MH086 KUL-BKI 2 MAY 11 (BUSINESS)
Posted: 06 May 2011, 02:12The flight was the second leg LHR->KUL->BKI after a pleasant recovery night at the Pan Pacific KLIA. Typically pricey airport hotel but easily offset by having dinner at the airport food court. Superb Malaysian fast food, all cooked to order so dinner for two was about 6 pounds. Fun electric buggy rides at speed to and from the hotel.
Since booking the holiday I'd been reading up on Optiontown after learning that MH use them to sell upgrades. I didn't like the price for the international legs (£564) but the internal flight was only £44 each so signed up about 2 weeks before the flight. Aside from the confirmation of request email I haven't heard success or fail from Optiontown, even a few days after the flight. Fortunately that seems to have been the only negative I can report.
Tried to check in at the economy desk, but was turned away when they saw we were listed as being in business. Loaded bags back on the trolley and crossed to the business desk. Easy check-in and through security to the domestic terminal. Found the MH Golden Lounge for a spot of breakfast. Mostly Asian hot and cold dishes, but a good selection overall. Nice quiet environment and solid wifi. Showers looked good too. I think the food helped start my wife's conversion to being a business class convert.
Somewhat dated plane, but nice and spacious up front. Seats reminded me of Virgin PE before the leather upgrades. Fabulous service and food, including a pack of Cadbury Gold chocolates that I'd not seen before. No in flight entertainment was a little poor on a 2.5 hour flight, but books, iPads and food sufficed.
Very glad we didn't do the flight straight after the long haul, fortunately MH can't make the connection work, so the stopover doesn't incur any fees. Economy looked packed, and given the age of the plane, probably cramped. I've now signed up for Optiontown uTo for the flights back to KUL as it seemed to work out so well. Sadly that price had crept up to £52 each, and the lounge at Kota Kinabaloo airport isn't special.
Wow, that's a lot to type on an iPad, but the wife is hogging the laptop
