The Malaysia Airlines Platinum Lounge in Kuala Lumpur (KUL) is a solid lounge with friendly service and a la carte dining.
Malaysia Airlines Platinum Lounge Kuala Lumpur Review (KUL)
Prior to my Malaysia Airlines flight to Tokyo, I spent about 90 minutes in this lounge.
Access + Hours + Location
Malaysia Airlines’ former first class lounge was reopened in 2022 as a “Platinum Lounge” with access reserved for the following passengers:
- Business Suite (the former first class product onboard)
- Enrich Platinum
- Enrich CIMB World Elite
- oneworld First Class
- oneworld Emerald
It is located in the satellite building of KLIA Terminal and open 24/7.
You’ll enter the Golden Lounge and then turn right for the Platinum Lounge.
Seating
As you enter the lounge, there is a seating area with high-backed wing chairs that remained empty for my entire visit. The walls are decorated with contemporary artwork.
Inside, the lounge is long and narrow with seating on two levels overlooking the apron outside.
Sleeping Rooms
The lounge once had “real” sleeping rooms but now has a quiet area with day beds.
Dining
Tucked away behind the entrance is the dining room, which offers restaurant-style dining service and is the biggest distinguishing feature of this lounge and the next-door Golden Lounge. The dining seats about 30 passengers. I had it to myself when I arrived.
Lunch menu:
I ordered the pan-seared seabass, which was nicely cooked and beautifully presented:
Although the a la carte dining is a central part of the lounge, there is a small self-serve eating area as well. The food selection included soup (creamy cauliflower), sandwiches, cheese, and fruit.
Beverages are also self-serve, including beer, wine, and Duval-Leroy Champagne.
If you want coffee, order it from one of the hostesses and they will bring a coffee from the café in the Golden Lounge, which is a big step up from the automatic machine pictured above.
Restrooms + Showers
Restrooms are located in the rear of the lounge and there are also a pair of shower suites available (with toilets).
CONCLUSION
Even though Malaysia Airlines no longer has a first class product onboard, it maintains this Platinum Lounge for its top guests. While not a leading lounge of the world, I quite liked it and always look forward to stopping by when flying through KUL.
My original review, from May 23, 2018, is below. Not much has changed other than the name!
The newly-renovated Malaysia Airlines First Class Lounge in Kuala Lumpur lacks some of the refinements of its global competitors, but is still a superb lounge and worth a visit.
Access is reserved for oneworld first class passengers as well as oneworld Emerald members. The lounge is open 24/7 and located in the satellite terminal of KUL or KLIA as it is locally called.
As you enter the lounge, you will be directed right to the first class side.
Malaysia Airlines First Class Lounge KUL Seating
The seating has been refreshed, with some chairs and couches reupholstered (and others not). As you enter the lounge, you come to the “Gallery” that has open seating. A yellow couch and multi-colored painting provides warmth.
Inside the split-level lounge, the lower portion contains dozens of comfortable seats, magazines, newspapers, and plenty of newspapers. Wi-Fi, unfortunately, is very slow. Power ports are plentiful.
Malaysia Airlines First Class Lounge KUL Dining
The highlight of my visit was dinner in the first class restaurant. The restaurant now has beautifully reupholstered blue chairs which gives the dining room a modern and bright look.
When I sat down to dinner, I had the lounge to myself, but by the time we left eight tables were occupied. The menu has not changed too much from my prior visit, though my favorite item–beef ribeye–has been removed. Nevertheless, I enjoyed a nice meal.
Here’s the menu:
I began with a bowl of spinach soup, which was nicely flavored:
Bread was served with the soup and was not fresh.
Next, I ordered a Cesar salad, which was okay…the crostini was soggy, but the dressing was nice.
For my main course, I ordered Ayam Perchik, a local dish of grilled chicken with rice. This was very, very tasty.
John ordered pasta.
We both had ice cream for dessert: strawberry for John, chocolate for me. One scoop would have been enough.
I also tried the chocolate tart (not worthwhile) and a cappuccino.
Note, I wasn’t in the mood for any alcohol, but red and white wines plus beer are available.
A buffet is also available, but if you are in a rush I recommend you proceed to the business class side for a more comprehensive buffet. The selection of soup, salads, finger foods, and desserts was more than sufficient for a snack, but did not appear fresh. Take a look at the picture of the dessert tarts below. Yes, those are flies on them. Furthermore, if you want coffee ask for a barista-made coffee rather than using the machine on the buffet. I did not touch anything on the buffet.
Malaysia Airlines First Class Lounge KUL Sleeping Room
Individual sleeping rooms have been replaced with male and female nap rooms. The male nap room contains five daybeds.
Dual power ports are available beside each bed.
First class bedding is also available upon request.
Malaysia Airlines First Class Lounge KUL Restrooms + Showers
The restrooms have been updated from black stone to a much lighter motif. Six shower suites are available and toiletries are present in each suite. As you enter the lounge “gallery” area, turn left for the restrooms.
Malaysia Airlines First Class Lounge KUL First Class Suite
The former smoking lounge has been replaced by a “First Class Suite”. I was able to take a look inside, but told this was reserved for VIPs and passengers to London. It remained locked and empty throughout my five hours in the lounge. The room is geared for one family or party and includes a couch, chairs, TV, and private bathroom with shower.
Malaysia Airlines First Class Lounge KUL Service
Service in this lounge is well-intentioned but not polished. I appreciated the staff interactions and love the warmth and friendliness of the Malaysian staff. Even so, there was not the precision you see in many other first class lounges. For example, dishes were not cleared between courses in the dining room. Drink refills were not offered. Service was also very slow…it took two hours to eat dinner. That was fine because I had the time, but would imagine it would be a hindrance to many travelers.
Yet I give Malaysia Airlines credit for trying. For example, napkins are lifted up and placed on your lap when you sit down in the dining room. Furthermore, agents roam the main part of the lounge and are happy to always bring you the drink of your choice.
New vs. Old
I argued that I preferred the old lounge a bit more due to the private sleeping rooms, but this remains a very nice lounge. If you are a smoker, the smoking room is gone and you’ll have to proceed to the business class lounge in order to smoke. The Islamic prayer room is also only in the business class lounge. A door between the lounges is locked, but an associate can open it for you:
> Read More: Pros and Cons of the New Malaysia Airlines First Class Lounge
CONCLUSION
I’d put this lounge on the level of the Garuda Indonesia First Class lounge. It’s not a top-tier lounge, but is nevertheless an excellent one.
> Read More: Garuda Indonesia First Class Lounge Jakarta Full Review
Oh dear, seeing the fly on the fruit tart made me a little ill.
very lacklustre for a newly renovated lounge. furniture looks nice, but the food and toilet looked terrible.
It’s mildly annoying if they have closed off access from F to J other than requesting that the locked door be open ( I prefer to eat in J but sit in F). Not a huge deal.
Flies hovering around the food has always been an issue, as in YEARS ( and really, why can’t they fix this? You don’t see this in the terminal outlets). I don’t want flies on, or anywhere near, my tarts or other goodies.
I thought you were no longer Oneworld Emerald?
This is my delayed trip report from last spring. I no longer have that status in 2024.
A very nice business class lounge.
Owh dear! Things are getting worse. That’s why whenever I fly, I never bother about the MAS Golden lounge. I’d rather use the UOB lounge inside the premier lounge.