British Airways Returned to Kuala Lumpur from 27 May 2015 and with B787-9 from 5 December 2015

[Adam Lawrence 0]

Why can't BA pax feed into MH's Aussie services?

Probably what Jani meant is BA/MH to work with QF for onwards Aussies domestic connections

[Mohd Azizul Ramli 2]

From Jim's blog. http://airlineroute.net/2014/09/17/ba-kul-may15/

[flee 5]

Probably what Jani meant is BA/MH to work with QF for onwards Aussies domestic connections

I think I would prefer that MH to work closely with BA on this first before thinking of QF.

 

Assuming that MH will keep its two LHR frequencies, a code share with BA on the third frequency and on BA's and MH's domestic and regional networks will make this a very attractive oneworld service.

 

Later on, they can think of working on the kangaroo route - I believe that MH already has good connections there, so BA just needs to work on agreeing the code share agreement.

Edited September 18, 2014 by flee

[Ja Singh 2]

Next is to work with Qantas and get all the timings right. There is a big opportunity to make all this work, taking away business from Changi.

Hey lets not try to disturb the bees nest as we will be the ones to get stung! Changi is a dynamic hub and we dont wanna stir things up.Instead lets focus on ourselves meaning KLIA and the opportunity to advertise as a One World hub linking Europe to Australasia.This is our opportunity so MH go grab this one...........We have great lounges.And maybe just maybe QF will appear to share some honey in this one world hub shifting from DXB to KUL in the future.

We should not be seen as taking bussiness away from our neighbour but rather be seen as working with them to take away bussiness from the Middle East hubs. To synergies is the only way forward.So we need to see the wider picture.

Edited September 18, 2014 by jadivindra

[KK Lee 5]

Hey lets not try to disturb the bees nest as we will be the ones to get stung! Changi is a dynamic hub and we dont wanna stir things up.Instead lets focus on ourselves meaning KLIA and the opportunity to advertise as a One World hub linking Europe to Australasia.This is our opportunity so MH go grab this one...........We have great lounges.And maybe just maybe QF will appear to share some honey in this one world hub shifting from DXB to KUL in the future.

We should not be seen as taking bussiness away from our neighbour but rather be seen as working with them to take away bussiness from the Middle East hubs. To synergies is the only way forward.So we need to see the wider picture.

Transit time at dxb and doh could be less than 2 hours and 1 hour respectively. Mh may need to reschedule to compete.

[leon t 0]

Yes we should not even compare Changi and KLIA and worse even say that KLIA can take away business from change. There were be changes by airlines which have left klia and now reconsidering coming back but even then, these flights are not like substantial and they will never give up change. Having use klia at least 2 times a month minimally, the main terminal is very much showing its age and now looks somewhat "gloomy" as like its not letting in enough light and as expected the toilets are not really as clean and getting more neglected. Contrast this with Changi's upgraded T1 and T2 - its a real world of difference.

[Waiping 12]

Ever thought that maybe they choose KLIA because it's cheaper here over SIN? SIN is cater more for business traveler whereas KUL for leisure. I do think that leisure travelers tend to be more cost conscious. After all we have D7 here and D7 doesn't have flights to Europe as yet.

[leon t 0]

perhaps to a small extend, as Klia maybe cheaper but then some airlines operate where its efficient to and am sure Changi's efficiency is better than than klia. On D7, we can see that it carries mainly more locals than foreigners and is good for local leisure travelers. But then again now with the growing LCC medium haul carriers, Changi does have its own Scoot which will be set to expanding its destinations with the arrival of 20 new 787s.

[jani 0]

Don't compare Changi and KLIA? haha. OK.

[KK Lee 5]

We have great lounges.

 

Ba lounge at lhr t5 is a class more comfy than kul and have amber supply of drinks. Edited September 22, 2014 by KK Lee

[Chris Tan 0]

We have great lounges.

Depends on how one defines "great". IMO the MH lounges are average at best. The F lounge lacks the "wow" factor with food more akin to Biz standard. The saving grace is it's much quieter than other OW F lounges like CX's The Wing or QF's F lounge which can get packed at peak hours.

[Suzanne Goh 0]

We have great lounges

 

Yes, we do. But then - what do I know right?

[Waiping 12]

When you have great lounge and everyone flock into it, it becomes crowded and less appealing.

[Ja Singh 2]

 

Yes, we do. But then - what do I know right?

Haha the right person has spoken! Having traveled so much in F and J class and countless number of lounges around the globe, youre right on the money!

 

Also when I said great lounges in KL I did not mean to compare it with SYD or HKG ones. what I meant was as a one world lounge good enough for stopover pax on QF services to Europe,if indeed they decide to jump base from DXB in the future and enjoy free one world lounge facilities for their customers thus saving them $$$. Wonder whether QF pay EK royalty for lounge use in DXB?

Edited September 23, 2014 by jadivindra

[Suzanne Goh 0]

Also when I said great lounges in KL I did not mean to compare it with SYD or HKG ones.

 

Nothing wrong with comparing them (i'm talking MH F vs QF F SYD, QF F MEL or HKG Wing F). If I were to put this analogously to a badminton match, some people think it's a 21-0 21-0 score in favour of the QF and CX lounge- it's not.

 

I'll still give the win to CX and QF - but the game goes to a 'rubber set' . I'll call it 21-15 , 17-21, 21-16

 

QF/CX F lounges are good, but not perfect. I'm eagerly awaiting for the Pier F to reopen.

 

 

 

Unfortunately in our second singles, i have to admit QF J MEL/SYD Intl, CX Wing J, Cabin G23, Bridge, Pier J , and even the old G16 - are ALL better and will thrash MH J KUL Satellite 21-7, 21-6 straight sets.

Why?

 

QF F MEL

 

+

Easier to get Spa Appointment

Quieter (than SYD F)

-

Opening hours not really long because of QF9 retiming. So if you're an emerald on say MH128 - no luck

Uninspired tarmac view

 

QF F SYD

 

+

Awesome View

Nice Architecture

-

Almost Impossible to get spa appointment if you're not flying QF F (especially before Aurora took over from Payot as service provider)

Gets pretty crowded (for an F lounge) in the early afternoon

Chefs can't cook asian to save their lives

 

CX Wing F

+

Awesome Cabanas

Decent food menu in the Haven Restaurant

-

A bit too open air for me

Can get very crowded at times

Sofa Chairs not very "correct" for ladies in skirts/dresses to sit down on.

 

MH KUL F

+

Always quiet. If you go midday - very often you can be the only one. MH2/20/6/52/88/16 time? maybe 7-10 pax.

Depending on cycle - some of the menus include lobster

Only one with an integrated smoking room (if you're a smoker, this is obviously good for you)

-

Food choice if you're a mat salleh, not so good choice, nor tasty, and that's one of the biggest gripes from them

I also hear complaints about the showers and mold- but I can't say i know about the Gents side - the ladies side is always unused, dry, clean and i suspect there are very few ladies that pass through this lounge.

[Fashni M. 0]

Add to that, I like the seating arrangement in the MH KUL J lounge Satellite. It provides plenty of those clusters of 4/6 individual seats that are close enough for families/couples to sit together yet far enough for 4/6 individuals to sit comfortably. This caters well for all the pax mix the airline carries.

 

Many other lounges in the world that I have visited (QR J/F DOH (premium terminal), GF BAH, EK J DXB, WY J MCT, BA J/F LHR) have more of those clusters of sofa sets which makes it almost impossible for strangers to sit comfortably in close quarters. And more often than not, they are always used to put jackets, small luggage, etc. a real waste of space. These lounges feel full even at 70% occupancy because people are always standing and waiting for someone seated to get up and go. And talk about the evil eye you get when politely asking if the seat with the jacket or small luggage is taken...

[Craig 0]

 

Nothing wrong with comparing them (i'm talking MH F vs QF F SYD, QF F MEL or HKG Wing F). If I were to put this analogously to a badminton match, some people think it's a 21-0 21-0 score in favour of the QF and CX lounge- it's not.

 

...

 

QF F MEL

 

+

Easier to get Spa Appointment

Quieter (than SYD F)

-

Opening hours not really long because of QF9 retiming. So if you're an emerald on say MH128 - no luck

Uninspired tarmac view

 

...

I thought the QF MEL now stays open longer now that QF 9 is retimed to 23:00 departure? Previously they closed right after QF 9 (around 16:30 or something).

 

The problem with CX Lounges in HKG is that it's spread all over the terminal and each lounge have their own specialty items and the train is uni-directional.

 

Comparing amenities in each lounge at their home base IMO:

 

Food:

QF >>>>>> CX > MH >>> BA

I find QF lounge food to be really good, even in non-hubs like SIN/HKG/LAX. LAX is surprisingly good, especially when good lounge food are hard to come by in the US. CX Wing F is great for the made to order dishes but that can take a while. BA used to be really awful at its FCL at LHR, but it's gotten a bit better, but still not as good as MH.

 

Showers:

CX >>>> QF >>> BA >> MH

Love the cabanas or even the regular showers at CX Wing F. QF F is decent too with great toiletries. BA looks like a sterilized-hospital shower and MH needs some housekeeping (haven't used the MH showers, but seen it plenty of times).

 

Ambience/Deco:

QF >> CX > MH > BA

It's true that all lounges can get pretty busy, so the MH FCL is actually a great oasis because it's rarely crowded, but they also have a PA system that announces *all* flights which makes it annoying during peak departure banks. Like Suzanne said, if you are there after MH 4 departs and before the Aussie evening departures, you are one of the handful number of passengers in the lounge. The Jetson-themed QF SYD FCL lounge can't be beaten for architecture though.

 

Service:

MH > QF > CX >>>> BA

I would say all 3 are at almost par but MH is a notch better because it's quiet and they have more staff to take care of you. BA is just every man for himself.

 

But if I throw in LH FCT/FCL there, it wins all categories

Edited September 23, 2014 by Craig

[Suzanne Goh 0]

I thought the QF MEL now stays open longer now that QF 9 is retimed to 23:00 departure? Previously they closed right after QF 9 (around 16:30 or something).

 

The problem with CX Lounges in HKG is that it's spread all over the terminal and each lounge have their own specialty items and the train is uni-directional.

 

Comparing amenities in each lounge at their home base IMO:

 

Food:

QF >>>>>> CX > MH >>> BA

I find QF lounge food to be really good, even in non-hubs like SIN/HKG/LAX. LAX is surprisingly good, especially when good lounge food are hard to come by in the US. CX Wing F is great for the made to order dishes but that can take a while. BA used to be really awful at its FCL at LHR, but it's gotten a bit better, but still not as good as MH.

 

Showers:

CX >>>> QF >>> BA >> MH

Love the cabanas or even the regular showers at CX Wing F. QF F is decent too with great toiletries. BA looks like a sterilized-hospital shower and MH needs some housekeeping (haven't used the MH showers, but seen it plenty of times).

 

Ambience/Deco:

QF >> CX > MH > BA

It's true that all lounges can get pretty busy, so the MH FCL is actually a great oasis because it's rarely crowded, but they also have a PA system that announces *all* flights which makes it annoying during peak departure banks. Like Suzanne said, if you are there after MH 4 departs and before the Aussie evening departures, you are one of the handful number of passengers in the lounge. The Jetson-themed QF SYD FCL lounge can't be beaten for architecture though.

 

Service:

MH > QF > CX >>>> BA

I would say all 3 are at almost par but MH is a notch better because it's quiet and they have more staff to take care of you. BA is just every man for himself.

 

But if I throw in LH FCT/FCL there, it wins all categories

LH FCT won't win on service. I did a 8 hour layover there once and felt abandoned, alone and really creeped out. I also felt like a prisoner in a castle - If there's an escape, like the FCL - where you can go wander Around outside - it's not so bad. Problem is everyone gatal Naik Porsche ...... As for QF F MEL - it does open a bit later , but not as late as MH128 iirc. Edited September 23, 2014 by Suzanne Goh

[Ashley Lee 0]

IMHO, MH F-lounge stands out for one reason alone; super friendly and yet attentive staff members who actually remember you and your name, some of whom I have befriended. If you're an E-Plat, their meet & greet service with kerbside drop off, immigration done during check in, skipping of immigration queues(can you imagine the look on J/F class passengers queuing up ), utilisation of cabin crew/MAHB staff lanes for security, and escort from kerbside to check in to security to lounge to duty free to secondary security to gate to your seat on the plane would hardly be considered as "sub-standard ground service". Maybe MH should consider rolling out this Meet & Greet service to F passengers regardless of status.

Edited September 23, 2014 by Ashley Lee

[BC Tam 2]

..... and escort from kerbside to check in to security to lounge to duty free to secondary security to gate to your seat on the plane would hardly be considered as "sub-standard ground service"

It's probably just me, but that would creep me out, however well meaning the escort's intentions, and however unlikely I can afford such indulgence

[Waiping 12]

Sounds like private jet treatment.

[Suzanne Goh 0]

IMHO, MH F-lounge stands out for one reason alone; super friendly and yet attentive staff members who actually remember you and your name, some of whom I have befriended. If you're an E-Plat, their meet & greet service with kerbside drop off, immigration done during check in, skipping of immigration queues(can you imagine the look on J/F class passengers queuing up ), utilisation of cabin crew/MAHB staff lanes for security, and escort from kerbside to check in to security to lounge to duty free to secondary security to gate to your seat on the plane would hardly be considered as "sub-standard ground service". Maybe MH should consider rolling out this Meet & Greet service to F passengers regardless of status.

I'll go ask them if you're a naughty boy next time I'm there. 😛

[Ashley Lee 0]

It's probably just me, but that would creep me out, however well meaning the escort's intentions, and however unlikely I can afford such indulgence

 

 

Hahahaha!! But that's everything a "Meet & Greet" service entails.

 

 

Suzanne : 😂 😉 😅

[Mike P 0]

Well, hope we can get back to the topic on BA returning to KUL rather comparing the lounges. Anyway, anyone hearing any expansion plan of BA in KUL? Hope with such plan of BA, MH and BA could work closely and initiate codeshare agreement.

[Mohd Azizul Ramli 2]

Commercial Updates

22nd Sep 2014

 

BRITISH AIRWAYS PUTS KUALA LUMPUR BACK ON THE ROUTE MAP

 

British Airways is to resume direct flights from Heathrow to Kuala Lumpur in summer 2015. The daily service from Terminal 5 will be operated by a four-cabin Boeing 777- 200ER, featuring 12 seats in First, 48 in Club World, 32 in World Traveller Plus and a further 127 in World Traveller.

 

Flights begin on May 27, 2015. British Airways last flew to the Malaysian capital in 2001.

 

Lynne Embleton, British Airways’ director of business strategy, said: “We have been working to resume flights to Kuala Lumpur for a long time, so it’s wonderful to be back in the heart of Malaysia once again. “We are re-starting the route in response to commercial demand from our customers who have been asking us for direct British Airways flights to Kuala Lumpur, which opens up new connecting routes around the region.

 

“A thriving economy offers fantastic opportunities for UK businesses, while holiday-makers can enjoy some stunning destinations around the country and beyond.”

 

Kuala Lumpur is the world’s largest aviation hub not currently served directly by British Airways, and a major centre for oneworld airlines. Malaysia itself has strong ties with the UK and a large, rapidly growing economy with a focus on international trade.

 

British Airways, known then as Imperial Airways, first began flying to Malaysia on December 9, 1933. The flight from London Croydon Airport, made 22 stops before eventually reaching Alor Star (now Alor Setar) nine days later.

 

The airline’s first flight to Kuala Lumpur took off on August 1, 1956 when BOAC operated a Canadair Argonaut ‘Coronet’ aircraft on the outbound route and a Lockheed Constellation ‘Majestic’ on the return.

 

The airline has given the route the same flight numbers it previously operated with before 2001. The BA033 will depart T5 daily at 8.15pm, arriving into Kuala Lumpur 12 hours 45 minutes, later at 4pm (local). The returning BA034 will leave Kuala Lumpur at 11.05pm (local) and arrive back into Heathrow’s T5 at 5.25am the next morning.

 

Datuk Badlisham Ghazali, the managing director of Malaysia Airports, said: “I greatly welcome the return of British Airways to Malaysia.

 

“I believe this new route will have a very positive economic, political, social and cultural impact on both countries and it underlines the strength and vibrancy of the air travel market between them.

 

"Malaysia Airports has been working closely with British Airways for several years in planning the resumption of its flights to Kuala Lumpur. I wish them the best in their preparations to reconnect the two great cities of London and Kuala Lumpur and am confident it will enhance the airline’s huge

global network.”

 

Return fares start from £708 in World traveller, £1,076 in World Traveller Plus, £3,181 in Club World and £4,681 in First. All prices include taxes and charges*.

 

British Airways is investing more than £5bn in new aircraft, smarter cabins, elegant lounges, and new technologies to make life more comfortable in the air and on the ground.

 

Notes:

 

Daily flight Details:

 

Outbound - BA033

Depart Heathrow Terminal 5 at 8:15pm - arrive Kuala Lumpur at 4:00pm (12 hours 45 minutes flight time)

 

Inbound – BA034

Depart Kuala Lumpur at 11.05pm - arrive Heathrow, Terminal 5 at 5:25am (13 hours 20 minutes flight time)