I recently had the chance to experience Malaysia Airlines' A350 business class cabin on the carrier's flagship long-haul service from London Heathrow to Kuala Lumpur, and it didn't disappoint.
Pre-departure and lounge
Having stayed overnight at one of Heathrow Terminal 4's adjoining hotels, it was a brief five-minute stroll to the Malaysia Airlines check-in desks at around 08:00. I was informed before the flight that there may be a space-available upgrade to business class, and fortunately, this was still available on the day. I arrived two-and-a-half hours before departure on one of MH's two daily LHR-KUL services and was surprised to see there were no queues.
The check-in experience in the dedicated business class lane was almost instant, and security took about 10 minutes to clear at this relatively early hour. While Malaysia Airlines may have closed its Golden Lounge during the pandemic, premium passengers are granted access to oneworld ally Qatar Airways' Premium Lounge.
The elegant lounge, a beneficiary of a revamp during Terminal 4's downtime over the pandemic, was peaceful at this time of the morning. I enjoyed a substantial hot breakfast and a glass of freshly squeezed orange juice - accompanied by a beautiful view of the apron - before departing for my flight an hour later. If I had to find an issue, it would be the limited choice of hot options, although the quality couldn't be faulted.
The cabin
Boarding was a breeze, and before I knew it, I was onboard. MH's Airbus A350-900 business class fits 35 passengers in a 1-2-2/1-2-1 configuration and is actually split into two cabins - I was in the front section, which also takes you to the airline's four-pax 'Business Suite' cabin right at the front of the plane.
It came as no surprise to see the cabin was at full capacity - as Simple Flying explored, MH's London A350 service has been operating with an almost 100% load factor since Malaysia reopened to tourists less than a year ago, demonstrating just how popular the only direct London-Kuala Lumpur flight is.
Even with a full house, overhead storage was plentiful, and I had no issues stowing a backpack and small suitcase. Prior to takeoff, champagne and a range of premium wines were offered; at this early in the morning, I opted for a glass of fresh orange juice instead.
The seat
I was lucky enough to be seated in one of the individual seats (seat 5K) by the window. While they technically aren't 'suites' like those in the Business Suite cabin in front, effective privacy screens and a bulky chassis give the feel of being in one.
There are tons of functions available, including extensive seat controls like a built-in massager, mood lighting and customizable cushion firmness, all making the journey supremely comfortable. There were multiple storage points, including a lockable cupboard for valuables and a large compartment beneath the window table, along with multi-socket and USB charging points.
The amenity bag - from luxury British designer Aspinal of London - was definitely a keeper and contained some handy toiletries and amenities, including earplugs and eye mask, comfy longsocks, toothbrush, toothpaste and mouthwash, a hairbrush/comb as well as two PAYOT creams.
Four-course lunch
About an hour or so into the flight, crew began the lunch service with an appetizing Malaysian favorite - satay (chicken, lamb or beef) heaped with peanut sauce. I would have asked for more, but I wanted to save room for the three courses coming up.
Following the satay, the crew brought out a generous serving of smoked salmon complete with capers and celeriac remoulade as a starter. Next up was a choice of three mains - Hainanese Chicken Rice, Crusted Lamb Loin or Pan Fried Cod - I opted for the lamb loin and was served up a healthy portion of meat and veg.
While some carriers' business offerings are barely an improvement on economy, this was not the case here - the food was excellent on all counts and a clear step up.
Throughout the flight, MH business passengers can also order from the 'Anytime' menu - more substantial offerings like beef brisket ciabatta or egg noodles with prawn, chicken and squid balls are available alongside lighter fare, such as a fruit or cheese selection. Having already filled up in the lounge and at lunch, I only ordered a fruit selection after sleeping, consisting of fresh pineapple, kiwi and melon.
IFE and lie-flat sleeping
After my table was cleared, it was time to sample the in-flight entertainment (IFE) system. The 16" full-HD 1080p Panasonic eX3 screen was responsive to inputs either by touch or using the remote hidden inside the armrest. Importantly, it also held up to the glare test, offering a clear and bright picture quality (at full brightness) while the sun shined through the window.
The entertainment catalog was very good, offering a wide range of new releases and classics from Hollywood and abroad - the 'Awards Feature' option was particularly handy. The flight does offer WiFi, but it's not complimentary for business passengers - Lite (10 MB for $2) Social (50 MB for $10) and Business (200 MB for $25) are the available packages. After catching a quick movie - 'A Most Violent Year' - it was time to get my bed ready.
The seat went from upright to full-flat in around 10 seconds and comes with a fitted seat cover and quality blanket. Measuring in at 6"2 tall, I fit perfectly into the booth and my legs could stretch out fully. As a morning flight, I only managed to sleep a few hours (very comfortably for a flight) and enjoyed the rest of the time watching a couple of old favorites - 'Sherlock Holmes' and 'Batman Begins.'
Pre-arrival breakfast
With a few hours left before landing, the lights came back on and the crew announced that breakfast was ready to be served.
Following a quality spread of yogurt, fresh fruit and granola (a selection of optional breads too), it was time to sample the Malaysian national dish - Nasi Lemak. Having grown up in Malaysia, I know what constitutes a good Nasi Lemak, and MH's offering was one of the best I've had - this variation came with large prawns and was toned down a little on the spiciness.
For those after something a little lighter on the taste buds, a scrambled egg, chicken, spinach and muffin combo was available, along with a sweeter Belgian waffle topped with caramelized banana, maple syrup and mascarpone cheese. I enjoyed another glass of orange juice after breakfast and within no time the plane had begun its descent.
Landing and final thoughts
After touching down in Kuala Lumpur, I had a two-hour wait to catch my connecting flight to Indonesia.
If there were any detractions, it would be the lack of complimentary WiFi and the pricing structure for data-limited packages. While I could do without WiFi during this flight, those with sizable bandwidth needs could find themselves shelling out.
Other than this, I couldn't find a major fault in the experience. The crew was very welcoming and always on hand for any requests, and I thought the level of service, food and comfort was excellent throughout.
Have you ever flown business class on a Malaysia Airlines Airbus A350? How did it compare to other business class journeys you've been on? Let us know your stories in the comments.
- Malaysia Airlines is keen to upgrade its A330s. Photo: Getty Images
Malaysia Airlines
- IATA/ICAO Code:
- MH/MAS
- Airline Type:
- Full Service Carrier
- Hub(s):
- Kuala Lumpur International Airport
- Year Founded:
- May 1st, 1947
- Alliance:
- oneworld
- CEO:
- Izham Ismail
- Country:
- Malaysia
