Malaysia Airlines, Business Class Flight Kuala Lumpur to Bali, October 2017
Details
- Flight Duration: 2.5 hours
- Seat: 2D Business Class Seat
- Number of seats on plane: 16
- Type of plane: Boeing 737
- Cost: $402
The Seat
A standard business-class medium distance seat, much like a first class seat in the USA. Includes a video screen and an ashtray sometimes (no you can't smoke).The Cabin
A very typical front of the plane for a 737, easily mistakable for a plane in the USA. It is comfortable. The seats do lean pretty far back, just past the point of "Ok, I can sleep on this".Preflight
Before flights, you can use the Golden Lounge, Business side. Those of higher status (Emerald with OneWorld, or a partner's first class ticket) can use the First Class side which includes a dinner service, nice private area and drinks served to you.After you get on the plane, you get basically water or soda (or Milo which if you don't know is a Nestle hot chocolate drink). I explain later in dining about that.
Dining
The food service was good, the menu expansive for such a small plane and short flight. Malaysia Airlines doesn't serve alcohol on any flight under 2 hours (and I heard now under 3 hours), but this one breaks that limit by a few minutes. Alcohol offerings are listed in a special insert they hand out to non-muslims with the menu. This is why it's mainly only water pre-flight.Arrival
We prepared for landing only 10 minutes before touchdown. Into Denpensar in Bali, and off the plane to a bus for a quick trip down the terminal to customs. Having just left Malaysia, the tropical humidity and heat was not a surprise or shock, but actually welcome.Summary
Fairly regular business class (comparable to American domestic first class) seats, in a typical 16 seat cabin. The true gem is the lounge and the in-flight service that feels like a 4 star experience (which I guess it really is). I have never flown coach on Malaysia Airlines and I don't think I will. Upgrading is very much worth it to me.They do not serve alcohol on the shorter flights but there is in the lounge beforehand, so that access is very helpful.
Tip: Malaysia usually has a "bid up" option for your flight if you book coach. I bid approx $10 over the minimum amount every time and have never missed getting the upgrade when I had not purchased business class outright, but that bid up does not earn you miles.