Why I still chose to fly Malaysia Airlines despite the disappearance of MH370

A COMMERCIAL plane and 239 souls are gone and there’s no solution in sight. What would it take to get you on one of Malaysia Airlines’ planes?

BOOKING my European getaway at the weekend presented me with a difficult dilemma. Despite the mystery surrounding the disappearance of flight MH370, would I still choose to fly with Malaysia Airlines?

I had initial reservations; one of its planes had just dropped out of thin air, there has been no official explanation and what’s to stop it happening again?

But after careful deliberation I came to the following conclusion: I had flown with them previously and had a great experience, they were now cheaper than ever (seriously cheap), I managed to score a return flight in peak season from Sydney to Paris for about $1500, the next best price was with Cathay Pacific who were asking over $2000. And finally, I reasoned that the airline was under so much scrutiny now that it would be safer than ever.

Not everyone believes the airline is still safe. Picture: Kingair42.

Yet despite my well considered list of pros, statistics show that consumer sentiment is low. Malaysia Airlines just posted its worst quarterly earnings in more than two years with a net loss of RM433 million ($144 million) for the three months ending 31 March 2014, compared to a loss of RM270 million ($90 million) a year ago.

The New York Times reported that the airline had noticed bookings from China were especially low, (the majority of passengers on MH370 were Chinese), with a 60 per cent decline in Chinese passengers.

And since the disappearance of MH370 on March 8 with 239 people on-board, Malaysia Airlines stock has slumped nearly 20 per cent.

A statement from the airline admits cancellations and a decline in long-haul travel have had a negative impact on its earnings.

“The net loss this first quarter is not unexpected. However, the results were made worse with the impact on air travel in general following the disappearance of MH370. The whole market has reacted by slowing down demand”, said Malaysia Airlines Group Chief Executive Officer, Ahmad Jauhari Yahya.

The search for Malaysia Airlines MH370 continues.

Malaysia Airlines also attributes its poor earnings to its decision to cut all marketing activities for several weeks out of respect for the families aboard the ill-fated aircraft.

“Operations were slowed for several weeks since early March when MH370 disappeared. Marketing activities were halted out of respect for the families of those on board the Beijing-bound Boeing 777 aircraft,” said Yahya.

Regular flyers have voiced varying opinions about whether they would still book with Malaysia Airlines.

One frequent flyer told news.com.au that he had no interest in ever flying the airline again.

“The fact that Malaysia Airlines seemed so disorganised afterwards makes me worry about the airline at all levels. Does the left hand know what the right hand is doing. Do management handle maintenance checks the way they handle public relations?”

Another said, “If I had a choice I would probably pass.”

The airline is struggling to fill up its seats.

But for many passengers, the lure of cheap airfares that have been slashed in a drive to bring back customers is hard to resist.

“For the right price, I wouldn’t say no. They’re in the business to make money and can’t afford another issue. So I’m sure their security and maintenance will be second-to-none at the moment to make sure something bad doesn’t happen again, even if their PR and management seemed horribly disorganised before,” one traveller told news.com.au.

Others believe in the theory that lightning doesn’t strike twice.

“The chances of another disaster are minuscule, and I imagine you’d save quite a lot of money. The reward outweighs the risk,” said a regular flyer.

And rewards there are. One traveller told news.com.au that she was given an upgrade to first class for an amazing price because the plane was so empty.

So is it a reflection of the airline or something that could happen to anyone?

“MH370 is a one-in-a-billion mystery and to me, it doesn’t reflect on the airline so much” concluded another flyer.

A spokesperson for Malaysia Airlines told news.com.au that bookings were “pleasing” and that it would continue to offer “regular compelling fare deals”.

“We are continuing to receive wonderful support from travel agents in the region while bookings through our website are pleasing.

They said they plan to grow by using a mix of fare deals and service innovations including ‘special occasion’ cakes for on-board celebrations.” Note to self.

One of the “special occasion” cakes now on offer with Malaysia Airlines.

Even online booking website Webjet is confident in the airline.

“We have not seen a decline in Malaysia Airlines bookings, if anything they are on the incline,” said a spokesperson for Webjet.

So am I still confident in my decision to fly the struggling airline? Yes.

I’m sure I’ll still feel slightly nervous as we pass over the waters where MH370 lost contact and wonder if my eye for a bargain may have led me astray but will I think twice about it when I’m drinking wine by the Seine in Paris? Not a chance.

If the airline gets me there safely then to me it’s done its job. And if nerves get the better of me there’s always those new “special occasion” cakes on board. A little sugar may be just the icing the airline needs.

So tell us below, would you still fly with Malaysia Airlines?