Biz Class to France

[andye]

You will be able to access a wider range of menu items using the chef on call service
Experience - In-Flight Meal - Chef On Call | Malaysia Airlines

When I flew recently you couldn't order online but had to call the call-centre at least 24 hours prior to flight. It will help if you note down the menu code number from here. Note that it is arranged by departure city. For the longer leg you will probably be able to make 2 choices. http://www.malaysiaairlines.com/content/dam/malaysia-airlines/mas/ccf/pdf/ccm_biz_menu_2014.pdf

 

[MEL_Traveller]

thank you, im gettting excited. im just going by what everyone tells e about the best airline , and emirates is usually the instant response!

I just saw this article


Best and worst plane seats: Travel experts rate the perfect airline seat experience

wow, etihad/emirates first and business looks a million dollars.

ive got my powerball ticket


edit: are coughtails included in MH flights?

All alcoholic beverages are included with your fare. Some airlines have more options when it comes to coughtails than others... but most will mix you whatever they can from the ingredients they have. You might just have to give them directions.

I think it's fair to say everyone thinks Emirates is 'the best' because of some great marketing. They wouldn't be my first choice.

 

[SOPOOR]

You will be able to access a wider range of menu items using the chef on call service
Experience - In-Flight Meal - Chef On Call | Malaysia Airlines

When I flew recently you couldn't order online but had to call the call-centre at least 24 hours prior to flight. It will help if you note down the menu code number from here. Note that it is arranged by departure city. For the longer leg you will probably be able to make 2 choices. http://www.malaysiaairlines.com/content/dam/malaysia-airlines/mas/ccf/pdf/ccm_biz_menu_2014.pdf

really?

thats so awesome, I saw the standard menu and thought it was very lame,
but if I can call or order online prior, that would be absolutely fantatsitc , some of the food looks great, it looks like its only main course,

what is the criteria for long haul?

thanks for your help

All alcoholic beverages are included with your fare. Some airlines have more options when it comes to coughtails than others... but most will mix you whatever they can from the ingredients they have. You might just have to give them directions.

I think it's fair to say everyone thinks Emirates is 'the best' because of some great marketing. They wouldn't be my first choice.

fantastic, looks like im going to be like a kid in a candy shop!!

 

[SOPOOR]

Well. Id like to update my experiences of my first trip.since everyone has helped me out so much

I have now done the mel to kl to cdg leg

Here are my basic comments since im on my phone on hotel wifi

1st leg
A330 plane i think it was.
2nd leg plane was 777 i think and not the a380 as it says on my ticket
Was a great flight
No complaints whatsoever

Pros
Service exceptional. Wet naplins before and after each meal
Satay buffet was great.
Staff fantastic
Not sure if it was a complete flat bed or not but once you tinkered with the angle ot pretty much was flat
Entertainment system was a bit shabby but movies were great
The flat/angle made the flight great
Chef on call was great. It seems like i was the only one who had done it
Travel kit was super high quality box. Looking to collect them all and use them for future
Whiskey/juice/tea selection was great
The lounge at mel airport was really good. Adequate but very relaxed and nice
The lounge at kl was very croweded. Ie not enough tables but nice atmosphere. Food was quite a high standard with meals and variety

Cons
No coughtails availble
Overall cabin was a bit dated
Tv was a bit weird angle and far away
Toilets felt the same as economy
Was quite disappointed by 777 cabin. Was a bit shcoked when i frst saw it. It was really dated and looked bad. I had the seat behind the wall which felt a bit weird and since the tv came out of the hand rest area

 

[SOPOOR]

Ps i was very impressed that they called me by my full name at thr start and end of the flight and noticed i didnt sleep at all even though i didnt engage eith them for them to notice me that much

Pps since there is no first class. I just cant imsgine stinking rich people travelling in business class. Eg my toilet was broken. Had a tissue stuffed in the gap of the wall. Plus had an exposed wall on the other side

Alao they skipped one of my meals because of the 13 hours. The fasten seatbelt sign was for some reason on for about 12of them. And they refused to also serve hot drinks as well. Not sure if thats normal

 

[sergeyvzn]

Ps i was very impressed that they called me by my full name at thr start and end of the flight and noticed i didnt sleep at all even though i didnt engage eith them for them to notice me that much

Pps since there is no first class. I just cant imsgine stinking rich people travelling in business class. Eg my toilet was broken. Had a tissue stuffed in the gap of the wall. Plus had an exposed wall on the other side

Alao they skipped one of my meals because of the 13 hours. The fasten seatbelt sign was for some reason on for about 12of them. And they refused to also serve hot drinks as well. Not sure if thats normal

You got a bit unlucky with this trip...Malaysian have just been restructured into a pretty much new airline and because they have been losing so much money they chose to get rid of 2 of their A380. They used to use them on KL to Paris but now it's only London. Had your trip been a few months prior, it would've been a much better experience with the new aircraft and a better business class seat

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Ps i was very impressed that they called me by my full name at thr start and end of the flight and noticed i didnt sleep at all even though i didnt engage eith them for them to notice me that much

Pps since there is no first class. I just cant imsgine stinking rich people travelling in business class. Eg my toilet was broken. Had a tissue stuffed in the gap of the wall. Plus had an exposed wall on the other side

Alao they skipped one of my meals because of the 13 hours. The fasten seatbelt sign was for some reason on for about 12of them. And they refused to also serve hot drinks as well. Not sure if thats normal

I didn't catch the recommendation to fly MH! They have a pretty outdated business class hard product, plus the restructure and flight reschedules/cancellations. No business class is perfect, but your list of 'cons' for MH is longer than they should be.

As for the fasten seat belt signs - most airlines have the policy that hot drink service is suspended while the sign is on. Health and safety and all that stuff. If the flying conditions don't match the sign, sometimes you need to prompt the cabin crew to check with the flight deck if the sign is still indeed needed.

Sometimes whole meal services can be skipped as well if they think major turbulence will be an issue.

As for business v first class. I think there are cases where First class passengers will fly business... but you have to have a solid business class product - full flat beds for a start.

WCs in business class are generally the same as those in economy. Mainly in first do you get a difference, although sometimes the disabled WC will be located in between the business and economy cabins which is larger in size.

 

[SOPOOR]

Wow some hardcore experts on here re sale of a380 planrs

Thanks everyone

I did notcie that on the way it was full. Way back was like 1/3 full

At 6 to 7k per ticket. You would have to assume that nost people are very well off to afford it.

But there are so many young and not so rich looking people (never judge a book by its cover , yes)

But i dont think i could comfortably afford business class ever

 

[MEL_Traveller]

But i dont think i could comfortably afford business class ever

This is where you need to get creative... if you want. Business class ex Asia to Europe is possible on a number of carriers in the $2000 range, equal or better than MH (including full flat beds). It can be little more than economy class at peak season flying all the way from Australia.

 

[SOPOOR]

This is where you need to get creative... if you want. Business class ex Asia to Europe is possible on a number of carriers in the $2000 range, equal or better than MH (including full flat beds). It can be little more than economy class at peak season flying all the way from Australia.

$2000 return or each way?!?!?!!?!?

$2000 return id definitely do, or am i dreaming

in my situation this time I had no choice but for Malay Air due to availability

I think my flights I got a quote for a random low season peak and it came up at $7500, however I could have return economy with some other random airline for $1400

so there is a big difference in that one

regardless, my frist biz class expereince wasnt perfect but a very memorable one, in fact, my family and friends have commeneted 'it seems that the highlight of your trip was the business class based on the number of photos and comments about it!'
haha

luck I have enough points for another 3 or 4 more trips, but I will continue to save up more points

 

[MEL_Traveller]

$2000 return or each way?!?!?!!?!?

$2000 return id definitely do, or am i dreaming

in my situation this time I had no choice but for Malay Air due to availability

I think my flights I got a quote for a random low season peak and it came up at $7500, however I could have return economy with some other random airline for $1400

so there is a big difference in that one

regardless, my frist biz class expereince wasnt perfect but a very memorable one, in fact, my family and friends have commeneted 'it seems that the highlight of your trip was the business class based on the number of photos and comments about it!'
haha

luck I have enough points for another 3 or 4 more trips, but I will continue to save up more points

That's $2000 return! Of course you need to make your own way to Asia - but you have a choice of carriers and service options to do that. You could fly Jetstar, or Singapore Airlines (or anyone else that fits your budget/schedule).

From Asia there are carrier like China Couthern, Sri Lankan, Vietnam Airlines, Finnair - all offering business class (with full flat beds) in the $2000-$2500 range. Some like Sri Lanakan (exBKK) and Vietnam Airlines (perfectly acceptable) will offer those fares year round. Others you need to be on the look out for specials which run from time to time.

Friends of mine next month will be flying Jetstar business class to Singapore (sale fare of $770 return) and combining that with VietNam airlines (on the new 787/A350) to Europe - all up coming in under $3000 from Australia. They could have shaved off $300 if they chose economy Australia-Singapore.

 

[kitkatff]

vietnam airlines had/have (haven't checked recently) deals for J to Paris for around $4,000 so $2K from Asia sounds reasonable.

That said some flights were on Air France, and the reviews of both VN and AF J class were less than stellar - no flat bed, tired look, IFE not working, etc. If they've improved then it may be worth having another look.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

vietnam airlines had/have (haven't checked recently) deals for J to Paris for around $4,000 so $2K from Asia sounds reasonable.

That said some flights were on Air France, and the reviews of both VN and AF J class were less than stellar - no flat bed, tired look, IFE not working, etc. If they've improved then it may be worth having another look.

As mentioned up-thread - the $2000(+) price range is for full flat beds.

From 1 September the new 787 started flying with VN SGN-LHR. The A350 is also starting shortly (scheduled for next month). Full flat as well. I think FRA is still slated for 777s for a while - so either avoid or check to see if the A350/787 is flying.

The ~$2200 SIN-Europe on VN also allows flights on AF metal, but at this time AF is still flying angled beds.

The downside is connections to/from Australia - those are still without even angled flat beds - they are sort of a hybrid recliner/angled.

 

[SOPOOR]

^^^

Are the 777 and a330 seats considered full flat bad or not?

To me after you adjust the seat it sort of got full flat

 

[MEL_Traveller]

^^^

Are the 777 and a330 seats considered full flat bad or not?

To me after you adjust the seat it sort of got full flat

On MH? Not even close! They are angled lie-flats (at best). A full flat will be longer and almost perfectly horizontal.

 

[SOPOOR]

Oh great. To be honest. Once you press the buttons i found that it was basically completely flat so i was impressed.

But then again. Ivr never been on fully flat before

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Oh great. To be honest. Once you press the buttons i found that it was basically completely flat so i was impressed.

But then again. Ivr never been on fully flat before

Flat maybe. Horizontal - no.

If you can sleep on your back - angled lie flats aren't the end of the world... except for all the blood pooling at your feet . But full flats you can sleep comfortably on your side, or stomach or however else takes your fancy

 

[SOPOOR]

Flat maybe. Horizontal - no.

If you can sleep on your back - angled lie flats aren't the end of the world... except for all the blood pooling at your feet . But full flats you can sleep comfortably on your side, or stomach or however else takes your fancy

Ahh yes it was flat but probably not horizontal.

I will do a first class long haul on a top csrrier as my bucket list one day

 

[MEL_Traveller]

I will do a first class long haul on a top csrrier as my bucket list one day

No need to do first class on a top carrier to get a fully flat horizontal bed... that's what i was mentioning before. Carriers like Sri Lankan, Finnair, Vietnam Airlines, China Southern... all in the $2000 range exAsia, will offer a full horizontal bed in business class.

 

[esseeeayeenn]

Ahh yes it was flat but probably not horizontal.

I will do a first class long haul on a top csrrier as my bucket list one day

In terms of a bucket list, I'd nominate a first class apartment on Etihad's A380.
Photos in my mini-trip-report!