From Kuala Lumpur, I flew back to the United States via Tokyo, with the first leg on a Malaysia Airlines A350 in business class.
Malaysia Airlines A350 Business Class
Kuala Lumpur and Kuala Lumpur International Airport remain remarkably consistent. Malaysia Airlines too. Before the flight I had a light lunch (fish) in the Malaysia Airlines Golden Lounge – First Class (using my oneworld emerald status), which still offers a la carte dining.
The A350 was full on this daytime journey to Tokyo Haneda, but I managed to snag a single seat despite booking my ticket last-minute (business class seats are staggered 1-2-1 and 1-2-2).
The business class seat itself is a common one: you will find it on carriers like Aer Lingus, Austrian, SWISS, and SAS. While not my favorite seat, with adjustable cushions and a a fluffy pillow it was comfortable.
Staff were truly lovely onboard, with attentive and gracious service from all four of the flight attendants who shared duty in the business class cabin. The gregarious purser in particular took a totally hands-on role and was visible and unmistakable (due to his great laugh) in providing cabin service during the flight.
Let’s talk about meal service, because I found it a bit strange. After takeoff, a light lunch was served. First, everyone was offered satay (and I find the satay on Malaysia Airlines to better than on Singapore Airlines).
But then the choice was egg noodles, sushi, or fruit. The egg noodle soup included chicken, prawn, and fish ball. It was by no means a bad dish, but that was it…not even bread or fruit or a sweet treat on the side.
It was not until we approached Tokyo that the “main” meal service, a pre-landing dinner, was served.
Dinner began with a smoked chicken appetizer, bread (served via basket), and dessert (bread butter pudding) all served on a single tray.
For my main course, I had pre-ordered filet mignon, which arrived cooked a bit too much for my preference, but still within acceptable range.
Dinner concluded with the dessert I had pushed to the side along with some fruit and ice cream.
Such a strange way to do meal service, though I am glad I ate some fish in the lounge prior the flight.
CONCLUSION
I will have more to say about this flight, including some of the other amenities onboard and the IFE, in my full flight review.
I took this flight first in first class (now called “Business Suite”) prior the pandemic and while I appreciate the extra space in the front cabin, I’d choose Malaysia Airlines business class again in heartbeat…particularly for the excellent service.
Now that I had reached Tokyo, I now faced an overnight ahead, where I ran into an interesting dilemma.
Hey – in case you weren’t aware, your website does not work in Apple iPhone “dark mode.” You site goes all black and text doesn’t go white to read …. So impossible to read. Not sure how fixed, but yours is only site that I’ve experienced this issue – and it’s been multiple times.
Thanks for the datapoint. We are trying to ensure this does not happen.
I sometimes experience this issue not even in dark mode. I found if I stop the page from loading completely, I’m able to avoid the issue. It is annoying though.
Well precovid I flew Malaysia airlines RT in business bkk kul mnl in their 737. It leaves I believe at 6am from bkk. Same for the return from Manila. If you don’t do this u can get stuck fir hours in KUL transit or be forced to get a hotel. The service on all of these 4 segments was poor as was the food offered. I tried a second time on the same routing and flight times and it was the same. Poor service and non edible food was served. I vowed never agn to fly this airline. There weren’t junior FA’s on these flights either.
I base myself out of bkk and fly a lot of regional flights and because of my bad experience with MH I stay with TG CX SQ.
Have you flown MH regionally lately with their 737?
During covid MH seriously cracked down on cabin crew the were underperforming especially perser. And did a training program for a lot of lead flight attendants and I think the all staff a rlly good now. Mh is trying to kick out brahim as the food supplier now.
Now you know the reason for the purser laughing so heartily.
I actually think this service flow to be a good one depending on the departure and arrival time.
Interesting as in the link you provided, you rated the satay as a draw between the 2 airlines.
Also, that There’s Something About Mary hairstyle is no bueno.
Ouch. 😉
As you know, that’s not my usual style. I was actually quite sick that day…details to come in the full report.
@Matthew, SAS uses the XL version, which is 1-2-1. IMHO, the XL makes a huge difference because the standard version is too tight/narrow. I hated them on Swiss.
Agree about satay on MH much better than on SQ. Finnair flight from BKK to HEL is similar as the main meal (lunch) is served 3 hrs before landing.
I like QR’s dine on demand.
I’ve always enjoyed the satay on Malaysia Airlines. It’s as good as the best satay to be had in Kajang, the once satay capital of Malaysia.
And glad to know that you preferred it to the ones served on Singapore Airlines. What I find funny is that while Malaysia and Indonesia don’t feel the need to claim satay as their own because they’re confident enough to know that it is, SIA actually calls it Singapore satay on its menu, whatever that means. Just like Singapore decided to claim stir-fried meehoon (vermicelli) as Singapore noodles and curried mee/noodles as Singapore laksa. The real laksa, of course, is rice noodles in fish broth with tamarind.
Several years ago, Malaysians were amused when Singapore listed its Newton Circus food court under the Unesco heritage list. Is it a case of small island, large chip on shoulder?
This is a valuable review. Lots of OWEs are, shall we say, trepadatious with MH. I look forward to the full review. I also think I might like this backwards service flow.
No need for such Satay comparisons with MSA !!! I can just about remember flying on a MSA 707 (Malaysia Singapore Airlines); as a toddler. HKG to Paya Lebar. (I weirdly mostly remember my first ‘smell’ of Satays…on that flight.)