True, sincere Asian hospitality in the air
Written: Feb 07 '01
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Product Rating:
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Pros: very competitive fares, comfortable, excellent service and route network
Cons: not a member in any major airline alliances, limited North American routes, limited entertainment
The Bottom Line: They're affordable, they give sincere and superior service, and they're very comfortable.
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| singaporeboy's Full Review: Malaysia Airlines |
I've really enjoyed every flight I've taken with Malaysia Airlines. I haven't flown with them very far, mind you, but I have flown with them a lot, and it's always a pleasure. For several reasons, they do deserve to be considered one of the premium airlines in Southeast Asia.
FOOD AND BEVERAGE
No complaints at all! I've been served very tasty food on even the shortest flights I've taken with them, and it's generally been seasonally appropriate (serving dim sum during Chinese New Year, for example). Generally, portions are large and generous, more so than on Malaysia's competition, and do not taste like traditional airline food at all. It's well presented, and I've never had a problem with asking for extras of various snacks and appetisers, they've always been given to me.
Malaysian food in general can be very heavy, though, and large, heavy meals don't always sit well 9,000m in the air. Still, it's savory, spiced enough to be interesting without being excessive, fresh and delicious. Oh...and there's often ice cream after dinner too. Nice touch!
INFLIGHT SERVICE
Without exception, I've found the flight attendants on Malaysia to be models of charm, grace, elegance and attractiveness, providing sincere and genuine service to passengers. I was almost surprised at how friendly and genuine they seemed when I took my first flight. Not since British Airways have I encountered such warm service. Also, the flight attendants have usually referred to me by name, in Economy. That is something I don't enjoy on very many carriers, and to me is a sign of real class.
GROUND SERVICE
On my first (and only) domestic Malaysian flight in Business class, a half-hour hop from one end of the country to the other, I was surprised to be given an invitation into an executive lounge. I was even more surprised to find the lounge well stocked with computers, televisions, magazines, newspapers, plenty of comfortable seats and lunch (for a ticket which cost less than £25). There have always been plenty of check-in agents, and I've never once had to line up to get myself checked in. Mileage has never failed to be credited, reservations have never been misplaced or altered, and there's never been a dour or surly agent in sight.
I've never checked baggage for any Malaysia flight, so I can't comment on ground handling of baggage.
ENTERTAINMENT
My otherwise glowing opinion on Malaysia Airlines should be tempered with a note on the inflight entertainment: there often isn't any. None of the flights I've been on has had inflight entertainment, and while I'm told that longer international flights do, I still think it a bit unfortunate that this isn't systemwide. It's a small complaint, though, as few other airlines provide entertainment on short domestic routes either (or do so only at a charge).
CABIN COMFORT
Last flight I took, I actually pulled out a tape measure to measure the seat pitch. Strange glances from passengers aside, I was able to verify a seat pitch of 35". I've taken measurements on another competitor airline in the region as well, which gives 32" on some routes and 31" on others. Malaysia gives plenty of leg room in Economy, and of course in the upper classes as well, which adds tremendously to the comfort of sitting in an airline seat for an extended period of time. I noticed removable footrests and newspapers at each seat in the Business class cabin while I was there as well, which is nice. The seats aren't leather, but they are comfortable, and I don't think anybody's going to find more leg room in standard Economy class on any airline than on Malaysia.
STYLE
Maybe I should mention the corporate logo here, since I think a lot of people mistake it for a bird. It's a wau, a Malay kite. Malaysia's style is very much similar to their main competitor, Singapore Airlines, although they aim for a more genuine Asian approach, as more of their business focuses on Asia, and not so much on Europe and North America. It's very easy to get used to, although pink seats takes a bit of an adjustment sometimes.
OVERALL
I've tended to focus much of my analysis of Malaysia on comparison between it and other major regional airlines. They largely measure up, or surpass, their competition, although they are still lacking in a few key areas, such as inflight entertainment, North American route exposure and frequent flyer benefits. Their somewhat confusing frequent flyer program can be made up for with WorldPerks, though, which gives an indirect alliance with several other highly useful airlines.
All things considered, the sincerity and warmth expressed by the staff are hard to ignore, and even harder for other airlines to fabricate, and do make a significant difference in the overall experience. That, combined with a great catering system and their highly cheap and efficient route network, makes them into a much stronger force in the region than they're given credit for.
Maybe this will one day translate into them surpassing their competition?
Recommended:
Yes
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Epinions.com ID:
singaporeboy
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Location: Illinois
Reviews written: 96
Trusted by: 18 members
About Me:
Just someone who's lucky enough to have lived in several corners of the planet
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