Malaysia Airlines Vegetarian Meal
There being political turmoil in Bangkok meant that probably quite a few passengers cancelled their travel plans. Understandably the airlines would redeploy a smaller aircraft for this sector. The aircraft we got was an old Boeing 737-400 with no inflight entertainment with the seats really packed together.
Given all things I’ve seen in newspapers and billboards about MH being a 5-Star carrier I was expecting some kind of service recovery given the delayed departure, smaller & cramped aircraft + lack of inflight entertainment.
Nothing was offered.
So this makes me decide to share my list of gripes since I’m paying for a flight that feels like budget.
1) Delay in Flight Departure
- no announcement made at any point while we were in the departure room
- delay was long enough for some passengers to lie down and take a nap
- had time to make two skype calls so I’m thankful for wireless at KLIA
- the only hint of an apology came from the co-pilot who explained the delay was due to something technical with no other details
2) Cramped & Old Aircraft
- it feels like I’m in a Tiger Airways or Air Asia cabin
- the seats were old and there wasn’t really much space to move around
- no inflight entertainment … thank goodness for music & games onmy iPhone + my lappie
- given this gap I was expecting at least a token of acknowledgement like a few pieces of chocolates in a MH glass I got one time or meal voucher or something for passengers so they won’t feel a little raw over not getting the full deal
3) Vegetarian Meal Plan
- little thought about the nutritional value of vegetarian meals
- quite a few vegetarians choose this diet because of health and nutritional reasons
- having a meal heavy with sugars, carbs and some of vegetables makes me wonder how much is spent on us minority passengers
- here’s a tip about adding mushrooms + a wider variety of squashes & root vegetables to the menu as well as packs of nuts or even healthy cereal packs
4) Meal Service
- I had my headphones plugged in as I typed this entry and the crew didn’t bother asking if I wanted coffee or tea
- i had to turn around and ask as they passed me if I could get a cup of tea which was served to me in a thin disposable plastic cup
I used to encourage friends to check MH before booking budget as I had faith in their 5-Star service. But after this trip … I’m not sure anymore.
It’s the details that matter and if the details aren’t 5-Star then don’t tell us that you are.
What I’m also disturbed by is the re-enforcement that this is Malaysian Hospitality on all the posters and announcements. If foreigners keep hearing this and experiencing these gaps, they’re going to take-away Malaysian Hospitality isn’t that great after all. That to me is sad because I love the Malaysian hospitality and friendships that I’ve been privileged to experience through my many wonderful Malaysian friends in my 5 years living in KL.
Let’s see what my trip going back to KL is like in 5 days and then I’ll make a decision if it is worth choosing to fly on a full-fledged airline.
It is frustrating to pay the full fare but getting budget standard service. MAS’ short haul flights are often old (Their aging B737-400s) and tired looking; and to make matters worst they even replace their seat covers to the ridiculous colorful theme they have on their B737s.
I really prefer flying AirAsia for flights less than 3hrs as they have newer planes and service aren’t that bad afterall. only complain is the LCC terminal but given time, they will do something about it.
Well… ‘youngest fleet’ by 2016.. we shall just see.
Dear Jermyn,
Thank you for sharing your flight experience. We truly appreciate your feedback on your flight experience, as well as suggestions for the vegetarian meal. We will definitely take that into consideration.
In regards to service from the crew, it was unacceptable, and we apologize on that. If you could provide us the details of your flights, we can then highlight this to our In-flight Services Department to further investigate on their actions.
Jermyn, as for your complaints on our aging 737-400s, we are excited to announce that we have placed orders for new Airbus A330-300’s and Boeing 737-800’s, and by 2016, we will have one of the youngest fleets in Asia! That will certainly make your future trips much more comfortable and pleasant.
We truly apologize if the flight experience wasn’t to your satisfaction, and we thank you once again for the constructive feedback , as it enables us to better monitor our service standards and take the necessary corrective action. We appreciate your understanding that change is not overnight, but we are trying our best in improving ourselves to serve our customers better.
Regards,
Pauline Chang.
Customer Relations.
Malaysia Airlines.
Dear Pauline,
Thanks for your response.
The flight in question was MH788, 13 Apr.
Regards … JT
Interesting to read the views above. As always, everyone is entitled to their opinion and what made it more intresting is tht the writer above was a former SQ cabin crew unlike like me who is an MH crew and proud of it.
I do not defend the shortcomings of what he experienced on his flt but then again fellow travellers,what you pay for your fare 10 years ago is similar or in some cases cheaper compared to today,so what do you expect?
Do not just “kutuk” your National Airline if you do not support them. Typical of Msians who always seem to find faults wt MAS instead of seeing some of the good things the staff has achieved along the years.
We did not win “Best Cabin Crew” award several times for nothing so there must be something good in your fellow Malaysians.
How would you feel esp if you’re working in Singapore or anywhere else in the world and the ppl there “kutuk” you just because you’re Malaysian???
Jangan lupa diri my fellow Malaysians living abroad!!! Be constructive when you have something to comment and it will be appreciated more.
I do apologise if i have offended anyone as this is just a personal view and not on behalf of the airline.
Thank you.
Hey Anderson,
Thanks for your comment.
Don’t get me wrong. I have lots of close friends who are crew with MH and whom I know maintain a very high standard of service on their flights.
My comments was really expressed in disappointment in this experienced from an airline that has won “Best Cabin Crew”. I have been encouraging many to give MH a chance and I felt I had to also be fair in sharing an experience that I had which was short of “best”.
Being ex-SQ crew I judge their standards in a much harsher light given how strict old standards were forced upon us in 1994. The difference between service 15 years ago and now is sad thus they have lost lots of ground to other great airlines.
Where I come from is if there is a gap between what airlines project of themselves and what is actually experienced, I think it appropriate for these gaps to be highlighted so they can be addressed so passengers don’t feel disgruntled.