Trip Reports - Malaysia Airlines TPE-LAX in First




aa767flyer
Nov 29, 04, 7:21 pm
Well, business took me to Okinawa this weekend so on the return decided to try something a little different and to my suprise a lot less expensive then the usual transit through NRT or KIX. I flew CI OKA-TPE and then connected to MH TPE-LAX. With the exception of the roughly 9 hour transit time which was well spent. Everything was perfect.

Check-in for MH 94 was fast with the exception of the wrench I through in by deciding to upgrade to First instead of Business. I paid the $600 and was on my way. I was assigned seat 4C with 4A blocked out. Not my favorite on MH 744 I prefer row 2 but every other row had someone in it so the empty seat was nice. MH uses the China Airlines Dynasty Lounge in TPE which as mention in past posts look to be remodeled. Its very comfortable with a separate First section. You are escorted to the First side and immediately brought a menu. Choices included several soups and noodle dishes from there noodle bar and dim sum. Everything was great and ate my fare share as I was busy during the day in TPE flying to KHH and back had no time to eat. Lounge in First side is simple and quite. Business side had a nice spread of food and a separate work area with Internet. The First side had two computers with high speed connection. The flight was delayed by 45 min. so boarding began at 21:30. At the time we were told to head to the gate.

Boarding was smooth. Now the part I don't like about 4 A & C is that the use the L 1 door for boarding and people are walking into you as the go past you in J. The seat is close to the wall so they are always bumping into your seat with there bags. Pre takeoff drinks were offered. I had the usual for me Teh Tarik my favorite on MH! The purser was delighted that I knew of this drink and very apologetic that First was full and my seat was not very good. There was a delay in our departure as they could not find a transit passenger. Soon we were off to LAX.

After takeoff I was given my menu and comforter. I wasn't feeling to great I think over tired so I just had the caviar and went right to sleep. During the meal service again my seat was being bumped and the smell of the Lamb was starting to make me feel worse so the purser saw my discomfort and cleared out a row in J for me to sleep while the service was being completed and woke me when they were finished. That was appreciated. I was impressed he could tell I was not comfortable and fixed the problem without me saying anything. Very high points on that! I fell right back to sleep in F and woke about 3 hours before landing in LAX. Flight was very bumpy all night but of me helps me sleep better just rocks you back to sleep I think. When I awoke had a chat with the steward up front nice guy and fixed me a hot chocolate and we had a chat later the captain who was taking his break joined for a few minutes and asked how I was enjoying myself and we chatted. MH has the best crews I think they are very personal and it shows in the service you receive from them. I find with airlines like SQ its not as personal and more of a machine like service.

The entertainment system on this flight was the new MH system of AVOID. Wasn't the greatest though very slim selection and a few of the choices did not work? Video quality wasn't good either screen was very blurred. So I did some reading and listened to some music. Did manage to watch "Dodge Ball."

About 2 hours before landing in LAX breakfast was served. Its odd as you land at 16:50 to have breakfast but it works. Mh has a great energizing drink to get you started and then a nice choice for breakfast the steak was great as were the noodles. soon after we began our decent into LAX. The purser again came to apologize for the seat and gave me a bottle of Dom Perignon for my inconvenience. This was totally not necessary but appreciated nonetheless. I told him not to worry its not your fault it was mine I chose to go in First at the mast minute and thus no good seats left.

Overall a great trip. MH is definitely number 1 in my book! I can't wait for their new First and Business Class seats. Tough I have yet to fly in Business on them doesn't look to be too bad. But once that First bug bites you it's hard to do anything else.


B-HXB
Nov 29, 04, 8:12 pm
But once that First bug bites you it's hard to do anything else.

So true! :D

Cheers for the report.

Swiss Tony
Nov 30, 04, 10:52 am
Excellent report. How is the MH amenity kit up front???


aa767flyer
Dec 1, 04, 3:16 am
The kit is nice it from Aigner. This one is a small brown pouch. A few months ago it was a small hanging bag. Very nice Eau de Toilette inside as well. Only thing MH needs is Pajamas!

DevilBucsFlyer
Dec 20, 04, 4:06 pm
It sounds like you fly MH regularly. Any idea when the reconfigured planes will start flying LAX-TPE-KUL? I've got an award ticket scheduled in first for June/July.

Also, we'll be taking our (typically well-behaved) toddler with us. I thought about doing coach with the little one, but first was the only thing available on an award ticket (awwww shux!). Any suggestions on the best seats in First? I was thinking the first or last row would likely be the best so if she does act up at all at lease there's only one row of passengers right next to us.

And, talk about the "first bug" biting and making you want to get out of business class? The vast majority of my 420,000 miles being used on this award are from flying domestic coach! I trust that I'll come home from my trip feeling as though getting there really WAS half the fun!

djjaguar64
Dec 21, 04, 10:48 am
Another Happy Customer, MH is doing pretty well. Nice report :cool:

Florida Aviator
Dec 21, 04, 11:22 am
It sounds like you fly MH regularly. Any idea when the reconfigured planes will start flying LAX-TPE-KUL? I've got an award ticket scheduled in first for June/July.

Also, we'll be taking our (typically well-behaved) toddler with us. I thought about doing coach with the little one, but first was the only thing available on an award ticket (awwww shux!). Any suggestions on the best seats in First? I was thinking the first or last row would likely be the best so if she does act up at all at lease there's only one row of passengers right next to us.

And, talk about the "first bug" biting and making you want to get out of business class? The vast majority of my 420,000 miles being used on this award are from flying domestic coach! I trust that I'll come home from my trip feeling as though getting there really WAS half the fun!

Florida Aviator
Dec 21, 04, 11:25 am
I am making the Tampa/LAX/TPE/KL/Delhi in FC on MH in 2/2005 so I will try to give you a full-fledged report, and yes I am also heavily anticipating that rarified atmosphere apart from the so-called "unwashed masses". Further,
I have been calling once a week for the update on which 744s will be upgraded by 2/2005...all with no success.

Rejuvenated
Dec 21, 04, 9:36 pm
Nice report. Thnx for sharing ^

fleur_de_lys
Dec 22, 04, 8:53 am
I am making the Tampa/LAX/TPE/KL/Delhi in FC on MH in 2/2005 so I will try to give you a full-fledged report, and yes I am also heavily anticipating that rarified atmosphere apart from the so-called "unwashed masses". Further,
I have been calling once a week for the update on which 744s will be upgraded by 2/2005...all with no success.

I am also flying on an F reward from LAX to BOM on MH via KUL, leaving in January and returning in Feb. I was told by MH that the new F cabin would only be on the LHR to KUL starting Feb. This is supposed to a gradual phase in from then to April or May 2006 on the rest of the fleet, so we will not have it in Feb. The 777 upgrade will start in Dec initially with Paris, Zurich and one other european destination. This info was on MH themselves. I also read this on a web site called Asia travels (sorry I did not save the exact web address).

egtravel
Dec 22, 04, 12:14 pm
I've flown MH in econ and they were pretty much flawless on every flight! Besides the seats, they almost (I said almost) made me feel like I was in first class. Well, the treatment any way. Very good crew indeed and great report! ^

Florida Aviator
Dec 22, 04, 11:39 pm
I am also flying on an F reward from LAX to BOM on MH via KUL, leaving in January and returning in Feb. I was told by MH that the new F cabin would only be on the LHR to KUL starting Feb. This is supposed to a gradual phase in from then to April or May 2006 on the rest of the fleet, so we will not have it in Feb. The 777 upgrade will start in Dec initially with Paris, Zurich and one other european destination. This info was on MH themselves. I also read this on a web site called Asia travels (sorry I did not save the exact web address).

Florida Aviator
Dec 22, 04, 11:42 pm
Thanks for your feedback which is pretty much what I expected, i.e., MH prioritizing its flagship route of LHR/KL, when the upgrades come on line. Alas, I will have to start accumulating my miles again for the second Grand Tour of India in MH FC in 2006 or 2007. Do you have any word if the LAX/KL flights will experience any of the upgraded crew uniforms/food in FC...?

Florida Aviator
Dec 22, 04, 11:42 pm
Thanks for your feedback which is pretty much what I expected, i.e., MH prioritizing its flagship route of LHR/KL, when the upgrades come on line. Alas, I will have to start accumulating my miles again for the second Grand Tour of India in MH FC in 2006 or 2007. Do you have any word if the LAX/KL flights will experience any of the upgraded crew uniforms/food in FC by 2/2005?

kyushuman
May 15, 05, 11:55 am
I am making the Tampa/LAX/TPE/KL/Delhi in FC on MH in 2/2005 so I will try to give you a full-fledged report, and yes I am also heavily anticipating that rarified atmosphere apart from the so-called "unwashed masses". Further,
I have been calling once a week for the update on which 744s will be upgraded by 2/2005...all with no success.
Did you do the trip? How was F recently on MH 744 LAX-TPE-KUL?
Did you have the new F?

diana
May 17, 05, 7:46 pm
Thanks for the memories!

Pajamas will arrive with the new sleeper seats.



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