WHAT TO EXPECT
Are you considering flying Malaysia Airlines Business Class for international travel?
Business Class is a wonderful way to fly and Malaysia Airlines provides a very comfortable service, which I have experienced on numerous occasions. I have flown Malaysia Airlines Business Class from Melbourne, Australia to Kuala Lumpur, and also to Kota Kinabalu, East Malaysia, and New Delhi, India, including return flights.
I’ll give you a look at what you can expect with my personal review of flying Malaysia Airlines Business Class Basic. (Not to be confused with the new Business Suite, which replaced First Class).
Baggage Allowance with Malaysia Airlines Business Class
One of the best perks of flying Business Class is the extra baggage allowance for those of us who like to pack more clothing, take gifts to family we are visiting, or plan to shop while we’re away.
So how much are you are allowed to bring with Malaysia Airlines Business Class?
Each adult is permitted:
- 2 pieces of check-in luggage, a total of 40kg, with a max of 32kg for one item.
- Plus, 2 carry-on items, not including purse/handbag, a total of 14 kg, no more than 7kg each.
I’ve never had anyone weigh my carry-on items. But it’s best to stick to the guidelines, just in case.
If you’re travelling with children, infants are allowed 10kg free baggage allowance in Business Class.
Boarding Malaysian Airlines Business Class
Check-In
There are usually dedicated check-in counters for business class travellers, which means minimal queues, if any at all. Sometimes I’ve walked right up without any wait time.
Priority
Priority boarding is always offered for Business Class passengers, meaning you will board the aircraft before economy class. Often access is through a separate bridge or walkway.
Crew
Malaysia Airlines flight crew make you feel very welcome as soon as you enter the cabin. They are some of the nicest stewards I have ever come across, always friendly and attentive, often using your name to address you. Their stunning uniforms and immaculate presentation reflects the onboard experience and the Malaysian hospitality they pride themselves on.
Pre-Departure
As soon as you board you are offered pre-departure drinks of various juices, water, champagne, along with a small packet of peanuts. My favourite is their signature hibiscus drink. A wet cloth is also offered to freshen up. Quilt and pillow are already at your seat, as are slippers.
Also upon boarding you are provided with the Menu, another lovely perk in Business Class, to select your meal for the a-la-carte dining service. Orders are taken either before departure or immediately after. There is quite a reasonable choice of dishes on offer. More on the meals later.
Features of Malaysian Airlines Business Class
Arguably the most delightful feature of Business Class is the extra room to stretch out and plenty of space for your belongings within easy reach, whether you’re planning to work or relax during your flight.
Some seats have direct aisle access, to minimise disturbance and for ease of movement, but not all. Some are throne seats, meaning they have no one next to them.
At your seat you will find,
- a wide, comfortable, fully adjustable armchair with massage features, which converts to a completely flat bed, to easily fit a person 6 feet tall.
- plenty of leg room, with a foot niche to extend your legs,
- quilt, small pillow and sleeping mat,
- slippers,
- noise-cancelling earphones,
- a large pull-out tray table,
- side bench,
- small cupboard with mirror,
- netting for phone,
- small light,
- charging ports,
- a coat hook,
- a 3-point seat belt with shoulder strap you can uncouple,
- and a touch-screen TV, also with a remote control, for when you’re lying down.
These features vary slightly depending on the aircraft.
Furthermore, some planes have a sliding screen door for added privacy, namely the A330 Neo.
Malaysian Airlines Business Class Layout
Seating configurations differ depending on which Malaysia Airlines plane you are allocated for your flight.
The 4 airbuses in the Malaysia Airlines Fleet all have flat beds in Business Class, namely A332, A333, A359 and A388 planes.
The Boeing craft only has recliner seats in Business Class. The seat width is also slightly narrower, being a narrow body jet, 738.
Some aircraft have seating formations of 1-2-1 across the cabin. Some have alternating rows of 1-2-1 and 1-2-2. Others have seats arranged as 2-2-2 in a row.
If travelling solo, you may be able to score a single window seat without anyone next to you. These throne seats generally have much more room.
The new A330 Neo aircraft have sliding doors for a little privacy, but of course people can see over the top as they’re walking down the aisle. The seats are also angled away from the aisle.
SNAZZY TIP: You can check Malaysia Airlines Business Class seat formations for the different planes here.
Malaysia Airlines Business Class Amenities
Business Class provides these complimentary items to make your flight comfortable:
- An Amenities Kit, with essentials from the French brand Payot, for you to keep
- Slippers and pyjamas (not always available), for you to keep
- Blanket, sleeping mat, and pillow
- Noise-cancelling earphones.
Also important to mention are the toilets in Business Class, which are cleaned regularly throughout the flight and kept well stocked with supplies for your use, to brush teeth, moisturise and freshen up. There are also less people using the business class toilets, which is a definite plus in my opinion.
Meals and Drinks with Malaysian Airlines Business Class
Dining
Two meals are served on flights between Melbourne / Sydney and Kuala Lumpur over the 8 hours. Three meals on longer flights. And the food is always delicious.
A white table cloth and napkin, proper cutlery and glasses, tiny salt & pepper shakers, and a selection of breads and condiments are part of every meal, making for a fine dining experience in the sky.
Some traditional Malaysian dishes are on the menu, with popular rice and noodle dishes, as well as International options. The menu always differs slightly.
Satay trolley
A highlight for me is always the Satay trolley wheeled down the aisle at the start of meal service, serving the appetiser of delicious char-grilled chicken or beef skewers and satay sauce, with cucumber, onion and rice cake squares. (You can request no sauce if you have a peanut allergy.) This is the famous signature dish of Malaysia Airlines which has been served since the beginning. Thousands of skewers are prepared in their MAS KL kitchen everyday.
You can ask for a break before your main meal is served or before dessert is served. Stewards are always happy to accommodate you.
If you don’t want to be woken for meals, they generally won’t bother you.
On-Demand
Snacks and small meals are also available on demand, such as noodles, sandwiches, cheese and crackers, fruit, ice cream, nuts, coffee, teas, etc.
SNAZZY TIP: If the alcohol beverage menu is not provided to you, make sure to ask, as a range of wines, champagne, liquor and even cocktails are available for free throughout flights for Business Class passengers.
Malaysia Airlines Business Class Entertainment
The personal In-Flight entertainment system offers ample choices to keep you happy, with a good range of movies, shows, games and music to choose from. However, the movies are usually censored in line with Malaysian standards.
Currently, only the new aircrafts offer free Wi-Fi, through the inflight hotspot, but it can be a bit patchy. Wi-Fi will be offered on all Malaysia flights in the future.
I also like the up-to-date flight map, showing location, distance travelled and flight time remaining.
Malaysia Airlines Business Class Lounge
One of the main perks about travelling business class with any airline is being able to indulge in the complimentary visit to the airport lounges. The Satellite Golden Lounge at Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) is the flag-ship lounge for Malaysia Airlines Business Class passengers to relax or work in prior to flights, and it doesn’t disappoint. Wi-Fi of course, is provided.
This lounge is huge and overlooks the busy KLIA tarmac with views of the aircrafts.
You can choose from many different seating areas with tables and chairs, sofas and armchairs, benches with stools.
Throughout there are various tv’s, reading material, and of course coffee bar and sport’s bar.
An extensive buffet offering local and international cuisine is beautifully catered with meals changed throughout the day, plus breads, cakes, fruits, all complimentary.
In addition, there are showers, nap areas, and a children’s play room.
All these features make the waiting time before your flight comfortable and enjoyable, particularly when you have a long wait between connecting flights.
You are able to spend up to 3 hours in the lounge prior to your flight or connecting flight.
SNAZZY TIP: To find out about other airport lounges Malaysia Airlines Business Class travellers can avail themselves of, around the world, please check here.
I recommend flying Malaysia Airlines Business Class and trying it for yourself. A very good option for long haul flights, throughout Asia, Oceania, Middle East and even Europe.
Find destinations where Malaysia Airlines can take you here.
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