How to travel sitting on the "throne" of Malaysia Airlines aboard an old A330/300
My challenge 6 airports, 5 flights, 4 companies and three continents has led me to fly aboard [...]
Malaysia Airlines
Oneworld
KUL
Malaysia
My challenge 6 airports, 5 flights, 4 companies and three continents has taken me to fly aboard Malaysia Airlines For the first time in my life.
In this article:
- Specifications
- Aircraft:
- A330/300
- Class:
- Business
- Treat:
- DOH - KUL
- Price:
- 200€
- Book
When certain rates pop up, you can't be picky is take it or leave it, sure you can choose the date and try to change the route, but if the algorithm gods have opened up a single route there is no escape.
Reservation
A single PNR with 3 flights from two different airlines, bought almost a year earlier, had a very high chance of being deleted/changed thus opening up the possibility of modifications and changes.
In total this ticket was deleted/changed 4 times for me, of all the changes this flight is the only one that has always remained "still" in place. Whenever I called Qatar CC following the cancellation, the attendants were always very willing to change my itinerary to Singapore, via Kuala Lumpur, to a direct Qatar flight. However, one less flight would have meant 40 tier points less than necessary, leaving me at the end of the year at 1460 tier points, which is 40 below the finish line.
The complete itinerary for this ticket was: Sofia-Doha (Qatar), Doha-Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia), Kuala Lumpur-Singapore (Malaysia). Singapore-Hong Kong (Cathay Pacific), Hong Kong-Doha (Qatar), and Doha-Sofia (Qatar).
The reason I bought this ticket, was not because of the destination, but because of the price and what, the small expense, it would bring me:
- Many contents For this site and the YouTube channel
- 640 tier points necessary to renew my level in theBritish Airways Executive Club for another year
- A fair amount of avios points. To be used for the next prize ticket.
The total ticket cost me less than 950€., and in the end with all the changes came out an even better itinerary that made me fly with more companies and accumulate more avios.
PS unfortunately there will be no video of this flight Having had a technical problem that caused me to lose all recorded content.
At the airport
I arrived in Doha from Sofia And after wandering around all the accessible airport lounges., basically all but one, after gobbling and drinking champagne and taking a nice refreshing shower, I headed for the Gate.
I like to arrive early, take two photos (if possible) of the plane and sit in the front row, ready for the hundred-mile sprint to board and take pictures of the cabin without the passengers. This time I couldn't because I was fooled by the local language ad, when I realized they were opening the gate I already had a small number of passengers in front of me.
So I got in line and I activated my eSim so that I have access to the internet Just landed in Malaysia.
On board
When I booked this ticket the first thing I did was. Study, on aerolopa, the configurations of various aircraft I was going to use so that I could choose the best possible seat. As soon as I put my foot on board and recognized the configuration, I remembered that it was a cabin set up with a "throne," and I was convinced that I had reserved that seat.
However, as soon as I stepped onto the plane, I saw that the fourth row was one of those in a double configuration and not a single configuration. Fortunately, I realized that there was no row 3, so my 4K seat was the center throne of the cabin. The reason for the absence of row 3 is superstition and as well as some carriers do not have row 4,13 and 17 Malaysian companies do not have row 3.
When I choose my seat on board, I always try to put myself in the best possible place, and it is not only a matter of chair, but also of position.
Too close to the galley means being near where there will be the most noise, too far back in the cabin means that you will probably be among the last to be served and annoyed by passengers in the rear cabins. An important factor then is the location of the bathrooms. Of course the matter changes if I fly economy, here I hunt for the seat that gives the most cm for my legs.
The cabin configuration includes a 1-2-1 row and the following 2-2-2 row, and then repeats. Needless to say, the best seat is the throne. I have flown with other airlines that have this cabin design before, and there is no comparison with other seats on board.
The chair
Single seating gives lots of space, more privacy and greater comfort, as well as a greater isolation from the corridor which results in less disturbance during all phases of flight. The design of this chair is not modern, or rather it has been superseded by later developments that are on board Swiss's cabins, Tap Portugal and the few other carriers that offer the throne aboard their aircraft.
As happened when with Marika we flew in business with Austrian, I feel like recommending these chairs to couples as well. Sure you travel far away, but much more comfortable. Besides, as they say, distance is good for love....
What is not lacking is space to keep everything you want within reach. Underneath the structure near the windows is a perfect space to hold a purse, or backpack.
In the opposite structure is a storage space enclosed by a flap that also hides a small mirror.
And then there is one thing that done this way I had never found. There's a little well, sort of a pocket emptier, open where you can put whatever you want on the fly, without having to open or close anything. From now on, my lobbying in favor of installing small sumps on all premium booths will begin not forgetting, of course, the pro-movement of air vents.
At the option level there are as many as 2 air vents and the chair is massaging, although I think mine was no longer massaging.
Seat management is via two push-buttons, positioned very effectively, but without ever being "in the way" and accidentally touched.
The coffee table comes out of the frame, with a movement I had never found before. Unfortunately, however, it was a tad too wobbly to work comfortably ali pc.
A reading light and a small pocket, useful for a (small) cell phone, complete the equipment
In a flight that takes off late at night what you want is to take off and go to sleep.
Here Malaysia exceeded my expectations. Night Kit of excellent quality, but most importantly. a sheet is also provided to cover the seat when putting in bed mode, it seems a useless thing instead in my opinion a necessary thing. Of course there are those like Oman who provide a real topper, but also having the guarantee of separation from the seat is great for both comfort and hygiene, too bad fewer and fewer companies are providing it. The only drawback is the cushion, large and comfortable, unpacked on the seat.
Service
I have to congratulate the MH, really professional crew, too bad only that everyone, but really everyone was wearing a mask. I would have liked to see if the face was also smiling like the eyes of the assistants.
Halfway through the flight, when I woke up from my nap, I realized that my power outlet was not working, In less than 15 seconds the assistant was in my place. And finally he took the cell phone, put it to charge somewhere, and brought it back to me charged at 100%. On an overnight flight, passengers want to sleep and arrive rested at their destination, and that is what happened. Immediately after takeoff lights out and good night.
Before takeoff, the beauty kit, or amenity kit, depending on what you prefer to call it, was distributed.
MH's is so-so. The envelope is large and elegant, the contents, on the other hand, are average, maybe a tad below. Excellent attention to the environment with mask and socks that are the result of recycling plastic bottles.
Clean toilets, even at the end of the trip, which is not a given, and a notable emphasis on what you can and cannot flush down the toilet; this is the first time I have found such aggressive signage on an airplane.
IFE
On an old A330/300 everything cannot be perfect and the in-flight entertainment was feeling all the years. Vintage interface, touch that works once yes 3 times no, and remote control without the ability to "turn left."
Enough content to pass the time watching a couple of movies, but the novelties are not really novelties. In addition to the KO power outlet, there was no wi-fi on board. And this is definitely not good.
On the other hand, the map graphics reminded me of the interface of Alitalia and its IFE, which is then what is still there today on ITA Airways' old A330/200s.
Over-ear headphones average in quality.
I as usual the first thing I did was plug in my bluetooth adapter and listen to some random music, isolating myself from the cabin.
Food & Beverage
No cocktails or alcohol on boarding the ship, the company Is not a "dry airline" like Saudia, but like other carriers from Muslim countries does not offer alcohol until you have taken off.
The menu was distributed shortly before takeoff. The offering included a couple of snacks, for hungry passengers, and a breakfast that is served about two hours after landing.
Of the three proposals, I opted for a dish to have lunch with, it lands at 3 pm, rather than the breakfast menu with eggs, even though it would be 9 am for our physique. I was satisfied with the food offerings, only flaw that the service is thought of as a breakfast, so first the fruit and dessert is served in the tray and then the hot dish.
In conclusion
Comfortable seat, super professional crew and good food. I can't complain about this flight and look forward to flying long haul with MH again. Maybe next time I will aim for a route operated with more modern planes and cooler cabins.
Unfortunately, MH does not fly to Italy
Pro
- The service
- The "single" chair
Against
- IFE
- No Wifi