Malaysia Airlines Vs Qantas J

[RooFlyer]

I have a choice of returning to Australia on QF from BKK, in J, overnight flight. Alternative is Malaysian from KL, daytime flight.

I dislike overnight flights but equally haven't flown Malaysian in donkey's years. I believe its a step down from QF.

In either case I'd overnight near the airport beforehand.

Those who know both products - which is the better choice - QF overnight or MH day flight, including airport experience? I don't think there would be a fare difference (part of a Europe ticket).

 

[AIRwin]

What aircraft on MH?

 

[RooFlyer]

What aircraft on MH?

A330-900NEO

 

[Austman]

Seating on actual QF aircraft in J, is, IMO, better. You also get PJs, if that matters. So sleeping on overnight flights is, IME, better on QF.

MH in J can be a very nice experience on their newer aircraft. Especially on daytime flights. And their crew are always delightful.

Post automatically merged: Wednesday at 10:25 PM

A330-900NEO

Thread 'Malaysia Airlines A330-Neo Business Class (KUL-MEL)'

Jul 12, 2025

This is a shortish TR on Malaysia Airlines' latest A330-Neo.

MH129, KUL-MEL, 09:20-19:25, Business Class.

This was my first trip on a MH A330-Neo. It was mostly a pretty nice experience. Both the hard product and the soft product are pretty good.

MH cabin crew were, as usual, excellent.

It starts on board with pre-departure drinks. Including champagne. And a cold towel. The amenity kit contains some Payot products and socks, eye-mask and toothbrush. A seat topper and a quality blanket are at the seat. A large bottle of water is also at the seat. There are no pyjamas...

• Austman
• Replies: 13
• Forum: Trip Reports

• 

 

[moa999]

If unlimited time is take a day flight every day - you get to enjoy J.

Business (or First) on the 7-8hr flights is a tradeoff between service and sleep.

 

[RooFlyer]

@Austman - fantastic, thanks; I missed it (I don't usually look out for MH ) product looks v good

@moa999 I sleep badly on planes, so a daytime flight is usually preferable, just checking that MH is half-decent.

What's the best at-airport hotel, please (I'm chain agnostic)?

 

[Quickstatus]

MH J on a lower tier than SQ and QF both in hard and soft offering but my experience was not on the neo.

Which airport for hotel?

 

[Austman]

What's the best at-airport hotel, please (I'm chain agnostic)?

KUL T1 is interesting.

There is the Sama Sama land-side hotel attached to T1. It's actually a pretty good hotel! At least 4-star. Air-side, if you wish, is the Sama Sama Express. It's in the Satellite where most long-haul flights depart. I think it quite OK. Especially if you ask for, or book, a window room. 3-star-ish. You can book for 6 hours at a reasonable rate. Then use the MH lounge, also nearby in the Satellite, for meals and drinks before and after.

Also there are several hotels near, or even attached to, KL-Sentral. You can check-in at KL-Sentral and catch the express train to KUL T1 in about 30 minutes.

 

[Brissy1]

Been a few years so don't guarantee, but agree Sama Sama land-side attached to T1 was quite nice, good value and Very convenient (phone on the wall to get a golf cart pickup if you don't want to walk!). Last time I was there, for the day only, and on checkout he insisted on recalculating to see if my day hours was cheaper than my booked overnight stay (yes was slightly)

 

[masco131]

@Austman - fantastic, thanks; I missed it (I don't usually look out for MH ) product looks v good

@moa999 I sleep badly on planes, so a daytime flight is usually preferable, just checking that MH is half-decent.

What's the best at-airport hotel, please (I'm chain agnostic)?

If you have Accor, I won't look past the ibis. It is just about 5-10 minutes and they have a shuttle. Last time I was there, I got a pretty decent upgrade and you can use your drink voucher. I got 30% off from the restaurant as they said it is not part of the Accor plus but food is cheap in Malaysia anyway. The restaurant was half decent and large portions too

 

[Cloud9]

If you like satay, MH J is a dream.

The platinum wing of the lounge in T1 is pretty decent and nice and quiet in the round as well.
Concur with @masco131 on the Ibis, to be honest, if you want something near the airport.

 

[I love to travel]

@Austman - fantastic, thanks; I missed it (I don't usually look out for MH ) product looks v good

@moa999 I sleep badly on planes, so a daytime flight is usually preferable, just checking that MH is half-decent.

What's the best at-airport hotel, please (I'm chain agnostic)?

I love the Le Meridin at KL Sentral which is the terminus for the airport train (28 mins), Cheap, modern and great pool area if that is your thing. But if short overnight connection at KLIA, then agree the airside Sama Sama is good. Just be aware that MH will only allow access to lounge on day of travel so the $$ will add up if you want a room for longer than 8 hours.

 

[Ansett Nostalgic]

Not many airport hotels at KUL unfortunately.

 

[Cossie]

Flew last Tuesday night flight KL to Sydney. Left at about midnight, into Sydney on time at 9:45. I don't like the MH seats with the foot box and lack of space to put things, but it was an A330 and they are getting upgraded, I believe.
As mentioned before, most the IFE options, imo, are very very ordinary.
I ordered a meal from the website which was ok, but not fantastic.
On this flight, you get the satays and a drink early, but the main meal isn't served until 2 hours before Sydney, If I had known, I would have taken the breakfast option.
No wifi, however it is available on some flights.
Rethinking how I will go to Europe in future, like you, I'm not too keen on night flights anymore.

Also, just for interest, we were given Express passes into Sydney, we didn't need them as there wasn't anyone waiting in the 'e' passport lanes, the 'others' queue was quite long, so the pass probably would have been useful there.

 

[AuSammy]

If you like satay, MH J is a dream.

Except when served room temperature.or with ice still in the middle on my last flight with MH.

With all airlines crews can be hit and miss.

If overnight I think QF seats are better. Daytime doesn't matter so much.

 

[Austman]

Just be aware that MH will only allow access to lounge on day of travel so the $$ will add up if you want a room for longer than 8 hours.

Not in my experience. And I've done it dozens of times. Including just a couple of weeks ago. It might be that you need a departing flight that's within the next 24 hours?

MH has stopped J-class arrival lounge access.

You do need a boarding pass for onward travel. So eg if you get one at 9pm for a next day's 9am flight, you should be good to access the MH lounge at 9pm, go to the Sama Sama Express at midnight and then return to the lounge at 6am. You can actually stay in the Satellite lounges, as they are open 24/7.

 

[Austman]

it was an A330 and they are getting upgraded

They have several variations of A330s. Seating wise, in J, while fairly similar, they are quite different. And in some A330s, one seat can be quite different to another (eg foot space wise).

The A330-Neo is the newest, I believe.

 

[RooFlyer]

Continuing thanks for the input.

I've asked my TA for the 9:15am MH flight to MEL, after I arrive from MCT at abt 20:00 the night before. The -NEO sounds good to try on a day flight

And I think the landside Sama Sama for overnight. I rarely stay far from the airport if I only have ~12hr transit, if possible.

Rethinking how I will go to Europe in future, like you, I'm not too keen on night flights anymore.

People might be horrified at how I plan to go over.

1 Hobart to Sydney - overnight stop (9:15am departure from SYD)
2 SYD-BKK - overnight stop
3 BKK-MCT - overnight stop (Oman Air stopover deal)
4 MCT-LHR

The positive trade-off is that I'm only wrecked for a day arriving at the other end, rather than 3. I don't sleep on planes.

 

[Cloud9]

Flew last Tuesday night flight KL to Sydney. Left at about midnight, into Sydney on time at 9:45. I don't like the MH seats with the foot box and lack of space to put things, but it was an A330 and they are getting upgraded, I believe.
As mentioned before, most the IFE options, imo, are very very ordinary.
I ordered a meal from the website which was ok, but not fantastic.
On this flight, you get the satays and a drink early, but the main meal isn't served until 2 hours before Sydney, If I had known, I would have taken the breakfast option.
No wifi, however it is available on some flights.
Rethinking how I will go to Europe in future, like you, I'm not too keen on night flights anymore.

Also, just for interest, we were given Express passes into Sydney, we didn't need them as there wasn't anyone waiting in the 'e' passport lanes, the 'others' queue was quite long, so the pass probably would have been useful there.

Heads up on the Express passes, if you're Platinum or above, just nick into the First check in area / suite (in Melbourne) and ask for a bunch. Never an issue in my experience.