MH goes dry on short haul flights

[Austman]

One flight down and one complaint issued. I of course made it clear that it's not the cabin crew who made this decision.

The new menu:

 

[tuapekastar]

Couple of J flights (BKK-KUL-BKK) recently - I knew of these changes so was prepared (dependent on my mood it may not have made a difference, but nice to have the option), but I certainly heard one or two other pax asking for alcohol and being politely rebuffed (and having it explained). They took it well enough. I am though in the 'I think it is silly' camp.

 

[Austman]

I realised too that most of the beverages offered don't really match a hot main dinner type course. Hot drinks seem odd and are more for after the meal, while juices and soft drinks are too sweet for me. So it was just water for me, a choice made by most of the other J-class pax. My next flight has a ca 17:00 departure and 20:00 arrival - so really a dinner flight.

 

[Austman]

Well the CX lounge in BKK has kindly given me a glass to go (in a small plastic water bottle). I'll ask the MH crew if I'm allowed to consume it.

We'll see.

 

[Austman]

It worked a treat. No problems at all and a nice glass of wine to go with the beef.

 

[cmon0005]

Well the CX lounge in BKK has kindly given me a glass to go (in a small plastic water bottle). I'll ask the MH crew if I'm allowed to consume it.

We'll see.

10 points for creativity!

 

[Kiwires]

This may be in response to the launch of Malaysia's first shariah-compliant airline - Rayani Air. Started operations on 20 December, kicking off with a domestic route from Kuala Lumpur to the resort island of Langkawi. The airline only serves halal food and alcohol consumption on board is strictly prohibited. Granted this is a domestic route and most passengers will be locals who won't imbibe in any case. Different story once they get to Langkawi, which IIRC, is a free-trade zone and is duty-free.
As a former Malaysian, this level of 'holier-than-thou' is sad to see.

 

[Austman]

MH has been alcohol free on domestic routes for as long as I know. Most domestic flights are less than 1 hour.

But even today, internationally, on flights of more than 3 hours, it's still served. So if it's for religious reasons, it's odd.

Staff say it's cost cutting.

 

[esseeeayeenn]

Of course it's cost cutting.
Although they will probably cite religious reasons to rationalise it.
I'm waiting for a substantive reply to my written complaint.

 

[seanpodge]

I assume that this move has little to do with religious sensitivities and much more to do with cutting costs (remembering that after the two disasters, MH was pushing bankruptcy). Maybe they could have offered alcohol for purchase on short flights, but given that Malaysia is a largely Muslim country and MH short haul would often fly to other Islamic countries (e.g. Indonesia, Brunei), the demand might be too low to justify offering alcohol for purchase. I doubt MH can afford indulgences at the moment.

To compare, I've taken a fair few domestic flights in China (flight times about 2 - 3 hours) on five separate airlines and have never been offered a drop of booze on any of them.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

I assume that this move has little to do with religious sensitivities and much more to do with cutting costs (remembering that after the two disasters, MH was pushing bankruptcy). Maybe they could have offered alcohol for purchase on short flights, but given that Malaysia is a largely Muslim country and MH short haul would often fly to other Islamic countries (e.g. Indonesia, Brunei), the demand might be too low to justify offering alcohol for purchase. I doubt MH can afford indulgences at the moment.

To compare, I've taken a fair few domestic flights in China (flight times about 2 - 3 hours) on five separate airlines and have never been offered a drop of booze on any of them.

There are some domestic flights that exclude alcohol - India for example. In china I think it depends on the airline and class of service - Air China F offers red wine on some flights (and maybe beer as well?).

But it is rare for international flights to exclude this.

 

[Austman]

I doubt MH can afford indulgences at the moment.

Is serving wine on an international J-class dinner service flight an indulgence?

I might understand reducing the choices, maybe to just wine and beer, but removing it all together?

 

[esseeeayeenn]

Is serving wine on an international J-class dinner service flight an indulgence?

I might understand reducing the choices, maybe to just wine and beer, but removing it all together?

Or why not make economy passengers pay?

 

[seanpodge]

There are some domestic flights that exclude alcohol - India for example. In china I think it depends on the airline and class of service - Air China F offers red wine on some flights (and maybe beer as well?).

But it is rare for international flights to exclude this.

True, I think every international flight I've been on has offered alcohol, whether for free or for purchase. My example was more to compare similar flight times rather than DOM vs INT flight standards. See below for more.

Is serving wine on an international J-class dinner service flight an indulgence?

I might understand reducing the choices, maybe to just wine and beer, but removing it all together?

For MH, it probably is. They weren't in great financial shape even before the two disasters.

Also, it's a bit unfair I think to compare international flights ex Malaysia with those ex Australia. From KUL, MH serves several countries within the 3 hour range (based on an 1100 mile radius), namely Indonesia, Brunei, Singapore, Thailand, Cambodia, Vietnam and Burma/Myanmar. From MEL, even stretching it to 1200 miles still doesn't get one to New Zealand.

1100 miles from KUL

1200 miles from MEL

Seeing as even the far east of East Malaysia is likely beyond the three hour range and the OMAAT article states that MH DOM flights have long been dry, one could even go as far to describe this as a standardisation, a rationalisation, or even perhaps an "enhancement". None of this is to say that is oppose or support MH's decision. Doesn't really affect me one way or the other since I don't fly MH/OW and I don't drink. But if you're a CEO/president of an airline swimming in red ink, you might wonder why you're spending money on booze for some short flights when other similar length flights seem to go fine without it.

 

[esseeeayeenn]

Cutting services to premium customers is a way to lose revenue, not cut costs.
In any business the top line is more important than the bottom line.
The financial troubles were largely due to waste and corruption, not due to spoiling customers.

 

[Austman]

Here is the service on a 50 minute MH J-class domestic flight. About 30 minutes flight time.



The above plus pre-departure drinks,linen napkins and at least 3 cold and hot towel runs.

Quite nice.

And somewhat indulgent for such a short sector. Certainly room for some practical adjustments that could save money and even improve the offering.

The international less than 3 hour flights are also fairly indulgent in terms of service. Lots of towels, glassware, linens etc. And you still get a pre-dinner drink service. Just without the typical international pre-dinner drink offerings. And the menu is reasonably extensive for such short flights.

There'd be room for alternate cuts - I think the service is a bit too full on to the point where you almost are pestered by the crew - without compromising the offerings all that much.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

And somewhat indulgent for such a short sector. Certainly room for some practical adjustments that could save money and even improve the offering.

The international less than 3 hour flights are also fairly indulgent in terms of service. Lots of towels, glassware, linens etc. And you still get a pre-dinner drink service. Just without the typical international pre-dinner drink offerings. And the menu is reasonably extensive for such short flights.

I'd say MH's offerings are equal or below what is being offered by their competitors for the same flights - I'd probably say it's 'standard' rather than being indulgent.

 

[Austman]

I'd say MH's offerings are equal or below what is being offered by their competitors for the same flights - I'd probably say it's 'standard' rather than being indulgent.

I used "indulgent" because the other poster suggested that MH couldn't afford them and that alcohol on shorter international flights was one of them.

I agree that MH was more "standard". But now has dropped below that! And I thought that any cut backs could be done in other ways.

 

[esseeeayeenn]

I used "indulgent" because the other poster suggested that MH couldn't afford them and that alcohol on shorter international flights was one of them.

I agree that MH was more "standard". But now has dropped below that! And I thought that any cut backs could be done in other ways.

Agreed. And the other ways are being implemented. All their B777s are gone. Sadly.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

I used "indulgent" because the other poster suggested that MH couldn't afford them and that alcohol on shorter international flights was one of them.

I agree that MH was more "standard". But now has dropped below that! And I thought that any cut backs could be done in other ways.

Oh, I see what you mean.

TBH if they wanted to cut costs I'd rather have a drink on board than food.

I really like the BA approach to intra-Europe economy - sandwich and your drink of choice from an open bar. Perfect start to a weekend getaway after a week at the office and travelling out to heathrow!