Airline review: Malaysia Airlines, Airbus A330-300, business class, Melbourne to Kuala Lumpur

Malaysia Airlines A330-300 business class cabin features window seats alternating between singles and pairs.

THE ROUTE

Flight MH128, Melbourne (MEL) to Kuala Lumpur (KUL)

THE AIRCRAFT

Airbus A330-300: the airline has 24 A330s in its 106-strong fleet.

THE LOYALTY SCHEME

Enrich is the airline's own frequent flyer program, and Malaysia is part of the oneworld alliance, which includes Qatar, Fiji Airways and Qantas.

CLASS

Business, seat 5K (window).

DURATION

8 hours, 30 minutes. We push off 10 minutes late, which the pilot attributes to congestion at Melbourne Airport.

FREQUENCY

This night flight, departing 11.30pm, runs five times weekly. In total, Malaysia Airlines runs 10 flights a week from Melbourne up to KL and expects to go double-daily by year's end.

CARBON EMISSIONS

2.0 tonnes for one business class passenger flying Melbourne to Kuala Lumpur. Pay to offset emissions at myclimate.org

HEALTH

Malaysia has dropped its vaccination requirements, but travellers still need to download the MySejahtera app and list any COVID-19 vaccinations. Check-in is the only time in all my travels in Malaysia that I'm asked to produce it. Masks are still mandatory in public places in Malaysia, and everyone is masked up on this night flight. A hygiene kit with mask and wipes is supplied to all passengers, while I score a cute Aspinal of London bag with Payot Paris toiletries to keep skin and lips plumped and primed.

CHECKING IN

The economy check-in line is long, but I'm straight to the top of the queue as a business-class traveller, and check-in is snappy. Business passengers are usually accommodated in the Qantas Business lounge at Melbourne Airport, but for reasons unknown, I'm sent to the neighbouring Marhaba lounge, owned by Qantas' stablemate Emirates, which has a decent spread, but is looking pretty careworn.

THE SEAT

There are 27 seats in business class, configured as singles or pairs. alternating between a 1-2-1 and 1-2-2 layout. The seats are 20 inches (51 centimetres) wide and convert to a 76-inch (193-centimetre) lie-flat bed. My seat is a window seat in a set of two – thankfully the seat beside me is vacant so I can sling my kit around. The single seats (known as 'thrones' in the avgeek community) are hot property, and all are occupied. The seats include a massage feature (which I initially mistake as the knees of the passenger behind – it's been a while since I've seen a business-class seat), a USB port and several AC outlets.

BAGGAGE

I'm entitled to a robust 40kg checked luggage limit, as well as 14kg in two pieces carry-on. Happy to report that on all four flights throughout Malaysia, my checked-in luggage dutifully follows me, no losses or delays.

ENTERTAINMENT

A 16-inch screen turns out to have a decent range of recent movies, and Wi-Fi costs from$US2 for 10MB, but after the meal service, I'm the only one awake and using it on this night flight.

SERVICE

Polished and charismatic, the business-class team is friendly and obliging. "Let me serve you satay, watch a movie," says the cabin captain, as he lays white linen on my tray table and swishes a bottle of Bruno Paillard champagne in my direction. Throughout the night, the crew's charm never waivers. This section is full of what seem to be passengers well used to this route: going wheels-up just before midnight, it's blankets on and beds down as the whole cabin – except yours truly – snuggles down for as much shut-eye as they can get between take-off and touchdown.

FOOD

A renowned foodie destination, Malaysia's business class is all about the satay cart, which has been serving up satay sticks in this class since 1975. The two-person service team has it down pat, and the chicken and beef satay, served with cucumber and onion, is very, very good. "Today, about 15,000 sticks of our satay are enjoyed around the world," the inflight info system tell me. Snacks including a cheese board and Caesar sandwich are available throughout the flight, but everyone is already curled up and sleeping. Breakfast is fresh fruit, yoghurt, French toast and an Earl Grey tea: served two hours before arrival into KL at 6am, it makes for a short night's sleep.

ONE MORE THING

Malaysia Airlines is replacing its ageing A330 fleet with 20 new Airbus 330-900s (A330neo) to come into service from late 2024 until 2028 for a more modern fleet that meets its environmental targets. For travellers, that means less noise and more space. And in recent news, the airline won best business class in Asia at the World Travel Awards. The airline attributed that to competitive fares, the "chef on call" service, its Golden Lounges and… that satay.

VERDICT

Well priced, with charming service up to the well-connected hub of KL, with luggage always in tow.

OUR RATING OUT OF FIVE

★★★½

The writer travelled as a guest of Malaysian Airlines.