a great experience during my last trip in January. They need to upgrade that lounge and most importantly get people who are service orientated and with initiative. Some of us we complaining of the slow service and even reheating took time
Flying on 330neo in 3 weeks time to Auckland for the first time
Great review. MH is underrated. Crew is so consistently excellent, like CX. Product is a little uncompetitive, but the MHUpgrade is usually so cheap ($500 from KUL-LHR in Nov, $100 BLR-KUL recently), and I find their seats are just perfect for long distance sleeping, unlike QR where I feel I have to maximize the "experience". They are my new oneworld home after BA changes -- one of the easiest ways to OWE and they give you a companion OWE.
Have just flown the A330 from KUL to AKL. Fully agree with Ben’s comments. Very comfortable bedding, liked the Satay’s, etc. If flying on a Malaysian Airlines ticket you get the courtesy Mercedes car transfer to the International Terminal. Film library is small and Western food options could be expanded. Crew were superb.
Looking at the pictures I cant help but wonder why airlines place the table where it is. It takes space when the bed is opened. Qatar qsuites does the same. Feels totally cramped and for me claustrophobic. Hate it.
I flew Heathrow-KL in a throne front seat and was very much impressed by the service. So much so we have booked KL/Auckland next month. Ground service was excellent in KL with premier dining for one world Emerald.
Too bad about the California rolls. That sounds and looks like something straight out of 7-11 refrigerated section. Although, we all know 7-11 in Japan is at a different level, so maybe it's tolerable.
Some of the best Satay I have ever eaten either in air or on ground was on a MH flight many years ago when it used to flight EWR-Stockholm-Malaysia.
Cous cous "travels well". I expect that what you received could easily have started with dry cous cous with diced vegetables in a serving tray. Add steaming water and let it sit for 5 minutes. Stir through, fully incorporating the diced veggies and scoop out with an ice cream scoop. Even an AA flight attendant could make that.
I expect that the pictured rice, in counterpoint, was premade and warmed through, resulting in a poor texture.
Great review, Ben! If you set expectations low, rarely will you be disappointed. The few times I’ve flown MH, I’ve enjoyed it. They had such an awful time over a decade ago, obviously, and overcoming that negative stigma can be challenging. I’d like to return to KL and check out that new PH, so perhaps I’ll try this aircraft at some point, too.
People who read about Malaysian Airlines, probably dismiss them out of hand due to the disappearance of Flight MH370. Their loss, as Ben has just attested too.
The naysayers will also ignore the fact that they are ranked only five places behind Delta Airlines and one behind Etihad in the World Rankings.
I recall you posting that you had visited Malaysia recently. Hope the trip went well. And nice to see the real you commenting again. The ‘Guest’ impersonator was hard at work...
Our trip is progressing very well, thank you for asking. If you are interested ….
Progress so far, AF LP to SIN, we paid our respects to that old hotel on Beach Road, staying long enough to stroll along Orchard Road, more times than I care to remember. Train to Butterworth, then onto our beach house on Penang Island, for our annual reunion.
After the grand family gathering, we escaped to The Lakehouse, Cameron Highlands,...
Our trip is progressing very well, thank you for asking. If you are interested ….
Progress so far, AF LP to SIN, we paid our respects to that old hotel on Beach Road, staying long enough to stroll along Orchard Road, more times than I care to remember. Train to Butterworth, then onto our beach house on Penang Island, for our annual reunion.
After the grand family gathering, we escaped to The Lakehouse, Cameron Highlands, for some ‘our-time’ R&R. Down to KL for a spell in The Majestic. Onward by train back to Raffles. Cirque Du Soleil was spectacular.
Now looking forward to the Chinese New Year celebrations. Our repatriation will be direct to the old country by SQ, A380 Suites …. again!
Epic! That Eastern & Oriental Express train (if that’s what you’re referring to) is definitely a classic! Routed through SIN for our own return to the region. Haven’t had the chance to experience F on SQ, but at least J on the ULR still holds up nicely. Sun should be rising here soon. Have a nice day!
The Eastern and Orient used to run from JB Sentral (Singapore) to Bangkok. The journey took three days (2 nights). However, in 2024 it stopped running into Thailand, due to Thai security concerns. We have not been on it this side of the Chinese virus fiasco. I seem to remember that it ran once or twice a month, in both directions, but not every month of the year. It used to stop to visit to...
The Eastern and Orient used to run from JB Sentral (Singapore) to Bangkok. The journey took three days (2 nights). However, in 2024 it stopped running into Thailand, due to Thai security concerns. We have not been on it this side of the Chinese virus fiasco. I seem to remember that it ran once or twice a month, in both directions, but not every month of the year. It used to stop to visit to the Bridge on the River Kwai, etc. We have travelled on it up the western route and back down the eastern (jungle) route. Spectacular! According to she who must be obeyed … :-)
Lately however we have only been travelling by train between JB and Butterworth, via KL. The ETSP trains are worth a squirt. A/C, meals, refreshments, etc. We rarely travel all the way through in one go, it takes about 10 hrs, including the stop in KL.
Our preference is to break the train journey for a couple of nights in The Majestic, the stopover there is most refreshing. Rarely do we fly between SIN and PEN in both directions during the same trip.
Our recent journey from Penang to KL was by road (another alternative adventure) as we stopped at the Cameron Highlands. You might like to try something a little different, as you only live once!
Headed a just bit north of there. Ironically, the flight before ours was to Penang, so apparently SQ flies one of their 737max8’s with the lie-flat up-front, which is quite nice, even for the 1:20 flight time. I wish there were more nonstop flights from the US-SE Asia (for now, mostly, SIN, BKK via HKG, or SGN). This is certainly a nice time to be here. Enjoy it while we can!
SIN-PEN is one SQ route we no longer fly on. Batik (an airline few have ever heard of and Ben, has not reviewed) is our preferred carrier on that route when we fly to the island.
Bah! Just saw Batik earlier today. (Oof, the jetlag hits hard when you first get out here. Tried to push through, but an hour nap can quickly become 4-5 hours!)
So, you have been rained upon today too? One suspects that you are just passing through so will have had no need to leave the confines of the airport …. a shame if true?
It is such a pity that you didn’t have much time in KL, sorry to hear about your jet lag. I find that 2+2 really does equal 4, your secret is hardly safe with me …. :-)
Wait... Delta is ranked higher than Ethiad?
MH really has improved a lot in recent times, and the A330neo represents perhaps its best hard product — thanks especially to the new IFE, which you’ll also find on Starlux’s A330neo. The J suites are certainly much better than what SQ has on longhaul A350s and 777s.
Where MH perhaps shines the most is in its marketing and branding, as I consider it to be the best in Southeast Asia, better even than SQ....
MH really has improved a lot in recent times, and the A330neo represents perhaps its best hard product — thanks especially to the new IFE, which you’ll also find on Starlux’s A330neo. The J suites are certainly much better than what SQ has on longhaul A350s and 777s.
Where MH perhaps shines the most is in its marketing and branding, as I consider it to be the best in Southeast Asia, better even than SQ. The consistency with MH’s typography is miles away from the rather slipshod look of KrisWorld — and as hard as it is to fault SQ otherwise, this is where MH beats it by a huge margin.
It’s really lovely to see TG and MH find their groove again after years of losses, and stand out with a competent hard and product. They’re now on par with KE, at least, if not stalwarts like NH, JL and CX. On the other hand, GA has fallen really badly indeed, and its future is nowhere near as rosy as TG and MH.
Malaysia Airlines is the global launch customer service of the Elevation seat on the A330neo, you may want to specify that. Great review btw