Malaysian J

[docjames]

Hi all,

Feedback needed on MH's J class seating, specifically 744 and 777 as looking at a well priced J fare return to LHR.

From what I can gather, angled lie flat seats akin to QF 744/330. Reasonable space and amenity.

FF program options?
Service?
On time performance?
Likelihood of a 330 being subbed in for the 777 at the last minute?
Anything else I havent though of?

Edit
- Lounges?
- Velocity rewards gives points but not status it would seem.....

Thanks all.

 

[mannej]

As a quick reply DocJames, MH 744/777 have the same J class Malaysia Airlines - Business Class.

I haven't been lucky enough to sample the J service, but I find the Y service very consistent and at a good level. IFE is AVOD, but hasn't changed in a while, so the screens may appear tired.

FF options are limited, and it is worth checking what classes DJ offer mileage accrual for.

In terms of A/C being subbed, fairly close to no chance. I have never had a T7 swapped, so unlike carriers like CX, the A/C is most likely remaining a T7/744.

I know PER has their own MH lounge from memory but not sure about other ports of call.

That is off the top of my head, so is fairly limited but hope it helps.

 

[docjames]

Thanks mannej. We can cope with old screens but would like AVOD so that's good. Sounds like it's unlikely to be changed.

Skytrax seems to suggest they're quite good, albeit their product is starting to age a little.

Anyone else?

 

[dajop]

FF options are limited, and it is worth checking what classes DJ offer mileage accrual for.

DJ would offer earning for business class fares, but some of the economy one don't earn. MH's own enrich program is an option, especially if you can top up with points from a credit card program (Amex, Altitude) - however taxes on MH redemptions can cost lots of $$$$.

Another option may be the Air France/KLM program - Flying Blue. A return to LHR in J on MH would get you enough points for a return (economy) domestic flight on QF - anywhere in Australia.

 

[mannej]

Thanks mannej. We can cope with old screens but would like AVOD so that's good. Sounds like it's unlikely to be changed.

Skytrax seems to suggest they're quite good, albeit their product is starting to age a little.

Anyone else?

Yes it is starting to age a tad. I found that some of their T7's have aged worse than others. It is really luck of the draw, however this factor did not impact on comfort levels too dramatically.

 

[Travel Guru]

The seats on MH in J are the same as Thai and JAL are using, angled lie flat's...some have issues with them, I find them perfectly okay, although not quite as good as Etihad's fully flat J bed.

I've never had complaints from clients flying MH J, always consistent service and some clients are completely loyal to them after experiencing them.

Certainly wouldn't hesitate flying them, though if a similar price point, i'd probably go JAL in J again, their service was fantastic and the QF SC's don't hurt.

As an agent, I fly J regularly, but usually on AD's, so dont acrue alot of Intl SC's, but the one JAL J paid tkt to Europe got me to Gold so was happy with that.

TG

 

[docjames]

Cool.

I might look at DL Skymiles as an option if I can work out if we can redeem i Aus - they offer 150% miles (vs DJ Velocity offering 125%). But I'm not sure we need another FF program (am i really saying that on AFF?)

I'm a bit bummed that Velocity will give points only and not SCs. If they offered SCs we'd end up close to Gold and would move travel to them from QF I suspect.

 

[Travel Guru]

I'm a bit bummed that Velocity will give points only and not SCs. If they offered SCs we'd end up close to Gold and would move travel to them from QF I suspect.

Yet another failing of the Velocity rewards program?

TG

 

[docjames]

Yeah, i dont know. I mean, i can see why (they want to reward those who spend $$$ with them rather than leeching into Silver/Gold flying with others) but in this case, rewarding us for spending with a partner would move $$$ to them.

It would be to avoid giving status to those who only spend with partners / rewards store etc.

Perhaps there needs to be partial credit for those airline partners (as opposed to other methods of earning points).

 

[ANstar]

I flew MH J to J'Burg and was very happy with the product. Service was great and enjoyed the food offerings.

I credited to Virgin Atlantic Flyig Club for my flights as my goals was to get enough VS points to fly upper class with VS.

 

[equus]

- Lounges?

MH use the Qantas Business Lounge in BNE.

They have their own lounge (shared) in SYD.

Multiple lounges in KUL.

CDG used the Air France lounge - nothing to write home about there (and probably of no interest to you).

Found the MH J seats narrower than QF. Don't have a problem with the angle on either. Service was fine, but thought food and beverage is better in QF, but no complaints about MH.

Flew MH J BNE-KUL-xLGK-KULx-CDGx-KUL-SYD-BNE in September / October last year.

When flying from BNE / SYD, you will be aware that the flight does a "loop" KUL-SYD-BNE-KUL, so in one direction or the other, you get a little unwanted transit.

Used Enrich points (from AMEX) to upgrade into J class (having bought upgradeable fares) on some sectors, and outright award on others (KUL-CDG-KUL). Nice thing about Enrich, is that unlike the QF lottery, upgrades can be confirmed immediately. Not only that, but (the unofficial) help from the excellent ladies on the desk in the Brisbane office (in Edward St), allowed waitlisting upgrade requests, which then cleared.

 

[docjames]

Thanks all for info.

My highly reliable TA has it showing nonstop BNE-KUL and KUL-BNE so hopefully that's correct and we've fluked the days it goes SYD-BNE-KUL and KUL-BNE-SYD.

 

[mannej]

Generally (unless changed), my colleague has always gone direct to KUL on MH, but transits via SYD on the return. This is flying MH140/141.

This may have changed recently, but has always been the same (apart from the aircraft changing from a 747 to a 777)

 

[ChrisBNE]

From 28th of March, BNE will have direct KULBNE services on Fridays and Sundays.

 

[mannej]

From 28th of March, BNE will have direct KULBNE services on Fridays and Sundays.

Indeed that is news. It looks like this route will be MH135, departs KUL at 09:00 and arrives at BNE at 19:55 and serviced by a B777.

My colleague won't be happy hearing this news considering he won't be in KUL any time soon.

 

[docjames]

Current bookings MH 134 / 135 (connecting to/from Mh 004/003)

MH134 dep BNE 2320
MH 135 dep KUL 0900 arr BNE 1855

Both on a sunday at this stage (trying to move 135 to the monday)

 

[Izaak du Plooy]

I flew Malaysian J Class to Johannesburg. The srevice was very friendly but I found the food way below standard. If I was offered another peanut sauce kebab by the end of my return flight I would have screamed!!!!!

The airport lounge in Sydney is excellent as is the one in Kuala Lumpur.

 

[docjames]

Thanks all.

Have found some decent pricing QF Y+ for the dates I want, so am looking at that also. Sure, MH J will be better, but more $$$ that i'm not 100% sure I can justify.

 

[stanboy]

We have flown with MAS J class many times, usually in 777-200 BNE - Kul, and 747 KUL - LHR. Return from KUL is via SYD most days. Seats are slightly angled "lie-flat" and have very good AVOD. Not as good as true lie-flat seats. We like the sate sticks so always welcome them. Service and food very good. Staff not as pernickety as Qantas can be. Qantas lounge in BNE, own lounges, very good in KUL, shared in LHR. F/F redemptions about 1/3 less AMEX points than Qantas, but no charge for enquiries and willingly advise on flights available. Seats guaranteed immediately.
Qantas seats and food a little better in J class, service not as good as MAS, but points and/or paid seats are far more expensive than MAS. Plus paid J class gets chauffeur service to airports at both originating and return flights. Free excellent accommodation ( Pan Pacific ) at KUL airport provided if scheduled break between flights. If having 70% of points needed, MAS allow cash payment to top up.

 

[docjames]

Thanks stanboy