With the news that Malaysia Airlines has put its A380s up for sale, this could be a bit of a wasted post. However, if you are travelling to or from Europe in the next few months the MH A380 Business product is very high quality. The lounges in both KL and London are of a good standard. The lounge in Paris is not. However, once on board the plane you are assured a warm welcome, a spacious cabin and a comfortable seat. The cabin is in 2X2X2 formation, which is great if you are travelling with a companion, less so if you are alone. The food served is very good, especially out of Paris. I have not successfully used the chef on call service. I did book it once, but I slept the whole way to London, and didn't fancy steak for breakfast! However, chef on call is an interesting innovation number of carriers are using. It gives the passenger a wider choice of meals, and cuts out the waste and cost of carrying reserve meals. However, I do not always know what I am going to want to eat in the future!
If paying cash for this flight, and you do not mind including a connection, it is worth searching for prices from Phuket and Bangkok. The fact that you are going back on yourself does bring the cost down- sometimes significantly. Another starting point worth looking at is Bali. If you are using miles or Avios, then availability is often better to Paris.
Showing posts with label Paris. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Paris. Show all posts
Tuesday, 5 May 2015
Monday, 4 May 2015
Malaysia Airlines A380s for sale
The news that Malaysia Airlines has put its A380s up for sale is not unexpected, but is disappointing. The service between KL and London and Paris has been of a good standard and very convenient for a number of years. Two of the planes appear to be listed as available immediately. It is possible that some of the European routes could be axed or changed to a 777-200 soon. Perhaps London will go to one flight a day. However, I would be more disappointed (and I think it more likely) that Paris will either be served by a 777-200 or scrapped altogether.
The important point to note is that the Malaysia airlines 777s do not have flat beds in Business Class. It is a specious cabin, but it does not compare well to the A380s. It is certainly something to watch over the coming months. I fly between Europe and Kuala Lumpur regularly. It looks as though I will be travelling via the Middle East or Hong Kong before too long- as I was before the A380s arrived in Malaysia's fleet in 2012
Tim Clarke, president of Emirates airlines, calls the A380 a passenger magnet. It is a shame that Malaysia Airlines is not able to make this work.
Malaysia airlines still has much to offer travellers within and to and from ASEAN. The regional shorter routes (and domestic routes) served by 737-800s have a sound Business class product that puts many European carriers to shame. Malaysia Airlines is also a source of Tier Points (or status miles) in other one-world frequent flyer schemes.
The important point to note is that the Malaysia airlines 777s do not have flat beds in Business Class. It is a specious cabin, but it does not compare well to the A380s. It is certainly something to watch over the coming months. I fly between Europe and Kuala Lumpur regularly. It looks as though I will be travelling via the Middle East or Hong Kong before too long- as I was before the A380s arrived in Malaysia's fleet in 2012
Tim Clarke, president of Emirates airlines, calls the A380 a passenger magnet. It is a shame that Malaysia Airlines is not able to make this work.
Malaysia airlines still has much to offer travellers within and to and from ASEAN. The regional shorter routes (and domestic routes) served by 737-800s have a sound Business class product that puts many European carriers to shame. Malaysia Airlines is also a source of Tier Points (or status miles) in other one-world frequent flyer schemes.
Saturday, 2 May 2015
Paris to Johor Bharu: Malaysia Airlines First Class
I have flown the Malaysia Airlines A380 service between Paris and Kuala Lumpur many times as described here. I have used all three cabins. Most recently I flew in First Class from Paris to Johor Bharu. This was a reward flight- it cost 99,000 Avios. 90,000 for Paris to Kuala Lumpur and then 9,000 for the hop down to Johor Bharu in Business.
I currently only have sapphire one-world status. This means that I am not able to use first class check-in desks unless I am flying first class. Unfortunately when I tried to check in the first class desk was busy and I was ushered to a Business Class desk. I was checked in without delay, but I was a little disappointed not to have been at a first class desk (ridiculous I know). I had two suitcases and two carry on items. I tried to check the carry on items, but wasn't allowed because of the two piece rule. A little frustrating- and if I had paid £4,000+ for my ticket I may have been bit more irritated.
The lounge used by Malaysia Airlines in Charles de Gaulle is very disappointing- but this was not unexpected as the the other lounges in terminal 1 are also not great. In the past I have struggled to board this plane on time- there are only two security channels to get through to the gates. If there is another plane going at the same time it can be chaos. I asked the lounge staff if there was a fast track system for first class passengers. Their response- "this is Paris sir". Suitably chastised as a capitalist bourgeois pig, I headed to the gate, to find no queue at all. I breezed through security and on to the plane.
The First Class cabin on the A380 is very spacious, the seat is huge The crew were excellent as was the food. Dom Perignon 2003 was served. The caviar and salmon starter was fantastic. There were only two other passengers in first class. Business class was also significantly less than half full. I do worry for the future of this service especially as Malaysia Airlines has now put its A380s up for sale.
I regard Malaysia Airlines A380 Business class very highly. First class offers more space, but not many other significant benefits. If travelling with a companion I will continue to fly Business class. If alone, the extra 30,000 avios for First class could be worthwhile, because of the individual seating. That having been said, loads on this route seem low- perhaps you would be unlucky not to have an empty seat beside you in Business Class.
I currently only have sapphire one-world status. This means that I am not able to use first class check-in desks unless I am flying first class. Unfortunately when I tried to check in the first class desk was busy and I was ushered to a Business Class desk. I was checked in without delay, but I was a little disappointed not to have been at a first class desk (ridiculous I know). I had two suitcases and two carry on items. I tried to check the carry on items, but wasn't allowed because of the two piece rule. A little frustrating- and if I had paid £4,000+ for my ticket I may have been bit more irritated.
The lounge used by Malaysia Airlines in Charles de Gaulle is very disappointing- but this was not unexpected as the the other lounges in terminal 1 are also not great. In the past I have struggled to board this plane on time- there are only two security channels to get through to the gates. If there is another plane going at the same time it can be chaos. I asked the lounge staff if there was a fast track system for first class passengers. Their response- "this is Paris sir". Suitably chastised as a capitalist bourgeois pig, I headed to the gate, to find no queue at all. I breezed through security and on to the plane.
The First Class cabin on the A380 is very spacious, the seat is huge The crew were excellent as was the food. Dom Perignon 2003 was served. The caviar and salmon starter was fantastic. There were only two other passengers in first class. Business class was also significantly less than half full. I do worry for the future of this service especially as Malaysia Airlines has now put its A380s up for sale.
I regard Malaysia Airlines A380 Business class very highly. First class offers more space, but not many other significant benefits. If travelling with a companion I will continue to fly Business class. If alone, the extra 30,000 avios for First class could be worthwhile, because of the individual seating. That having been said, loads on this route seem low- perhaps you would be unlucky not to have an empty seat beside you in Business Class.
Novotel Charles De Gaulle Terminal
As with the standard Novotel, this hotel is functional rather than spectacular. Its key benefit is its location, which is attached to the Charles De Gaulle terminal buildings in Paris. It is perfect for an overnight connection as no taxis or public transport are required- useful if you are on a budget or have lots of luggage.
My recent visit was brief, but pleasant. My gold status in the Accor loyalty programme did get me a welcome drink at the bar, but no apparent upgrade. A review of the Accor programme is on its way, but they have been running some generous promotions recently, which was the reason I choose this hotel. However, the convenience of the location has encouraged me to book another night here in August.
It can be a little difficult to find on your first visit. If you take the shuttle train (the CDGVAL) to the RER station head up the escalators to the main concourse and then walk as if you are heading out of the station- but don't go out.......you should see the Novotel if you look slightly right.
The link below will take you to the Accor site. Aseanloyalty will earn a small commission if you use this link to make a booking. Many thanks for your support.
My recent visit was brief, but pleasant. My gold status in the Accor loyalty programme did get me a welcome drink at the bar, but no apparent upgrade. A review of the Accor programme is on its way, but they have been running some generous promotions recently, which was the reason I choose this hotel. However, the convenience of the location has encouraged me to book another night here in August.
It can be a little difficult to find on your first visit. If you take the shuttle train (the CDGVAL) to the RER station head up the escalators to the main concourse and then walk as if you are heading out of the station- but don't go out.......you should see the Novotel if you look slightly right.
The link below will take you to the Accor site. Aseanloyalty will earn a small commission if you use this link to make a booking. Many thanks for your support.
Friday, 1 May 2015
Malaysia Airlines Kuala Lumpur to Paris
I have used the Malaysia Airlines flight from Kuala Lumpur and Return quite regularly. It is a useful route even when travelling to the UK for a number of reasons:
1. It is cheaper than the flight to and from London (I imagine because of lower airport taxes and less demand) and they use an A380.
2. There is often Avios availability, either in Business or First Class.
3. The night flights (BA and Malaysia Airlines) arrive very early in the morning at Heathrow. I am not one for going straight to meetings, and so usually have a day in London first. As a result I find myself waiting to check in at my hotel. Arriving in Paris gives me the opportunity to refresh in the excellent American Airlines lounge at Charles De Gaulle before hoping across the channel and arriving in London at a more reasonable hour.
I have also found that this flight is often quite empty- which makes the journey a little more pleasant in all classes.
It is certainly one to consider if you are flying between Europe and Asia. If you add an Asian Leg in the Business Fare can be very competitive. For example Phuket to Paris and return via KL with Malaysia Airlines can often be booked for around £1,100. This will earn you over 17,000 avios and 360 tier points.
Its not all perfect though. The lounge for both business and first class passengers in Paris is rather feeble. The 50KG first class weight limit is fine, but the two pieces rule was enforced (on me anyway) the last time I flew the route- which was a pain as I ended up flying with two pieces of hand luggage.
There may well be a question mark over this route going forward. I'll continue to do my bit by flying it when I can! (edit: Courtesy of headforpoints.com I discover that Malaysia Airlines has put its A380s up for sale. It seems the threat to this route is very real indeed)
In forthcoming posts I'll review my experience of each of the cabins on this service.
1. It is cheaper than the flight to and from London (I imagine because of lower airport taxes and less demand) and they use an A380.
2. There is often Avios availability, either in Business or First Class.
3. The night flights (BA and Malaysia Airlines) arrive very early in the morning at Heathrow. I am not one for going straight to meetings, and so usually have a day in London first. As a result I find myself waiting to check in at my hotel. Arriving in Paris gives me the opportunity to refresh in the excellent American Airlines lounge at Charles De Gaulle before hoping across the channel and arriving in London at a more reasonable hour.
I have also found that this flight is often quite empty- which makes the journey a little more pleasant in all classes.
It is certainly one to consider if you are flying between Europe and Asia. If you add an Asian Leg in the Business Fare can be very competitive. For example Phuket to Paris and return via KL with Malaysia Airlines can often be booked for around £1,100. This will earn you over 17,000 avios and 360 tier points.
Its not all perfect though. The lounge for both business and first class passengers in Paris is rather feeble. The 50KG first class weight limit is fine, but the two pieces rule was enforced (on me anyway) the last time I flew the route- which was a pain as I ended up flying with two pieces of hand luggage.
There may well be a question mark over this route going forward. I'll continue to do my bit by flying it when I can! (edit: Courtesy of headforpoints.com I discover that Malaysia Airlines has put its A380s up for sale. It seems the threat to this route is very real indeed)
In forthcoming posts I'll review my experience of each of the cabins on this service.
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