I’ve flown Malaysia Airlines dozens of times during my frequent trips to and through Malaysia, so I can tell you what to expect from this Southeast Asian carrier. Operating from its hub at Kuala Lumpur International Airport, Malaysia Airlines serves Europe, Australia, and destinations throughout Asia, alongside an extensive domestic network.
So, is Malaysia Airlines a good airline to fly with? The short answer is yes. It’s a full-service carrier that delivers a comfortable experience, especially in its premium cabins. But like any airline, this one has quirks. This guide will walk you through everything you need to know.
The lowdown on seats: from lie-flats to economy
Malaysia Airlines operates business and economy cabins on all flights, with a premium Business Suite (rebranded First Class) available on A350-900 and A380-800 aircraft. Long-haul aircraft feature lie-flat business class seats. Economy passengers can choose from three fare families: Economy Value, Economy Basic and Economy Flex.
Business class
You’ll find a business class cabin on every Malaysia Airlines flight, but the seat you get depends on the plane. If you’re on a long-haul trip aboard its A350 and A330 aircraft, you’re in for a treat with lie-flat beds.
Most rows are set up in a 1-2-1 configuration, which means everyone gets direct aisle access. Some rows on the A350 and A330-300 are 1-2-2, perfect if you’re travelling with a partner. As a solo traveller, I tend to steer clear of those to avoid any awkward climbing over a stranger.
Long-haul business class passengers enjoy full bar service and multi-course dining. My favourite is beautifully simple: satay, the skewered grilled meat with peanut sauce that’s available throughout Southeast Asia. The version served onboard embodies quintessentially Malaysian hospitality (the MH code actually stands for ‘Malaysian hospitality’). It’s these thoughtful touches that set the carrier apart.
Business Suite
Business Suite is the rebranded First Class product from Malaysia Airlines, available on A350-900 and A380-800 aircraft. It features enclosed private suites (four seats on the A350 and eight on the A380) with retractable privacy doors and significantly more personal space than standard business seats. Business Suite passengers also enjoy a dedicated check-in counter and a 50kg baggage allowance. While it offers enhanced amenities over standard business class, the airline has positioned it at competitive prices (more affordable than traditional First Class fares on other carriers).
Domestic and regional business class
Malaysia Airlines operates Boeing 737-800 aircraft on most domestic and short-haul Southeast Asian routes (though you’ll occasionally find A330 or A350s on these sectors).
Business class on the 737-800 features a 2-2 configuration with recliner-style seats.
A heads-up for domestic business class: the meal service is more limited, and there’s no alcohol. On short international flights, however, you’ll get a full meal with drinks. The best part? The delicious satay is served to all business class travellers, no matter how short the flight is.
Extra legroom economy
Malaysia Airlines lets you pre-book seats with additional legroom for an extra charge, though what you get varies by aircraft. On A350 and A330-300 planes, you’ll find dedicated extra legroom rows, whilst on other aircraft these are simply bulkhead and exit row seats.
Don’t confuse these with premium economy (you just get more space, not meal or service upgrades).
Economy Flex
Economy Flex is Malaysia Airlines’ most flexible economy fare family, offering the highest baggage allowance (35 kg) and the most generous change policies. It’s a good option if you want flexibility without paying for premium cabin amenities. You won’t get the fancy meals, lie-flat beds, or lounge access that come with the pointy end of the plane, but you’ll have peace of mind if your plans change.
Economy
Malaysia Airlines’ economy class delivers a solid experience with friendly service and a competitive 32-inch seat pitch.
The real highlight is the food: economy meals showcase the delicious combination of Indian, Chinese, and Malay flavours that make Malaysian cuisine special, though meal service varies by route and flight duration. Even when I’m not flying business, I find the economy product perfectly comfortable.
Economy Value, Basic & Flex
Malaysia Airlines now offers three economy fare families:
Unlike some carriers with restrictive basic economy fares, you won’t be forced to board last or have your cabin bag size scrutinised. The Economy Value fare (previously Economy Lite) comes with 20 kg of checked baggage and no complimentary seat selection, while Economy Basic offers 25 kg and Economy Flex provides 35 kg.
The pre-flight experience
Before you head to the airport, you’ll want to understand Malaysia Airlines’ baggage allowances, check-in options, and lounge access. Here’s what to expect from the pre-flight experience, from packing your bags to boarding your flight.
Baggage policy and fees
Malaysia Airlines includes free checked baggage on all fares (a genuine rarity), though allowances vary by ticket type. Economy Class passengers get one cabin bag (up to seven kg) and one personal item at no charge, while Business Class and Business Suite passengers are allowed two cabin bags (up to 14 kg combined) plus a personal item.
Checked baggage allowances break down as follows:
Check-in
The airline encourages everyone to check in online via their website or app. At the airport, you’ll find mostly automated kiosks for printing boarding passes and bag tags. It’s quick and efficient.
There are still staffed check-in desks available. Business class travellers and elite members of loyalty programmes (Malaysia Airlines or oneworld partners) get access to priority check-in queues.
There’s also a special line for travellers who are pregnant or have mobility issues.
If you’re in economy without any special circumstances, you can use the regular check-in lines, but I’d only recommend it if you need something specific, like getting a visa checked by an agent.
Lounges
Malaysia Airlines has three Golden Lounges, all located at its hub in Kuala Lumpur. Access is available to passengers flying in Business Class or Business Suite on Malaysia Airlines, as well as First or Business Class passengers departing on any oneworld member airline flight (like British Airways and Japan Airlines). Passengers with oneworld Sapphire or Emerald status are also eligible.
The lounge in the international satellite terminal is the flagship. It’s the largest, with the best selection of food and drinks, including a coffee bar with barista-made coffee, an extensive buffet, and a sports bar that serves as a full-service bar (serving alcohol from midday onwards).
The regional lounge features a self-service buffet with Western and Malaysian cuisine, a live cooking noodle station, a barista coffee station, and a tended bar. The domestic lounge is the most basic and, like domestic flights, doesn’t serve alcohol, but it’s a quiet escape from the often-crowded terminal.
The onboard experience
Once you’re settled in your seat, you’ll want to know about Malaysia Airlines’ connectivity and entertainment options. Here’s what’s available onboard, from WiFi access to amenity kits.
Wi-Fi and entertainment
Malaysia Airlines offers WiFi (branded as MHconnect) on all A350-XWB aircraft and selected A330 models, though it’s noticeably slower than what you’ll find on Singapore Airlines or Thai Airways. I typically only purchase it on longer flights to Japan and Europe, where staying connected is worth the sluggish speeds.
Similarly, only the A350 and A330 planes have seat-back entertainment screens.
The screens in business class are, as you’d expect, larger and sharper. I’ve generally found its selection of films and TV shows to be extensive for an Asian airline, though the library rotates regularly.
Amenities
Business class and Business Suite travellers on selected Airbus A330 and A350 flights receive branded amenity kits. Malaysia Airlines has partnered with Aspinal of London for the bags, which is a nice touch, but the toiletries inside are fairly standard. Still, it’s a welcome comfort on a long flight.
Loyalty programmes, miles, and credit cards
The frequent flyer programme from Malaysia Airlines is called Enrich, and it lets you earn and redeem points on Malaysia Airlines and its oneworld alliance partners.
Enrich
I generally advise against joining Malaysia Airlines Enrich unless you live in Malaysia. The programme is revenue-based, meaning you earn points based on ticket price rather than distance flown. Combined with uncompetitive redemption rates on both Malaysia Airlines and oneworld partners, it simply doesn’t offer good value for international travellers.
For most international travellers, you’re better off crediting your flights to a partner programme like British Airways Executive Club or American AAdvantage. You can also use points from those programmes to book flights on Malaysia Airlines.
Credit cards
Earning Enrich points with credit cards is also tricky if you don’t live in Malaysia, as co-branded cards are only available through Malaysian banks like AmBank and Bank Rakyat. However, you can transfer points from American Express Membership Rewards (in select global markets) and Citi ThankYou Points to Enrich. Alternatively, you can transfer your points to a oneworld partner like British Airways Executive Club (Avios) or Cathay Pacific Asia Miles and book your Malaysia Airlines flight that way.
This KAYAK-commissioned article is presented as-is, for general informational purposes only, and may not be up to date. The opinions contained in the article are original to the author and reflect their authentic experience, which may vary significantly from the experience of others. Find more perspectives in our user reviews below.
