Isochronous
Established Member
- Joined
- Dec 18, 2009
- Posts
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A few weeks ago I took a trip to Penang to earn some MH J SCs to ensure I requalified for another year of OWE as QF WP.
Flight 1: MH79 HKG-KUL (738)
Check-in at HKG was a breeze. Unusually for a frequent traveller I actually checked in at the airport because I was commuting from a part of HK where it was quicker and cheaper to take the bus to the airport rather than a cab to the Airport Express. Tickets on the airport buses are only HK$40 compared to HK$100 for a train ticket. The buses are like a double-decker version of a Melbourne Skybus.
At check-in I handed over the black QFF card and the lady added in my FF number without me needing to say anything. I had been unable to add it online due to the clunky MH website, but it might also be to do with the fact that I actually booked a package holiday with Malaysia Airlines. The package, which included 4 nights at the 5-star G Hotel in Penang, and a 4hr City Explorer tour of Penang in a private car, was the same price as buying the MH J flight alone. So I basically got the accommodation for free if you look at it that way.
This was also the first time I was on a flight that departed from the North Satellite Terminal. I had been to the 500 numbered gates to be bussed direct to the tarmac for KA and 3K flights in the past, but this day I was to find out that there was even such a thing as the North Satellite Terminal. After an average breakfast at the CX F Wing (I think the noodle bar would have been more satisfying, frankly), I went down to the 500 gates where the buses leave. A bus then took us the short distance to the North Satellite Terminal. There are a few shops and cafes there, and generally it isn't too crowded.
Eventually it was time to board. Priority boarding worked a treat, although as a 738 we all had to go through the same front door of the aircraft anyway.
J pax were offered juice upon being seated and a newspaper was waiting in the seat pocket in front. It reminded me of being on a QF J domestic flight in the same aircraft. Although luckily this time, in a 16 seat J cabin there were only 3 pax. On this morning flight, the other 2 pax started working on laptops and declined meal service, which meant the 2 dedicated J FAs were very dedicated in attending to me and keeping my tea cup full.
First course in the breakfast service was a bread roll, banana muffin, fruit, and yoghurt. The famous Lurpak butter sachet makes an appearance too.
Three mains were available. I chose the Nasi Lemak, which is a Malaysian prawn and rice dish. Sadly morning flights don't offer the famous MH satays so that wasn't an option. Perhaps it is just a personal preference, but I have an aversion to shrimps and eggs on aeroplanes. To be honest I think QF PE food is a lot better, and the same goes for CX J at least on this meal.
That being said, the service on this flight (and the other MH flights in J I took on this trip) was always impeccable. Definitely on a par with QF. The FAs were also very good at addressing me by name at all times.
I was only transiting KUL to get the connecting flight to PEN, but I was offered this orange express card which apparently allows pax to skip the queue when clearing immigration at KUL.
Some cabin shots of the 738.
Flight 1: MH79 HKG-KUL (738)
Check-in at HKG was a breeze. Unusually for a frequent traveller I actually checked in at the airport because I was commuting from a part of HK where it was quicker and cheaper to take the bus to the airport rather than a cab to the Airport Express. Tickets on the airport buses are only HK$40 compared to HK$100 for a train ticket. The buses are like a double-decker version of a Melbourne Skybus.
At check-in I handed over the black QFF card and the lady added in my FF number without me needing to say anything. I had been unable to add it online due to the clunky MH website, but it might also be to do with the fact that I actually booked a package holiday with Malaysia Airlines. The package, which included 4 nights at the 5-star G Hotel in Penang, and a 4hr City Explorer tour of Penang in a private car, was the same price as buying the MH J flight alone. So I basically got the accommodation for free if you look at it that way.
This was also the first time I was on a flight that departed from the North Satellite Terminal. I had been to the 500 numbered gates to be bussed direct to the tarmac for KA and 3K flights in the past, but this day I was to find out that there was even such a thing as the North Satellite Terminal. After an average breakfast at the CX F Wing (I think the noodle bar would have been more satisfying, frankly), I went down to the 500 gates where the buses leave. A bus then took us the short distance to the North Satellite Terminal. There are a few shops and cafes there, and generally it isn't too crowded.
Eventually it was time to board. Priority boarding worked a treat, although as a 738 we all had to go through the same front door of the aircraft anyway.
J pax were offered juice upon being seated and a newspaper was waiting in the seat pocket in front. It reminded me of being on a QF J domestic flight in the same aircraft. Although luckily this time, in a 16 seat J cabin there were only 3 pax. On this morning flight, the other 2 pax started working on laptops and declined meal service, which meant the 2 dedicated J FAs were very dedicated in attending to me and keeping my tea cup full.
First course in the breakfast service was a bread roll, banana muffin, fruit, and yoghurt. The famous Lurpak butter sachet makes an appearance too.
Three mains were available. I chose the Nasi Lemak, which is a Malaysian prawn and rice dish. Sadly morning flights don't offer the famous MH satays so that wasn't an option. Perhaps it is just a personal preference, but I have an aversion to shrimps and eggs on aeroplanes. To be honest I think QF PE food is a lot better, and the same goes for CX J at least on this meal.
That being said, the service on this flight (and the other MH flights in J I took on this trip) was always impeccable. Definitely on a par with QF. The FAs were also very good at addressing me by name at all times.
I was only transiting KUL to get the connecting flight to PEN, but I was offered this orange express card which apparently allows pax to skip the queue when clearing immigration at KUL.
Some cabin shots of the 738.
