Malaysia Airlines reviews

Malaysia Airlines are very inconsistent airline, with wildly varying levels of service and cleanliness. Some aircraft and lounges are great, with Malaysia Airlines reviews often highlighting the food on board, however we at Airreview believe others are distinctly second rate.

Malaysia Airlines, formerly known as Malaysian Airline System, is undergoing a huge process of change, and is very different to a few years ago, following a disastrous year when two of their 777s crashed killing all passengers on board. The recovery process involves axing many routes, laying off thousands of staff, and removing frills. However, there are new aircraft, better meals and a new business class seat, so some of the changes are most certainly positive.

Malaysia Airlines Business Class Seat

Malaysia Airlines reviews often make much of it's touted "34 inches of legroom (pitch) in economy class", while only giving this on the Boeing 777 aircraft (and only on some models at that): an aircraft that has no less than 9 seats abreast, including five across the middle - less than ideal on a crowded plane. Most passengers on longhaul end up on the Airbus A380, which only offers a 32 inch pitch, or the Malaysian Airlines A330, which has only 31 inches. Read more about Malaysia Airlines seats and fleet.

In particular the Business Class intercontinental service is particularly top notch, however the MAS short haul service is nothing like the long haul service and you can understand why so many Malaysians grumble when they use MAS on short haul for the first time after listening to tourists and business people who arrive long haul saying it's the best airline experience. Malaysia Airlines inflight experience.

Malaysia Airlines Fleet | Seats | Lounges | Food

Is Malaysia airlines dry?

By contrast however, Malaysia Airlines Business Class sale fares can seem very cheap, particularly if booking out of Asia. It wasn't a backpacker’s airline unlike Thai (except for those determined to do the islands of Southern Thailand) however that is really changing. However, once you have booked your flight, at Airreview we've found that Malaysia Airlines manage booking not working, ever. It's hopeless.

There are new planes, and the Malaysia Airlines A380 seating plan is very good, with a conventional three class layout. First class is very good, however the space planned for the new "super economy" on the top deck is taken up by an additional 70 economy class seats, and there will also be 66 business class seats. On the lower deck there are eight first class seats and 350 economy class seats. The aircraft is used from Kuala Lumpur to London, and this is why Malaysia Airlines have retained their new lounge at Heathrow Airport.

At all other airport, Malaysia Airlines have closed (with little notice) all their airport lounges. The Malaysia Airlines Kuala Lumpur lounges remain very good, and are still open. Indeed, they have recently had a revamp. Read more about the Kuala Lumpur Golden Lounge and the really exceptionally good new lounge at London Heathrow.

Malaysia Airlines Premium Economy does not exist. After several attempted launches, which never made it into reality, the airline is now moving towards having some economy seats on the A380 having 'extra' legroom, and sold at a premium, but not a true premium economy like British Airways or Qantas.

Malaysia airlines passenger reviews

The Frequent Flier scheme, Enrich has also had it's problems, with a huge devaluation of points. It is very difficult to work up enough status to get access. However, beware of putting your miles on another Frequent Flier scheme, such as Qantas. Qantas and Malaysia Airlines had a huge falling out, and as a result, even a First Class flight on Malaysia only earns basic discount economy miles, and vice versa. Avoid.

The airlines has decent routes for those in London to reach Australia, and here the airline would pick up traffic - if only it could turn around the cabins to encourage more regular travellers.

So, should you fly on Malaysia Airlines? They will certainly get you there, and they are a pretty good mainline airline, but it helps to go prepared for what you'll get on board. Sometimes, it may not be as good as you were expecting; which in turn, may not be much at all.