INTRO
During my recent travels, I had the opportunity to fly with Malaysia Airlines on two separate occasions.
These flights, one in business class from Kuala Lumpur to Melbourne and the other in economy class from Bali to Manila via Kuala Lumpur, provided a comprehensive view of the airline’s service and offerings.
ECONOMY MEALS
On the flight from Bali to Kuala Lumpur, I boarded the airline’s A330 aircraft, hoping for a smooth and enjoyable journey.
However, I found the cabin crew somewhat standoffish and not particularly engaging. About 15 minutes after takeoff, they began delivering special meals by hand.
A coordinated effort saw crew members working their way from the rear of the aircraft, meeting their colleagues halfway to hand off meals for service.
Following the meal delivery, a beverage cart made its way through the cabin. It’s worth noting that Malaysia Airlines does not offer alcohol on flights within three hours of Kuala Lumpur.
Despite the initial lack of engagement from the crew, I was pleased to find two meal options available: chicken or fish. I opted for the chicken, which turned out to be quite good. The meal was served in a box containing a packet of nuts, a water bottle, and eco-friendly cutlery.
Approximately 45 minutes after takeoff, the crew returned to collect waste and offer a second round of drinks. The service concluded about one hour after takeoff, and before long, we were preparing to land in Kuala Lumpur.
KL TO MANILA
The second leg of my journey was a 3-hour and 50-minute flight from Kuala Lumpur to Manila on Malaysia Airlines’ Boeing 737.
This time, the crew were more engaged and friendly, significantly improving the overall experience. Once airborne, the three cabin crew members in economy class quickly swung into action.
Once again, the meal choices were chicken or fish, and I chose the chicken, which did not disappoint. The service was efficient and the crew attentive, making this leg of the journey quite pleasant.
CONCLUSION
My experiences flying with Malaysia Airlines were largely positive, though not without minor issues.
The initial flight from Bali to Kuala Lumpur had a less engaging crew, but the subsequent flight from Kuala Lumpur to Manila showed a marked improvement in service quality.
What stood out most was Malaysia Airlines’ commitment to providing a satisfactory meal service, a rarity among airlines today. Unlike some carriers that offer only basic snacks, Malaysia Airlines maintains a level of service that prioritises passenger comfort and satisfaction.
Overall, despite the minor hiccups, I found flying with Malaysia Airlines to be enjoyable, and I would gladly choose them again for future travels.