Video Review: Malaysia Airlines A380 First Class

Malaysia Airlines have had a lot of bad luck recently, and are suffering from reduced passenger loads as a result. This is a shame, as they have made an interesting play with their new first class product installed on their A380s. Here’s a video review to share the first class experience they offer:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j6SgP2-Anqk

The seat doesn’t have doors to make a private cabin (like some carriers), but the fact there are only 8 seats in the cabin allows Malaysia to stagger the seats and give a decent amount of privacy. Compare and contrast with British Airways’ choice to install 14 seats in a similar amount of space!

This really demonstrates the dichotomy of travel today – some carriers are chasing customers by investing in their onboard product, whilst others are selling a poorer experience but enabling many more people to access it at a cheap rate by offering upgrades, either in cash / points or recurring ‘buy business get first’ promos.

Check-in at Heathrow was very efficient – although the first class desk was busy, a staff member walking around came straight over to us, took our passports and bags and came back a minute later with our boarding passes.

The lounge at Heathrow was great – certainly similar in quality to BA’s flagship Concorde Room and far better than BA’s First Class lounge in T3. There was a good choice of drinks, with food cooked to order & waiter service.

The food and drink was also excellent onboard – but there was no alcohol served on the ground, which was disappointing for a premium first class experience. After we took off, Dom Pérignon 2002 was quickly served, so all was forgiven!

The cabin was in great condition, and felt both private and open. We realised why this was – there were no overhead lockers; instead you had lots of storage around your seat & a personal wardrobe, and staff would take and retrieve your luggage when you needed it.

Overall, this was a fantastic flight and MAS First Class is highly recommended.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j6SgP2-Anqk

Hello NiceTravelAdventures

Thanks for the reports. One thing you forget to mention was how many passengers occupied first class on the outward flight ?

It will be interesting to see what happens next year when BA launches non-stop flights to KL. Will MAS retain one of its A380 flights from LHR, I wonder, or will it be switched to AMS ?

Note sure if you know, but in Australia MAS is trying to incentivise travel agents by rewarding them with Rolex watches and free tickets when they book MAS.

http://www.themalaysianinsider.com/malaysia/article/mas-offers-travel-agents-rolex-watches-free-trips-in-bid-to-boost-ticket-sa

I fully agree with Mr Michael
Howewer, the MH experience and the BA experience are very different whih means that if fares

I fully agree with Mr Michael
Howewer, the MH experience and the BA experience are very different whih means that if fares

I fully agree with Mr Michael
Howewer, the MH experience and the BA experience are very different whih means that if fares

@AMcWhirter There were 5 of us on the outbound flight.

It looks like BA will be getting the inbound slot for their KL service from MAS, as it lands before 6am. These slots are so incredibly precious it is doubtful they’ll be swapping with an existing BA service. Whether this means MAS will get a later BA slot, or just forego one of their rotations I do not know. Hopefully MAS have been smart enough to lease rather then sell the slot.