TRAVEL | Malaysia Airlines (“MH”) operates one flight daily between Paris and Kuala Lumpur. The Airbus A350-900 (“A350”) is currently used on the route, and travellers can choose between Economy, Business, and Business Suite Class. I flew Business Class for this flight. The average flight time on this route is 12 hours and 45 minutes.
Check In
Check in is very straight forward. You can check in online, or using MH’s app. You can enter in all relevant information before your flight, and receive a pdf, digital, or Passbook boarding pass that you can add to your Apple Wallet. There’s also the option of checking in at the airport using a kiosk or at a staffed counter.
Checked luggage can be dropped off at one of the bag drop stations, or at the dedicated Business class counter.
Loyalty
MH’s loyalty program is Enrich, which is free to join. MH are also part of the oneworld Alliance, which offers the option of points transfers and certain reciprocal privileges.
Malaysia Airlines passengers flying Business Class or holding oneworld Emerald or Sapphire status can access the oneworld lounge at Paris-Charles de Gaulle Airport.
Luggage
Checked luggage is included with all MH Business Class tickets when flying international. You can check-in one bag up to 40kg (88lb), and two carry-on bags up to 7kg (15lb). You can also carry on a small item that can fit under your seat.
Service
I couldn’t fault the service on the flight from Paris to Kuala Lumpur. Staff were polite, professional, and attentive without being overbearing.
Cabin
The MH Business Class cabin on the A350 that flies from Paris to Kuala Lumpur features 35 flatbed seats, in a staggered 1-2-1 / 1-2-2 layout. It’s a clean, well-maintained cabin, with a muted blue, grey, and white colour scheme.
Seat
The cushioned leather seat has dimensions of about 112cm x 56cm (44in x 22in). It’s a a comfortable seat, with ample space. When lying flat in “bed mode”, the seat length is 198cm (78in). Enough space for the average person to lie down comfortably, but do be aware that the foot section does taper in a bit in this mode.
There’s a small storage section, accessible seat controls, and a section to the side with a drink holder. A coat hook and small adjustable light are present, and there’s also a USB 2 and 110V multi-country AC power socket
The remote control for the entertainment pops out when required, and there’s a decent sized tray/desk for getting work done. The seat features adjustable pneumatic cushions, and retractable armrests, with a touch panel to configure it in various ways between fully upright and lie down.
Entertainment
Each seat features a 40cm (16in) widescreen with touch controls. It’s linked up to MH’s MHstudio entertainment system, which features a large selection of new release and classic moves and TV shows, including Hollywood, Malaysian and international options. There’s also a live flight map, flight info, and a small selection of games.
There’s almost 500 music and spoken-word albums to listen to, along with unlimited complimentary Wi-Fi through MHconnect for messaging and social media apps.
Provided headphones are cushioned over-the-eat style headphones with decent sound quality, and basic passive noise reduction.
Food
MH’s Business Class meal offering features an assortment of Malaysian and Asian favourites, plus Western dishes. Lunch and breakfast are served on the MH flight from Paris to Kuala Lumpur, along with a selection of “dine anytime” options.
For lunch, before take-off, it’s a starter of chicken, beef, lamb, or combination satay, which is tender, nicely seasoned and flavourful. You also get Champagne and a non-alcoholic signature cocktail.
Shortly after take-off, you get a starter of smoked salmon guacamole timbale with cucumber and lime; and your choice of stuffed chicken with mashed potatoes, tomatoes, and butter peas; veal osso buco with creamy cheese and mushroom polenta, asparagus, and roasted tomato; or chilli shrimp with steamed rice, mixed vegetables, and soy sauce.
I opted for the veal osso bucco. Slow cooked and tender, with lots of flavour, it’s a great choice. To finish, its a truffon cake with coulis.
To drink, it’s things like coffee and tea, with Western and Malaysian options, along with fruit juices, mineral water, and soft drinks. For alcohol, there’s 9 different wines, along with a selection of spirits and beer. The wine and spirit selection is decent, however the beer options could be better, and don’t stray from macro lagers.
Dine anytime options include classic egg noodles, a few sandwich options, seasonal fresh fruit, ice-cream, and cheese and crackers.
At breakfast, it’s a mango pineapple smoothie, yoghurt with granola and compote, and seasonal fresh fruits to start. Following this is your choice of nasi lemak chicken rendang; cheese omelette with salmon, grilled tomato, and French beans; or Chinese fried rice with chicken and garlic oyster sauce. I recommend the nasi lemak, served with coconut milk pandan rice, sambal, and the usual condiments.
Amenities
On the seat when you first board is a mattress pad, blanket and a pillow. You’ll also find an Aspinal of London amenity kit. It features a dental kit, socks, sleeping mask, and a few beauty products like moisturiser and lip balm. The case itself is a stylish faux-leather affair, which I actually now use to store my electronic accessories when I fly.
Verdict
As someone who usually travels Economy class, and hasn’t flown Business Class since 2018, I really appreciated this flight. The cabin is quiet, clean, and modern, staff are great, and the dining options were quality. Most importantly, the lie flat seat was comfortable, which meant that I was able to get in a decent sleep during the flight.
Arriving in Kuala Lumpur early in the morning, I was refreshed and ready to explore the city.