unbeatable value for long haul (Malaysia Airlines)

Member Name: corman

Product:	Malaysia Airlines
Date:	29/06/01 (1993 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: service, value for money, wide range of long haul destinations

Disadvantages: any that you get flying long haul

I flew with MAS to go to New Zealand earlier on this year. I managed to get a fantastic deal flying return from Aberdeen to Auckland return, although I did have to pay about 6 months in advance to get the deal, it worked out at just under £700 which included comprehensive insurance, taxes and a free hotel during my day stopover. They were the cheapest by far when it came to getting quotes from Aberdeen to Auckland return.

The service is excellent, very courteous and pleasant, and you're regularly given drinks and snacks, as well as two hot meals on both legs of the journey. Anything else you need is just a button away and staff are always attentive and friendly, even with some of the more 'challenging' passengers that really take advantage of the free drink and food.

There are a selection of movies and programmes, as well as nintendo arcade games to while away the long hours on your flight which will keep you amused as well. There's about five or six film channels, plus music, comedy and cartoons.

One of the things that impressed me most however was that on the way out I had 10 hours in Kuala Lumpur between flights. MAS organised an extremely plush hotel, transport and lunch for absolutely no charge for all of us flying on to other destinations. It was excellent to have a hotel room for the day and lunch, and of course a stretch of legs and a shower.

A word of warning about this special deal. My travel agent happened to mention that they sometimes did this and I had to phone MAS customer services in London myself to organise this. However, another couple travelling on exactly the same flights as me from Aberdeen to Auckland, was in a similar class hotel (4 star), but their travel agent had organised all of this for them.

You don't have to do this of course if you want to see Kuala Lumpur, but I would suggest perhaps having a couple of days stopover which shouldn't cost you more than your acco
mmodation and spending money, which will be minimal in Malaysia. When you're flying onwards to either Australia or New Zealand that same day having just travelled for 10+hours, you really can't take it.

In terms of leg space on long hauls there's not a tremendous amount in economy class, but business class and first looked rather spacious if you can afford it. At the time I flew over was the height of publicity about DVT (Deep Vein Thrombosis). MAS gave no information, or a free aspirin as some have suggested airlines should do, about this condition. It didn't bother me as I am aware of the risks and how to minimise them, but it may bother some people.

Certainly for flights to Australiasia or Asia they would be my first choice and they do cover a wide range of destinations. I found my flight deal through cheapflights.com, although they do have a web site that you can check pricing details on. I'm not sure if you can actually purchase your ticket online, but they do have a customer service number in London through which you would no doubt be able to do so.

Summary: