So rather than getting the 9:30am MH flight back to LHR as planned, I left that one as a no-show and caught a flight at the same time going to Xiamen in China. I left my wife back in Kuala Lumpur with her family, we'd meet back up at LHR in a few days.
As it was a last minute booking, the economy one-way flight was £220, whilst Business was only £280 for a 4 hour flight. A no-brainer I decided as it meant a free breakfast in the lounge and comfort on the plane.
I tried the MH Golden Lounge in the Satellite terminal at KUL. Large, with a smaller separate section for First Class passengers. Good wifi, two buffet lines serving English (or an approximation) and Asian breakfast goodies. Kitchen counter offering food cooked to order and assorted hot/cold drinks. Lots of minibar counters loaded with more alcohol than I've seen in most of Malaysia, but they weren't seeing much use at that time in the morning. The Champagne bottles looked impressive, but I left them untried.
Boarding went smoothly with two airbridges in use. The cabin on the A330-400 (I think) had a 2-2-2 config for business, about 10 rows. I was in 2G, and with a <50% load I had no-one next to me. The central seating area only had overhead lockers from row 4 back, so from my seat the cabin was very light and airy. The seat was an older large, cloth covered, business class seat with only an audio entertainment socket. The cabin only had a single CRT in the front bulkhead, must have weighed a tonne! Whilst they did show a movie on the shared screen, shortly after take off they gave out both headsets and personal media players, with a decent enough 7" screen.
The cabin crew were amazing throughout the flight. MH staff always seem polite and efficient, but I really enjoyed this flight. I was addressed by name by all the crew, possibly made easier by being the only Westerner on a Malaysia to China flight.
The menu made for excellent reading, and the only selection needed was for the main course. The service started with table cloths and drinks and the huge tray then arrived carrying fresh fruit and a nice yoghurt pot. They then offered a range of mini-jars of jam and marmalade followed by a bread basket of rolls and croissants. This comprised the breakfast starter!
The main course I selected was Chinese Stir Fry noodles with beef and Dim sum. It was really good, though I quickly learnt to go easy on the pot of chilli source which accompanied it. Rather potent for the Western palette. The Dim sum was excellent too, even comparing it to the restaurant I’d visited a few days before. As the champagne bottle looked expensive I asked for a glass, and top ups came frequently thereafter without prompting. Very nice it was too.
Dessert was either strawberry cheesecake with fruit compote or icecream. When the beautiful dessert trolley came past I selected the icecream (a Hagen Das vanilla pot) and was amused to have the stewardess apologise that it was too hot and I should leave it for a while. It was of course frozen solid rather than steaming. When the trolley passed to the other side of me a cheesecake appeared, it seemed rude to refuse it.
After a very fine meal I was able to get my laptop out and get a good amount of work done. There was space on the side table to prop up the media player and still leave room for the champagne.
After landing I was almost the first off, leading to my first international arrival into Xiamen rather than my more normal domestic route. Like the domestic side it is a rather well organised airport, so I passed through quickly and easily.
Another good Malaysian Airlines experience, and a few more VS miles. Sadly at 1890 miles I think I miss the tier point.
Paul
