Malaysia Airlines Business Class Seat Guide

Malaysia Airlines A330
A Malaysia Airlines Airbus A330. Photo: Jeffry Surianto.

Based out of Kuala Lumpur, Oneworld’s Malaysia Airlines offers an extensive network throughout Asia. They also offer flights from multiple ports in Australia, as well as two routes to Europe (London Heathrow and soon Paris).

Malaysia Airlines offers Business Class seating on every mainline flight. This varies between recliner seats on its numerous Boeing 737s, to international-standard lie-flat seating on Airbus A330s and A350s.

On all flights, including short domestic hops, Malaysia Airlines offers a full meal service in Business. This allows you to sample their excellent satay regardless of flight duration! However, alcohol is not served on shorter regional flights.

Malaysia Airlines' famous Business Class satay
Malaysia Airlines’ famous Business Class satay. Photo: Matt Graham.

You can redeem Qantas points, or other Oneworld point currencies such as Asia Miles or Avios for Malaysia Airlines flights.

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If you purchase a Business Class cash fare with Malaysia Airlines, you can earn Qantas points and status credits. Although, the amount earned does depend on your route and booking fare class.

Read on to find out about the different Business Class seats on Malaysia’s flag carrier.

Malaysia Airlines Boeing 737-800/MAX 8 Business Class seats

Malaysia Airlines’ Boeing 737 Business Class seats are recliners in a 2-2 configuration.

The majority of Malaysia Airlines’ Boeing 737-800s, and all new MAX 8 jets utilise their newer layout featuring 12 seats rather than 16:

The new Malaysia Airlines Boeing 737-800 Business Class seats
The new Boeing 737-800 Business Class seats. Photo: Matt Graham.

There are no seatback entertainment screens, although you can stream entertainment to your device via MHStudio.

If you’re onboard an older Boeing 737 (you can tell by the Business Class cabin having four rows, rather than three), there is seatback entertainment but no Wi-Fi or streaming. The older configuration has a bit more legroom.

Malaysia Airlines Airbus A330-200 Business Class seats

The Airbus A330-200 Business Class seats are in a staggered 1-2-1 configuration, with all seats having direct aisle access. Seats A, E, F and K are more private, while seats C, D, G and H are more exposed to the aisle. Each seat converts to a fully lie-flat bed.

Each seat has a 16-inch seatback entertainment screen and AC power outlets.

Malaysia Airlines Airbus A330-300 Business Class seats

Malaysia Airlines A330-300s are all equipped with 27 Aero Vantage Business Class seats in an alternating 1-2-1/1-2-2 configuration. All seats except 2K, 5K and 7K have direct aisle access.

Malaysia Airlines Airbus A330-300 Business Class
Malaysia Airlines Airbus A330-300 Business Class. Photo: Malaysia Airlines.

The staggered configuration means that seats A, D and G have more privacy in alternating rows. The best seats in the cabin are arguably the throne seats 1K, 4K and 6K. These seats have extra storage, although 4K and 6K have tighter footwells due to the two seats in front.

Every seat converts to a lie-flat bed, and comes with power outlets and a 16-inch entertainment screen. Wi-Fi is available on select A330s.

Malaysia Airlines Airbus A350-900 Business Class seats

The regular Business Class cabin on six of the airline’s seven A350-900s uses the same seat as the Airbus A330-300.

Malaysia Airlines A350 Business Class
Malaysia Airlines A350 Business Class. Photo: Malaysia Airlines.

However, row 1 of the A350 is Malaysia Airlines’ old First Class seat, sold now as “Business Suites”. These seats are based on the Thompson Vantage XL seats with a sliding door (similar to Delta One Suites).

Malaysia Airlines A350 Business Suite, formerly First Class
Malaysia Airlines A350 Business Suites. Photo: Malaysia Airlines

Malaysia Airlines sells Business Suites as a separate product. As such, they’re not really Business Class, but rather a re-branding of First Class.

Malaysia Airlines also operates an ex-SAS A350-900, which retains the same Business Class seats. These are lie-flat seats, the same as those used by Qantas. They feature a 1-2-1 staggered configuration, with rows that alternate between being more exposed to the aisle.

SAS A350 Business Class
SAS A350 Business Class. Photo: Scandinavian Airlines

Wi-Fi and entertainment screens are available on all Malaysia Airlines A350s.

Malaysia Airlines’ new Airbus A330-900

Malaysia Airlines is taking delivery of its new Airbus A330-900neo by the end of 2024, which it will use to replace its existing A330 fleet. One of its first routes will be Melbourne-Kuala Lumpur.

The A330-900 Business Class will have doors, using the same seat as the British Airways Club Suites. Every lie-flat seat is the same, featuring direct aisle access and modern connectivity options.

Malaysia Airlines A330neo Business Class cabin
New Malaysia Airlines A330neo Business Class. Image: Malaysia Airlines.

Malaysia Airlines will also retrofit its Airbus A350s with this new seat.

Wilson's love of travel started from a young age, but his love for points developed after figuring out ways to travel on a gap year for less - leading naturally towards Australian Frequent Flyer! Wilson's hobbies include skiing, cricket and planning trips, both with and without points.

Wilson posts on the AFF forum as @WilsonM.
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Thanks Wilson.

To add:
MH’s 332s are ex-airBerlin planes, and the business seats have not been changed. These seats are narrower and don’t have a side console or much storage (like Apex suites).
Also, while they are perfectly comfortable as a seat, the entertainment screen feels very far away and the controls are clunky.
They also don’t recline fully flat. There’s a noticeable slant to the upper part (where your head goes). To add to that, the seats are short (I’m 185cm and can’t fit without bending my legs), so it’s pretty difficult to sleep.

Reply 1 Like

Last may i used syd to Colombo on business and worst seat and belt that goes around your neck and food was atrocious and landed in Sydney with out any food since its not palatable . To add to the injury qantas gave points as economy class.. Never again on Malaysia line or qantas.

Reply Like

To add to the injury qantas gave points as economy class.. Never again on Malaysia line or qantas.

This is a well known problem and one of tge reasons i switched to BAEC. The earn on QF is farcical

Reply 1 Like

I have access to BAEC and did not know its better than qantas ff.. Now i have moved to spore air with their gold status match i will see if it is a better value..

Reply Like

I have access to BAEC and did not know its better than qantas ff.. Now i have moved to spore air with their gold status match i will see if it is a better value..

QF punishes you for flying other OW airlines to/from Australia.

Reply 1 Like

Last may i used syd to Colombo on business and worst seat and belt that goes around your neck and food was atrocious and landed in Sydney with out any food since its not palatable . To add to the injury qantas gave points as economy class.. Never again on Malaysia line or qantas.

You can get full Status Points if you pay for Flexible Business or cheaper D class, but that is not available online and must be booked over the phone or with a travel agent.

Reply Like

Thanks Wilson.

To add:
MH’s 332s are ex-airBerlin planes, and the business seats have not been changed. These seats are narrower and don’t have a side console or much storage (like Apex suites).
Also, while they are perfectly comfortable as a seat, the entertainment screen feels very far away and the controls are clunky.
They also don’t recline fully flat. There’s a noticeable slant to the upper part (where your head goes). To add to that, the seats are short (I’m 185cm and can’t fit without bending my legs), so it’s pretty difficult to sleep.

The 332 ex air Berlin are being phased out. Replaced by 333.

Reply Like

click to expand...

You can get full Status Points if you pay for Flexible Business or cheaper D class, but that is not available online and must be booked over the phone or with a travel agent.

Im just looking at booking MH - so they only give status credits at business class level if it's Flex business or Class D? The other business classes all count as "economy"?! What??

Reply Like

Im just looking at booking MH - so they only give status credits at business class level if it's Flex business or Class D? The other business classes all count as "economy"?! What??

Cheap Biz = Flex Y
Not just MH but quite a few OW partners discounted that way

Reply Like

Cheap Biz = Flex Y
Not just MH but quite a few OW partners discounted that way

Thanks! I just looked up the QF status calculator and that looks awful.
I flew with CX recently and noticed the status credits are reduced compared to qantas but it's not at economy rates. Do you know which other OW airlines get screwed over like this?

Reply Like