Malaysia Airlines has a total of 21 Airbus A330 aircrafts. 15 of them are A330-300s that are configured with the same seats as on the A380s. The other 6 are Airbus A330-200s that Malaysia Airlines is leasing for some high-demand medium haul routes. These aircrafts were previously used by Air Berlin and have all kept the same configuration. I recently flew them on a leased aircraft from Kuala Lumpur to Denpasar, Bali. One flight per day on this route is operated by an Airbus A330-200. In this review, I share my experience of my flight including my thoughts of the Golden Lounge in Kuala Lumpur.
Flight: Malaysia Airlines 715
Route: Kuala Lumpur (KUL) – Denpasar (DPS)
Date: Thursday February 6, 2020
Depart: 9:00AM
Arrive: 12:05PM
Duration: 3h05min
Aircraft: Airbus A330-200
Class of service: Business Class
I booked Malaysia Airlines business class using AAdvantage miles. This flight was part of an award ticket in business class from Amman, Jordan to Denpasar, Bali that costed 40,000 miles and $ 114.60 in taxes and fees. Read more about how I booked these flights in my Trip Intro – Around The World On Frequent Flyer Miles. This flight can also be booked with British Airways avios. The Executive Club has a distance based award chart and a ticket from Kuala Lumpur to Denpasar, Bali costs 22,000 avios and about $ 25 in taxes and fees.
Malaysia Airlines Business Class Check In
Malaysia Airlines check in counters are located in terminal 1 of Kuala Lumpur International Airport. Apart from the business class check in counters (yellow signs), there is also a first class check in area (red signs) for Oneworld Emeralds, Enrich Platinum elites and First Class/Suite passengers.
At around 6:30am, I gave my passport after the check in agent started the check in process. I was kindly told that I could access the Golden Lounge which is located in the satellite building. Once I got my boarding pass, I passed through passport control and security and took the train which brought me to the satellite building.
Malaysia Airlines Golden Lounge Kuala Lumpur
The Golden Lounge is located on the second floor. After you get of the train, just take the elevator and follow the signs to the lounge. At the check in counter, I was warmly greeted by the agent which asked to show my boarding pass. The Golden Lounge is accessible for Malaysia Airlines business class passengers as well as oneworld Sapphire and Emerald members. This lounge is also used by some of the Malaysia Airlines partners such as KLM. The lounge is open 24/7 but is not entirely staffed overnight. There is a separate section for Malaysia Airlines First Class/Suite passengers.
The Golden Lounge itself is huge compared to other lounges at Kuala Lumpur International Airport. The interior is nicely designed and there are plenty of different seating areas, some of them offer views on the planes. All these seats are equipped with power outlets and USB plugs as well as a reading light.
Apart from the seating areas, the lounge also offers working areas, a business center and a bar. The center of the lounge felt more like a spacious common area with benches and dining tables. At the far end of the lounge is also a family room.
Restrooms and showers can be found in the rear of the lounge. A large buffet with several Asian and western options is located in the middle of the lounge. Here is also an egg station as well as coffee machines. As I would have breakfast during the flight, I went for some fresh fruit along with a cappuccino and an orange juice.
Boarding
After spending about one hour in the lounge, I proceeded to gate C6. Passengers departing from the satellite building have to go through security before they board the flight. I arrived here about 50 minutes before departure and almost all seats at the gate area were taken. Boarding would be starting in a few minutes so I had the chance to make a few pictures of the aircraft.
Malaysia Airlines A330-200 Business Class Cabin
I boarded the aircraft through the first door and was warmly greeted by the cabin crew. The Malaysia Airlines Airbus A330-200 lease aircrafts feature a total of 19 flat bed seats in a 1-2-1 staggered configuration. Like I mentioned before, these are the same seats Air Berlin used to have. Myself, I have never flown Air Berlin so this was kind of funny to be seated in one of their former aircrafts.
The window seats are best for solo travelers while the middle seats are best for couples and people who are traveling together. As always in a staggered configuration, I would avoid the direct aisle seats as not much privacy is offered there.
Malaysia Airlines Airbus A330-200 Business Class Seat
Upon making my AAdvantage award reservation by phone, I directly could give my seat preference. A that time, I didn’t know what type of A330 I would fly so I opted for seat 6A which is a throne seat on the A330-300. Later, it turned out to be a A330-200 but luckily seat 6A is still a window seat on this aircraft. Although I would have preferred seat 4A or 4K, seat 6A and 6K are offering the view on the business class cabin from the rear which I always like. Keep in mind that these seats are close to the galley and behind seat 6K is also a lavatory. On my seat I found a pillow and blanket.
On my right side were the seat controls as well as the entertainment controler and power outlets with USB plug. Here is also a reading light and lamp for even more light. In front of me was a large in flight entertainment screen as well as the tray table. The seat itself disappointed me as not much privacy and space is offered compared to other business class seats. I flew Malaysia Airlines business class on their A330-300 before and found these seats much more comfortable to be honest. Luckily this was just a 3 hour flight.
Pre Departure Service
A few moments later, the crew came through the cabin to distribute the menus and headphones. Later, I also was offered a drink. I could choose between water and orange juice as no champagne is offered on the ground on Malaysia flights. My drink was placed in a special holder next to the storage space.
About 80% of the seats in business class were taken during this flight. A few moments later, we taxied to the runway where the pilot informed us that we were the third aircraft in line to take off. We took off a few minutes past 9am.
Breakfast Service
About 30 minutes after take off, the fasten seat belt sign was turned off and the flight attendants came through the cabin to take orders. While Malaysia Airlines doesn’t offer alcoholic drinks on the ground, they do in the air. I was curious to see what champagne they serve but this turned out to be nothing special. I ordered a glass of Bruno Pailaro champagne.
I directly was asked what I wanted to order for breakfast. On the menu, I saw three options among 2 Asian dishes and 1 western option. I opted for the latter and this consisted of omelet, fresh fruit and yoghurt. For drink, I ordered a cappuccino and orange juice that was served a few moments later. I also was offered some bread among with topping like jam and honey.
The crew was friendly and proactive during the entire flight. I enjoyed the food however this is definitely a step back compared what other airlines like Garuda and Thai Airways are serving in business class. I was asked regularly for a refill of my cappuccino and was also offered more bread.
In Flight Entertainment And Arrival
After breakfast, I took yet another cappuccino and put my seat in a more comfortable position. I took a look at what the in flight entertainment system had to offer. I found a decent selection of music, movies and series but I decided to watch the flight path as the flight time to Denpasar would be just one more hour.
The Malaysia Airlines A330-200 features two lavatories, a large one in the front of the cabin and a small one in the rear of the business class cabin, on the right side. About half an hour before landing, the pilot started the decent into Denpasar where the weather turned out to be warm and a bit cloudy.
A few moments later, the Airbus A330-200 landed at Ngurah Rai International Airport where business class passengers could disembark first. After I thanked the flight attendants for the service on board, I left the aircraft through the first door.
Malaysia Airlines A330-200 Business Class Bottom Line
It has to be said that Malaysia Airlines has a great lounge in the satellite building of Kuala Lumpur International Airport. I really enjoyed spending my time there having breakfast while watching the planes. However, I have mixed feelings about the Malaysia Airlines A330-200 business class cabin. The seats aren’t that comfortable compared to other business class seats and not much privacy is offered. I would choose for other business class seats on long haul flights but it was okay on this 3 hour flight to Bali.
The food and beverages are average in my opinion. Malaysia Airlines isn’t offering great champagne in business class but the food was not bad. Overall, I had a great 3 hour flight as well as some good time in the Golden Lounge. Malaysia Airlines isn’t the best airline in the region but fares can be significantly lower than competitors like Garuda or Thai Airways. Therefore, I can recommend to fly with them but I would have preferred the A330-300 seats as they’re more comfortable.
What is your experience with Malaysia Airlines Business Class on the Airbus A330-200? Have you flown them already or are you planning to make a flight with them? Let me know your questions and thoughts in the comments below!
