Aussiechris flew Malaysia Airlines Economy, on a A330-300 (New seats) (23/04/2012 08:04)

Very disappointed with new meal standards. For a full service airline the food has gone from quite acceptable 12 months ago to do you eat the food or the box it comes in. This is a disappointing move that will make people reassess who they fly with.

Most people will pay a bit more for safety, service, and facilities, too many airlines just think price is the reason people choose to travel while one airline compared to another. It is a consideration but not the only one.
It also appears that the leg room is less on the new 330 compared to the previous 777

kempinski flew Malaysia Airlines Economy, on a B737-800 (11/09/2011 10:34)

Route: Kuala Lumpur International to Bangkok Suvarnabhumi (KUL-BKK)
Fleet: B737-800 9M-MLJ (delivered March 2011)
Seat: 26A

Reservation
Reservation is made through MH Buddy, a facebook application of Malaysia Airlines. Very handy and convenient as it involves fewer steps than online booking through websites.

Check-in
Check-in is also available for this route through MH Buddy. I choose to seat at 26A on the port side of the aircraft, few rows from the rear. A 2D barcode suppose to be sent to the mobile phone, but this time I never receive any in my mobile phone. Once arrived at Kuala Lumpur International Airport, I proceed to internet check-in counter to drop my bags and issued with boarding pass. I walked leisurely to immigration which has manageable line. The flight was scheduled to depart from gate C23 which is located at Satellite terminal.

Boarding
In the boarding pass, boarding is scheduled at 1445 for a 1515 departure. Gate to the holding lounge was open at 1415. However, boarding was not commenced until 1500 and everyone seemed rushed to the plane once the boarding commenced. The feeling is rather like boarding a low cost carrier.
Flight load was 100% in economy due to the upcoming religious holiday.
Selection of newspaper in 3 languages (English, Bahasa Malaysia, and Chinese) were available in front of the door. Chief cabin crew was standing by the front galley, however, he seemed occupied and enjoying his moment chatting with fellow cabin crew rather than greeting passengers. The rest of the cabin crew were standing in the isle, but they were too reserved. The general feeling for the flight crew was that they prefer to chat with fellow crew member rather than to greet passengers. My first time on MH to meet such crew.

Seat
My second surprise came with how old the plane looked like in the first place. Despite the aircraft being few months old, but the leased fleet offer jurassic amenities. It has the same setting as Firefly's B737-800; from the leather seating, colour of the leather seat which simply gave the gloomy and icy feeling. Malaysia Airlines' leased B737-800 are no different than those 737-800 of southwest (Unfortunately, this 737-800 with old setting does not being informed on Malaysia Airlines' website which promised its 737-800 to be equipped with PTV in every seat and has new generation slim seats). The best thing of the seat is the seat pitch which comes in conventional airlines' standard.

Take off
We pushed back at 1515 and the plane made way to the runway. The weather along the way was patchy with frequent turbulence. Fasten seat belt sign was on for most duration of 2 hour flights.

Meal
The third disappointing part came from the meal. Cabin crew rolled 2 meal trolleys; normally they would have 2 meal options. However, by the time it reached my seat, only single option left: noodle with black pepper chicken. The overall appearance of the meal was acceptable. However, the taste was a whole different story. The noodle was overcooked, the black pepper sauce was too sticky. Though airline food is part of optional option that the airline gave as part to differentiate their product from other airlines, but serving this kind of food will surely a good way to send passenger off. Good thing the side snacks were much more presentable and had better taste which consist of fruit cake, fruit cuts, and chocolates. Coffee or tea after meal was not offered due to bad weather along the way. Other drinks were served though.

Entertainment
With no PTV, wifi, radio, nor other thing, entertainment is only sourced from inflight magazine (which interestingly consist of Select Inflight Entertainment guide at the back of the magazine), barfbag, and safety card.

Inflight shopping
Unlike flight using B737-400 on the same route, this B737-800 does not have inflight shopping offer. Strange indeed.

Arrival
We arrived at Suvarnabhumi on time, however the plane was stuck few hundred meters from the aerobridge and we had to wait for another 15mins to wait for the tow truck to tow the plane to the aerobridge. Pilot made announcement about this and we were out to the terminal 15mins later.

Verdict
Combination of reserved crew which did not emanate Malaysian Hospitality (their current slogan) at all, combined with inedible food, and no entertainment nor onboard shopping could easily give the flying experience on par with those of budget carrier. Malaysia Airlines is losing money according to their latest financial report but that does not mean to reduce the standard up to reaching the lowest level, the same with low cost carrier. I was truly disappointed with MAS on this particular flight.

angel83 flew Malaysia Airlines Economy, on a B747-400 (20/05/2011 11:37)

Flew this airline for the first time in April, and can say it wasn't too bad for the value. The food selection wasn't as good as other airlines, but still fulfilling.

The actual seats were a little bit on the smallish size, and compared to the Boeing 737, return flight a little bit uncomfortable. However this was outweighed by the Malaysian hospitality, which was second to none.

Would fly Malaysian Airlines again, and use them as the preferred choice to go to Europe with.

fazilah76 flew Malaysia Airlines Economy, on a B777-200 (12/11/2010 01:46)

Being an avid traveler, I have most of the time experience international airlines, MAS is exceptional very good at bring affront their services with outmost care and sincerity. They would extend their services to accommodate even those hard to please "tough" passengers. I have witness countless unruly passenger who seem adamant in getting their wish but time and again, MAS cabin crew serve with a smile. Once, I even saw the MAS cabin crew cradling a crying baby whilst another MAS cabin crew comforting his brother with MAS in-flight entertainment.

The business lounge is exceptional comfy with beautifully decorated flower to greet its customer.

First Class and its business have a separate air bridge for boarding while Economy passengers use the other one. Just like Emirates, MAS has this annoying habit of keeping newspapers just outside the entry into the aircraft, which causes a bit of a bottleneck at entry. All in all, for all those going to and from South East Asia, I would highly recommend taking MAS, as one of the best airline and safest ways of getting here.

p.s They don't have a history of major airline mishap.

Kais767 flew Malaysia Airlines Economy, on a B747-400 (25/10/2010 09:46)

If you are considering flying MH around South East Asia, think again. They may offer really low fares but as the saying goes-you pay peanuts, you get peanuts. I have flown countless times on their short haul flights around SE Asia and I must say, their "5 star" service is totally absent.

I have never flown a worse flight with them than a Kuala Lumpur - Singapore flight. The ground service wasn't bad, the staff were generally friendly but do lack motivation. As the gate filled with passengers waiting to board the B737-400 for the 50 minute hop, they announced a delay of 45 minutes. The new scheduled time was again pushed back by an hour, leaving passengers uninformed of the reason.

Finally, boarding started. The flight attendants were just standing at the door, doing little more than smiling. Once in the air, they came down the aisle with a tray of juice and a basket of peanuts. They did not bother to walk back to the galley to replenish the choice of juice which has been snapped up. When I walked to the lavatory, I saw both the stewards relaxing on their jump seats, even before the seatbelt sign was switched on.

Fair enough, this was a very short flight, but to think they were a 5 star airline. I have come to a conclusion that MH is only worth flying on their longer flights.

Beoing777 flew Malaysia Airlines Economy, on a A330-200 (12/05/2010 09:59)

It NOT about hard-selling my own nation flight. but it truly noteworthy to share what is the real experience with MH, instead of typical Asian mindset, "The moon at the other side is brighter."

doctorjosh flew Malaysia Airlines Economy, on a B777-200 (17/04/2010 09:19)

SYD-KUL-SYD. Onward flight on time with orderly boarding procedures. Return flight delayed due to technical difficulties but pilot kept passengers well-informed, giving an approximate time of delay and it was spot on.

MAS' economy seat are probably the most comfortable of any airline I have experienced. There is good padding, making the seat soft and comfortable. There is very generous legroom (again probably the best out of all the airlines I have flown) and the recline is also very good. This makes it easy for a person of average height to stretch out fully without their legs hitting the seat in front of them. There is also a PTV with a good selection of movies, music, TV shows and games. The seating arrangements are 2x5x2, which I like much more than the 3x3x3, as most people travel in pairs and the 2x5x2 arrangement favours this (often leaving the middle seat of the 5 empty).

Cabin crew are consistently good on all flights. Food also generous and delicious, especially if you like local Malaysian food (eg. nasi lemak). Overall, an excellent flight experience in economy class and great valuefor money.

JamesSebastion flew Malaysia Airlines Economy, on a B777-200 (07/10/2009 09:17)

Murphiee flew Malaysia Airlines Economy, on a B777-200 (07/07/2009 07:28)

Flew Kuala Lumpur-Melbourne. First impressions are that the seat are really comfortable, 34 inches, undoubtedly one of the best in Asia. Seat easy to recline, and cabin crew are just right on the mark.