Malaysia J vs Garuda J

[malmacdowall]

Hi all,

I'm traveling to Medan Indonesia and looking tO fly in J.

ex MEL, I'm comparing Malaysia airlines $4500 to Garuda airlines $2900(both flying A330-300).

I haven't flown with either and I'm interested in your experiences on both.

Thanks, Mal

 

[haydensydney]

I haven't flown either, but I have read trip reports for each. I guess that makes me an armchair expert?

Given the price difference I would certainly go for Garuda. Yes, they have a bad safety reputation (and there are people on here that say they wouldn't fly them in a million years) but Malaysia airlines doesn't look that amazing and certainly not worth the $1600 price difference.

 

[fbrimfield]

Hi all,

I'm traveling to Medan Indonesia and looking tO fly in J.

ex MEL, I'm comparing Malaysia airlines $4500 to Garuda airlines $2900(both flying A330-300).

I haven't flown with either and I'm interested in your experiences on both.

Thanks, Mal

Have flown both, hard product is very very similar, not much difference in them. Both angled lie flat beds. Not particularly comfortable but fine during the day time.

Garuda service excellent, Malaysian service usually good but have had a bad experience. Malaysia's regional J product is nothing to get excited over, but I can't imagine neither is Garuda's.

The only thing I can attest to is that the lounges in KUL are awesome. Skip the regional lounge and go straight for the satellite lounge. Not sure if its worth the premium of $1600 though.

 

[drivatruk]

Garuda would be my choice. They have improved so much over the last three years.
They use qantas club here for the lounges.
If your flight is via Jakarta they mostly use their new planes with the lay flat bed.
Via dps is always angles lay flat.

MAS local product is pretty old 734 with would could be the original seats. Very nice nice shade of red.
i have some pics if you want me to email you

 

[Timtammi]

Just flew GA J a few weeks ago MEL-DPS return. Pretty impressed for the price. Food was just ok but space and service good. Angled lay flat did the job enabling some sleep on the overnight flight back. Would definitely fly them again. Flying MJ J in October so wont be able to compare until then but like others doubt that for $1600 extra MH would be worth the difference.
I should add that the GA plane seemed quite new and in good condition.

 

[richie9x]

I have travelled with MH in J plenty of times and find their product very good. I have no experience with Garuda.

Malaysia are refurbishing their main golden lounge at KLIA it is due to open on Thursday. See Enrich - News and Offers - News - Closure of Satellite Lounge at KLIA. It was starting to look a bit tired, so if it is anything like the refurbishment they did at the KK lounge then it will be excellent. Would be worth going with them just for the new lounge.

The transit at KLIA from international to international is quite effortless. The flight from KL to Medan will be in an old 737, but it is a very short flight. The time I did it I was fawned over by the FAs. Then clearing customs and immigration at Medan will be quite easy as there will be fewer foreigners.

While the alternative of clearing immigrations and customs at Jakarta can be a real hassle, 1 hour 20 minutes is my record.

Personally if someone else was paying I would go with MAS. But if I were paying I would consider Garuda.

 

[malmacdowall]

Thanks all for the advice... It's helpful and I guess it shows both are good options .

 

[yohy?!]

In terms of safety, Garuda does have an appalling record but MH is also dicey - I recall they sold a 747 to QF a few years back that had cracks in it so bad they could have caused a mid air break up similar to the China Airlines one.

 

[mella2007]

Flew MH J last year for a good price. Service was good on one leg...very distant on the return (but can be like that with any airline) Wasn't too impressed with the seating...found it a little uncomfortable, but the meals were quite good. (IFE was blurry and not many choices)

 

[malmacdowall]

Decided to go with MH J in the end as I have to stop off Penang on the way to Indonesia .
Will let you know how it goes.... Thanks for all your comments.