Below Average - worse than United
Written: Jul 30 '05
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Product Rating:
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Pros: Big personal TV
Cons: Poor/cheap meals, seats, lounge, and service.
The Bottom Line: AVOID
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| barthalkid's Full Review: Malaysia Airlines |
I recently had the opportunity to fly business class from Los Angeles Int'l to Taipei, Taiwan. I was really looking forward to this trip because I had previously heard so many good things about Malaysia Airlines. Now, before I go into the review, I travel a lot around the world and I usually fly business class. For this particular route, I have flown United, EVA, and China Airlines all in business class. I must say, I absolutely FAILED one hundred percent to see anything good about Malaysia Airlines in comparison with the other three. I paid for my tickets. I didn't use miles. So I expected service for the price I paid and I should've known because Malaysia Airlines had the lowest business class fare out of the other three.
CHECK IN
Tom Bradley terminal is usually very hectic around midnight. Malaysia, along with many other international airlines, has flights departing at that time. Check in crew was very slow but overall friendly and efficient. They actually made me wait with coach class passengers as TSA screened my luggage although they did have someone carried the bags for me. China and EVA Airlines business class passengers can bypass this step, because they have a separate luggage check point for business and first class passengers. After the luggage check, I received my boarding pass and an invitation to the VIP Lounge.
VIP LOUNGE
The VIP lounge was everything but VIP. It was actually ridiculously small and ugly. It was more of a break room for employees. There was a limited selection of beverage available and only cold food was served--fruit and sushi. Unacceptable.
PLANE 747-400
This plane has got to be the oldest 747
I have ever flown. The first thing I saw as I walked in the plane was the old, worn, ugly coach seats. I was seriously worried as I headed upstairs to the business cabin. To my surprise, the cabin upstairs had a less horrific appearance. Although the seats were old and worn, each seat came with a 10 inch personal TV with on demand entertainment system. The recline and footrest were lacking for a tall individual like myself-6'1. China Airlines has the exact same seats but newer while EVA Airways has smaller but more comfortable seats. Seats on United Airlines have by far the most generous reclining ability and footrests.
FOOD
The food was no where near international business class standard. Like economy, dinner was served with cheap china on a tray. The food was wrapped in aluminum foil. There was NO service. What were they thinking???? I have NEVER flown ANY international airline in business class that has this poor level of food and service. The appetizer was a joke. One 1/8 inch thick slice of scallop on lettuce. There were only 2 main course selections-fish or chicken. Fish and chicken? China Airlines offers a 4 course meal with 3 meal selections including western: filet mignon; eastern: chinese style venison; japanese: japanese style bento box with crab meat and lobster. EVA Airways offers 3 jumbo seared scallops as the appetizer and rack of lamb as the entree. United Airlines offers about the same top notch selection while Malaysia Airlines offers chicken and fish wrapped in aluminum foil? ABSOLUTELY UNACCEPTABLE. That was embarrassing.
SERVICE
The service was also just average. Flight attendants were better than your average American Airline/Southwest/United Domestic crew but again no where near China or EVA Airways. They were rarely in the cabin and many of them did not speak English very well. They didn't know what a mimosa was. I had to give a lecture on cocktail 101. China Airlines and EVA Airways flight attendants would walk throughout the cabin putting blankets over passengers, refill water glasses, and offer midnight snacks during the entire flight without disturbing passengers who are sleep. Now, that's what I call great service. Malaysia Airlines is no where near that.
OVERALL
There was NOTHING I liked about Malaysia Airlines. They were ridiculously below airline standards and I honestly failed to observe any quality that other reviewers had mentioned. It wasn't a horrific experience but not a great one either. I expected a lot more from them. China Airlines, EVA Airways, and even our United Airlines (SFO to TPE) have much more to offer than Malaysia. Yes, Malaysia Airlines is better than US domestic airlines but it is NO WHERE near other international airlines.
Recommended:
No
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Epinions.com ID:
barthalkid
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Reviews written: 7
Trusted by: 0 members
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