Originally Posted by
clubeurope
I agree thoroughly with some of your points, which I have highlighted. Priority boarding is definitely problematic, especially in the nightmare that is the KUL holding pens. And yes, there always appears to be less satay catered these days, which is disappointing.
But mate, the food isn't that bad. I've definitely had some worse catering out of other hubs, CMB, DPS, and not to say HKG, to name a few. But food quality doesn't seem to be very consistent, and YMMV in my experience. So I'd say it is bad in the sense that it's rather inconsistent, though I personally noticed an improvement from the poor food quality I had a few months ago. In particular the Malaysian options are consistently good in my experience.
Whereas to spraying, that isn't something that MH decides, as it is decided by the Kastam Diraja Malaysia, and spraying on outbound really depends where you're flying to.
Cathay, for example - spraying is only inbound to Malaysia. What about other airlines?
Originally Posted by
clubeurope
I'm not too sure I understand what you mean by the lounges being branded by other companies, but thus far, I think the lounges in KL is quite okay, and the F side restaurant and service is really quite good in my experience. Furnishing and design isn't Cathay's The Pier, but service in the F side is often proactive and very friendly.
Spritzer, Oris, Sony branding all over the KL lounges.
Originally Posted by
clubeurope
With IFE screens, I've had the same problem with CX and QR and I agree it is absolutely obnoxious, though MH is definitely not alone in this one. Finally, as with giving extra benefits to their own elites, I don't exactly think that "express passes" or priority security et al are part of the agreement for Sapphire members and I don't see how this breaks the OW agreement, but airlines are sure free to give extra benefits to their own elites. CX for instance, gives lounge access to their Silver (OWR) members.
Oneworld mandates that if you offer a benefit to your own program tier, the corresponding OW tier needs the same entitlement. So for example, Enrich Plat have free seat selection, and therefore it has to be extended to OW Emerald. MH has decided not to give express immigration slips to OW Sapphire but is giving to their own Gold members.
The CX exmaple is different as it's a defined benefit of the tier. MH makes no mention that benefits in their tiers. I use these passes on a monthly basis ex-KL and it must have been a very recent policy change because since about November I've been told "no".
Originally Posted by
clubeurope
but overall, MH is indeed not in its current form, like the airline it once was during its days of glory.
Happy New Year
Can't say I ever flew MH back in it's glory days, but I do compare it to every other premium airline in the market. I guess that's what they're aiming for? Premium carrier?