Malaysia Airlines

✅ Verified Review | We flew Malaysia Airlines from Jakarta to London return via Kuala Lumpur, because it was cheap. Leaving Jakarta was no problem except for no on-line check in facility. The return trip was a whole different story. We had to change dates - at a substantial premium - but that was our choice. The issue was seating. We always take a 2-seat option, window and aisle. That was not available on the new flight, but no one told us. When I came to check in online, I could not locate any reference to our seats, the numbers for which still appeared on the website to be in a 2-seat configuration. (The website is confusing if, like me and about 10% of males, you are color-blind, as one cannot distinguish between taken and free seats. Why colour code? – most airlines simply put a cross on taken seats.) We had now been arbitrarily allocated new seat numbers – window and middle - but I was still under the impression that we might be able to get the 2-seat configuration. I printed the boarding passes. My son then spent a considerable time on the phone to Malaysia Airlines in London (?) but could get no sense out of the person he spoke to. For most of the conversation, we were still being led to believe that there was a two-seat section, and were trying to retrieve our original seats. Then, Malaysia Airlines decided that there was no availability, as this A380 was different to the outbound one. An offer to pay for an upgrade was declined, but he claimed to have now reactivated our old seat numbers. At the airport, check-in was carried out by a very curt lady, who had no interest in the fact that we had confirmed seats on one document but different seats on the printed-out boarding pass. “The original seats are gone!” Then we came to our baggage. We were overweight (we always are) but for the first time ever in my experience, they insisted on including our carry-ons in our total weight and charging us for that. So we then had to leave the check in and go to another counter to pay. More problems. The check-in lady had indicated that each of our carry-ons weighed 18kg! I demonstrated to the excess baggage lady that I could lift both with one hand (I am 71 and no athlete) and so an 18kg weight seemed unlikely. After further delay, Malaysia Airlines kindly charged us for only one carry on, checking the other. I have been travelling internationally since the mid-60s. I can only remember ever being charged for excess baggage twice – no complaints about that – but for carry on? Throughout all this, I had been trying to check in to our connecting flight from KL to Jakarta. Neither the website, phone person, nor Heathrow check-in lady, nor gate service, could find us. Finally we were curtly told to sort it out in KL transit. Hardly reassuring, when we only had a one hour transit time. Malaysia Airlines KL transit were useless. First, they blamed Garuda, since it was a codeshare and told me to sort it out with them. I politely declined, as the contract was with Malaysia Airlines; if they subcontract, it was up to them to deal with their subcontractor. Then we were told that the Garuda flight did not exist - which was why we could not check in – and we were to be booked on a Malaysia Airlines flight an hour later - if there were seats. I insisted that they find us seats on that flight, and miraculously the non-existent Garuda flight reappeared. So we got home – in the overall scheme of things little of this matters – except that I will never fly Malaysia Airlines again. For an airline trying to rebuild a reputation, this is not the way to do it!

✅ Verified Review | Kuala Lumpur to Bangalore. I am a disabled passenger and use an electric (battery operated) mobility scooter. I am allowed to check it in all major airlines including Malaysia Airlines. On 2nd January while flying MH192 departure time 21.00, I was told to park my scooter on the aerobridge and board the plane, which I did with my husband's assistance. They normally put it in the cargo section. the captain happened to see the scooter on the bridge and refused to load it for fear of the sealed lead acid battery blowing up. All the passengers were seated and waiting for take off. The negotiations between us, the captain and the ground staff took 1hr 30 minutes. Even after assuring him that I had travelled to Sydney in their own airline with the scooter on 9th and 29th December, he refused to allow it initially. Finally, a ground staff member showed him the manual for checking in electric scooters. We finally took off 1hr 30mins later all because of nobody knew what to do with an electric scooter including the captain. It is shocking that such for a major airline not knowing the standard operating procedures for electric scooters, more so the captain.

✅ Verified Review | London to Sydney return via Kuala Lumpur. Very happy with the service from Malaysia Airlines. The cabin crew were friendly and the in flight entertainment very good. The food was good; western of Malaysian options, however on a 14 hour flight I would have expected more than two meals. There was a severe lack in drinks services but I was attended to once I pressed the call bell. Overall I would consider flying Malaysia Airlines again.

✅ Verified Review | BKK-KUL-PNH on B737-800 on 3rd January 2017. First flight delayed 1 hour from Bangkok with the usual but useless excuse of “due to late arriving aircraft”. Check-in smooth. Gate not announced until 45 minutes before departure and was from a very remote gate through cumbersome and humiliating bus service – not very common in BKK. This gave an initial feeling going with a Low Cost Carrier. Business class full on first sector (12 of 16 seats taken) and much less on 2nd sector (4 of 16 seats taken). Onboard service fine and food was very good and tasty with three options. Lack of any alcoholic drinks for serving is a disaster that deprives MH a lot of potential customers. Smooth luggage handling. A very cheap business class ticket which was only slightly more expensive than direct routing with Bangkok Airways (in economy) - made me take the trouble to deroute myself through Kuala Lumpur. Satellite lounge in KUL nice and welcoming – here I eventually had a couple of those beers missing in the air.

✅ Verified Review | Kansai to Kuala Lumpur return on full new year flights. Everything just ok, sometime bordering on mediocre. For example, how can you sit in row 12 and be served your food last?! By which time, of course, the choices had run out and it was chicken or nothing. Flights on time, airplane cabin clean but toilet not so clean - and no paper. Staff ok. Very generous baggage allowance if this is important to you. KLIA is showing its age now. klia2 - which Air Asia use - is much better. Immigration took 30 minutes, with half of the desks closed (arrived at 17:00 on a Friday). Baggage had been removed and placed next to a different carousel, so was difficult to find. Recommended if you can get a cheap ticket. Always compare with Air Asia.

✅ Verified Review | Sydney to Kuala Lumpur sleeper service on A330 with the newish lie-flat beds. Many of my colleagues say that Malaysia Airlines is a shadow of its former 5-star status, and this is not untrue based on my experience. Nevertheless, with a very competitive price-tag, an industry-standard (but no fireworks) lie-flat bed, what more could I want? The in-flight entertainment system was substantial and responsive; although the screen was a little small. The service is courteous but perfunctory for some and somewhat indifferent in others - even in business class. Meals were acceptable, and the signature satay sticks were served before dinner. The flight arrived approximately one hour late.

✅ Verified Review | London Heathrow to Phuket via Kuala Lumpur. A very good business class product, seats very comfortable and flatbed for sleep. Very good Cabin staff service, always addressed by name. Small cabin at front of the A380 Upper deck is, in my opinion, the best place to sit as there are only 3 rows (7-9 seat numbers) set in a 2-2-2 configuration. The only problem I had was on my return when the Checkin staff at Phuket Airport were absolutely appalling and only had 1 check in desk for Business Class passengers which was also the only desk for Frequent flyers to use as well - causing absolute chaos and the ground staff were more important than the fare paying passengers.

✅ Verified Review | Kuala Lumpur to Melbourne. I decided to upgrade myself to business 1 day before departure with cash. I called the call center and after spending more than 30 minutes communicating with the agent, I was informed that I could not upgrade because my fare class did not allow it. I tried again during check-in, and I was told that it was possible to upgrade but I would only be given economy class meal. This was emphasized several times by the ground crew. I found this rule to be utterly ridiculous as I was paying the full cash amount to upgrade. Besides, there were 4 options for the "main dish" so why bother getting an economy class meal instead of giving me whatever option's left from business class. The problem was not the meal itself, I could not care less if the meal is from business or economy. The problem was I felt singled out from the service and it really ruined the whole business class experience. Lounge was rather disappointing in terms of the food option and bathroom cleanliness. Onboard the cabin crew was friendly and attentive. However, I did notice that I was not addressed by name whereas the passengers around me were. And I was also not offered any drinks when I woke up, whereas the passengers around me were offered coffee when the cabin crew noticed they had just woken up. Overall, I found Malaysia Airlines to be very disappointing in the service aspect. My money will definitely go to other airlines as they will give me the "full treatment" as a full paying business passenger, whether I purchased the ticket up front or decided to upgrade at the last minute.

✅ Verified Review | LHR-KUL. I've flown this route a couple of times with several different carries and Malaysia Airlines was probably the best. I had a bulk head seat on the upper deck of the aircraft and it was probably one of the best seats I've ever taken. So much leg room for you to stretch out. Seat very comfortable and very clean on arrival. IFE - It was okay could do with more movies that are currently out in the cinemas, good music choice and some good documentaries. Food was excellent, this was a night flight so soon after take off we were given a meal, I can't remember what it was now but it was tasty and a good portion. Free drinks on board made it a nicer flight as well. Staff were all excellent and very welcoming throughout the flight, not issue when asked if I could have an extra drink here and there. Very kind staff. We departed and arrived on time and no issues during the flight.

✅ Verified Review | Jakarta to Kuala Lumpur with Malaysia Airlines. Service was good with smiles. The departure and arrival was right on schedule and we all know that the plane is old. One thing that I would criticize is that the flight attendant used a pen to poke a hole into the juice box, don't they have a better cleaner utensils to do that? Ink is toxic and if she is doing that to the juice box, god knows maybe she is stirring coffee with her pen too.