After checking out the business class section of the Malaysia Airlines Golden Lounge, it was time to check out the other section of the lounge.
I’m not sure exactly what the other section of the lounge should be called, though. Malaysia Airlines recently rebranded their first class as “Business Suite,” though online I don’t really see much about what that portion of the lounge is now called.
This used to be known as the Malaysia Airlines First Class Lounge, but I’m guessing that’s not the case anymore.
The other portion of the lounge can be used by passengers traveling in Malaysia Business Suite or oneworld first class, as well as oneworld Emerald members. I had access both on account of flying Business Suite, and also because I’m a oneworld Emerald member. There are other lounges at Kuala Lumpur Airport, and others worldwide, that are accessible thanks to holding a credit card with lounge access.
Anyway, inside the entrance to the Malaysia Airlines Golden Lounge in the satellite terminal, the Business Suite section is to the right.
Malaysia Airlines Golden Lounge KLIA
Malaysia Airlines Golden Lounge KLIA
Malaysia Airlines Business Suite Lounge signage
There are both stairs and a ramp leading up to a sliding glass door.
Malaysia Airlines Business Suite Lounge entrance
This lounge has also been renovated within the past couple of years, and overall feels quite fresh. Just inside are two sets of four chairs, and then two couches.
Malaysia Airlines Business Suite Lounge seating
Malaysia Airlines Business Suite Lounge seating
Then the rest of the lounge consists of two levels. On the upper level are just single sets of seats facing one another along a railing.
Malaysia Airlines Business Suite Lounge seating
Malaysia Airlines Business Suite Lounge seating
The lower level has significantly more seating.
Malaysia Airlines Business Suite Lounge seating
Seats are primarily facing the windows, though some are angled a bit.
Malaysia Airlines Business Suite Lounge seating
Malaysia Airlines Business Suite Lounge seating
Malaysia Airlines Business Suite Lounge seating
The entire lounge has nice views of the apron, including several nearby gates.
Malaysia Airlines Business Suite Lounge view
Just inside the entrance to the lounge and to the right is the dining area. This area has about a dozen tables that look really nice, given that they have white tablecloths. More on the actual offerings in a bit.
Malaysia Airlines Business Suite Lounge dining area
Malaysia Airlines Business Suite Lounge dining area
Towards the back of the lounge are some nap areas, which are segregated by gender.
Malaysia Airlines Business Suite Lounge nap area
For example, the male area had five daybeds. This is a pretty nice area to relax if you have a long layover.
Malaysia Airlines Business Suite Lounge nap area
Malaysia Airlines Business Suite Lounge nap area
In the front left of the lounge are the bathrooms, as well as the shower rooms.
Malaysia Airlines Business Suite Lounge bathroom
Malaysia Airlines Business Suite Lounge shower
In the back right of the lounge is a First Class Suite, as it’s called, which I believe is reserved for VIPs (though I think it’s just a private room, so it’s not like it has many amenities).
Malaysia Airlines First Class Suite Lounge
There are two food options in the lounge — there’s either a buffet near the entrance to the lounge, or there’s a restaurant.
The buffet in the main part of the lounge is quite limited.
Malaysia Airlines Business Suite Lounge buffet
It just consists of a variety of bread, pastries, salad, and cereal.
Malaysia Airlines Business Suite Lounge buffet
Malaysia Airlines Business Suite Lounge buffet
Malaysia Airlines Business Suite Lounge buffet
Malaysia Airlines Business Suite Lounge buffet
There’s also a coffee machine, though unlike the barista coffee in the business class lounge, your only option here is self-serve from a machine.
Malaysia Airlines Business Suite Lounge buffet
Then the restaurant area had a small buffet, though the selection was underwhelming. You had a small selection of pastries, as well as yogurt and cereal.
Malaysia Airlines Business Suite Lounge buffet
Malaysia Airlines Business Suite Lounge buffet
Malaysia Airlines Business Suite Lounge buffet
Malaysia Airlines Business Suite Lounge buffet
Then the restaurant also has a menu, which read as follows for breakfast:
The restaurant in the lounge only opens at 6:30AM, so I sat down at that point. Within about 10 minutes just about all the tables were taken, though there wasn’t actually any service. About 15 minutes later a server showed up, took everyone’s order in a great rush, and then disappeared. The food showed up about 15 minutes later.
I just ordered the kaya toast.
Malaysia Airlines Business Suite Lounge kaya toast
My flight was scheduled to board at 8:40AM according to my boarding pass (a full hour prior to departure), so after spending some time in the lounge working, I headed into the terminal around 8AM and figured I’d walk around a bit.
KLIA terminal
Unfortunately plane spotting opportunities in the terminal are fairly limited, given that by the windows you have individual gates, and each has a separate security check, so you can’t just walk to the windows. Fortunately there were a few areas from which you could plane spot.
Malaysia Airlines A330
Batik Air 737
My flight was departing from gate C35, and to my surprise I was the first person there. As it turned out, boarding didn’t actually start at 8:40AM, but rather the gate just opened at that point.
KLIA terminal
Security was painless, and I was quickly through.
KLIA departure gate
Only one slight problem — there was no plane.
No plane at gate
Within about 10 minutes a beautiful A350 was towed up to our gate — I love the Malaysia Airlines livery on this plane. The crew also showed up around this time. Not only did one crew show up, but I guess there was a crew deadheading to Tokyo, because we had two full crews at the gate.
Malaysia Airlines A350
Malaysia Airlines A350
The departure monitor indicated boarding should start around 9:10AM. In reality there was a delay, and we only actually started boarding around 9:25AM.
Malaysia Airlines departure gate
I couldn’t wait to finally try the Malaysia A350!
Malaysia Business Suite Lounge bottom line
This lounge has the benefit of being more private and I suppose more exclusive, so during peak hours I imagine it’s not as crowded as the business class section.
However, I think I actually prefer the business class section of the lounge. I like the design of the business lounge more, as it has higher ceilings and feels airier. Furthermore, the lounge has barista made coffees and a larger buffet.
The only real advantage of the Business Suite/Emerald portion of the lounge is that it features a restaurant area, though based on my experience there, I wasn’t very impressed.
If you’ve used the Malaysia Airlines First/Business Suite/Emerald Lounge, what was your experience like?
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