Malaysia Airlines now sells first class on Sydney-Kuala Lumpur
By David Flynn, October 19 2018
Malaysia Airlines will sell first class on its daily Airbus A350 between Sydney and Kuala Lumpur, with the airline stepping away from previous plans to make the suites available as a no-cost upgrade to business class passengers holding Platinum-grade frequent flyer status.
The A350 currently features as flights MH122/MH123 through to March 30 2019, and contains a small first class cabin of four suites.
These suites are now available for sale beginning November 1 (for the MH122 flight from Sydney) at a slight premium above business class, and are expected to include a suitably 'first class' food and beverage component.
Not that Malaysia Airlines' A350 business class cabin is any slouch.
The 1-2-1 layout of 35 fully-flat bed seats even includes a handful of 'throne' seats.
Any unsold first class suites will continue to be available for business class passengers via the airline's MH-Upgrade 'auction' system.
However, a spokesman for Malaysian Airlines tells Australian Business Traveller that "if the business class cabin is oversold, Enrich Platinum / Oneworld Emerald (members) will be upgraded" into the first class cabin.
The airline had previously treated the suites as part of the A350's business class cabin and allowed its top-tier Enrich Platinum frequent flyers and their Oneworld Emerald equivalents, including Qantas Platinums, booked in business class to select one of the first class suites for the nine-hour flight.
AusBT review: Malaysia Airlines A350 business class and Malaysia Airlines A350 first class
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.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
11 Dec 2017
Total posts 50
Any idea if these seats will be available for FF award bookings?
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
16 Oct 2016
Total posts 20
What a joke!
Qantas - Platinum One
18 Jan 2011
Total posts 82
Is there any indication on status credits earned from SYD-KUL if crediting to Qantas?
25 Sep 2013
Total posts 1242
Same as when travelling in business: earns as flexible economy.
09 Aug 2016
Total posts 10
I am Qantas one world platinum and flew this flight a couple of weeks back. Unfortunately it gets classed as “flexible economy” 4,000 points each way and 30 status credits each way. The status and points with MH have gotten worse quote low...
Qantas - Platinum One
18 Jan 2011
Total posts 82
Thanks City slicker - I thought that would be the case :)
BA Gold
01 Apr 2012
Total posts 197
Same here city slicker. Totally got lucky.
05 Jul 2018
Total posts 3
Flew Syd KUL 2 weeks ago on QFF business class redemption. Great product, service and hospitality on board. Pre-ordering your meal with the booking works very well. Magnificent meal. Was tempted to upgrade to the 1 but very happy with the business suite. Will be flying them much more with the new equipment.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
23 Oct 2015
Total posts 27
I've flow to BKK twice recently via KL on MH Business Class. Awarded only 30 status credits for the 8 hour flight to KL, but 60 for the 2 hour flight to BKK. Crazy !! Anyway a round trip scores 180 status credits - even if they are still not serving alcohol in any class on flights under 3 hours!
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
23 Oct 2015
Total posts 27
On the recent trip on A350 row 1 was empty on the way out. While there I read about the upgrade for Emerald One World and went straight onto the web for the return, but all 4 already taken :(
28 Apr 2018
Total posts 2
this sounds good but qantas treat this booking less than economy in status credits. i flew 1st class last year and only received 50 status credits per leg. how can qantas justify such low status credits
CX
16 May 2015
Total posts 23
So are you just buying real estate (a nicer seat) or do you get First Class service/food etc as well?
BA Gold
01 Apr 2012
Total posts 197
In my case the First Class seats were used as an extension of business class. Business class service, amenities, F&B throughout.
QFF - Platinum
23 Mar 2016
Total posts 11
11 May 2016
Total posts 13
I had tried MH122 first class yesterday, and I can promise that the services are top-notch, while the offering (amenity kits, caviars, top champagne like Taittinger Comtes de champagne 2007) are also first class standard. The only drawback is their seat, which is the reason why they cannot distinguish themselves with business class. I think it is quite worthwhile with 50,000 AA miles!
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
14 May 2015
Total posts 9
MH123 has been switched back to A330 from A350 since 2 May 2019. Anyone know why?
QFF - Platinum
23 Mar 2016
Total posts 11
I understood the use of A350 was only until March 31
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