Malaysia Airlines business class review: Bed so comfy, I skipped breakfast
Despite turbulence – and the behaviour of some fellow passengers – Malaysia Airlines nails the basics, offering impressive food, a comfy bed and warm staff.
Despite turbulence – and the behaviour of some fellow passengers – this operator nails the basics.
The seat
How other airlines shape up
Flight review: ‘The best in-flight meal I’ve eaten all year’
Despite an unfortunate start to the journey, this airline impresses with great service, amenity kits and delicious food.
This business class comes with a ‘master sommelier’
LATAM Airlines has just started flying from Melbourne to Santiago, joining daily flights from Sydney. So how does it shape up?
Flight Review: Qantas business class actually delivers
We fly 16 hours from Melbourne to Dallas Fort Worth – the fourth longest route in the world – and have a supremely comfortable experience.
This cabin puts some business class offerings to shame
It was slow to the premium economy game, but with a sleek design, luxurious details and plenty of room, this airline has set a new standard for the cabin class.
Review: Fiji Airways business class
We fly on the inaugural Canberra to Nadi flight and discover why you should consider this airline for your next trip.
‘The best in-flight service I’ve experienced in a long time’
A singing flight attendant … a thank-you note. This airline goes above and beyond on a business-class trip to LA.
How to get to New York without going through LA
We head to the Big Apple via New Zealand on this Qantas business class 15-hour flight from Auckland.
Review: Qantas business class from Hong Kong
Qantas has resumed flights between Sydney and Hong Kong, with a revamped A380 cabin and new-look airport lounge in the mix. How does it shape up?
‘This is the best food I’ve had on a plane’
This Asian carrier impresses with its service but the standout feature is by far the cuisine. Rarely does airline food leave you wanting to ask for more.
‘A galaxy away from business’: British Airways premium
You may not be able to lie flat, but this service presents an economical way to fly in more comfort than cattle class.
Business class review: Bed so comfy, I skipped breakfast
Despite turbulence – and the behaviour of some fellow passengers – Malaysia Airlines nails the basics, offering impressive food, a comfy bed and warm staff.
Review: Air NZ’s business class
Passengers can’t gaze out the window during this trans-Tasman service but they can make eye contact with fellow flyer, as Air New Zealand aims for a social experience. Good or bad?
SriLankan Airlines business class review
On a last-minute flight from Colombo to Melbourne, a business-class upgrade makes all the difference to the experience.
Review: Singapore Airlines business class
Cocoon-style seats, extensive entertainment options and order-ahead dining makes for a streamlined flight.
Review: Etihad Airways business class
Under a starry ceiling twinkling with LED lights, the Middle East carrier gets put through its paces.
Finnair Business Class ‘seriously impressive’
The Nordic carrier is rolling out a major overhaul of business class on its long-haul fleet. Here’s our verdict.
Qantas business class review
With its new direct Sydney to Seoul service underway, the flying kangaroo has its premium service put to the test.
Philippine Airlines premium economy review
Book a seat for the extra leg room and friendly staff; just pray you don’t get stuck in transit at Manila Airport.
United Airlines Polaris Class lives up to its name with star treatment
The airline has reinstated its direct service between Melbourne and San Francisco.
What it’s really like to fly business class on Jetstar
Is the budget carrier’s premium offering worth it? Travel + Luxury boarded an eight-hour flight to Phuket, Thailand to find out.
British Airways business class review
The new Club Suites promise comfort and privacy with cocoon-like pods and hidden design details. Here’s our verdict.
The business class cabin has 27 pods in the 1-2-1 and 1-2-2 configuration, which means every seat has aisle access except alternate window seats on the right facing the front of the plane. There is a reading light and a little storage compartment for essentials beside the fold-out table. A panel shows seat positions, lighting and massage options. Before takeoff I try out the massage, which is pleasantly subtle – nothing like the forceful kneading received from the armchairs at nail salons. The flat-bed is easy to operate via the panel and the feather-filled pillow is very comfortable. In fact, I find the bed so nicely private and soothing on this overnight flight I sleep on my back right through breakfast service. If you are taller – I am 160cm – you may prefer to sleep on your side. The contents of the navy Aspinal of London bag provided includes Payot hydrating lip balm and nourishing body cream.
Entertainment
There is a fair selection of movies, with 15 new releases, including Elvis and Top Gun Maverick. The “favourites” category features 90 films, Captain Fantastic, Yesterday, Casino Royale and Birds of Prey among them but given it’s past midnight in Sydney, sleep wins out for me. It must be said the greatest – or worst – entertainment on my return flight from Kuala Lumpur, MH0123, is a pair of British 20-somethings who see fit to dance in their seats and down the aisle wearing earpods in a fit of silent-disco reckless abandon. Most of the business cabin is asleep. I am not. The foot of my flat bed is nestled under the young man’s seat directly in front, which means I feel every one of his dance moves. How does this turn out? The cabin crew emerge from behind the curtain and issue a polite “shhhh!” on a couple of occasions and at one point order them to sit down. Eventually I plead to be relocated to a vacant seat at the front of the cabin to get some rest, to which the crew apologetically and immediately agree.
Service
I wake 20 minutes after breakfast has finished but the attentive cabin crew are happy to serve me the Belgian waffle topped with cherry compote, toasted almonds and creme fraiche. It’s beautifully presented, complete with a mint leaf balancing on top, and arrives with croissants, a bowl of yoghurt and fresh fruit. Tick.
On the menu
The signature Malaysian satays (choose from chicken, beef, lamb or a combination) are a delightful entree; the smokiness of the chicken and the crunchy peanut sauce do not disappoint. Turbulence during the first hour or so of the flight means the egg noodle soup with chicken, prawns and vegetables cannot be served. I opt for fresh fruit and a selection of cheeses, which is a fitting snack given the time in Sydney. Camembert, a hard cheddar, a little round of fig and walnut paste and plump red grapes arrive with crackers.
Tech
Some of the A333s offer wi-fi data plans on board but this is not one of them.
Annoyances
The touch screen is fairly unresponsive and often requires several hard – or sometimes soft – taps to select a program or scroll through the options.
In the know
The A333 is the airline’s biggest fleet, with 15 aircraft operating in Asia, Oceania and the Middle East. This aircraft will eventually be replaced as part of the company’s modernisation plan, which will see 20 new A330neo aircraft rolled out from late 2024 to 2028 to replace the existing A330s.
The verdict
Malaysia Airlines nails the basics with impressive food, a comfy bed and warm staff. The overnight flight from Sydney to Kuala Lumpur is easy on the body clock.
Bridget Cormack was a guest of Malaysia Airlines.