Chrisrad From Australia, joined Dec 2000, 821 posts, RR: 5 Posted (2 months 6 days 12 hours ago) and read 8720 times:
It was time for my annual trip for 2008, we had a pile of Enrich points expiring this year I thought it best to use them up rather than pay $$$ to extend them.
MH was and is trialling a new 3rd flight into MEL, 3 times a week which has a better departure time of 1000 arriving into KUL at 1610. So we managed to get seats on this new flight
We also decided to get some of the new supersaver fares MH are offering. KUL-PVG and HKG-KUL and BKK-KUL. All we less than $100 AUD each including taxes and fuel surcharge.
12th Sep
MH 7420
MEL-KUL
Flight time: 8 hours
B772
Golden Club Class
After problems with our booking at checkin (as usual) we barely had time for the lounge, having covered this before so only took a few pics this time
Welcome on board, the cheery crew were waiting for us at the remote stand near the cargo area at MEL, as a section of the international terminal is closed for the new renovations that have started.
Welcome drinks, fruit juices, champagne etc were on offer, as were the customary hot towels.
Lining Up for takeoff
Detail of the seats
Headsets and Aigner ammenity kit were distributed
Cabin Shot
Food service begins which a Brunch at this time of the day
Cup of tea to start the service of with, rather bland mug?
Warm Croissant, Jams, Butter, Fresh Fruit and Yogurt to start us off today
There was choice of 4 mains, I had the Salmon quiche. There were no menus on this flight because it's an add on flight to the regular services. The cabin crew read out what was on offer to each passenger
Extremely sweet lemon tart or something similair
FLying over central Australia, rather strange and other worldly scapes below.
Mood lighting on
Our route as shown on the "Select" entertainment system
Some more details
Mood lighting gradually changing
Video of the cabin
Time for the second meal before landing, can you guess what it might be, yes its time for SATAY!!!!
and a meat pie LOL for that aussie touch?
Seat Controls
Some turbulence over Indonesia
Flying past KLIA
Arrival at KUL
KUL seems to be getting busier everytime I go, now they have even more shops
After a few days in KL it was time to go to Shanghai
15th Sep 2008
KUL-PVG
Flight Time: 5 hours
Boeing B772
Economy Class
Waiting at the gate
Back in Economy Class for these trips, the horror... the horror!!
The Wing.....
Flying through some cloud
The lowlight of MH economy the meal... squid and pork?
Drinks service
Our route
Nice view from the back
Landing in Shanghai - Pudong
Going to the gate, UA LH SQ all in attendance
A few days in fantastic Shanghai it was time to go to Hong Kong
18th Sep 2008
PVG-HKG
Flight Time 2 hours
Cathay Pacific - Economy Class
Boeing B772
Checkin at PVG terminal 2
Our CX 772 waiting for us
Gate area
Boarding
Inflight
Economy Meal, presentation slightly better than MH
Arrival in HKG
Another short stay and it was time to make our way to Koh Samui in Thailand
Sep 20th 2008
HKG-KUL
MH072
Flight time 3.30 hours
Boeing B772
Arrivng at Departures in HKG
View of the ramp
More and more shops
Finally getting towards the gate
Our MH 772 waiting at the gate for us
Onboard
Standard MH Economy meal
20th September 2008
KUL-BKK
Air Asia
A320
Once in KUL we had to make our way to the LCCT, which is quite far. Terminal wasnt as bad as I had thought it would be, but still nothing to compare to the main terminals.
Waiting area
Onboard our new Air Asia A320
6 Hours sleep and we were off again to Surat Thani to catch the ferry across to Koh Samui, something we later regretted doing. As the time lost and inconvenience wasnt worth the $$$ saving.
BKK-URT
Air Asia
A320
Flight time 1.10
Arriving at BKK for checkin
Departures at BKK
Air Asia Checkin
I forgot to charge the camera so I had no more photos after this of the flight.
A few beautiful days in Koh Samui it was time to go home
After deciding no to go through the torture of Surat Thani - the bus , the ferry. We decided to quickly buy a one way on Bangkok Air from Koh Samui to BKK
I have to say Koh Samui is airport is one of the nicest and most unusual I have been to
Everything is open, no walls, no aircon
Little shopping strip as you go to the gate waiting area
Going to the waiting area
Bangkok Air offers ALL its passengers a lounge service with free drinks and food, a very nice touch indeed
Gate waiting area
Driving out to the aircraft
Our Bangkok Air A319
Onboard
Snack Box
Chicken Foccacia
Arrival in BKK - I must say the new BKK doesnt impress me that much
Nice concrete ceilings...
Checkin area
BKK-KUL
Flight Time 2 hours
Aircraft was meant to be A330, but as there was only 66 people booked on the flight it was downgraded to 734.... thrilling
The endless walk to the gate
Onbard our MH 734 with new seat covers..... revolting, they dont even fit properly
Waiting to leave
Inflight to KUL once again...
Departing the Thai coast
Meal service making its way down the cabin to us
The Snack Box
The rice and shrimp was possibly the worst meal I had ever tasted yet. I coudlnt eat any of it
Sun setting
Finally back at KUL it was time for our last flight home, thankfully back in business class for the overnight flight back to MEL
KUL-MEL
MH149
FLight time : 7 hours
Boeing B772
Golden Club Class
Boarding now standard with welcome drinks and hot towels
Mood lights on, time for a light supper
Only 2 satay sticks for me, was quite late by now and not very hungry
Entree
Main, I chose the Ravioli
Dessert
Some turbulence during the flight
and more
Lights off and time for sleep
A few hours and lights on for breakfast
The "continenal breakfast" I have never been so dissapointed in my life. We got 2 croissants to go with this and that was it!!!! I don't think this is good enough for Business Class.
Sun rising as we return to MEL
Welcome aboard Malaysia Airlines! Winner of Best Cabin Staff 2001,2002,2003,2004,2007 Best Airline S.E Asia 2005
PlaneHunter From Germany, joined Mar 2006, 2453 posts, RR: 59 Reply 1, posted (2 months 6 days 12 hours ago) and read 8689 times:
Quoting Chrisrad (Thread starter): Back in Economy Class for these trips, the horror... the horror!!
You are probably an experienced C Class traveller, but apparently not too familiar with the various Economy products in the aviation biz. Calling MH's 777 Economy Class "the horror" is, honestly, absolutely out of touch with reality. MH's seat pitch alone beats most competitors.
Chrisrad From Australia, joined Dec 2000, 821 posts, RR: 5 Reply 2, posted (2 months 6 days 12 hours ago) and read 8661 times:
Quoting PlaneHunter (Reply 1): You are probably an experienced C Class traveller, but apparently not too familiar with the various Economy products in the aviation biz. Calling MH's 777 Economy Class "the horror" is, honestly, absolutely out of touch with reality. MH's seat pitch alone beats most competitors.
Hi Planehunter, I was being sarcastic. I used to travel MH economy long before I used to do trips in C class, its just that the food and everything else has gone down hill whilst the competition has introduced newer and better products. On the whole it's not so bad, and for the prices we paid it was more than worth it.
Welcome aboard Malaysia Airlines! Winner of Best Cabin Staff 2001,2002,2003,2004,2007 Best Airline S.E Asia 2005
CastropRauxel From Israel, joined Sep 2008, 317 posts, RR: 0 Reply 4, posted (2 months 6 days 11 hours ago) and read 8539 times:
Great report indeed - but nothing was as surprising as the USM airport! wow, that was amazing. can't believe that such an airport exist... I must visit that!
Bill142 From Australia, joined Aug 2004, 6862 posts, RR: 8 Reply 5, posted (2 months 6 days 10 hours ago) and read 8455 times:
Quoting Chrisrad (Thread starter): I have to say Koh Samui is airport is one of the nicest and most unusual I have been to
USM is certainly one of those unique airports that you seldom visit. It looks as if some upgrade have been done since I was there in 2006. The shops weren't their nor were PG offering food and drinks in the lounge.
PlaneHunter From Germany, joined Mar 2006, 2453 posts, RR: 59 Reply 6, posted (2 months 6 days 10 hours ago) and read 8455 times:
Quoting Chrisrad (Reply 2): Hi Planehunter, I was being sarcastic. I used to travel MH economy long before I used to do trips in C class, its just that the food and everything else has gone down hill whilst the competition has introduced newer and better products. On the whole it's not so bad, and for the prices we paid it was more than worth it.
Alright, no problem. I share your views about catering and certain details of the product. However, in terms of seat pitch and cabin crews MH is outstanding.
Chrisrad From Australia, joined Dec 2000, 821 posts, RR: 5 Reply 7, posted (2 months 6 days 9 hours ago) and read 8367 times:
Quoting PlaneHunter (Reply 6): Alright, no problem. I share your views about catering and certain details of the product. However, in terms of seat pitch and cabin crews MH is outstanding.
Probably the only thing saving them from the competition. The warmth and down to earthness of the crew really shines above all else. I'm waiting for the SQ lovers to bash me down now....
Quoting Bill142 (Reply 5): USM is certainly one of those unique airports that you seldom visit. It looks as if some upgrade have been done since I was there in 2006. The shops weren't their nor were PG offering food and drinks in the lounge.
Was certainly a nice touch, they have a huge lounge for everyone at the new BKK now from what I saw, would be nice to try if I ever fly with them again.
Welcome aboard Malaysia Airlines! Winner of Best Cabin Staff 2001,2002,2003,2004,2007 Best Airline S.E Asia 2005
SQ772 From Singapore, joined Nov 2001, 1578 posts, RR: 2 Reply 8, posted (2 months 6 days 8 hours ago) and read 8193 times:
Quoting Chrisrad (Reply 7): The warmth and down to earthness of the crew really shines above all else. I'm waiting for the SQ lovers to bash me down now....
Hahaha... I think SQ fans would readily admit that MH's crew are one of the best around. We're not unreasonable people.
We, and surely MH lovers, should however admit that while MH is great in the air and have a beautiful base at KLIA, they're let down by many other things happening on the ground....
And now it's my turn to wait for MH lovers to bash me!
Chrisrad From Australia, joined Dec 2000, 821 posts, RR: 5 Reply 10, posted (2 months 5 days 22 hours ago) and read 7576 times:
Quoting SQ772 (Reply 8): Hahaha... I think SQ fans would readily admit that MH's crew are one of the best around. We're not unreasonable people.
You reckon, they are very quick to attack...
Quoting SQ772 (Reply 8): We, and surely MH lovers, should however admit that while MH is great in the air and have a beautiful base at KLIA, they're let down by many other things happening on the ground....
Which I agree with 100% I had many issues with my bookings, mistakes etc.
Welcome aboard Malaysia Airlines! Winner of Best Cabin Staff 2001,2002,2003,2004,2007 Best Airline S.E Asia 2005
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