Hi and welcome to the report number 5 in this SE Asia trip series:
01.02 WAW-DOH, QATAR AIRWAYS - A320 - https://flight-report.com/en/report/30559/Qatar-Airways-QR-262-Warsaw-WAW-Doha-DOH
02.02 DOH-BKK, QATAR AIRWAYS - A380 - https://flight-report.com/en/report/30667/Qatar-Airways-QR830-Doha-DOH-Bangkok-BKK
05.02 BKK-REP, THAI SMILE - A320 - https://flight-report.com/en/report/30925/Thai-Smile-WE-588-Bangkok-BKK-Siem-Reap-REP
07.02 REP-KUL, AIR ASIA - A320neo - https://flight-report.com/en/report/31107/Air-Asia-AK541-Siem-Reap-REP-Kuala-Lumpur-KUL
09.02 KUL-SGN, MALAYSIA AIRLINES - B738 - you are here
12.02 SGN-PQC, VIET JET AIR - A321
16.02 PQC-BKK, BANGKOK AIRWAYS - ATR72-600
17.02 BKK-DOH, QATAR AIRWAYS - A380
17.02 DOH-WAW, QATAR AIRWAYS - A320
It was a calm Sunday afternoon, mid November, when I was actually asked this question: "What airlines are we going to fly during our trip? Whatever you book, just remember I don't want to fly Malaysia Airlines" "Why is that? - I asked trying to hide the panic resulting from the fact I have booked the ticket for this flight just the day before". "You know, it's a bad luck airline, better to avoid". "But it's a very good one, one of the best, fat chance we will disappear somewhere or get hit by a Russian bullet between Malaysia and Vietnam" - I tried to explain. "Better not to tempt faith". A couple of weeks later we were discussing our trip plans with our friends planning a very similar journey and talking about transport between Malaysia and Vietnam, I forgot what I did and said loud and proudly: "One Air Asia flight is enough, I can't wait to fly Malaysia Air…" and that is how my secret was revealed. As the tickets were already booked and paid, there was no discussion whether we will fly or not, rather just short sentences repeated from time to time: "This will be the most stressful flight in this trip". I could do nothing but get used to this mantra…
Before this "stressful" flight we spent 1,5 day in Kuala Lumpur and here is my small travel bonus from this part of my trip:
A place Number 1 in KL is of course Petronas Twin Towers buliding. I prebooked our tickets online, having heard before it can be difficult to get there without previous reservation. The tours are always guided and only limited number of visitors is allowed in one group. We chose to go up at 11:00 a.m. and it was a good decision as the weather was very good in the morning and it became cloudy in the afternoon.
Going up means getting first to the skybridge and then to the 88th floor
The views are breathtaking especially when you see other skyscrapers from above
There is also a facts&figures exhibition related to the highest buildings in the world
Another stop on our route is KL Aquarium - not very spectacular if you have already been to similar places but definitely nice and well maintained
We decided that we will spend most of the day with animals and headed to the KL Bird Park
But at the end we decided it would be a pity not to see the orchid garden
We need to hurry, thunderstorm is coming
And it came but we were already in a very nice restaurant I can really recommend. Malyasian cuisine is great but another great thing here is you may taste almost every Asian cuisine in KL
The day ended with a night walk after the storm that made the temperature and humidity even higher than before
THE FLIGHT
To get to the airport that is situated ca 60 km from the city we decided this time to take KLIA Express train not to loose time and nerves in the traffic jams. The price is much higher than the one of the bus ticket (10 MYR compared to 55 MYR) but the travel comfort is much higher too.
This time we fly from the main terminal known here as KLIA (Kuala Lumpur International Airport) while the Air Asia low cost terminal is called KLIA2.
It's easy to see who is the main player here. Nice to fly country's flag carrier even if I hear all the time "That will be the most stressful flight…"
The terminal doesn't make an overwhelming feeling, it's big but not huge
We printed our bording passes from a self service kiosk and proceeded to the bag drop desk. I took only a few minutes but I wouldn't call the staff polite or nice, a general lack of enthusiasm was easy to notice.
The A350 emerges as we make our way to passport and security control. I think MH tries to use this new jet as a symbol of new, better times for the company.
KLIA is very modern as far as passport control is concerned, there are many control points available, the whole process is very quick and the staff seems polite. There is no security control yet, it will be done before the gate.
I always wanted to see this "model's park" and here we are
There are also some models available in one of many duty free shops here but I've already decided to buy QR A380 model on my way back, so there will be no space for more, I'm afraid
Regarding the airside of the terminal, again it doesn't make an overwhelming feeling despite being big. Maybe it's because it's divided in two parts, the other being a satellite building connected by train.
The airport offers decent spotting facilities and as we have plenty of time left I decide to spend it catching some local birds
Finally our 737 arrives from its previous flight and gets prepared for departure to SGN
Let's go to the gate and get onboard. My "the most stressful flight" companion seems quite relaxed and what was all this complaining about?
View from the jetbridge
Business class seats. Here you can easily see that despite problems MH is one of the "better" airlines.
When we get to our seats and Mr "The most stressful flight" sees the IFE monitor, he finally gets reassured we are rather in good hands and I hear the mantra no more. Te aircraft is new, clean and well maintained. That's the very first time I fly a 737 with IFE
Legroom is better than in Air Asia but not as good as I expected
Headphones are distributed and they will be collected one by one shortly before landing showing that the airline doesn't have money to loose
Safety video is played as we taxi to the runway
A 737-800 in old livery
View of the main terminal with train tracks leading to the satellite building
Some old Jumbos and another trace of the past: two 777-200s
MH A330
Time to go up after a long speeding up and rather noisy gear up process as for such a modern bird
I focus on the IFE content as we climb. There are standard options, maps, games, movies and company info etc.
Some fleet facts but surprisingly there is no A350 mentioned yet
The seat pocket contents with safety card, onboard magazine, shop on board catalogue and bag
As always I focus on the safety card and route map, this time to discover the only European destination left is LHR, pity MH birds are no more present in more European airports
The A350, of course
Service starts not long after reaching the crusing altitude. As we are in South-East Asia and a meal in economy on a 2-hours flight is nothing exceptional, we receive a hot dish (chicken and fish were the options) together with a small packet of cookies, penuts and water. Other drinks will also be shortly served. I forgot to take picture of the chicken option chosen by Mr "The most stressful flight" that doesn't seem stressed anymore. Both chicken and fish dishes were very good.
The crew on this flight was rather a non-enthusiastic one. It disappeared shortly after the service and came out shortly before landing to collect headphones and prepare the cabin. I spend most of the flight with the map in front of me. Outside you could see only clouds.
We could spot the ground shortly before touchdown
Good afternoon Vietnam!
A Vietnam Airlines A350 to say "welcome"
And EVA Air 777-300 to follow
More locals as we approach the terminal
Singapore A330
Parking next to Vietnam Airlines A321
Last look of this very nice cabin as we disembark
Ho Chi Minh City airport starts with some long corridors, rather quick immigration as we have already issued our e-visas in Poland, and a short wait for the luggage
To be continued soon. Thanks for reading
Czesc Loukas!
MH is still offering a very nice product.
Your meal was ok and this is a good point.
The bas point will be concerning your crew that was absolutely not involved apparently.
Milego weekendu!
Hi Benoit, the onboard product is indeed good, if a crew smile was added, it would be perfect. Thanks for stopping by!
Thanks for this FR.
Well, by european standards this was a good flight with great service (IFE, meal), but considering most local airlines would offer you the same thing, with such a cold ground and flight staff it looks look has lost some of its shine...
Yes, the human factor never lies, the airline situation must not be good as all the staff seems really sad and tired. Thanks for your comment!
hahahaha, I would pay to see your face when you gave away your dirty little secret! XDDD
I can't decide which I like the most - the orchid garde or the model aircraft garden.
The good thing about the hardship of flying latam is that you learn not to take good service for granted. I would have sobbed while kissing the FA's hand for serving me a meal in a 2-hour flight!! XDDD And with two options!!
Glad Mr Stressed was not stressed anymore. Hope MH will keep doing well.
Thanks for a very enjoyable report and a terrific bonus, Loukas!! BTW, didn't you have a headache after climbing those towers? This has happened to me in other towers.
Hi Nechus, no, absolotely no headache, only a strange feeling as the towers move a little bit and you can feel it while being up. What is a standard here, would be considered a luxury in your or my country, strange, isn't it? SE Asia is a great place to fly as most of the airlines here keep very high standards. Thanks for stopping by!
I still find it odd that people considers MH a dangerous airline when it has never suffered any accidents due to pilot error or mechanical failures. 370 could have been anything, 17 could have been anyone. I would be more fearful of flying Airlines like germanwings who hire suicidal pilots.
I totally agree, but fear is all about emotions, no place for thinking. Thanks for your comment.
Hi Loukas, thanks for a great report as always!
I want to go to KLIA just for all those airplane models ^^
As a oneworld flyer, I really want to try the "new" MH. It seems they continue to take things in a positive direction (except no alcohol on regional routes...that part I don't like lol). It is a shame that so many people still avoid MH, when in reality MH is probably one of the safest carriers you can fly.
Looks like it was a good flight overall. Thanks for sharing!
Hi Kevin, Malaysia as a muslim country has in general problem with alcohol, even a small beer 0,33 costs here 10 MYR (ca 3 USD). I didn't even ask for a beer or wine during the flight as I always have an impression it makes muslim people angry. I hope MH comes back to its previous position as it is overall a very good airline. Thanks for stopping by!
Thanks for sharing this FR with us.
Wonderful shots from Kuala Lumpur! Thanks for sharing.
I’ve heard notorious things about the seat pitch in MH’s 738s, but judging from your comments I guess it wasn’t that bad? Perhaps it’s worse on their longer 737 flights.
Nice spotting shots throughout the flight.
Have a good one, see you!