Malaysia Airlines' pushes back Golden Lounges re-opening to March
By David Flynn, February 21 2018
Malaysia Airlines has once again delayed the debut of its flagship first class and business class Golden Lounges at Kuala Lumpur.
The Oneworld member last week published an opening date of February 20 for both lounges, which have been closed for a major make-over since October 2017.
However, that date came and went with the hoardings still in place.
A spokesman for Malaysia Airlines has today advised Australian Business Traveller that "the customer experience team have confirmed soft reopening to occur March 2," which will be followed by an official ribbon-cutting event on March 12.
PREVIOUS | Malaysia Airlines will open its new-look Golden Lounge at Kuala Lumpur on Tuesday February 20.
Located in the airport's satellite terminal, which is used for international flights, the revamped Golden Lounge will contain two wings.
The Platinum Lounge – also known as KLIA Satellite Platinum – is the exclusive domain of first class passengers on Malaysia Airlines and other Oneworld carriers flying out of Kuala Lumpur, such as British Airways flight BA33, along with Oneworld Emerald-grade frequent flyers.
That list includes Malaysia Airlines' Enrich Platinum, Qantas Frequent Flyer Platinum, BA Executive Club Gold and Cathay Pacific Marco Polo Club Diamond members.
The Platinum Lounge will include "a fine dining area offering a selection of local and continental food" plus an open kitchen and Laksa Bar...
... serving up four versions of the spicy Malaysian noodle dish, which will be rotated on a weekly basis.
Other features of the former first class lounge making a return to the refreshed space include showers, a cigar room, and a 'slumber room' where passengers can grab some shut-eye during long stopovers.
The larger Business Lounge will cater for business class travellers and Oneworld Sapphire cardholders such as Malaysia Airlines Enrich Gold, Qantas Frequent Flyer Gold, Cathay Pacific Marco Polo Club Gold and BA Executive Club Silver.
Here you'll find the usual business class lounge offerings such as a self-service buffet, business centre and showers, plus a smoking room and even a "nursery and baby care room."
PREVIOUS | Malaysia Airlines hopes to open its new-look first class and business class Golden Lounges at Kuala Lumpur at the end of February.
Located in the airport's satellite terminal, the flagship lounges have been closed since October 2017 and were originally set for a ribbon-cutting last month.
However, a spokesperson for Malaysia Airlines tells Australian Business Traveller that both lounges are now expected to re-open by February 28 (although we suspect nobody will hold it against them if that slips another few days into early March).
The first class and business class Golden Lounges will boast a similar style as the recently-revamped domestic and regional lounges in KLIA's main terminal and showcase a rich 'Malaysian heritage' palette.
A focal point for the new lounges will be an open 'demonstration kitchen' where chefs will whip up Malaysian and international gourmet dishes for travellers; a “bistro service” in the business class lounge and upscale "fine dining experience" in the neighbouring first class lounge; and traveller-friendly amenities such as faster WiFi and plenty of AC and USB outlets.
David Flynn is the Editor-in-Chief of Executive Traveller and a bit of a travel tragic with a weakness for good coffee, shopping and lychee martinis.
Turkish Airlines - Miles & Smiles
08 Jun 2014
Total posts 262
Wireless charging too? =)
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
19 Jan 2018
Total posts 88
Good to see MA Berhad (formerly MAS Berhad) finally getting their act together with this. I was last in the old KL lounge about 2 years ago and even then it was very tired and in need of refurbishment.
26 Aug 2012
Total posts 44
Visited the new regional MH lounge in KL last week and found it to be excellent. Noodle bar, cocktail bar and general ambiance is great. New first lounge long overdue but will surely be excellent based on what they have done with the regional lounge.
Virgin Australia - Velocity Rewards
10 May 2017
Total posts 4
I have used the "old lounge" last year and agree it was very tired with a long walk to the bar to get a drink. Recently used the Domestic lounge which was the offering while the refurbishment was taking place and it was very crowded. The best thing they could also fix is the signage which in both terminals is very confusing. I really enjoy flying with MAS as they are super competitive on price in international business class
CX
05 Jun 2012
Total posts 127
"Recently used the Domestic lounge which was the offering while the refurbishment was taking place"
18 Mar 2016
Total posts 39
Regret, while the old, tired and dirty J class Lounge may have been revamped, the constant confusion of flight and
Qatar Airways
06 Jul 2016
Total posts 47
Does anyone know if the Regional J lounge at KUL will continue serving alcohol now the satellite lounges are reopened? Up to my last visit 1 year ago they didn't do grog there. And if they've changed their lounge grog policy, might that mean we'll also get it on flights of less than 4 hours?
26 Aug 2012
Total posts 44
@pointyend - there is a dedicated cocktail bar area in the new regional lounge and it is quite smart. Looks like drinks will be continuing.
Qatar Airways
06 Jul 2016
Total posts 47
Thank you for this good news Meridiengroup
27 Jul 2017
Total posts 17
Great! Just booked flights in April on MH.
18 Mar 2016
Total posts 39
New fancy Lounges will not make up for old planes, terrible flight times out of Perth and poor food.
24 Mar 2016
Total posts 11
Couldn't agree more. As a OW Emerald would love to use them out of PER but they need to get the A330 back, sort the QF status earning out for economy tickets and fly to KUL and back at sensible bloody times. There must be so many people in the same boat it's ridiculous that they lose all this business.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
09 Sep 2013
Total posts 188
Kevin stole my thunder, I don't think I would bother flying at 0205 on an old 737 to enjoy what looks like a nice lounge. We were also once fairly frequent MH fliers, but it's hard to get enthused about them now.
27 Jul 2017
Total posts 17
Hah, that's the exact flight I'm booked on. Oh well, it was significantly cheaper than anyone else.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
18 Oct 2012
Total posts 134
Unfortunately i also agree with the more negative comments on this forum. I, too was a loyal j class customer for many years, however confidence and perceptions is everything to a regular user and to the success of an airline. A new fleet and a knowledge on flight training and aircraft engineering would go a long way . I,m not sure a brand new lounge will. I didn't think their last one was that bad.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
02 Jul 2011
Total posts 1374
Well that delay is embarrassing
21 Feb 2018
Total posts 1
Here is what really happened:
19 Jan 2018
Total posts 87
What an absolute shambles by the team over at Malaysia Airlines Berhad. How many times has this lounge opening been delayed now?
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
19 Jan 2018
Total posts 88
As David said though Mark, noting that the soft opening is on 2 March, one would blame them for pushing it back a few days into March.
02 Mar 2018
Total posts 1
Are you sure? Flew from kul to melb on feb 28 and the lounge was fully accessible.
CX
05 Jun 2012
Total posts 127
I am in the lounge now (2 March). I have checked with the staff who said the first day was yesterday - 1 March. This is a soft opening, the formal launch will be later. I'm in transit so don't know what passengers checking in at KUL are being told but the lounges (F and J) are quite quiet. Perhaps passengers are still being directed to different lounges.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer Platinum
09 Jun 2011
Total posts 64
I have to agree with Ian_from_HKG, I made a quick detour in between flights on the 03/03/18, the biggest change is in the J lounge. The F lounge apart from the Nap area and much needed new bathrooms is same layout (some of the old furniture still greets you as you enter), the buffet was even the same range on display in the regional J lounge. I was a little disappointed after all this time in the F lounge outcome, although any refresh to this space is positive.
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