Bus class with Malaysia Airlines

[Batesy]

I am helping my dad book a J class return MEL-LHR. Best price I can get is $6800 with MH (D Bucket). Any comparisons with Qantas? Also do they still do the limo pick up at both ends? Thanks in advance.

 

[Travel Guru]

I am helping my dad book a J class return MEL-LHR. Best price I can get is $6800 with MH (D Bucket). Any comparisons with Qantas? Also do they still do the limo pick up at both ends? Thanks in advance.

when is your dad travelling?

TG

 

[Batesy]

Departs MEL 01/05/08 returns 29/05/08. I have already checked expert flyer and advised him of the best flights and fares. D class is available for all flights with MH. Its his first J class trip. His last trip in Y from Europe was a disaster so he wants to go in J.

 

[opusman]

You don't get a limo with a D class fare on MH. They're ok, not brilliant but not bad either - service is generally fine and the food is quite good. The old seats weren't great, haven't tried the new ones though.

 

[bambbbam2]

Maybe some better deals here..

Australian Travel Agent : Best Flights - discount travel - Travel Agent Australia

 

[Batesy]

Thanks bambbbam2. Bestflights is the same price as on line with MH. The only airline cheaper in J is Thai and I have only heard bad things about their overall service.

 

[Travel Guru]

Thanks bambbbam2. Bestflights is the same price as on line with MH. The only airline cheaper in J is Thai and I have only heard bad things about their overall service.

I'd actually have to disagree with you there, Thai when i've flown with them in J have been great, sure they aren't exactly SQ, but their seat is as good as anything in that price point, and the onboard service was faultless.

There's nothing wrong with MH on the LHR route, but flying into some other destinations can be a bit hit or miss.

That's a pretty good price you've got on MH, the closest QF/BA fare would the the 14apex BA J at approx 8300 inc tax.

If it was me, i'd fly TG without hesitation, infact for $6800 id do the J/P Mixed Class fare on TG over the D on MH.

TG

 

[DBH]

Hi Batesy,

Flew on MH and I found it excellent, the service food and planes were wonderful. I was very impressed with the KL airport, very hi tech, and spotlessly clean. I have just booked my in laws to Paris next year on a trip and was able to get $5954.78 for a C ticket, MEL-BKK-CDG return. I did a quick dummy booking on TG website and they show the same price for London, $5356 plus taxes that comes to the above. Don't want to confuse the issue because at the end of the day I am sure dad will be happy with the business class arrangements. I fly Thai every month on the Mel
Syd to Bkk run and whilst I complain loudly and often, it's about stupid things like my PJ's don't fit or aren't available, the lobster was ordered as thermidor and arrived steamed, and during 2006, they replaced the new airbus 346 with the new 777 which I don't like because it's difficult to get premium seats at short notice. Prior to the new planes they had a half dozen 747's which didn't have the new beds in which most of us found unsatisfactory to say the least. Why did I stay with them through the change over times, convenience mainly direct ex MEL and as I pay my own fares they discounted my fare everytime i had an older plane and in the end i was quite peeved when they finally got everything sorted out. You will be happy with TG, great lounges and on a long haul this is what I look for. Whichever way you go, I would recommend that you break the flight, it is a nightmare for the oldies. I put my in laws up at the Sheraton in Bangkok, total cost for 1 night with transfers and breakfast AUD$190, and 24hours it's just enough time to recoup and hit the remainder of the flight refreshed. I have flown the London flight with Qantas and they are brilliant. It's always nice when you are returning home to hop on a plane and someone is sure to say gidday to you. Thai TG do have a Melbourne office, but you do have to be patient with their phone system. regards

 

[Myrna]

I heard someone said the other day that either Emirates or Etihad offer very good fares to Europe in both first and business. I could not remember the exact $, but about half of Qantas. Maybe worth doing some research on this?

 

[garyjohn951]

Travel Guru

Can you explain what a 14apex J fare entails. Is it year round ?

 

[Platy]

My mother and her friend and coming to Australia from the UK in February. They will need J, possibly a companion fare will do.

Can anyone recommend how to purchase such tix in the uk??? Any good agents???

 

[Keith009]

I'd actually have to disagree with you there, Thai when i've flown with them in J have been great, sure they aren't exactly SQ, but their seat is as good as anything in that price point, and the onboard service was faultless.

Except that you can't guarantee the new seating. When I flew TG I got the old seating at least 50% of the time. It might be better now that they've completed the refurbishing of their 772ERs and are starting to refurbish 773s (which they sent to MEL sans refurbishment in place of the 772ERs during their switcheroos :evil. But on BKK-LHR you might still get the 7442 non-lie flat config.

The onboard service is a huge hit or miss. Towards the end before I gave up on them it was nearly always a big miss. Rude and abrupt FAs, FAs who can't tell the difference between a Bordeaux and a Burgundy then later accused me of being too fussy, FAs who don't even bother to secure the cabin properly before take off and landing, the list goes on. The amenity kit shortages at the end of last year/early this year didn't help either.

I had to fly TG because the LH ZAAX fares involved TG to Asia. But after one too many bad experiences I went for the LH/SQ option despite having to pay more. At least I know I'd be guaranteed decent service, seating and above all - professionalism.

It is a pity as at one stage TG did look promising. Nowadays they seem like an airline that tries hard but somehow fails to make 'it', with lots of frays around the edges to spare.

I'd say MH is the safer bet despite the recent cost cuts. That's if you don't mind not having a cheese plate.

edited to add: TG seating:

What they promise:

What you might end up getting:

During the amenity kit shortages this is what we got in J (an FA implied that there were problems with suppliers):

 

[DBH]

Wonderful historical photos....

Haven't seen those uniforms on a Thai cabin attendant for years.....

I can understand the tramatic experiences some passengers must feel when these poor Asian cabin crew pour an incorrect Bordeaux, I am sure the majority of them don't drink and have never had any education in the finer art of dining that we all enjoy. I really enjoy my travel, love the buying power of the NEW Aussie dollar and I am very understanding of the continual change in airlines and their attitudes. BA have just released some specials too, Batsey, for travel in 2008, so there's a wide variety of cheap good fares out there, regards

 

[Keith009]

Wonderful historical photos....

Haven't seen those uniforms on a Thai cabin attendant for years.....

Actually - these are the new uniforms that were brought in within the last 2 years. It caused some unhappinness amongst the FAs actually; I remember reading an article about how the uniforms were too tight. The more senior ones have a yellow/green suit.

As for pouring the wrong wine, I've yet to have it happen on SQ, MH or CX. Or more to the point, I wasn't refused or grumbled at on these airlines when I asked for 'the other' option.